Mendoberri in Mendota Heights: Catering to families and also couples

The wife was at book club, and I had two kids to feed. I decided to head to Mendota Heights and a restaurant called Mendoberri. We heard it was family friendly and focused on locally sourced food for kids and adults.  

 
Szechuan in Roseville: Round of applause for lazy Susan full of tasty goodies
Pioneer Press: John Autey

Our family of four had plans to eat out with my sister and her family - her husband and two daughters. We wanted a place that could hold all of us comfortably and would tolerate a 1-year-old and a 2-year-old getting out of their chairs occasionally. Mostly, I didn't want to feel like an afterthought as waitstaff cobbled together a table big enough for our group.  

 
Java Train Cafe in St. Paul: Family-friendly setting has good neighborhood vibe
Pioneer Press: Jean Pieri

Tucked into a residential neighborhood between the Minnesota State Fairgrounds and Como Park, Java Train Cafe is a convenient place to grab food after a day at the zoo and the perfect destination for a summer bike ride.  

 
Taqueria Los Ocampo in St. Paul: Kids discovered good appetites, good manners
Pioneer Press: Ginger Pinson

After spending a cold, rainy Saturday cooped up at home, our family needed a break - and some good food.  

 
Shanghai Bistro in Woodbury: We got to know edamame, teriyaki, sushi
Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi
My family went looking for adventure in Woodbury. We had heard that Shanghai Bistro had a new kids' menu, a fun environment and good food, so we ventured out of our usual Highland Park Habitrail. It was farther than we anticipated, and we got lost on winding strip-mall roads even with a GPS. By the time we arrived, my two daughters were cranky and carsick.  
 
Shish in St. Paul: Kids found healthy, satisfying flavors among the Mediterranean fare
Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi
You'd think a place called Shish would be all about kebabs. Sure enough, the fast-casual Mediterranean cafe on Grand Avenue in St. Paul has several — lamb, beef tenderloin, ground beef, shrimp, chicken and veggie. It just took us awhile to figure that out because the chalkboard menu is so extensive.  
 
Cheesecake Factory: Children's menu lives up to reputation with crowd-pleasing dishes and leftovers to share
Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi
It's tough not to like the Cheesecake Factory. From salads and sandwiches to pastas and stir-fries, the food is consistently good, and the portions are epic. The polished setting and dim lighting can easily suffice for a night out, while the casual attitude and mall location also make this chain a comfortable place to bring kids.  
 
Joe's Crab Shack in Roseville: Not cheap, but it sure is fun
Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi
We arrived at Joe's Crab Shack for dinner hot, hungry and — dare I say — crabby.  
 
Red's Savoy Pizza in St. Paul: Pizza, pasta are served with side of great memories
Pioneer Press: Scott Takushi
You won't get a huge menu selection or special kids' placemats with crayons at Red's Savoy Pizza in St. Paul. Neither will you get a perky 'Hi, my name is Amber, and I'll be your server tonight.'  
 
Stella's in Forest Lake: We steered clear of kids' menu and left happy
(Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)
"This kids' menu is just like every kids' menu at every restaurant we've been to," my 8-year-old told me after reading the selections at Stella's in Forest Lake.  
 
Pinz in Oakdale: Food and games were a blast
Pioneer Press: Richard Marshall
Like so many outings with kids, our first trip to Pinz didn't go as planned.  
 
Time Out in Eagan: Sports bar is a big hit with adults and kids
Pioneer Press: Sohail Akhavein]
When my kids are misbehaving, I sometimes give them a time out. When they are really good, I offer to take them to Time Out. The Eagan sports bar is the perfect place for families who like to share large portions, catch the latest game and relax in an informal setting. While sports bars aren't for everyone — the TVs are large and loud and alcohol deals play prominently in the decor — we love the kid-friendly menu and budget-conscious specials. Our kids love the free cotton candy.  
 
India House in St. Paul: Kids can sample more exotic fare — or not
Pioneer Press: Ben Garvin
Two families try eating Indian cuisine outside the safety of their homes and find that there's something for everybody at this restaurant.  
 
Crave: Catering to kids and keeping parents satisfied, too
A restaurant that opens across from Creative Kidstuff at stroller-jammed Galleria in Edina had to expect a preponderance of juvenile diners. Crave didn't. The locally owned restaurant, which keeps late-night hours, features live music on Fridays and serves both American fare and sushi, opened without a kids' menu.  
 
Teresa's Mexican Restaurant in Lakeville: Good, fast food, but skip the fries and nuggets
Online customer reviews of the Lakeville restaurant prove to be true, according to this hungry family.  
 
Highland Grill in St. Paul: Parents relax with wine while kids delight in waffles
Pioneer Press: Richard Marshall
The kid-friendly neighborhood spot has introduced a new kids' menu that is not only chock-full of puzzles and games but also chock-full of plain options with healthy sides.  
 
Cecil's Deli in St. Paul: Food compares favorably with Grandma's cooking
Pioneer Press: Brandi Jade Thomas
I've driven by Cecil's several times a week for years, never realizing that beyond the deli counter was a restaurant with ample seating, an extensive menu and a healthy tolerance for young diners.  
 
Como Zoo in St. Paul: Generous portions of good food
Sparky the seal gets fresh fish. The giraffes get alfalfa. And the humans at Como Zoo get hickory burgers.  
 
 
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