Wednesday, January 6, 2010

Lunch Dates

I have a secret.
Mo and I go out just the two of us for lunch about three times a month, sometimes more and I'm almost embarrassed to tell where we go.
Okay, I'll admit, my favorite lunch place with Mo is:
Chick-fil-a!
Now, I know fast food is BAD! Kid's meals set up your child for a lifetime of addicting to trans-fats, and french fries and gasp....toys as a reward for eating. I also know of at least four locations within five miles of our house and when I was checking out their website discovered there are eleven locations within ten miles!
I however, LOVE Chick-Fil-A. Not just because their traditional sandwich on a whole wheat bun with tomato & lettuce is especially yummy, or their homemade lemonade is the fine balance between bitter & sweet, but for a few other reasons that I think those other fast food establishments should pick up on.
1. The kids meal for Mo is an appropriate size for a toddler/pre-schooler. The four nuggets actually resemble real chicken, and I substitute their fries for a fruit cup. I bribe Mo with grapes, strawberries, apples, & orange pieces in exchange for bites of the chicken and for the most part it works.
2. I have never had a bad experience with their customer service. Even with a toddler in tow, they have been kind to her and go out of their way to make sure I have a plastic place mat set up and that her highchair is clean.
3. This is really the main reason I frequent Chick-Fil-A
Once you order, they BRING YOU YOUR FOOD! I have yet to attempt balancing a Happy Meal and my own order while following my toddler through the maze of tables at a McDonald's or Burger King, which would mean I would forgo ketchup, a straw or even napkins, to ensure my order makes it to a table while my kid gets strapped in. AAAAHHH The thought makes me cringe!
At Chick-Fil-A, they bring you over your order, and then ask, if you need anything else and actually get it for you! When you say "thanks", they respond "My pleasure". I'm guessing that these employees really aren't as jovial as they appear, but keep faking away, because I buy it! I keep coming back!
They also have people hired as "greeters" who sole responsibility is to make sure you are okay with your dining experience. She or he will even offer to refill your drink...for free or throw out your garbage for you.
In a nutshell, I feel like these little lunch outings are good experiences for Mo and I to bond a bit and get her used to the idea of eating in public. Grant it we're not eating four star cuisine, but it's still a different setting then our kitchen and I think, she enjoys it too! Maybe someday we can try a more refined place, but for now, I think I'm in the mood for chicken tomorrow.

2 comments:

  1. I just went there last week for the first time with Kaiden. I did like it too for all the reasons you stated! Although my son decided to have a complete melt down right before us leaving and the whole place seemed to stop and stare like I was some duranged mom, I will go back!

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  2. jac, thats aiden's fav place to eat....and i feel exactly the same for you....he eats there so much, sad to say, but he tells us "i have to go to chick-fil-a work".....he says he cleans there...oh boy. enjoy =)

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