This is a fun restaurant, from the entrance to the staff, tables and decorations. . For those who don't know, this restaurant is based off of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co from the movie "Forest Gump," and the theme runs through the entire place. To be fair, my sister used to work at Bubba's, so my opinion may be slightly biased, but I will try my best to remain objective.
First Impressions
When you enter a Bubba Gump's you are greeted by your host or hostess and then taken to a table where they explain their special signs. There is a sign on your table that can either be flipped to "Run Forest Run," or "Stop Forest Stop." This is used to signal your waitress or any other wait staff in the area that you are either doing fine or need service. I LOVE this, especially with children, as needs can change on a moment's notice. They had clean high chairs, tables, and benches for the booths, and we were seated promptly though they were very busy. Originally they were going to seat us at a table, which is difficult for Claire to stay still in (being 3 years old), but upon request, they were able to find us a booth, which was very accommodating during this busy time of night.
The Kids Menu
Even though Bubba's is typically a seafood restaurant, they still offer the same kids choices that most places offer, such as burgers, mac and cheese, and chicken strips. They also offer popcorn shrimp and fish and chips. They do offer fruit instead of fries, but that is the extent of the healthy offerings on the kids menu. They did enjoy the mac and cheese and fruit, however, it was the typical kraft variety. They also offer a dessert with the kids meal.
The Adult Menu
According to my sister, if you visit Bubba's, you have to try the Hush Pups and the "I'm Stuffed Shrimp." Both were very good, but very filling! There are of course lots of shrimp options and has a great selection of seafood dishes. They do not have a lighter fare menu, so I am not sure if there is anything considered "healthy," though the selection of salads did seem enticing. In addition, the nutrition information is not readily available on the website, which is a negative for me.
Overall Impression
I liked the taste and the atmosphere of Bubba's, though I did find it on the expensive side for myself and my two children. The waitresses and waiters ask you triva about the movie "Forest Gump," and the movie is often playing somewhere in the place. The gift shop is cute and has some cool stuff. Overall, I would recommend it and think it is fun for a special occasion or night out, but not an every day thing.
Taste: Good
Menu: Some variety, lots of shrimp dishes, possibly healthy options, but no nutritional information
Affordability: Moderate to expensive
Atmosphere: Fun and Family Friendly
Cleanliness: Clean
Website: http://www.bubbagump.com/
Rating: three and a half stars
Monday, June 27, 2011
Huddle House
Huddle House is a great example of a place NOT to take the family and of what I would consider a Mommylicious Delicious zero star restaurant. I want to add that this restaurant was not my choice, but the choice of someone else I was dining with, otherwise I would have probably left after the first impression and found another place to eat. In fact, even McDonalds would have been a better choice.
First Impressions
While I wasn't expecting much from this diner about the size of a very large mobile home, I still hoped that the food would taste good and that the tables would be clean. I was disappointed on both fronts and was not impressed from the start when I walked in and there were more tables and seats that needed to be wiped down than there were that were clean and available. It was not as if they were busy or behind either. We ended up settling on a booth where we only needed to wipe down one seat before we settled in.
The Kids Menu
First off, I had to ask several times for a kids menu. Second, when I finally received it, it had no prices but at the bottom it stated, "5.99 minimum." I never did figure out what that meant. Who ever heard of a minimum for a kids purchase? Unless that means that I have to order 5.99 worth of adult food in order to get a kids meal too? But the kids meals were not included with the adult meals....Plus, one can come in for just a cup of coffee, so adults don't have a minimum. I just couldn't wrap my brain around it. In addition, there was NOTHING even remotely healthy on the kids menu unless you count eggs and bacon with pancakes. Needless to say, I ordered something from the adult menu for myself and shared with the kids.
The Adult Menu
There is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu for Huddle House, but you can get anything off the three any time. This is great if you like breakfast any time. They do have salads, but unless you order one dry, you are unlikely to get anything healthy off this menu. Virtually everything else is fried or smothered in something or other, and the fruit is the type you use as cheesecake topping. I ended up ordering the Original Bighouse Platter and sharing it with both kids. It included 3 eggs which I had scrambled with cheese, bacon or sausage (sausage), and a biscuit or toast (I ordered a pancake for an extra charge). The eggs were so cheesy that even my son didn't care for the texture. The sausage was greasy yet still dry. the pancakes were fine, but even I can't mess those up. All in all, I was glad I only ordered the one meal for the three of us.
Overall Impression
I would not go back to Huddle House unless I was sans children and possibly drunk. There were several people smoking in the restaurant. Though I thought that was against the law now, I guess they make their own rules at Huddle House. The tables and benches were dirty and the food was sub par even for a tiny mobile diner. I would NOT recommend this restaurant for families.
