Options for Dinner with small Children that will not be awful near Trenton

Submitted by Resident_Apartment72 t3_11u3nmo in newjersey

Hi all,

First, let me say that I love eating out at restaurants and I love my children but I strongly dislike those two things together. Eating out with Toddlers is a test of how long it takes before we relinquish and give them a phone or game to play while feeling like terrible parents when I do. I try to take them to a loud atmosphere, short waits, and distractions to see around the restaurant.

With that in mind, does anyone have recommendations for good places to go with two toddlers in and around the Trenton area? I'm unfamiliar with the area & coming up from the south and google isn't coming up with a lot of compelling options besides places like Texas Roadhouse. We are going to Disney on Ice soon in Trenton, so preferably if they have alcohol for me, that would be great too but not necessary. Any recommendations are appreciated!

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BYNX0 t1_jcmbqt9 wrote

You may want to look into Diners in the area. NJ has the best diners in the country, and that’s definitely the environment for you to bring young kids to

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MajorScore t1_jcmd12y wrote

PJs pancake house! Locations in Ewing and Lawrenceville. Alcohol available at the Ewing location, not sure about LVILLE.

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Squiggly_Jones t1_jcn14q0 wrote

It's not bad, but can be expensive I feel, just a heads up OP

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MaxYoung t1_jcnauzf wrote

Route 1 diner in lawrenceville will give about double the food for the same cost

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BYNX0 t1_jcmk3zz wrote

Not sure with those particular locations, but please don’t go to the Princeton location! Parking was impossible, it was a 30 minute wait just to get into the place, I got the most cramped and smallest table ever, and the food was average for the price. Worst restaurant experience of my life. Hope the other locations are better

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MajorScore t1_jcmoox3 wrote

The non-Princeton locations have ample parking and are much larger.

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BYNX0 t1_jcmzvnl wrote

That's great! Maybe I'll check one out some time.

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gyrk12 t1_jcng64l wrote

Yeah whenever I see that crazy line, I'm just like... Why are people waiting in that. That place should have an easy way to put your hand down so you don't need to stand in misery.

I have been to the Kingston location on a few occasions, and the food is just outrageously expensive in my opinion. It's like everything starts at $20. Plus, one time their bathroom wasn't working. That was pretty sketchy...

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RivChk t1_jcmjt2l wrote

I want to second PJs pancake house in Ewing. I was there for lunch recently and there were several families with baby carriers and toddlers.

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ferocious_coug t1_jcn3g87 wrote

Absolutely do not bring them to Nettie’s House of Spaghetti

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GTSBurner t1_jcme49c wrote

The question: It appears you are unfamiliar with the trenton area. Which direction are you coming from? You mentioned Texas Roadhouse and I believe the closest one to the CURE Arena is in Hamilton, so if you're coming from that side of New Jersey, I can assist. Also, are you planning to eat before or after the show?

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Resident_Apartment72 OP t1_jcmexrz wrote

Coming up 295 from the south. Eating after probably around 5ish since the show is at 3 and I think it will be easier to feed the little cherubs first before driving home.

I enjoy Texas Roadhouse but I have yet to go to one that doesn't make you wait even when you do the app.

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GTSBurner t1_jcmgmgz wrote

Thank you, that helps.

Mastoris is gone, but there is Chickie and Pete's and the Town and Country Diner off 130 in Bordentown area. There's also the Wisdom Diner. Those are three decent options that are on your way "home" back to 295.

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Trollingyouhaha t1_jcmubcl wrote

Broad street diner. It’s right on the way to the arena not far off 295. If you’re coming from the south, there’s not too much on the way to the arena from 295 to 195 to 129 besides a McDonald’s and Jerry’s pizza. Which I recommend, but not with toddlers. I’d say broad st diner would be your best bet.

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Administrative_Elk66 t1_jcme1nz wrote

I just want to say you sound great 😃 seconding the diner suggestions!

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fatandlean t1_jcmpshz wrote

Take a slight detour a couple of exits north on 295 on the way back. Grab some pizza at the Hamilton delorenzos. Famous for a reason. It’s about 5 minutes from the 129/295 connection. You could also hit up Palermo’s on 206 in bordentown for great pizza and Italian. Both joints are BYOB.

There are also some casual pub food type places with alcohol in bordentown itself. About a 5 minute detour from the highway.

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tashabunn t1_jcmygwb wrote

You can’t pass up Jersey pizza.

Tip for OP: I’m not sure about the south, but if you plan to BYOB in NJ you’ll need to go to a liquor store for any type of alcohol, not a grocery store.

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ferocious_coug t1_jcose9a wrote

I think OP meant they’re coming from South Jersey not literally from the South (even though they can be one and the same sometimes)

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mcgeggy t1_jcmwqfr wrote

If you detoured a few miles east along Rt. 195, and got off on Rt. 130 South, there are a whole bunch of mostly kid friendly restaurants right there…

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I_DRINK_ANARCHY t1_jcmx4kg wrote

I used to spend hours at the Broad St. Diner (once upon a time called Maneta's), it's a good spot.

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Telnet_to_the_Mind t1_jcotedt wrote

You shouldn't feel like a terrible parent if you let your children use phones or tablets... I mean sure living in the real world and getting actual outside stimulation is preferred.. but you're not sitting there brainwashing your kid... raising kids is tough!

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jcalabronj t1_jcnjchc wrote

It’s loud as hell at the RedRobin in the Hamilton Marketplace

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frshbeetz t1_jcoepe5 wrote

Any dinner with small children will be awful.

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SquirrelEnthusiast t1_jcp8nkq wrote

Broad street diner is on... Broad street, not too far from the arena and family friendly. Used to eat there a lot. There's also Angie's in bordentown but that's a bit south of the arena. I think pats diner has alcohol but the diner is low quality and icky. Killarney's in Hamilton is a bar that I often went to with my kids, and is my biggest suggestion. Their food is great.

Basically don't look in Trenton, try Ewing and Hamilton instead.

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ctrakas t1_jcoh8c6 wrote

Pete’s steakhouse tavern in Hamilton. Ii’s almost always crowded, food is good, they serve alcohol, they move pretty quick in there.

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Ckc1972 t1_jcmpnxu wrote

Not very classy, but a McDonald's with a play area (if they still do that) was always hit with my son at that age

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