Sometimes the restaurants that adults find charming are flat-out boring for the kids in the party. If you're looking for a fun place to have a meal, entertain your kids and catch up on some family fun time, metro Atlanta has plenty of options for you.
The Varsity, established in 1928, is the world's largest drive-in restaurant. Outside, treat kids to the rare experience of pulling into a parking space, ordering food from a call box and having your meal delivered by a uniformed carhop. Inside, kids will love the 1950's decor and the row of attendants calling out "What'll you have? What'll you have?" to lines of waiting diners. The food--hamburgers, hot dogs, grilled cheese, fries and shakes--is messy, gooey and loaded with kid appeal. Add chili or pimento cheese to any burger or dog for an extra bit of fun. End your meal with a fried pie or the traditional Varsity dessert--a mix of vanilla ice cream and orange sherbet known as a Frosted Orange. The original downtown location remains and four additional locations serve Atlanta suburbs as of September 2010.
The Varsity Downtown
61 North Avenue
Atlanta GA 30308
404-881-1706
thevarsity.com
Adults and kids alike will enjoy taking a step back in time when they visit Medieval Times. Guests enter through the Hall of Arms and make their way to the celebration area where a full royal court, four-course meal and floor show await them. Kids can gnaw a jumbo chicken leg while watching horsemanship displays and falconry demonstrations and can cheer their favorite knight as he competes in an authentic medieval tournament. Ticket upgrade options include a DVD about the performance, preferred seating, a banner, program and a group photo taken with the royal court.
Medieval Times
5900 Sugarloaf Parkway
Lawrenceville, GA 30043
866-543-9637
medievaltimes.com
Atlanta also has a Chuck E. Cheese's location, a national chain that is perhaps the best known of all kid-friendly restaurants. It is primarily a pizza joint, but also offers salads, wings and sandwiches. The main attractions for kids are the games and rides. Chuck E. Cheese's offers a full arcade with pay-per-play games, simulators and kiddie rides. It also features free play areas such as a ball pit and jungle gym. Gift cards are available and birthday parties and other private events are welcome. In addition to the Atlanta/Vinings location, nine Atlanta suburbs have Chuck E. Cheese's restaurants.
Chuck E. Cheese's
2990 Cumberland Boulevard SE
Atlanta, GA 30339
770-435-9036
chuckecheese.com