Taste: Poor
Menu: A moderate amount of choices, but virtually nothing healthy
Affordability: Moderate
Atmosphere: Poor
Cleanliness: Dirty
Website: http://www.huddlehouse.com/#
Rating: zero Stars
First Impressions
While I wasn't expecting much from this diner about the size of a very large mobile home, I still hoped that the food would taste good and that the tables would be clean. I was disappointed on both fronts and was not impressed from the start when I walked in and there were more tables and seats that needed to be wiped down than there were that were clean and available. It was not as if they were busy or behind either. We ended up settling on a booth where we only needed to wipe down one seat before we settled in.
The Kids Menu
First off, I had to ask several times for a kids menu. Second, when I finally received it, it had no prices but at the bottom it stated, "5.99 minimum." I never did figure out what that meant. Who ever heard of a minimum for a kids purchase? Unless that means that I have to order 5.99 worth of adult food in order to get a kids meal too? But the kids meals were not included with the adult meals....Plus, one can come in for just a cup of coffee, so adults don't have a minimum. I just couldn't wrap my brain around it. In addition, there was NOTHING even remotely healthy on the kids menu unless you count eggs and bacon with pancakes. Needless to say, I ordered something from the adult menu for myself and shared with the kids.
The Adult Menu
There is a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu for Huddle House, but you can get anything off the three any time. This is great if you like breakfast any time. They do have salads, but unless you order one dry, you are unlikely to get anything healthy off this menu. Virtually everything else is fried or smothered in something or other, and the fruit is the type you use as cheesecake topping. I ended up ordering the Original Bighouse Platter and sharing it with both kids. It included 3 eggs which I had scrambled with cheese, bacon or sausage (sausage), and a biscuit or toast (I ordered a pancake for an extra charge). The eggs were so cheesy that even my son didn't care for the texture. The sausage was greasy yet still dry. the pancakes were fine, but even I can't mess those up. All in all, I was glad I only ordered the one meal for the three of us.
Overall Impression
I would not go back to Huddle House unless I was sans children and possibly drunk. There were several people smoking in the restaurant. Though I thought that was against the law now, I guess they make their own rules at Huddle House. The tables and benches were dirty and the food was sub par even for a tiny mobile diner. I would NOT recommend this restaurant for families.
Taste: Poor
Menu: A moderate amount of choices, but virtually nothing healthy
Affordability: Moderate
Atmosphere: Poor
Cleanliness: Dirty
Website: http://www.huddlehouse.com/#
Rating: zero Stars
Monday, June 6, 2011
Choo Choo Johnny's
While fundamentally Choo Choo Johnny's is a good idea, it is best not to go in with high expectations in regard to the cuisine. While my 3 year old daughter and 15 month old son enjoyed the fun trains, rides, and arcade like games, the food was ok at best and it was difficult to eat healthy in the slightest.
First Impressions
I find it funny that they have a basket of plastic train whistles at the entrance with a sign instructing parents to feel free to take one, but to refrain from taking it until it is time to leave. I don't blame the staff one bit for this, but you would think it would be a clue to parents that it might not be the best idea to take one home either. We were seated by our waitress, or conductor at a counter that is shared by half of the patrons. There is another counter parallel to this one for the other half, if it gets that busy. When we ate there, there were only two other couples there with their children and they seemed to know each other. Service was prompt and our drinks and orders were taken right away.
The Kids Menu
The only thing remotely healthy on the kids menu was the option of having a fruit cup instead of fries with the entree, and even that is just canned fruit poured in a bowl with sugar water. I would go so far as to say that the choices for kids are disgustingly unhealthy from their mini corn dogs to their deep fried mac and cheese.
The Adult Menu
The adult menu is not much better than the kids menu. I did have the "Conductor's Special," which is a char-grilled chicken breast with red sauce and mozzarella cheese on a "gourmet bun." I requested mine with the sauce on the side and took off half of the bun, but the chicken was so dry that it needed the sauce after all. My husband ordered the burger, which according to the waitress was the best food there, and found himself eating a processed burger paddy on a bun.
Overall Experience
The meals were brought to us on a train in baskets and there was plenty of entertainment for the kids, but everything comes with a price. The meals were unsatisfying and unhealthy and still cost quite a bit for what we got. While the trains and the meal delivery was enchanting, it did not seem worth the price. I do believe that if my daughter were to choose, she would love to go back. If you are looking for somewhere fun to take the kids, based solely on the experience, I could recommend the Naperville location of Choo Choo Johnny's. The wait staff was pleasant and the kids enjoyed themselves. But as an overall family experience, I can not recommend them.
