There are many fun play places and restaurants specifically for children. They are thrilling, energy-filled environments that are all but guaranteed to have your kid take an incredible nap afterward. As a dad, I always fall into the stereotype of trying to determine the profit margins of whatever kid-centered restaurant and play place we are in. However, I always get hung up on how much the insurance must cost for those places. There are also the inherent universal questions every parent asks while there. Is this going to be the outing where we all catch the flu? What is the likelihood that we get sick from the food here? Is today going to be the day that my child falls and breaks a bone? So, while these play places and restaurants designed for children are certainly fun, they are almost a twisted rite-of-passage for parents, too. Fortunately, parents should not always do these types of outings for their kids. Plenty of kid-friendly restaurants are not specifically labeled as kid restaurants for the whole family to enjoy.
I believe that children, regardless of their age, have a right to be in society. Of course, there are exceptions and will always be nuances to certain outings. But by and large, kids have a right to partake publicly in society with their families. While my wife and I believe children have a right to be out in society, it does not mean they can or should be inside every food establishment. On rare occasions, we are able to break away for a date night, but we prefer to go to restaurants meant for an adult crowd. A couple of these restaurants we like are the Japanese-Korean restaurant Janken and the New American restaurant Street Disco. But it can be hard to decide on a restaurant that isn’t a kid-centered play place but is also a spot the kids will enjoy eating at. The easiest way for us to figure this out is whether they have a kids’ menu or not. If there is no kids’ menu, then it most likely is not a place for children. If they have a kids’ menu, that acts as our green light.
Tin Shed Garden Café in Portland on Alberta Street is a popular kid-friendly restaurant. This is arguably one of Oregon’s most popular brunch spots, so make sure to lock down a reservation. This charming building appears to be a literal tin shed. The food is mouthwatering, too. For their Kids’ Brunch Menu, they offer items like their Eggs ‘n’ Biscuit, which is cheesy scrambled eggs and a homemade buttermilk biscuit. On their regular brunch menu, they offer items such as their Fetch, which is a bacon, tomato, green onion scramble over potato cakes or cheese grits, and served with a house-made buttermilk biscuit. McMenamins is another restaurant that we all know about but is easy to overlook. We recently were at their Forest Grove location, which they affectionately call their Grand Lodge. The menu includes items such as Cajun Tots with Peppercorn Ranch and Ale-Battered Fish and Chips. The Grand Lodge location is also slightly dark and intentionally creepy (but not scary). It is sure to fascinate both parents and children.
¿Por Qué No?! is another phenomenal child-friendly restaurant. With two locations in Portland, one on Mississippi Street and the other on Hawthorne Street, it is sure to become a family favorite. Their main menu features tacos such as Verduras, which is loaded with seasonal veggies, and their Carne Asada taco, rubbed with lime juice and chipotles. Their kids’ menu features selections such as their Kid’s Bean and Cheese Taco, which you can add rice and avocado for an extra charge. Another Kid’s Menu item is their Kid’s Bean and Rice bowl, in which you can also add additional toppings and proteins such as chicken or beef. Another wonderful option is Jam on Hawthorne in Portland. For those with bigger appetites, they serve options such as their Kimchi & Cheddar Hash and also Oatmeal Chai Blueberry Pancakes. Their Kids’ Menu has options that include the Kid’s One Egg Breakfast served with hashbrowns, toast, and one slice of bacon OR veggie sausage patty. Their kids ’ menu also has the Kid’s Maddie Cakes, a stack of lemon-ricotta pancakes served with a blueberry compote. This restaurant is a must.
Another spot worth mentioning is Ernesto’s Italian Restaurant. Located in Portland near Jesuit High School, this longstanding Italian restaurant has been a go-to spot for me and my family for more than 20 years. Their main menu features items like their Mix Spaghetti & Ravioli and Roasted Italian Chicken. Their kids ’ menu includes Gnocchi with Marinara and Penne Alfredo. I not only have a connection to Ernesto’s because I’ve been going there since I was a child, but it also bridges generations back to the Old World regions where my elders came from. Food brings us together and has always served as a foundation for society. One of our greatest joys is going out to eat at a restaurant with our toddler. I am confident in saying that she loves it too, maybe even more than we do. So don’t be shy. Be brave and bring your kids out into society. You can always use the excuse, Well, they did have a kids’ menu.
Alex is a devoted husband and father born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He is a professional artist, author, and advisor for both Yale and Harvard University’s arts departments. His book, ‘Selling Leonardo: The Art World’s Greatest Scandal’ is available wherever books are sold.