kid friendly restaurants

New year, new menu! If mama's New Year's resolution included cleaning up the lil one's menu, she has a new ally on her side. This week, Chick-fil-A, the Southern fast-food chicken chain, is introducing a new kids' menu meal — Grilled Chicken Nuggets. The all-breast meat, gluten-free Grilled Nuggets have only 80 calories and one gram of fat (for four) compared to 130 calories and six grams of fat in the traditionally fried nuggets. The quick-service chain is also introducing Buddy Fruits Pure Blended Fruit to Go applesauce and one percent milk to round out the meal, making it one of the healthiest kids' meals available.

Given the national childhood obesity epidemic, it's great to see a national chain making an effort to keep our kids healthy. The biggest problem now will be getting families to order the healthier meal when Chick-fil-A's famous fried versions are still readily available.

popsugar poll

Chick-fil-A Introduces Healthy Kids' Meal, But Will Kids Eat It?

Yes — If parents don't give their kids an option, they'll be forced to eat more healthfully.

No — If fried versions are still available, families will simply stick with what they know kids will eat.

Move over chicken fingers and grilled cheese! In an era where parents take their tots everywhere with them, it appears that five-star, Michelin-rated restaurants aren't off limits. According to the New York Post, some of New York City's most posh dining establishments are experiencing an influx of younger diners and they aren't altering their menus for them. As these young gourmands' parents tote their offspring out to dinner, they hope to introduce them to a world beyond the children's menu – including $25 black cod with miso and $33 crispy beef.

Though some restaurateurs have called for the removal of kids menus altogether, 63 percent of LilSugar readers said they specifically seek out eateries with kid-friendly options. One New York chef thinks these petite gourmands are all talk though, saying, "The only food I ever see children enjoy at any of my restaurants are the pizzas at Pulino’s. That’s all children ever want to eat. Anyone who says anything else is lying."

What do you think?

popsugar poll

"Twee-sine" Gourmet Menus For Kids: Kid-Friendly or Are You Kidding?

Kid friendly – If you can afford it, why not take the tots to fine restaurants.

Are you kidding? – Some experiences are just not designed for children.

Fine restaurants have children's night so mom and dad can dine and their youngster can tear up their napkin or shriek and no one minds, but what happens when the parents take their kiddo to another eatery? Some businesses make a kind and concerted effort to accommodate children from small shopping carts at the grocery story to rolls of stickers, lollipops, and balloons upon entrance or exit. Mothers who are just trying to get through daily tasks and errands with their lil ones are often grateful for these goodies. But the freebies aren't all sunshine and rainbows, a mom may end up spending a portion of her day peeling stick-um off her car seats and windows, consoling a hysterical tot when their balloon flies away with the wind, or prying candy from the firm fist of a baby. Do you welcome kid-geared goodies or wish companies didn't give offer them?

popsugar poll

Do Kid-Friendly Perks Make Parents' Lives More Difficult?

Yes — Businesses have great intentions, but it makes my life harder.

No — This mama is appreciative of all the perks!