Making Dining Out Easier For Your Family

Whether you live in a region with strict restrictions on restaurants or in one where pretty much everything is fully open, going back out to eat with your family can be either a refreshing treat or a lesson in how much your social skills have changed. In either case, you can make the experience much nicer with a little planning. Even if you and your family have been going out to eat a lot, chances are there are ways you can improve how your next meal at a restaurant goes.

Please Do Pay Attention to and Follow Any COVID-19 Regulations

First, please do follow any COVID-19 regulations. The people at the restaurant are just trying to do their jobs and aren't responsible for what the city or state has mandated. It's been a frustrating couple of years for many, so please remember that the staff at the restaurant wants you to focus on having a great meal.

Go at a "Quiet" Time

That being said, aim for a time when the restaurant isn't swamped. Going to lunch at 1 p.m. instead of noon, for example, may get you better seating, more attention, and less overall noise that could overstimulate kids. Wait times for tables and food will be shorter when you're not dealing with the main meal rush. Your server may be a lot less rushed at that point, too. If you're just now going back out to eat and are still a bit worried about pandemic issues, going outside of the busiest times may get you more space around you and your family, too.

Look for a Decent Kids' Menu, if Applicable

If you'll have young kids with you, choose restaurants that have decent kids' menus. These don't have to be kid-specific restaurants, by the way, but you do want to see more than just a couple of entries. If you go out for a family meal, go someplace that has food for everyone, not just meals for you with a few chicken nuggets for the kids. Your kids will be happier both about the food and the fact that you wanted to give them more choices.

Decide in Advance if Outside Seating Is OK With Everyone in the Group

When eating at a restaurant, sitting outside could be very pleasant – that is, as long as everyone thinks the weather is nice and that nothing outside will bother them. For example, if the outdoor seating area is also the smoking area and you don't want your kids exposed to secondhand smoke, sitting inside would be better. Before you head to the restaurant, make sure everyone in the group is in agreement about where to sit when dining in.

Check out local dine-in family restaurants online to see the menu.