We Like Our Spaghetti with CHEESE Please.
I am guessing we’re like most families in the current economy. We don’t eat out often. And so when we do eat out as a tribe 1) It MUST be affordable and 2) It needs to be something special. We’re not going to waste our dining out dollars on a run of the mill drive thru or even cookie cutter on-every-block-chain {unless it is awesomeness or has FREE food of course}. Luckily, Indianapolis is a fantastic city to dine with your little people in tow. Here are just a few Royal Favorites from yours truly the Queen of Free, where we will pony up, spend from our dining out budget, and have a meal with the small people.
The Old Spaghetti Factory. The Princesses are over the moon for this downtown classic. Not only is the menu kid friendly but there are gluten free options, too. You’ll be a SuperMom {or Dad} if you score a table in the Trolley. For ways to save, read: New Family Fun at the Old Spaghetti Factory
Scotty’s Brewhouse. Have a Cheeseburger and Fries sort of crew? Scotty’s Brewhouse
just might be for you. While the menu is MUCH more expansive than the American classics, you can definitely score a tasty meal for both you and the kids. Even better there are plenty of healthy options to satisfy your resolutions {and keep the kiddos eating right, too}. But best of all, Kids Eat FREE every Tuesday and Sunday {no coupon necessary} at all Scotty’s locations!
Adobo Grill. This one goes on the list simply based on the fact that it is Princess Eldest’s favorite {age 10}. It might be for slightly more mature tastebuds but the big winner for our tween is the guacamole prepared fresh at your table.
Creation Cafe. Princess Youngest {age 4} lights up at the mere mention of Creation Cafe. Its location makes it great for an after lunch or dinner stroll. The kids’ breakfast and lunch/dinner menus have plenty of options. Classics like Groovy Grilled Cheese and Kraft Mac-N-Cheese {served in a dino bowl SCORE!} are typically big winners. Save room for the tasty desserts or gelato. Last summer the girls split a tie-dyed cupcake the size of my head. It doesn’t hurt that this is one of my favorite places to eat in Indy, too.
The Flying Cupcake. Ok, so it’s not your best dinner option but your kids are guaranteed to ooh, ahh and squeal with delight at the mere sight of such culinary sugary wonderfulness. Not only are there a wide variety of regular, filled, and jumbo cupcakes but the Flying Cupcake makes the experience wonderfully unique by offering kids their own vintage pick to place on top of the treat treasure. With vegan and gluten free options, the kid in you is sure to be delighted, too. Cookies and Cream, It’s Not a HoHo, Pretty in Pink, and the Red Velvet Elvis are Royal Favorites.
Bazbeaux. Sometimes you just need a family pizza night. You might not get the kids to go for the “Exotic” Slice you’re craving, so go for lunch during the week {$2.75 for a Traditional Slice, $3.50 for an Exotic}. I dream about Pizza Alla Quattro Formaggio on a regular basis. White or Wheat crust, thick or thin and a list of local ingredients a mile long make this a great place for your family to chow down on a pie.
First Watch. Newerish to Indy, this is my favorite new breakfast spot. The menu is chocked full of healthy options. Although the Princesses prefer a big ole Chocolate Chip Pancake and I went for the Bacon and Cheddar Pancakes which were ah-mazing. On my “next time” list is the Bacado Omelet or Carrot Cake Pancakes. I can’t decide!
This list could continue on for miles! What’s your favorite place to dine in Indy with the fam?
