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Whether children have picky palates or crave new dining adventures, they’ll discover a wonderful world of tastes in Central Florida restaurants. From barbecue pits and pizza parlors to tapas restaurants and taco spots, there are more than 500 family restaurants making kids happy throughout the Orlando area.

Children can have their barbecue and eat their chicken nuggets, too, at O’Boys Real Smoked Bar-B-Q, a local chain serving up great ‘cue. Slow-smoked ribs, chicken, sliced pork or beef marry well with tasty baked beans, fries and garlic bread. Other kid-friendly barbecue spots are Sonny’s Real Pit Bar-B-Q, Bubbalou’s Bodacious BBQ and Tony Roma’s.

For a real slice of heaven, Alfonso’s Pizza & More, in College Park, delivers. Choose thin or thick crust; toppings range from traditional pepperoni to chopped spinach and blackened chicken. The two family-run Brooklyn Pizza locations serve authentic New Yorkstyle pies that kids can finish with a real Italian ice. Parents can treat the kiddies to the carnival atmosphere of entertainment and arcade games at one of many Chuck E. Cheese’s around town.

Adventurous youngsters enjoy the entertainment (dancers and artists) and the choices from a broad selection of tapas, or appetizer-sized tastes, at Café Tu Tu Tango. Cajun egg rolls, breads, spreads and dips, soups and unusual desserts keep the table interesting. And at Boma – Flavors of Africa at Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge, children have the run of a bountiful buffet of salmon, chicken and prime rib with African-spiced sauces, soups, fruit and veggie salads. Or, they can pile their plates with their own comfort foods – chicken tenders, spaghetti and sauce or mac’ ‘n’ cheese. The buffet at Sweet Tomatoes is a kid’s dream, with endless pizza, pasta, soups, salad fixings, fruit and selfserve frozen yogurt and ice cream with candied toppings.

Of the many themed restaurants in Orlando, Rainforest Café is appealing with its clever faux-jungle décor. Waterfalls and noisy robotic critters including lions, gorillas, monkeys and chirping birds create an ambiance that invites families to join the fun. Pastas, burgers and dinosaur-shaped chicken nuggets are winners.

More whimsical animal fun and child-friendly fare is served up at Jungle Jim’s Restaurant & Bar on S.R. 535 near Walt Disney World Resort. Chef Mickey’s at Disney’s Contemporary Resort sends the "Big Cheese" himself and his cartoon-character friends for a visit to your table. Breakfast and dinner buffets are tailored to the whole family – kids love the Mickey cheese ravioli. Virtual racing games provide plenty of entertainment after dinner at Race Rock Supercharged Restaurant, where kids can nosh on a Daytona cheeseburger or chicken dragsters and chase it with a chocolate banana or strawberry shake.

The Johnny Rockets chain does burgers and hot dogs just right and tosses in tasty milkshakes while servers dance to Motown hits on the jukebox. Hot dogs really rock at Hot Dog Heaven on East Colonial, where the dogs come in all styles – Southern, Chicago, New York and more.

Chinese food is a treasure box of fun for kids at Ming Court Wok & Grille, where shrimp, beef, pork or chicken dinners for kids 10 and under now are served in a Bento Box with shrimp chips, rice or fries, veggie lo-mein noodles and a fortune cookie. How can they go wrong with meals named "Happy Dragon Feast" and "Emperor’s Hidden Treasure?"

If everyone’s in the mood for Mexican, El Potro Mexican Restaurant is a great family pleaser. Kids adore the buffet filled with fix-your-own taco and burrito ingredients, plus fish, chicken and desserts that include flan and sweet tres leches cake. For parents, the fullservice menu includes sangria and beer. Other hot Mexican spots in town: the Amigos restaurant chain and the family-run Juarez Café in Kissimmee.

Catfish fresh from Florida waters is on the kids’ menu at The Catfish Place Restaurant of St. Cloud. Other children’s-menu items include fried clams, chicken tenders and gator tail (tastes like chicken), plus fries, applesauce and hush puppies. Straub’s Fine Seafood caters to kids with a four-course meal that begins with a carrot and celery appetizer with ranch dressing. When parents’ salads arrive, kids can enjoy their own cheese quesadilla. Children’s entrees include fish, shrimp, chicken or pasta and ice cream with sauce is a sweet finish. The early-bird menu, served before 6 p.m., is a great option for older children. Children under 4 eat free off the kids’ menu at Boston Lobster Feast and kids 11 and under get a reduced price on the feast of lobster, snow crab, fried shrimp and more. At Joe’s Crab Shack’s several locations, the outdoor playground is as appealing to youngsters as the kid-friendly food. A trip east to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex wouldn’t be complete without dinner at Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, a local institution famous for its rock shrimp, catfish and sugar-dusted corn fritters. Children can order clam strips or chicken tenders, as well.

A favorite local excursion that includes family breakfast or brunch is a visit to DeLeon Springs State Park and its popular Old Spanish Sugar Mill Grill & Griddle House. Kids have a ball flipping their own white-flour or five-grain pancakes on a built-in table griddle, adding bananas, chocolate chips and other treats to the flapjacks.

Families on a budget should call ahead to check "kids eat free" specials at a variety of restaurants. Roadhouse Grill and Gator’s Dockside multiple locations offer a free child’s meal with each adult meal purchased on Tuesday evenings and Giovanni’s Italian Restaurant offers the same deal on Monday evenings. Boston Market charges only 99 cents per child’s meal with each paying adult throughout the week.
Page created by LaurenM on 17-09-2010 15:49.
+ Last editted by Stu on 19-09-2011 14:12. View History

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