You want to know what amazes me every single day? The fact that my family expects to eat, each evening, right around 5:30, an entire and complete meal. This is AFTER I have fed them two other entire and complete meals each day, not to mention the numerous snack I provide to stave off any unwelcome bouts of the hangries. Now, some weeks I really have my act together, and I have meal planned like a rockstar, and I have grocery shopped and prepped and just been altogether super impressive. And then there are other weeks when I desperately throw open the fridge around 5:15 and shout into the barren emptiness "Make me a meal!" just in the hopes that the kitchen fairies will show up and do me a solid. In the event that they don't, I typically arrange some cheese slices, apple wedges, and salami artfully on a plate, dump some crackers in a bowl, and call it a night. (Seriously though, if you cut things into fancy shapes and give them whimsical names your people will eat them and be happy. You just have to sell it. It's all in the presentation.) But some nights, and you know the nights, I just don't think I can handle preparing one. more. meal. On nights like that, I want to pay SOMEONE ELSE to do it. Please, for the love! Feed my people their supper! Recently I heard about a new place in Eugene called beergarden. So we went to check it out. You know where Gray's Garden Center is on West 6th? Well beergarden shares a space with them. We ate there on a Wednesday night, and it was busy. We were still able to get a table right away (hooray for no wait!!) and after we claimed our space by leaving a high chair and a diaper bag at the table (an important step) we made a loop of the food trucks. There were four (I think?) food trucks to choose from that night. This changes from time to time, but their current lineup is listed on their website. What's awesome about food trucks is that everyone can choose different stuff. There is literally something for everyone. My husband grabbed a burger and I went for a Costa Rican chicken dish. A few trucks even had menus for kiddos or smaller appetite plates. My four year old chose a plate of mini corn dogs and fries, and he ate every last bite. All of the food we ordered was really yummy. While we were waiting for food we grabbed some drinks from the bar inside. They've got an extensive selection of beer and wine and cider on tap, including some non-alcoholic choices if you're looking for something fancy to impress your littles. We really didn't wait long for our food at all, but here's where beergarden wins a ton of points: there is so much for kids to do while they're waiting. There is a concrete wall that you can draw on with chalk. There are a whole bunch of games and coloring books and puzzles inside. Plus, since if you sit outside...you're outside. I feel like there's just a different expectation for noise level and activity when you eat outside. Just a little more freedom and relaxation, amirite? I seriously can't say enough good things about our family's experience there. We were celebrating a birthday, and everyone (both fellow customers and employees) were super friendly. They may have just been jealous of our festive party attire. Whatever. They were nice to my kids and that's all that matters. The Essentials: Parking: A free lot as well as free street parkingResting Spots: Lots of tables Food: Hooray for options! Cost: Honestly, we found everything at beergarden to be pretty spendy. Their prices on pints of beer were more (sometimes considerably more, like a buck more) than other places in town. The food wasn't cheap either. So...keep that in mind. Push/Wear: They had high chairs. Nice! Restrooms: Yep Time Frame: We were in and out in about an hour. If you have kids that can sit still longer, you could linger longer. I don't think you could eat and drink any faster than an hour. a beergarden giveaway!
tell us what you love about outdoor dining with kids & you're entered to win a $25 gift card to beergarden! Awesome!
21 Comments
susan
8/21/2015 01:36:14 am
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susan
8/21/2015 01:42:03 am
wriggle room! like mentioned in the article, outdoor reading is much more casual so i feel less like my buddy toddler is annoying everyone.
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Nicole Miller
8/21/2015 01:55:24 am
I appreciate when eateries offer to bring the kids meal out right away before the rest of the entrees. Games seem to hold my little three year old son's attention more than coloring menus it seems. Essentially the best waitstaff can make any experience a good one. Patience and smiles go a long way!
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Mallory R
8/21/2015 02:08:50 am
I like outdoor dining with my kiddo because it's more casual, and I usually don't have to worry about whether or not we're making too much noise! He also seems to like the people watching, and it's even better when he can roam a little bit while we're waiting for our food!
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Tiya
8/21/2015 03:02:25 am
Our family seems to relax a bit more eating outdoors. There is so much more to look at and enjoy.
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Laura
8/21/2015 08:58:18 am
It's more relaxing! Especially with regards to noise concerns. And food dropping all over the floor. Outdoor dining is awesome and can't wait to do more before the rain comes!
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Kendall
8/22/2015 01:06:42 am
I love eating outside because all my youngest wants to do is crawl/walk around, and that seems inappropriate inside a restaurant, but somehow totally okay outside. Plus the older ones are just so much happier when you're outside! Hooray for beergarden...one of our new favorites!
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Angie
8/22/2015 02:25:51 am
First, I love your blogs! Second, the first two paragraphs of this blog are so spot on true it's like you read my mind. :-) Third, gift card to the beer garden? Yes please! My favorite thing about dining outdoors with kids is that you don't have to be so worried about the noise they make. :)
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8/22/2015 02:42:50 am
Noise expectation is big for us when eating out with kids! We'd love to give beer garden a try.
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Amy
8/22/2015 03:43:53 am
Shandell- you'll love it! We took the kids yesterday and they had a blast! Plus- most items are super affordable!
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Kristi
8/22/2015 06:00:46 am
The ability to let kiddos be outside and loud(er) than normal. We'd love to give it a shot!
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Alisha
8/22/2015 06:48:39 am
Outside eating is the best with kiddos because I feel like they Get to be Kids!! They can be a little loud and out of their seats :) they have fun and in return I have fun!
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Nancy
8/22/2015 07:52:23 am
The beer garden sounds awesome. Can't wait to try it!
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Kate
8/22/2015 08:18:33 am
I loved how the Beer Garden permitter is fenced, so they can wander a bit, and I'm not having to helicopter around them worrying they'll run into the street.
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Jenna
8/24/2015 10:52:08 am
We love eating outside for several reasons: 1) FRESH AIR - it is so nice to enjoy being outside -- definitely not something we get to do for most of the year around here 2) CLAUSTROPHOBIA - outdoor seating just feels more open 3) PRIVACY - I don't know if it's the outdoors or the seating arrangements but it always feels like our tables are a little more private 4) WANDERING - outdoor seating, for the most part, usually lends itself to my littles getting to meander.
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Ben
8/24/2015 03:14:25 pm
Beergarden! Yes! The kids have more to look at when we're eating outside.
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Keri
8/25/2015 07:24:48 am
My 3-yo likes to wander when eating because of all the summer picnicking we do, so Beergarden sounds perfect for his energy! :)
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Olivia Hardin
8/25/2015 07:24:56 am
Love the Beergarden concept! Whoever thought it up is a genius.
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Gretchen
8/25/2015 08:29:17 am
Space for the kids to move around & talk a little louder in a less formal atmosphere!
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Jessica
8/26/2015 12:37:25 am
We love it because the kids just behave better, they can move around, and more food choices mean happy kids and parents
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