Choosing where to eat out with the family can be a difficult choice when it comes to agreeing on what cuisine you’re all in the mood for.
And if you add small children or kids with picky palates to the mix, the suitable options are even slimmer.
To help you avoid a family feud – and keep the children from going on a food strike at the dinner table – we’ve rounded up some kid-friendly restaurants around the state that feature menus loaded with handheld options and comfort choices that are sure to satisfy everyone.
Purebread Deli, various locations
Aside from the tasty food, Purebread Deli is a great kid-friendly option because the menu is filled with sandwiches named after dog breeds.
Even though we advise the tots not to play with their food, having a bit of fun with Purebread’s unique menu is an exception.
The designated kids’ menu, which serves children under 10, includes turkey or ham sandwiches, peanut butter & jelly, a chicken wrap and a grilled cheese. Each option is served with kettle chips.
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For kids over 10, the regular menu features plenty of meat- and vegetable-based sandwich options that are guaranteed to get two thumbs up.
Extra offerings to satisfy the kids include hot chocolate, milk, apple and orange juice, fruit salad, fudge brownies, cookies and cinnamon twists.
Delaware locations in Greenville, Pike Creek, Christiana and Wilmington (opening soon).www.purebreaddeli.com.
Goober’s Diner, Wilmington
You can’t go wrong with diners, and Goober’s Diner is serving up all the classics.
The breakfast menu is filled with sweets like Belgian waffles, French toast, grilled sticky buns and pancakes, and savory items like eggs, crispy hash browns, breakfast sandwiched and bacon.
If you stop by during the lunch or dinner rush, menu items like the turkey burger, grilled hot pastrami, fried chicken and spaghetti & meatballs are good choices.
Little ones also can indulge in onion rings, apple sauce, chicken noodle soup, pierogis, French fries, macaroni and cheese, omelet and hash browns.
And parents, don’t worry, there’s something for you, too. Check out the filet mignon, the Chicken Bourbon Alfredo, pot roast or pan-roasted flounder, among other hearty options.
1203 North Lincoln St., Wilmington,(302) 274-2692; www.goobersdiner-de.com
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Harpoon Hanna’s, Fenwick Island
Finding suitable family restaurants on vacation can be a headache with all the options available, but luckily, Harpoon Hanna’s in Fenwick Island can save the day.
Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, this spot is the perfect choice for any time of day if you find yourself at the Delaware beaches.
The kids’ menu is available for those 12 and under and features chicken fingers served with honey mustard, fried shrimp with cocktail sauce, grilled cheese, cheese pizza and the mac & cheese bowl.
Each menu item is served with your choice of French fries, cole slaw, applesauce, mac and cheese or the veggie of the day.
The menu also has soft drinks and water for the kiddos (cocktails for the parents!), as well as wings, fried mozzarella, burgers and the shareable Chesapeake crab and buffalo chicken dips.
39064 Harpoon Road, Fenwick Island,(302) 539-3095; www.harpoonhannasrestaurant.com/
Kid Shelleen’s Charcoal House & Saloon, Branmar Plaza & Trolley Square
Not only does Kid Shelleen’s have a fun kids’ menu, but it also doubles as a cute food-themed word search puzzle to keep the children occupied and avoid a meltdown while waiting for the food to come out.
Kids can choose from Kraft macaroni & cheese with a cut up hot dog, grilled chicken tacos, cheese ravioli, sautéed shrimp, chicken fingers and a Goldfish Green Salad, among others.
All meals include your choice of a side dish and juice, milk or a fountain soda. If the children haven’t hit their sugar limit yet, consider treating them to vanilla or chocolate ice cream for dessert.
The main menu features plenty of burgers, tacos, shareable appetizers and desserts older kids would enjoy, too.
Branmar Plaza, 1812 Marsh Road, Wilmington, (302) 308-3560; Trolley Square, 1801 West 14 St., Wilmington,(302) 658-4600; www.harryshospitalitygroup.com/kid-shelleens/
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Home Grown Café, Newark
Newark’s Home Grown Café has long been a staple for University of Delaware students and happy hour get-togethers, but kids are also welcome to get in on the food action here.
The kids’ menu here is for children 12 and under. All options are under $10 and include options like grilled chicken breast, hummus served with pita and cucumbers, chicken tenders, quesadilla and grilled hot dogs. Each menu item is served with chips or apple slices.
For drinks, children can choose from milk, chocolate milk and juice flavors of cranberry, pineapple, orange, apple and grapefruit.
126 East Main St., Newark, DE,(302) 266-6993; www.homegrowncafe.com
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Does your restaurant have a kids’ menu you would like to have included in future stories about kid-friendly dining? Contact Krys’tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