Taste: OK at best
Menu: Some variety, mainly processed and fried foods, no real healthy options
Affordability: Expensive for what it is
Atmosphere: Great kids atmosphere, friendly staff
Cleanliness: Clean
Website: http://www.choochoojohnnysfranchise.com/menu.htm
Rating: Two and a half stars
First Impressions
I find it funny that they have a basket of plastic train whistles at the entrance with a sign instructing parents to feel free to take one, but to refrain from taking it until it is time to leave. I don't blame the staff one bit for this, but you would think it would be a clue to parents that it might not be the best idea to take one home either. We were seated by our waitress, or conductor at a counter that is shared by half of the patrons. There is another counter parallel to this one for the other half, if it gets that busy. When we ate there, there were only two other couples there with their children and they seemed to know each other. Service was prompt and our drinks and orders were taken right away.
The Kids Menu
The only thing remotely healthy on the kids menu was the option of having a fruit cup instead of fries with the entree, and even that is just canned fruit poured in a bowl with sugar water. I would go so far as to say that the choices for kids are disgustingly unhealthy from their mini corn dogs to their deep fried mac and cheese.
The Adult Menu
The adult menu is not much better than the kids menu. I did have the "Conductor's Special," which is a char-grilled chicken breast with red sauce and mozzarella cheese on a "gourmet bun." I requested mine with the sauce on the side and took off half of the bun, but the chicken was so dry that it needed the sauce after all. My husband ordered the burger, which according to the waitress was the best food there, and found himself eating a processed burger paddy on a bun.
Overall Experience
The meals were brought to us on a train in baskets and there was plenty of entertainment for the kids, but everything comes with a price. The meals were unsatisfying and unhealthy and still cost quite a bit for what we got. While the trains and the meal delivery was enchanting, it did not seem worth the price. I do believe that if my daughter were to choose, she would love to go back. If you are looking for somewhere fun to take the kids, based solely on the experience, I could recommend the Naperville location of Choo Choo Johnny's. The wait staff was pleasant and the kids enjoyed themselves. But as an overall family experience, I can not recommend them.
Taste: OK at best
Menu: Some variety, mainly processed and fried foods, no real healthy options
Affordability: Expensive for what it is
Atmosphere: Great kids atmosphere, friendly staff
Cleanliness: Clean
Website: http://www.choochoojohnnysfranchise.com/menu.htm
Rating: Two and a half stars
Mimi's Cafe
I thought I would start my reviews on a VERY positive note. I have been to two locations of Mimi's Cafe now. My first visit was to the Atlanta, Georgia location on the way to the airport with my mother and daughter, then under a two years. We decided to give it a try since my daughter calls my mom Mimi and we thought it would be fun. Then, I was thrilled with not only the salad, but the delicious muffin that came with it. I remembered how good the food was when I noticed that there was a Mimi's Cafe in Naperville, Illinois on Route 59. My husband and I decided to stop in one evening on my recommendation with the kids and we were not disappointed.
First Impressions
There has never been a wait at this location during times which we have stopped in, which is always a plus with children, but what caught our attention right away was that as we were seated by our host, the children were brought a starter plate including a slice of orange, crackers, and a to go cup with cheerios. This served as a wonderful distraction for the kids as we got ourselves settled and decided on our entrees. There are lots of options on both the kids and adult menus.
The Kids Menu
The kids menu ranges from the basics of mac and cheese or hot dogs, to a turkey dinner or grilled chicken. All of the kids meals include a drink, a side, and a dessert. There are plenty of healthy options for sides, including fresh fruit, applesauce, and vegetables, but you can also get zero trans fat chips or fries. Claire and Chase have each tried the mini corn dogs, turkey dinner, mac and cheese, and grilled chicken. All of the food tasted great, though the mac and cheese is something you can typically get out of the box. Each time we have visited, they gobbled up all of their fruit and vegetables and most of the rest of their meals. Though the meal usually comes with an Oreo Dirt Cup as the dessert, it was easy to substitute a vanilla ice cream since chocolate seems to wind up my children at night.
The Adult Menu
As I already mentioned, the salads at Mimi's Cafe are excellent and the muffins that come with them are even better. On my last visit to Mimi's Cafe, I ordered off of their seasonal Tour De France Menu. I had the Provencal Glazed Shrimp and Asparagus Ravioli with a salad and a Triple Chocolate Brownie for dessert all for only 13.99. I can not say enough good things about the ravioli. The tomato basil sauce was light and flavorful. The asparagus and shrimp were tender, yet firm, and the spinach was not overwhelming. The brownie, however, was a bit dry. Mimi's does offer a Fresh and Fit menu for all meals of the day which offers entrees for under 650 calories and for most meals, you can click on their title to get nutritional information before you visit.
