10 Best Chain Restaurants

Yes, we know. Dining out used to mean fabulous food, candlelight and linen napkins at our favourite little bistro. But now that we have kids, eating looks quite a bit different. Even if that cute bistro does have change tables and crayons, we don't want to be on pins and needles over our little ones' behaviour and table manners. That's where the kid-friendly chain restaurants come in. Sure, there's a bit more noise and overhead light, but the worry-free atmosphere is what brings us in the door. We've put together this guide to family dining so you can all enjoy some tasty grub that you didn't have to cook! Bon appétit, indeed.

We adore Cora—where else will someone cut up all that fruit just for us? While there are teen and kid menus on offer, the entire menu is child-friendly, so we tend to opt for a dish called the Seventh of July, a crepe-and-French-toast combo smothered with fruit.

Enjoy the wealth of options at Montana's, including a kid-sized BBQ ribs with a side of baked beans—a great way to introduce kids to this messy but delicious dish where someone else will wipe the table (okay, and also the chairs). Good to Know: Members of the kids' club get a free meal on their birthdays.

One of our favourites. We dig into the jambalaya while the kids munch their way through veggie pizza with multigrain crust, Caesar salad or veggie strips and a wee dessert.

We like to hit up Moxie's for brunch when the vibe is even more family friendly. For a pretty complete kids' meal, the mini egg sandwich with bacon and cheese, rösti potatoes and fresh fruit fits the bill, while we tuck into the Mediterranean scrambler.

What a kids' menu! You know when you're trying to decide between shaved prime rib sliders and BBQ grilled chicken that you've got a good thing going on. But why not let the little carnivores tear into a kids' sirloin, complete with Caesar salad, veggies and an ice cream smoothie for dessert?

Ah, the bliss that is Milestone's. The grown-ups get great meals with some even greater cocktails, and the kids get food that they'll devour! Timid taste buds will love the grilled cheese, but we say push for the grilled salmon to help establish great eating patterns early on. The topper? A mini chocolate chip cookie served with ice cream, of course.

Order some boneless wings with zero heat for the wee folk plus a side of veggies and some milk for a good shot of protein. The adults can ratchet up the heat—and the fun—by sampling this pub-grub classic that comes with dozens of different sauces.

The garlic grilled shrimp are good for kiddos and adults alike, plus the kid option comes with the choice of orange slices or broccoli, with some cute mini smoothies on offer. Ahoy, mateys!

C'mon, when the craving strikes, nothing else will do. Opt for the small chicken dinner with fresh veggies as sides, and skip the sugary drinks. Umm—that goes for the parents, too... Good to Know: Birthday kids eat free!

The pasta is a no-brainer, of course. But why not encourage the kiddos to try the grilled chicken breast to expand their palates? So moist and so good, we'll have it too. Followed by a peanut-free brownie, natch.