It’s probably true that most kids, when dining out in a restaurant, will go with the burger, the chicken fingers and the plain macaroni and cheese. Stephanie Shimp, partner at 3 Squares, sees this frequently in her restaurant. However, it’s also true that the more a kid is exposed to new foods, the more inclined they are to try them and like them, so maybe after you’ve offered broccoli or seared fish or sweet potato for the tenth time (yes, it’s likely to take that many attempts, so don’t be disheartened after 2-3 rejections) you might actually find success. If you like dining out, and you’d like to prod your kids to be just a little bit more adventurous, we’ve found several encouraging options in a setting that’s still casual but not necessarily fast food, to stretch the boundaries of their taste buds.
Spaghetti with Meatballs
At 3 Squares, they take what partner Stephanie Shimp refers to as a “two-pronged approach” to kid food. They have the basic chicken finger style kids’ fare, but they also have an impressive variety of dishes for kids who have graduated to more sophisticated tastes, including a couple of dishes that meet the criteria for the National Restaurant Association’s “Kids Live Well” program on calorie count and healthy eating. The spaghetti with meatballs is one such dish, using a sauce made with San Marzano tomatoes, homemade meatballs, basil, and grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese ($7.45). The grilled chicken, an alternative to fried chicken fingers, also qualifies, served with a small green salad and carrot sticks with ranch dressing. Other dishes, though perhaps a bit less healthy, are still a refreshing change of pace, like fish and chips, or steak and pierogis ($5.45), with a mini portion of cheddar and potato pierogis topped with crispy onion strings. Kids’ meals include a drink like skim milk, soda or juice, carrots and ranch dressing, and a side of applesauce or grilled corn. Also a hit with junior diners are the breakfast dishes like waffles, French toast and pancakes, which are served all day. 12690 Arbor Lakes Pkwy.; 763.425.3330
Pesto Cavatappi
There are over 14 vegetables on the menu at Noodles & Co., from cabbage and sprouts to red bell pepper and broccoli, so if you’re looking to expose your child to a new vegetable here and there, here’s the opportunity. It might start with simply adding a vegetable like broccoli to the macaroni and cheese or tossing some spinach in with the spaghetti and meatballs. In a dish like the Japanese pan noodles, if mushrooms are a no-go, you can have them replaced with carrots. The pesto cavatappi, with its curlicue noodles, pesto, mushrooms and tomatoes, has also gone over well with the younger clientele because of the fun-shaped noodle, says communications manager Mandy Melby. The casual noodle company is always open to making substitutions or customizing the dish in any way little Johnny sees fit, in fact, if you try something new and he has an all-out meltdown, they’ll even make him something else, no questions asked. Vegetables can also be ordered on the side, for those kids that like to keep things separate on the plate, and proteins like chicken or shrimp can be added to any noodle dish. All noodle dishes come in a small or regular size, with the small size starting at $4.25. 7840 Main St.; 763.416.1404
Kids’ Buffet
What better way to appeal to a child’s fiercely independent nature than to let her choose the foods that go on her plate? At a buffet like the one at Bollywood Bistro, kids get to see everything that’s available to them, and as a parent, you can put just a tiny dot of something new on the plate without seeing a whole order go to waste should your child reject the flavor. The dishes offered on the buffet change daily, but include vegetarian options like lentils, samosas, pakora and palak paneer, along with tandoori dishes, curries, tikka masala and vindaloo. The buffet includes naan breads and rice, and the cost for children is $4.99. The restaurant also offers a kids’ menu with a gyro ($5.99) and a chicken tikka roll ($5.99). Desserts are not surprisingly a hit with the little ones as well, like rice kheer (rice cooked in condensed milk) and Indian tirimisu. 8085 Wedgewood Lane N.; 763.494.6925
Lo Mein with Chicken
It was just a few years ago that P.F. Chang’s introduced a separate kids menu, taking the items that had always been popular with children and offering them in a smaller portion size. Operating partner Tony Pace says kids and parents have never been happier. The menu offers an eclectic mix, including lo mein with chicken ($3.95), and let’s face it, what kid can’t be won over with a big plate of noodles? Among other kids’ menu choices are fried rice ($2.95), honey chicken, which resembles chicken fingers with a honey dipping sauce ($4.95), and a baby Buddha feast offering steamed or stir fried veggies and rice ($2.95). Kids meals come with a drink like milk, soda, juice or tea, and rice, if appropriate. Gluten-free versions are available for the fried rice and baby Buddha feast. Other amenities the kids are sure to enjoy include crayons and starter chopsticks that are attached at the top. “For many years, we didn’t have a separate kids menu, and the kids shared with mom and dad, but that didn’t always go over so well. Now, we’re really letting them be part of the experience,” says Pace. 12071 Elm Creek Blvd.; 763.493.9377
Taco with Rice and Beans
Chicken fingers and fries seem a little out of place at a Mexican restaurant, but they are indeed served at El Rodeo. Our advice is to forgo all of that, however, and see how well your kids might take to the Latin flavors. A taco in a crispy or soft tortilla filled with chicken and served with rice and beans on the side is actually pretty well suited to the young palate ($3.99 for a kids’ portion). Enchiladas are stuffed with chicken or cheese, topped with cheese and red sauce, and served with rice and beans ($3.99). Even appetizers like chips with mild salsa and guacamole may have kids so distracted by the crunching and dipping that they forget they are trying new and interesting flavors. While alcohol is served, the atmosphere is still fun and casual enough that you’ll feel completely comfortable bringing the family. And kids even eat free on Tuesdays from 3 p.m. to close with the purchase of a beverage. 13572 80th Circle N.; 763.493.4443
