10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants 2009: Noodles & Company’s #3
10 Best Fast-Casual Restaurants from Parents Magazine
#3 – Noodles & Company
It’s the ultimate in flexibility. Instead of having a separate kids’ menu, all of the restaurant’s 18 noodle bowls, soups, and salads come in two sizes so children can get the right portion of whatever they want. Since every noodle dish is prepared to order, diners are encouraged to customize — swapping or adding veggies and a protein like chicken or tofu. Mac ‘n’ cheese, buttered noodles, and pasta with marinara sauce — all under 450 calories for the small portion — will appeal to picky eaters. “A lot of parents ask us to throw a vegetable like broccoli or carrots in these traditional kids’ dishes,” says Kevin Reddy, CEO. Children with a more sophisticated palate tend to go for the Bangkok Curry (250 calories) or Pad Thai (350 calories).
The food is served on real dishes and kids get colorful, easy-to-use chopsticks. Says Reddy: “When you create this atmosphere, you’re more likely to get the kids to try healthy foods they wouldn’t touch elsewhere.” Makes sense to us.
205 locations in 18 states
Read complete story at Parent Magazine’s website
