Sammamish Families: Looking for Kid-Friendly Dining Options?

When in closed suddenly last month my eastside mom tribe had a collective tantrum of toddler proportions. Where were we supposed to eat on Tuesday nights now that the “Ruby’s Kids Eat Free Tuesdays” special – and Ruby’s – was no more?

Now that we have properly mourned the passing of Ruby’s delicious shakes, fun diner decor and the cute “ceiling train” we’re ready to move on to some new options this summer. Luckily there are lots to choose from on the eastside, for every age kid, food preference and budget.

Eastside Meal Deals

The kids eat free Tuesdays special at Ruby’s was a great deal but there are other eastside restaurants that still offer kid pleasing meal deals.

Your kids can currently eat free every day, from 4 p.m. to closing at the Issaquah IHOP. Breakfast for dinner anyone?

is a great option when you need a picnic lunch or dinner. They have a "$5 footlong sub of the month" special.

On Mondays, your kids dine for free for both lunch and dinner at Desert Fire Southwestern Grill in Redmond Town Center.

Kids eat dinner free at in Redmond and Issaquah on Sunday and Wednesday nights.

Saturday and Sunday at Redmond’s your kids eat free. The charming non-smoking pub welcomes kids (except in the bar) and Saturday nights there is often live music so you can still have a fun “date night” with the kids in tow.

Refill Deals On Beverages

Also on those hot summer days don’t forget you can get a refill on any size ice tea at for just under sixty cents. You must go to the same location on the same day and use the same cup. Take the lid off before handing over the cup. You can also get FREE coffee refills when you use your registered card – sweet!

Theis a Great New Family Friendly Restaurant for Breakfast or Lunch

If you haven’t already, check out the new Sammamish Café in Saffron Plaza for a kid friendly dining option. The restaurant features a retro resort décor, comfy booths and tables or counter seating if you prefer. The staff is warm and attentive and special orders are happily accommodated.

The café offers an extensive kids menu and juice is served in kid size, compostable cups.  My son gave his M&M covered pancakes a big thumbs up on our recent visit and my daughter enjoyed her half a turkey sandwich with fruit.

The portions are generous and you can get half portions on most meals, which is still plenty of food. You’ll be tempted by the pies and other baked goods on display. The café is a great option for breakfast or lunch with your family but keep in mind that while they open early – 6 a.m. every day except Sunday when they open at 7 a.m., they also close everyday at 3 p.m.

Grandparents Will Love the Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In in Issaquah

If you have grandparents visiting the plateau this summer, take the whole family down to the Triple XXX Rootbeer Drive-In  located at 98 N.E. Gilman Blvd. in Issaquah. They'll love the restaurant's booths and vintage music box and 1950s diner style menu. This is a great place to also celebrate birthdays and admire the vintage cars that often park in the restaurant's parking lot on the weekend. 

The "Can’t Get Out of the Minivan But Want to Avoid Fast Food" Option

I remember the challenge of coming home from a play date or park with my kids napping peacefully in the back of my minivan and being really thirsty or still in need of something for my lunch and their’s. The mommy dilemma is do you pull into a fast food drive thru or do you wake up your then very crabby kids so you can all walk into a restaurant or store with healthier meal options?

Instead of fast food next time you are stuck in the car, try opting for a Starbucks with a drive thru. There are several on the eastside including two in Redmond and . Ask what “fruit and snack plates” they have available. Try the protein plate which includes a hardboiled egg, packet of peanut butter, whole grain mini roll and some cheese and fruit. They also often have sandwiches, including egg salad, hot grilled panni and wraps.

For a hot lunch consider their breakfast sandwiches, which can be ordered all day while supplies last. Salads are also often available, as well as low sugar kid snack options including nuts and cheese sticks. 

Dining Out Options with a Tween or Teen Who Doesn’t Eat Meat

Some of my friends have tweens and teens who have begun experimenting with lifestyle choices that their parents don’t engage in and find difficult to support. No, not alcohol or drugs - their kid has given up meat, or even more challenging for some parents, become a vegan.

If you have a recently converted non-meat eater, you will find there are still lots of dining options nearby to enjoy together. 

in Redmond has a lovely daily lunch buffet with lots of wonderful vegetarian options – and tasty chicken curries for the meat eaters. 

in Issaquah and Redmond has a delicious garden burger in addition to their expansive menu of beef and turkey burgers. 

in Redmond is a great place to swing into with your vegetarian or vegan teen. You can get a slice of pizza or a sandwich and she can opt for one of the many non-meat “eat there or to go” meal options including a delicious pre-packaged meal of tofu, veggies and rice from the sushi counter.

Nearby Chipolte also has vegetarian and vegan teen pleasing meal options and you can still get your delicious steak or chicken burrito.

The Redmond also has great vegetarian and vegan meal options to eat there or to go.

Dining Out Should Ultimately Be About Making Happy Memories

When my kids were younger my first choice for dining out with them was in Bellevue. I could get them a “kid pleasing meal” of a grilled cheese at the Crossroads Café while I could opt for something more spicy and exotic from another of the food court's many restaurants.

They learned to love going there because they would get to ride the shopping center’s old fashion coin-operated rides, visit the library and dance in front of the stage after a meal. We have many happy memories now of dining there together as a family.

So if you too will miss Ruby's, I hope you find a few new places to dine out this summer on or near the plateau that welcome kids of all ages where you can experience great times together dining as a family.