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Community Corner

Dining Out With Kids

Local restaurant and café options your family might enjoy this summer.

When in closed suddenly last month my eastside mom tribe had a collective tantrum of toddler proportions. Where were we supposed to eat on Tuesday nights now that the “Ruby’s Kids Eat Free Tuesdays” special – and Ruby’s – was no more? Now that we have properly mourned the passing of Ruby’s delicious shakes, fun diner decor and the cute “ceiling train” we’re ready to move on to some new options this summer. Luckily there are lots to choose from on the eastside, for every age kid, food preference and budget.

Eastside Meal Deals

The kids eat free Tuesdays special at Ruby’s was a great deal but there are other eastside restaurants that still offer kid pleasing meal deals. Your kids can currently eat free every day, from 4 p.m. to closing at the and Issaquah IHOP. Breakfast for dinner anyone? is a great option when you need a picnic lunch or dinner. They have a "$5 footlong sub of the month" special. On Mondays, your kids dine for free for both lunch and dinner at Desert Fire Southwestern Grill in Redmond Town Center. Kids eat dinner free at in Redmond and Issaquah on Sunday and Wednesday nights.  Saturday and Sunday at Redmond’s , your kids eat free. The charming  pub welcomes kids (except in the bar) and Saturday nights there is often live music so you can still have a fun “date night” with the kids in tow.

Refill Deals On Beverages

Also on those hot summer days don’t forget you can get a refill on any size ice tea at for just under sixty cents. You must go on the same day, same location, walk in and use the same cup. Take the lid off before handing over the cup. You can also get FREE coffee refills when you use your registered Starbucks card – sweet!

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The "Can’tExit the Minivan But Want to Avoid Fast Food" Option

I remember the challenge of coming home from a play date or park with my kids napping peacefully in the back of my minivan and being really thirsty or still in need of something for my lunch and theirs. The mommy dilemma is: do you pull into a fast food drive thru or do you wake up your then-very-crabby kids so you can all walk into a restaurant or store with healthier meal options? Instead of fast food next time you are stuck in the car, try opting for one of the eastside’s . In Redmond there is a drive thru near Redmond Town Center next to the downtown Dairy Queen and one in the same complex as the Redmond Trader Joes. Ask what “fruit and snack plates” they have available. Try the protein plate which includes a hardboiled egg, packet of peanut butter, whole grain mini roll and some cheese and fruit. They also often have sandwiches, including egg salad, hot grilled pannini and wraps. The breakfast sandwiches are served all day while supplies last and they can also make a delicious hot lunch. Salads are also available at many locations as well as low sugar kid snack options including nuts and cheese sticks. 

Dining Out Options with a 'Tween or Teen Who Doesn’t Eat Meat

Some of my friends have 'tweens and teens who have begun experimenting with lifestyle choices that their parents don’t engage in and find difficult to support. No, not alcohol or drugs -  their kid has given up meat, or even more challenging for some parents, become a vegan.

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If you have a recently converted non-meat eater, you will find there are still lots of dining options in Redmond to enjoy together.  in Redmond has a lovely daily lunch buffet with lots of wonderful vegetarian options – and tasty chicken curries for the meat eaters.  has a delicious garden burger in addition to their expansive menu of beef and turkey burgers. in Redmond is a great place to swing into with your vegetarian or vegan teen.  You can get a slice of pizza or a sandwich and she can opt for one of the many non-meat “eat there or to go” meal options including delicious pre-packaged meals of tofu, veggies and rice from the sushi counter. Nearby Chipotle also has vegetarian and vegan teen-pleasing meal options and you can still get your delicious steak or chicken burrito. The Redmond also has great vegetarian and vegan meal options to eat there or to go.

Restaurants that Welcome Your Toddler

Dining out with toddlers should be an event at the Olympics. My son enjoyed discovering the properties of physics as a toddler, so food, forks and spoons were frequently dropped to the floor. A friend had a toddler who would only eat foods that were bland and not brightly colored, preferably white, so she was constantly hunting for places that served white rice or pasta.

There are some great places on the eastside that will welcome your tots, no matter their mood and cater to their food preferences. in Redmond has a play area for kids.  This is a great “coffee date” place with other moms with toddlers in tow. The laid-back crowd at this recycled hippie vibe joint tolerate toddler tantrums and they serve delicious coffee drinks and offer an array of tasty snacks.  This is also a great place to bring your kids in tow to live music performances. has outdoor seating, toddler pleasing bagel based meal options and delicious desserts including incredible brownies. Redmond’s has a wonderful all day breakfast menu and the staff is tolerant of dropped forks and spilled juice.   in Redmond Town Center offers toddler pleasing meal options.   The  off 148th Street in Bellevue is also a good place to take toddlers and is a favorite of eastside grandparents who enjoy special deals from the senior menu.

Dining Out Should Ultimately Be About Making Happy Memories

When my kids were younger my first choice for dining out with them was   in Bellevue.  I could get them a “kid pleasing meal” of a grilled cheese at the Crossroads Café while I could opt for something more spicy and exotic from another of the food court's many restaurants.  They learned to love going there because they would get to ride the shopping center’s old fashioned coin-operated rides, visit the library and dance in front of the stage after a meal.  We have many happy memories now of dining there together as a family.

So if you too will miss Ruby's, I hope you find a few new places to dine out this summer that are kid tolerant where you can experience more great times together dining as a family.

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