Before I get started, yes, I know some of you avoid “family friendly” restaurants like the plague. I understand that. Many people don’t feel the same way, so just keep the nasty comments to yourself.
I like my summary from 2012, so I’m just going to quote it –
‘”The place where friends and family meet”, “Bring the kids!”, “Tot Tuesday”, “Free Soft Serve Ice Cream”. These are all quotes from the websites at Hopworks and Laurelwood Public House, and they show how much things have changed. Add Sunshine Tavern and Pause and these sort of restaurants are reaching out to a bigger audience. It’s Phillip Morris all over again!”
Has it gotten so bad that we need to drink in order to spend time with our kids? ;-)
Once again, the same restaurants top the list:
2012: Hopworks Urban Brewery/HUB, Laurelwood Public House, Sunshine Tavern, Slappy Cakes, Pause Kitchen and Bar, Lucca, Old Wive’s Tales, The Country Cat.
Out of 500 votes, these restaurants rose to the top:
1. Hopworks Urban Brewery / HUB –
- Urban Brewery – 2944 Southeast Powell Boulevard Portland, OR 97202 Map (503) 232-4677
- Bike Bar – 3947 N. Williams Ave., Portland OR 97227 Map (503) 287-6258
2. Laurelwood Public House & Brewery– 5115 Northeast Sandy Boulevard Portland, OR 97213 Map (503) 282-0622
3. Pause Kitchen and Bar– (closed)
4. Besaws – 1545 NW 21st Ave, Portland, OR 97209 Map (503) 228-2619
5. Jam on Hawthorne – 2239 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland 97214 Map (503) 234-4790
6. Lucca – 3449 Northeast 24th Avenue Portland, OR 97212 Map (503) 287-7372 My review
zumpie says
Confession time: I would’ve avoided family friendly restaurants and couldn’t understand resort vacations——until I became a parent. Then I realized how wonderful they are.
That said, I really like The Country Cat, but I don’t know that I’d call it especially family friendly. Both early teen daughter (who will even sometimes eat fairly sophisticated stuff, too!) and older teen nephew hated their cheeseburgers when we went. Old Wives’ is (and always has been) revolting.
As for the alcohol question, not for me personally, but as someone who trolls mommy bogs for a living nowadays, it would appear almost every parent is one step away from taking 12 steps, if you follow my drift!
Jason says
My 21 month old loves the Country Cat. The food and the people there are great. But our favorite place is by far Boke Bowl. He eats everything on the menu, it doesn’t matter if you’re loud, the food comes out fast, and the staff is so nice.
Liza says
I totally agree that Boke Bowl is the most family friendly place I have seen in Portland, or almost anywhere. And the food is good, too!
Katie says
Yep, Boke Bowl by far. My 3-year-old requests it every Friday and I am happy to oblige most of the time. Terrific food, quick service, a cup that she can’t break, and PB & J buns.
Tony says
Thumbs down for Pause. I haven’t been there for at least a year after consistently sloppy presentation and preparation. There was also one server who clearly hated her job. Maybe she’s gone now. Too bad since there aren’t a ton of choices up here in North. Has it gotten better?