Article Contributed on: 9/18/2009 9:04:46 AM
We had a mediocre dinner at a chain restaurant that will remain un-named. Frankly, you could fill in the blank with most chain restaurants and get the same result: mediocre.
Now there is something to be said for chains: you know what you are going to get almost anywhere in the country. But, if you are looking for excellent quality, home-town service, and local flavors you can't beat your local or family owned restaurants.
If you are a mom, going out to eat should be one of the highlights of your month... maybe the highlight of your week if you are lucky enough to eat out more often. But it's not just about you either. You want your family to have great tasting, healthy options to choose from. Not only that, but it feels great knowing that you are supporting your neighbors my heading to the local eatery.
There is something wonderful about going out to eat in your neighborhood... the flavors you experience
and the people you love there (whether that's the owners, servers, or the friends you take with you).
I'll start by sharing my top 5 favorite spots in Littleton, Colorado!
#1) Old Mill - pub style... sit out on the deck and watch the sun set
#2) Merle's on Main - unique and fresh... sit in the bar for sports tv and open-air dining
#3) Big Bill's NY Pizza (Centennial, CO) - "the large combo pie and an order of garlic knots": our order every time... with YooHoo for the kids, of course.
#4) Tres Jolie - funky and fun; hundreds of teas... a great place for lunch with girlfriends
#5) Toast - the biggest and most decadent pancakes you'll ever find... you'll need to learn to share.
I would eat at any of these places any time of any day. What restaurant are you salivating over now?
PS. If I was including chains, which I'm not, I would absolutely add Ted's Montana Grill to this list. Great... I mean GREAT... every time. Succulent buffalo, everything homemade, and environmentally conscious.