Family Friendly

I’ve got two kids—aged eight and just shy of two—and rather than subsisting on takeout or pizza, we’ve gotten dining out with them down to a rough science. There are a handful of Twin Cities restaurants that genuinely embrace families—that means prompt service, kitchen flexibility, reasonable prices, a staff that can anticipate kids’ needs, and serving darn tasty food. Here are my top-ten picks for local family-friendly dining.  —Adam Platt

Big Bowl
Edina, Minnetonka, Roseville
Brinker International’s resale of this once-hot Asian concept to its founders, chef Bruce Cost and the Lettuce Entertain You group of Chicago, heralds its return to the crown of the town’s best family-friendly Asian restaurants. There’s a renewed focus on quality, variety, and authenticity as well.
Best Bets Dumplings, Asian chicken salad.
Prime Time The restaurants fill up early on weekends, and the buzz can become a din. We like weeknights.
Pssst The kids’ menu is a great introduction to Asian flavors. No corn dogs here.
But It’s still not exactly Chinatown, from an authenticity standpoint.

California Pizza Kitchen
Southdale Center, Edina, 952-924-3000; The Shoppes at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove, 763-424-4890
The chain that Sidney’s was modeled after does the pizza-pasta-salad thing about as well as any mall goer needs, and the kids’ menu and games booklet are designed to keep you sane and them distracted.
Best Bets Smashed pea and barley soup; chopped salad with smoked bacon and Gorgonzola; BLT pizza.
Prime Time There’s no bad time to go, but on Saturday evenings, you’re usually guaranteed a wait.
Pssst Counter seating means you can watch the pizza makers.
But I wish it didn’t feel quite so chainy.

The Cheescake Factory
Southdale Center, Edina, 952-653-3333
Forget what the snobs tell you. It’s all scratch cooking here, the recipes are some of the best around, and the menu is so big there’s something for everyone. No kids’ menu, but they’ll do kids’ pasta and chicken strips, and the miniburgers are sized perfectly for little hands.
Best Bets Spicy ahi tempura rolls; mini crab cakes; spicy, crispy chicken sandwich; grilled eggplant sandwich; Key lime cheesecake.
Prime Time Alas, it’s always prime time and long waits are common. Go early, late, between mealtimes, or early in the week.
Pssst For toothless babies, there’s a special gratis plate of sliced fruits and soft bread.
But The enormous portions bother some folks.

Convention Grill
3912 Sunnyside Rd., Edina, 952-920-6881
The art of burger-making is an exacting one, and although we can’t say our experience at Convention is always perfect, when they’re on, there’s not a better bowl of fries, malt in an old-fashioned metal can, or cheesy burger in town. Not that it’s needed, but there’s a kids’ menu as well.
Best Bets Fresh mushroom cheeseburger, coffee malt, double-decker grilled cheese with bacon and tomato.
Prime Time Sit in the front room and watch the grill masters do their stuff behind the counter.
Pssst Waits are shorter if you’re willing to sit at the counter.
But When they’re slammed, burgers come overcooked, fries undercooked.

D’Amico & Sons
2210 Hennepin Ave., Mpls., 612-374-1858, and many other metro locations
These casual, informal Italian cafés are exemplars of the D’Amicos’ commitment to quality, scratch cooking, top-drawer ingredients, and Italian authenticity. Yet there’s an extensive kids’ menu, crayons by the container load, and the food comes so quick li’l Braden won’t go ballistic.
Best Bets Caesar salad, beef tenderloin salad, chicken parmigiana, linguine with mushrooms and pancetta.
Prime Time Sunday nights when kids eat free.
Pssst Free refills of house wine make all the screeching rugrats bearable.
But The cold salads are kept in an icy case, and it tempers their flavor.

Longfellow Grill
2990 W. River Pkwy., Mpls., 612-721-2711
If you could design a neighborhood café where the standards are creative and the prices don’t bite too hard, the three eateries of the Blue Plate Restaurant Group would be your model. Not all the creative twists work, and we still can’t abide those Aussie burgers, but the kids’ fare is some of the best-tasting in town.
Best Bets Fried Caprese salad, fish and chips, pot roast sandwich, kids’ menu.
Prime Time The place shines in temperate months, and the terrace is lovely.
Pssst Its sister Edina and Highland Grills are every bit as good, but less atmospheric.
But The much-vaunted river view doesn’t really exist.

Market Bar-B-Que
1414 Nicollet Ave., Mpls., 612-872-1111; 15320 Wayzata Blvd., Mtka., 952-475-1770
This isn’t everybody’s favorite barbecue, but that’s more about how “barbecue” has changed while Market hasn’t. It’s the Twin Cities’ most authentic pit-smoked-meat palace, bar none. Inevitably, kids love the food and some of the goofy mechanical toys in the bar.
Best Bets Baby back ribs, brisket, chicken, spareribs.
Prime Time There’s always a good buzz at Market when the convention center is humming or after a big sporting event.
Pssst They let you sauce your meat, so it arrives naked, but moist.
But Those accustomed to baked/ brined “barbecue-style” cooking may not find Market to their taste.

Pop! Restaurant
2859 NE Johnson St., Mpls., 612-788-0455
Clark Knutson’s Northeast storefront restaurant is one of the few local restaurants  to offer refined adult fare and welcome kids on their own terms, hearkening back to the days when hospitality ruled, not design or the bar scene.
Best Bets Smoked-queso fondue, walleye sandwich, matambre (flank) steak platter.
Prime Time The restaurant is at its best when it’s buzzing, and that means on evenings later in the week.
Pssst Snap! pizza parlor next door shares the same owners and philosophy.
But This is no chain. There aren’t the games, booklets, and blaring monitors to amuse kids, but their meals are served in TV-dinner–style sectioned trays.

Punch Neapolitan Pizza
Eden Prairie, 952-943-9557; Mpls. (Lake Calhoun), 612-929-0006; St. Paul (Highland Park), 651-696-1066
The pizza is authentic Neapolitan style, with a superb lithe crust, the best tomatoes, and a spare smattering of ingredients. You can eat a whole one and not feel ill. The new quick-serve model rolled out in the west metro lacks a certain charm, but works even better for families. 
Best Bets Punch salad, salame e funghi pizza.
Prime Time The Highland Park location fills early and stays that way. Go at lunch.
Pssst Some folks like Pizza Nea better.
But Kids who’ve grown up eating American pizza may not like the real thing.

Wagner’s Drive-In
3712 Quebec Ave. S., St. Louis Park, 952-933-1857
This shack on a Highway 7 frontage road is the unlikely home of some of the town’s best burgers—beefy, crisp-crusted, and cheesy—on soft buns.
Best Bets Cheeseburgers, fries.
Prime Time Warm, sunny summer evenings rock here, and you’ll wait as proof. Go early or late.
Pssst Even the malts are superior.
But It’s closed all winter.
Honorable Mention Louie’s Habit.