Kid-friendly restaurants: Here are 5 suggestions in Bloomington
If you are looking for a delicious, kid-friendly meal out, Bloomington has more than 300 independently operated restaurants. Here are five great places to eat with your family.
DeAngelo's Italian Creole Restaurant
DeAngelo's is a great, locally owned place for families to eat out. Owner Mark Miller has worked there since 2006 and whole-heartedly supports local organizations including Middle Way House and local sports teams. DeAngelo’s has a variety of menu items that are perfect for kids, including pizza and pasta dishes. On Tuesdays, they offer "Kids Make Their Own Pizza" for $1 at the tables, something the restaurant started 17 years ago. Miller has children at Rogers Elementary and "loves supporting school children." The staff is friendly and welcomes your kids to watch their pizzas cook in the pizza oven. The food is popular with locals and the prices are reasonable. They have creative pizzas of the month and $4 house wine on Tuesdays for caregivers and adults. DeAngelo's serves lunch and dinner every day and offers delivery services, too.
DeAngelo's is at 2620 E. Third St. in the Eastland Plaza. For more, go to deangelosbloomington.com.
Hopscotch Coffee and Kitchen
Hopscotch is an obvious choice to get coffee and a pastry for breakfast, lunch or brunch. Additionally, Hopscotch has a kids' area with toys to provide distractions in the restaurant, at 235 Dodds St. Located right on the B-Line Trail, there is plenty of room for kids to roam and play outside before or after your meal (furry kids, too.) Hopscotch offers sandwiches, salads and a variety of vegetarian options. The staff is friendly, cheerful and they smile and go out of their way to make customers feel welcome. The delicious coffee is roasted in-house. The kitchen recently celebrated its one-year anniversary on April 6. The Kids Plate includes Honeycrisp cinnamon applesauce with melty cheesy toast or white toast with fresh fruit.
Zero Degrees
Parents might not think of Zero Degrees, a slightly pricier option on the eastside, at 1285 S. College Mall Road, Unit B, as a place to take kids. While not targeted to children, this upscale Korean hotdog, Boba Tea and ramen spot has menu options kids will enjoy including snow ice, popcorn chicken, sweet potato fries and egg waffles. It features a fun cotton candy machine that may or may not be worth the $7, but children under 7 likely can convince you the various colors and shapes the cotton candy machine offers are indeed worth the price. The restaurant also has card and board games. Couple dessert at Zero Degrees with a meal at one of the many family-friendly restaurants in the eastside shopping center, like $10 lunch specials at Aver's Public House, 1285 S. College Mall Road, Suite A.
Asuka & Noodle Town
Asuka & Noodle Town Asian restaurants both offer family-friendly dining options and reasonably priced sushi selections. Several children recommended these restaurants, especially the Hibachi show and noodles. Go early to avoid the crowds and make reservations for hibachi or large parties. Be sure to come hungry because portions are generous. Make sure to check out their specials to save some money.
Red Robin
Red Robin, at 2846 E. Third St. in College Mall, is an easy choice for families with kids. With a fun atmosphere, kid art made of crayons and baseballs, gaming devices and delicious burgers and shakes, kids love coming here. The variety of kids' meals — chicken bites and corn doggies to name a few — should please even the pickiest eaters. Choose from several bottomless sides, including mandarin oranges. The kids' menu offers milk, OJ, apple juice or shakes as well. Wednesdays are "Kids Eat 1/2 Off" day. Ten cents from each kids' meal sold goes to Make-A-Wish Foundation. Family bundles for four to six people include burgers and fries or wings for 10 for $49.99. Check the website, www.redrobin.com, for deals, coupons and fun events at the restaurant. There is a children's play area just inside the mall near the restaurant. Grab a free balloon on your way out.
More family-friendly dining options in Bloomington abound
Overall, Bloomington offers a variety of family-friendly dining options that won't break the bank. You can also try out local family-friendly farmers’ markets or Food Truck Fridays at Switchyard Park. Say goodbye to the headache of trying to find a family-friendly restaurant. Bloomington has many amazing options available.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Kid-friendly restaurants: Here are 5 suggestions in Bloomington
