Dining out with Kids

Need a place to take the family that’s easy on the wallet or to have a quick bite if dad or mom has to work late? Many places offer kids’ nights where children eat free or for a discounted price. Programs can change, so call before you head out.

Family Friendly Dining Picks

If you want to keep the kitchen clean (for a little while anyway), you can find numerous family/kid-friendly places to eat where you can be yourselves without worrying about offending other diners with loud conversation or wandering children. Here are some of our favorites:

• To play and eat, head to Chick-fil-A for indoor play or Sonic for outdoor play.
• For home cooking, check out the Pik N Pig in Carthage for barbeque, the Chomping Ground in Aberdeen, or the smoke-free May Street Market off the beaten path in Southern Pines.
• Looking for Mexican, then head to La Poblanita in old Aberdeen is a long-time local favorite for authentic, fresh and reasonably priced meals. For a fast bite, head to Moe’s in Aberdeen as well.
• For what you want, when you want it, head to Linda’s Pinehurst Café in the Village, which offers breakfast and lunch all day. For an old standby, Mac’s Breakfast Anytime (well, anytime before 3 pm, that is) has locations across the county.
• For what you want any ol’ way you want it, Dog Nation Grill in Aberdeen is the place for a dog or sausage fixed exactly how you like it.
• Craving pizza, locally owned Pizza Café in Olmstead Village offers a buffet and salad bar at lunch and several nights a week. And kids are crazy for their cheese sticks. Valenti’s in Vass is worth the trip just to watch the kids roll out the dough and make their own pizzas. (Don’t forget your camera!) Ragazzi’s continues to be a family favorite and locals tout the pizza and wings at Giovanni’s, both in Southern Pines.
• For a sub on fresh-baked bread, head to Mr. B’s Subs and Salads in Carthage.For a quickie, Subway offers kids’ packs with side options like apples and yogurt to increase the nutritional value of the meal.
• Standby chains like Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday, Outback Steakhouse, Lone Star Steakhouse and Chili’s Grill & Bar. Each offers children’s menus, so the kids can munch on mac n’ cheese while you savor your favorite grown-up meal.

Dessert

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream! After a good family meal, there’s nothing better than a sweet treat. Try out a few of these kid friendly favorites.

• In Carthage, head to Two Scoops, where they offer seasonal homemade ice cream loaded with fresh local strawberries, peaches or blueberries. Is chocolate your favorite? They have a variety of Hershey’s ice cream as well. If you need a quick bite before dessert, Winston’s Scoop & Deli is your one-stop shop in Carthage.
• For a similar homemade experience,head west on Hwy 211 past Seven Lakes and Eagle Springs to Ben’s Ice Cream, part of the Kalawi Farm. There you will find seasonal homemade ice cream loaded with fresh locally grown fruit and a bountiful produce stand. It’s definitely worth the drive.
• Looking for something decadent? Swing by Cold Stone Creamery in Aberdeen for a make-your-own experience. On the lighter side, TCBY is located in the same shopping plaza. Do you listen to the devil on your left shoulder or the angel on your right?
• If gelato is your craving, try Henry’s Gelato, adjacent to Chick-fil-A in Southern Pines, or Poppy’s in the Pinehurst Village.
• The Ice Cream Parlor in Southern Pines has been scooping ice cream and making floats for kids for years and offers homemade sandwiches and soup, too.

If you’re going out to eat, don’t forget your SandhillsKids card and let your favorite restaurant know to call us if they don’t already sponsor and offer a discount to you members.

Also check out kidseat4free.com or mykidseatfree.com. You can use the database to get updates on when new restaurants are added or just to give you an idea of what chains offer kids specials.