Two Good Places for Kids

Any restaurant that is kid-friendly gets high marks (in my book). Mainly because I have 3 kids and like going out to eat. And a great burger place maybe the best of kid-friendly places - usually not expensive or too fancy and plenty for kids to choose from. That said, I still want the burger/fries combo to be great - atmosphere alone won't carry. Solid malts are a plus factor.

Here are two suggestions for Twin Cities burger places that work well with kids:

Annie's Parlor - This spot, in Dinkytown a block from the U, is always a good choice. While parking in the area is not the easiest, a visit is absolutely worth the block walk.  Great selection of burgers.  Nothing strange and they all taste good (the meat itself is good - which is a sure sign of a great burger place).  Fries are in shared baskets.  Crisp and salty.  Malts solid.   Not fancy but vibrant mix of families and U of M types.  One of my repeat favorites and gets a solid A.  Here's a link:  http://tinyurl.com/7kch9v (citysearch info - could not find an official site). 

Snuffy's - A Twin Cities burger mainstay.  I'm biased because there's one about 3 blocks from my house in Mac-Groveland, Saint Paul.  Locations also in Roseville, Minnetonka andEdina.  Go here for the easy kid-friendly set-up, burgers any kid would like and great malts.  My kids never leave this place unsatisfied.  Many out of town friends/family request a stop because of the festive atmosphere and old-fashioned malt shop feel.  All of the foregoing are big thumbs up.  But... I wish they would get their short-order cooks to visit a few other great burger places.  The meat needs a bump up in flavor and texture.  And fries should be a bit tastier.   Because my kids love this place, I give it a B.   Check it out at:  www.snuffysmaltshop.com.