Overall Impression
Mimi's Cafe is now a family favorite in our home. The wait staff is always pleasant, the restaurant is always clean and is spacious enough not to be too crowded on most nights. The food is great tasting and costs only slightly more than a T.G.I Friday's, Applebee's, or Chili's. There is a wide variety of options both for adults and children and they are flexible with special requests for changes to meals. Nutritional information is readily available online and in house, which makes dining on a diet easy and enjoyable. They are well prepared for families to come in and has a very comfortable atmosphere for all types of diners. Overall, I would highly recommend Mimi's Cafe.
Taste: Excellent
Menu: Lots of choices, healthy options, nutrition information available
Affordability: Moderate
Atmosphere: Great family atmosphere
Cleanliness: Very clean
Website: http://www.mimiscafe.com/
Rating: Four and a half stars
First Impressions
There has never been a wait at this location during times which we have stopped in, which is always a plus with children, but what caught our attention right away was that as we were seated by our host, the children were brought a starter plate including a slice of orange, crackers, and a to go cup with cheerios. This served as a wonderful distraction for the kids as we got ourselves settled and decided on our entrees. There are lots of options on both the kids and adult menus.
The Kids Menu
The kids menu ranges from the basics of mac and cheese or hot dogs, to a turkey dinner or grilled chicken. All of the kids meals include a drink, a side, and a dessert. There are plenty of healthy options for sides, including fresh fruit, applesauce, and vegetables, but you can also get zero trans fat chips or fries. Claire and Chase have each tried the mini corn dogs, turkey dinner, mac and cheese, and grilled chicken. All of the food tasted great, though the mac and cheese is something you can typically get out of the box. Each time we have visited, they gobbled up all of their fruit and vegetables and most of the rest of their meals. Though the meal usually comes with an Oreo Dirt Cup as the dessert, it was easy to substitute a vanilla ice cream since chocolate seems to wind up my children at night.
The Adult Menu
As I already mentioned, the salads at Mimi's Cafe are excellent and the muffins that come with them are even better. On my last visit to Mimi's Cafe, I ordered off of their seasonal Tour De France Menu. I had the Provencal Glazed Shrimp and Asparagus Ravioli with a salad and a Triple Chocolate Brownie for dessert all for only 13.99. I can not say enough good things about the ravioli. The tomato basil sauce was light and flavorful. The asparagus and shrimp were tender, yet firm, and the spinach was not overwhelming. The brownie, however, was a bit dry. Mimi's does offer a Fresh and Fit menu for all meals of the day which offers entrees for under 650 calories and for most meals, you can click on their title to get nutritional information before you visit.
Overall Impression
Mimi's Cafe is now a family favorite in our home. The wait staff is always pleasant, the restaurant is always clean and is spacious enough not to be too crowded on most nights. The food is great tasting and costs only slightly more than a T.G.I Friday's, Applebee's, or Chili's. There is a wide variety of options both for adults and children and they are flexible with special requests for changes to meals. Nutritional information is readily available online and in house, which makes dining on a diet easy and enjoyable. They are well prepared for families to come in and has a very comfortable atmosphere for all types of diners. Overall, I would highly recommend Mimi's Cafe.
Taste: Excellent
Menu: Lots of choices, healthy options, nutrition information available
Affordability: Moderate
Atmosphere: Great family atmosphere
Cleanliness: Very clean
Website: http://www.mimiscafe.com/
Rating: Four and a half stars
Mommylicious Delicious Reviews
My family and I eat out more than I care to say, but by going out often, I have developed a sense of what a good restaurant for my family should include. Both my husband and I want good food and the ability to eat healthy. We want a kids menu that includes a variety of food including healthy options for our children. Affordable food is important to us as well, particularly since we are now feeding four. Also, we want a good, child friendly atmosphere where the wait staff is conscious of parent and child needs in order to have a pleasant experience while eating away from home. Finally, while I always tend to bring items from home to entertain my children while they wait for their food, if the restaurant has some sort of entertainment for children, it can also be a plus. Nothing, however, can be more off putting to me in a place where I am eating than a place that is not clean. While I know that I am dining with children, it is no excuse for it to be unappetizing, whether it is the tables or the bathrooms.
Through this blog, I will be rating restaurants, bakeries, and other establishments where we get food for our family based on taste, menu, affordability, atmosphere, cleanliness, and any extras that the establishment may provide. This will be a five star system, with five stars being the top rating a restaurant can receive. My hope is that any followers of this blog will be able to make informed choices when they are deciding where to take their family for the night, whether it be for a child's birthday party or a nice night out for the entire family.
Through this blog, I will be rating restaurants, bakeries, and other establishments where we get food for our family based on taste, menu, affordability, atmosphere, cleanliness, and any extras that the establishment may provide. This will be a five star system, with five stars being the top rating a restaurant can receive. My hope is that any followers of this blog will be able to make informed choices when they are deciding where to take their family for the night, whether it be for a child's birthday party or a nice night out for the entire family.
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