Looking for a true kid-friendly eatery

This is an open letter to all local restaurant owners or entrepreneurs looking to fill a virtually empty market.

We would LOVE a child-friendly restaurant! Not just one with a "kids menu" and a box of crayons, but one that truly welcomes families. Who doesn't like to take a break from cooking now and again? We would also like to do something fun as a family!

Going to a restaurant can often be a real bore for young children and stressful for parents. Children are often required to sit and wait for quite a while ordering and waiting for food to be served. Crayons don't always cut it, sometimes our children want to explore and get up out of their seats.

As parents, we often become stressed that our children will bother other patrons, and we often feel rushed.

What about providing some type of entertainment, like a supervised game, storytime, dance, or another fun activity or craft while they wait? (Not a video game machine or germ-laden indoor playground). Hire some high school students to run the "child zone!"

We also really like to eat freshly-prepared, wholesome, healthy foods. We are tired of burgers, chicken fingers and pizza. We don't like to give our kids things loaded with preservatives, deep- fried, or filled with excessive salt or sugar.

We all like to eat foods that taste good and are also good for you.

So, please consider opening up a restaurant like this, we will come!

Becky Dufern

Arlington Heights