Most restaurants around town have a Kids Menu for your child, but is it healthy? Is it just more of the deep fried chicken nuggets and fries? In most cases yes. So if you want your child getting no nutrition and ending up with childhood obesity, than you're in luck. But what if you want your child getting some quality food, with lots of different choices and at a good price? Look no further than these 2 area dining spots. Which happen to be my daughter's favorite.
1. Jason's Deli - This inexpensive (for 2 adults and 1 child our bill is under $20.00), family-friendly spot serves up organic produce, nitrate-free lunch meat, and whole-grain bread on both its kids' and adult menus. Last year, it became the only restaurant chain in the country to ban high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors in all its food. "With the food dyes out of our mac 'n' cheese, for instance, it's no longer bright orange, but our taste tests show kids prefer the new version," says Pat Herring, director of research and development. All children's meals at Jason's come with a side of organic carrots, apple slices, or a fruit cup in addition to organic milk or apple juice.
2. Chipolte (Located in Valley West Mall) - It feeds kids good stuff. "Our menu gives children the same nutritious choices the adults have, and that fosters the concept at home of not having special kid food and adult food," says Chris Arnold, communications director. The ingredients are high-quality (all dairy products are hormone-free and most of the meat is antibiotic-free) and lower in sodium than most store-bought Mexican food (the crispy taco shells have only 10mg of sodium apiece). Plus, the chain requires each restaurant to locally source at least 50 percent of one produce item. Another bonus for families of kids with food allergies: The entire restaurant is peanut- and tree-nut free.
So the next time you are looking for a place to take the kids for lunch or dinner, check out one of these 2 quality spots. You won't be disappointed.
1. Jason's Deli - This inexpensive (for 2 adults and 1 child our bill is under $20.00), family-friendly spot serves up organic produce, nitrate-free lunch meat, and whole-grain bread on both its kids' and adult menus. Last year, it became the only restaurant chain in the country to ban high-fructose corn syrup and artificial colors in all its food. "With the food dyes out of our mac 'n' cheese, for instance, it's no longer bright orange, but our taste tests show kids prefer the new version," says Pat Herring, director of research and development. All children's meals at Jason's come with a side of organic carrots, apple slices, or a fruit cup in addition to organic milk or apple juice.
2. Chipolte (Located in Valley West Mall) - It feeds kids good stuff. "Our menu gives children the same nutritious choices the adults have, and that fosters the concept at home of not having special kid food and adult food," says Chris Arnold, communications director. The ingredients are high-quality (all dairy products are hormone-free and most of the meat is antibiotic-free) and lower in sodium than most store-bought Mexican food (the crispy taco shells have only 10mg of sodium apiece). Plus, the chain requires each restaurant to locally source at least 50 percent of one produce item. Another bonus for families of kids with food allergies: The entire restaurant is peanut- and tree-nut free.
So the next time you are looking for a place to take the kids for lunch or dinner, check out one of these 2 quality spots. You won't be disappointed.
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