Family food values

The Hernando Times asks readers to pick their favorite family-friendly restaurants, and the two top picks have all-you-can-eat food bars.

By JOY DAVIS-PLATT

© St. Petersburg Times, published July 28, 2000

If you ask 4-year-old John Cooper where he wants to eat, he will more than likely tell you "the soup place."

On her days off, Alice Niswander often takes her grandson for clam chowder at the Golden Corral in Brooksville.

"We like to go there because we can all get whatever we want," Niswander said. "My grandson loves to have the soup."

Recently, the Hernando Times asked readers to tell us their favorite kid-friendly restaurants.

Golden Corral and Ryan's topped the list. The reason? Choice. Not surprisingly, many of the responses mentioned food bars.

Because she works full time at a health care facility, Niswander said she likes to spend her days off with her son, daughter and grandson. A real family favorite is Saturday morning at Golden Corral's breakfast bar. At $5.59 a head, she said it's a great deal.

"You couldn't go to McDonald's for what you get there," the Brooksville resident said. "It's a real bargain."

Ellen Zee works part time at an insurance agency. Her family usually eats at home on weekends, but during the week, when things are hectic, they often hit the local food bar.

Her 5-year-old son Carl's favorite place is Ryan's Family Steak House because of the macaroni and cheese.

"They also have good choices for adults," said Zee, who lives in Weeki Wachee. "If you don't particularly want meat, they have a good selection of vegetables."

The restaurant is also busy enough to keep her 18-month-old daughter, April, distracted.

"Young children seem to get "all done' very quickly," said Zee. "It's nice when there is enough going on that the adults can eat in peace."

A night out at Ryan's costs the Zee family of four about $25, she said.

"I think that's pretty reasonable," she said.

Because they charge based on your child's weight, AJ's Family Restaurant is another good place for kids.

Carl weighs about 40 pounds, so his dinner is 40 cents. The fare includes grilled cheese sandwiches and hot dogs.

"They have a very good adult menu also," she said. "The fish sandwich is delicious."

Although they are fast and easy, Zee said she tries not to hit the drive-through windows very often.

"I try to keep it balanced," she said. "And if I'm not careful, my youngest will just eat french fries."

The staff at Shoney's restaurant in Brooksville won Deborah Prince over during a thunderstorm. The single mother took her 5-year-old daughter, Chrissy, to the food bar one night when the restaurant lost power. The young girl was afraid and began to cry.

"It was so sweet," Prince said. "The waitresses were right there with a flashlight to make her feel better."

Though the restaurant recently changed hands and is now called Johnnie's, Prince said the staff is still the same.

"They always do their best to treat (my daughter) like a real person," she said. "And the food is always good."

Prince, who works at a Publix deli, said cooking is the last thing she wants to do when she gets home. About twice a week, she and her daughter treat themselves to dinner out. Other favorite restaurants include Country Kitchen, Golden Corral and McDonald's.

"I don't think she likes the food at McDonald's as much as she likes the toys," Prince said.

At Golden Corral, the variety of the food bar keeps her and her daughter happy, Prince said.

"I can give her what she wants and still have the things that I like," she said.

Julie Rodriguez, executive director of the Spring Hill Boys and Girls Youth Center, said the center is like a second address for her. With long hours and a hectic schedule, she takes her family out about once a week. Their favorite haunt is Denny's on U.S. 19.

"We like it because you can get breakfast, lunch or dinner any time of day," said Rodriguez, whose children are 2 and 8. "There's a good variety, and everybody in the family is satisfied."

The family of four spends about $25 to $30 for a dinner, she said, because prices on the kids menu are very reasonable.

But the most important feature for a family restaurant is kid-friendly service, she said. Denny's provides crayons, paper and small toys, a small but appreciated nicety.

"Restaurants have to be able to cater to kids," she said. "If you don't make my kids happy, that affects how I think of you."

Children are customers as much as the adults, Rodriguez said, and when they are appeased, the adults can enjoy their meal.

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