We finally made it! Yes, we made it to the point where we can actually go to a restaurant that has a server. I thought the day would never come.
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For some restaurant recommendations for adults, check out Grown-Up Time!
Also, see Free Play for
a listing of restaurant playlands.
MasonMetu New Find: The Hamilton County Park District has some great brunches with their Sunday Jazz Brunch in the Park. 10:30am-1pm. $13.95/adults & $6.95/kids 2-12. Brunches alternate between Sharon Woods and Woodland Mound until March 21.
Fast Food Recs:
Chick-fil-A® - www.chick-fil-a.com. This is my favorite fast food place because they use real chicken! There's a nice indoor play area and my kids love to get the free balloons.
- Now open: 150 Merten Dr., Mason, Ohio (across from Bigg's on Mason-Montgomery Rd). 513-770-3445
- 7733 Voice of America Dr., West Chester, Ohio 45069 -513-791-1767.
Tip: If you go for lunch, go before or after the busy lunch rush (11:30am or 12:45pm). I order 2 kid's meals and a sandwich & water for me - my girls never eat all their fries so I just eat theirs and it's a meal for 3 for under $10.00.
Culver's - www.culvers.com. 5742 Tylersville Rd, Mason -
them out.
Upscale Fast Food (they have waiters but are still fast)
MasonMetu New Restaurant Find - Blue Ash Chili - www.blueashchili.com. Opened on March 2 at 4200 Aero Drive, Mason, Ohio. I used to go to the original Blue Ash Chili when I was a working woman, and I really enjoyed it - sort of an old-style diner concept. So, I'll be excited to try the new restaurant when it opens! Kids meals are $3.99 and include a drink.
Frisch's Big Boy - www.frischs.com. Various locations. You can't live in Cincinnati without going to Frisch's every so often. It's Pee-Paw's favorite "go to" place when he's with the girls. It's loud and they have food kids love.
Gold Star Chili - www.goldstarchili.com. Various locations but our favorite: 8150 Arbor Square Dr., Mason, Ohio 45040 (513-770-4305). They have a good selection of kid's meals and my kids love spaghetti and tiny hot dogs so they love going here. Every Tuesday night kids eat free (10 and under) when accompanied by an adult.
Skyline Chili - www.skylinechili.com. Various locations. Another great place for chili, spaghetti and little hot dogs.
Steak-n-Shake - www.steaknshake.com. Various locations. Milkshakes anyone? Yum. There always seems to be good coupons for Steak-n-Shake around. Our closest location: 5308 Fields Ertel Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio 45249 (513-770-9540).
The Rootbeer Stand - 11566 Reading Rd., Sharonville, Ohio 45241. 769-4349. This place has been around for a long time and it's only open for a few months out of the year so make sure you take your kids here. It's an old time rootbeer stand where they have the best rootbeer floats in town. The rootbeer is homemade and it is so good. If you eat inside, you can get your rootbeer in a frosty mug. They also have footlong hotdogs, hamburgers, deli sandwiches and more so bring the kids for lunch and have a rootbeer float. They've updated the seating area behind the rootbeer stand so you can enjoy your food outside while the kids play on the playset.
Real Restaurants (they have waiters & you're there longer)
Applebees - www.applebees.com. Various locations. We try to get here but it is usually too crowded (a good sign). This is a fun, loud place where the adults can actually get a drink. They also have their curbside to go service so if you can't think of what to have for dinner, have your husband pick something up on his way home. Closest to us: 9660 Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, OH 45040 (513) 336-9943.
Bob Evans - www.bobevans.com. Various locations. Our fav: 8100 Arbor Square Dr., Mason, Ohio 45040 (513-770-0163). I think Bob Evans is a great family restaurant. Their kid's meals are awesome and come with some healthy side choices and they are reasonable. We usually get the girls water and then it's really a good value. You can have your kids join their birthday club and they'll get a free kid's meal coupon when their b-days roll around.
Mimi's Cafe - www.mimiscafe.com. 5050 Deerfield Blvd, Mason, OH 45040 (513) 770-0720. I really like Mimi's (especially if it's just meeting my girlfriends for brunch) and they have a nice selection of kid's meals which usually includes some type of fruit. Their huge muffins are awesome.
Pitrelli’s Italian Café - 312 Reading Road, Mason, OH 45040(513) 770-0122. MasonMetu viewer and Mom, Megan L., recommends this
quaint small Italian restaurant in the heart of Mason. They are known
for their signature basil and garlic marinara sauce. Probably best for kids on weeknights.
Red Robin - www.redrobin.com. 5013 Bowen Dr., Mason, Ohio 45040 (513-229-8660). This place definitely caters to families and has a pretty good assortment of kid's meals for those 10 and under. The kid's meals always include your drink so you don't have to pay extra for that and they give you a nice selection of healthy side items too.
Toot's - www.cincinnati.toots.com. 12191 Montgomery Rd
Loveland, OH 45140 (513-697-9100). Toot's is the perfect place to take the kids if you want to catch a game and have a beer. The bonus is that they always offer a FREE kid's hot dog meals every day (drinks are extra) but if you check out their website and the Kid's Corner, you can pull up coupons for other kid's meals - the kids get to color them, how fun is that? On Tuesday, Kids eat FREE off the kid's menu (2 kids per adult). There is a small arcade area too.
Pizza Places
This is sort of a no-brainer with kids. So here's a list of some local pizza places that you might want to take the family. |  |
Aponte's Pizzeria - www.apontes.net. 753 Reading Rd # A, Mason, OH 45040 (513-336-7400). This is a family owned restaurant located in a small strip mall. They have take out and dine in facilities. The small dining room in the back of the restaurant is perfect for families. Their pizza is really good too. We usually order the kids a small cheese pizza to share and then we can get something for us.
Cici's Pizza - www.cicispizza.com. The Tylersville VOA location is now closed - bummer, but there are still other locations in Cincinnati.
toppings to choose from.
apple slices) as well as lots of other menu selections. I really like this place for kids.
for take out or delivery too.
Deli's, Cafe's & Coffee Houses
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Flavors Eatery - www.flavorseatery.com. 8374 Princeton Glendale Rd., West Chester, Ohio (513-860-9550). We haven't had a chance to get over to Flavor's but I really want to. Their menu of wraps, burittos, salads, sandwiches, pizza, etc. looks delicious. I also read an article that said it was a great place to go with kids - I hope it's a tasty rec.
Kidd Coffee - www.kiddcoffee.com. I like Kidd Coffee since it originally started in downtown Mason. They now have additional locations but they all seem to stay true to friendly service with good quality coffee. Their coffee shops allow you to enjoy that cup of joe whether it's by yourself or with a group of friends. The two Mason locations also have some kid-friendly toys and books to help keep the youngsters occupied. Mason location: 322 Reading Rd., Mason, Ohio. 513-398-0718. Mason also has an open mic night on Wed.
McAlister's Deli - www.mcalistersdeli.com. Various locations but closest to us: 5040 Deerfield Blvd, Mason
Panera Bread - www.panerabread.com. Various locations but closest to us: 5095 Deerfield Boulevard, Mason, Ohio 45040 (513-770-0160) & 7725 Voice of America Centre Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069 (513-779-5511). Panera just has good food and if your kids like bagels, then this is the place to go. It's a great place to meet some Mommy friends for lunch or coffee.
Check out the Kids' Eat Free listing!
