Let me just get started by saying that my husband and I LOVE to go out to eat.  One of the highlights of living in Austin is the access we have to amazing culinary choices.  Most of the time we save our foodie adventures for those times when we can secure a babysitter and leave our kiddo’s at home.  I don’t know about you, but taking kids to a restaurant is not always the most fun.  Especially with a toddler who doesn’t like to sit still for more than a few minutes (I mean, waiting on your food to come out can seem like an eternity with a hungry toddler!) and is still learning restaurant manners.  I know that kids are kids and we need to let them be free, but we also want to respect the fellow patrons of any given restaurant and refuse to let our children cause a ruckus  during a meal.  Add into the equation all of my oldest son’s food allergies, trying to find something safe AND tasty that my picky eater will eat, and you can see why we typically leave our kiddo’s home when we are trying out new places…the eating-out-obstacle’s can be too much!

All of that being said, it does get tiresome never eating out, as a family, for dinner.  Sometimes I am just not in the mood to cook, or we might be out for the day with company and want to grab a bite to eat.  In general we don’t frequent “chain” restaurants.  Nothing against them, we just usually hit local spots.  And, much of the time the food all tastes the same – and like something we could make a home.  Well, I eat my words because we tried out a great spot last week – and, honestly, it addressed all of our needs!  BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse.

Let’s Recap:

Eating Out Obstacle #1: Seeking amazing culinary choices for a “foodie” experience.  BJ’s has an extensive menu – it was almost overwhelming – and all of it looks delicious, with reasonable prices.  We had a really hard time choosing what to eat because everything looked so good!!  Even my husband, who has a very discerning palette, loved his meal (Cherry Chipotle Salmon).  The drink list is also miles long, with some signature drinks and brews.

DELICIOUS FOOD

Eating Out Obstacle #2: Squirmy, impatient toddler.  BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse offers an INCREDIBLE new app that allows you to not only get your name put on the list ahead of time – no waiting – but you can also ORDER AHEAD.  Now, let me elaborate on this and be clear – this is not just for take out (although, that is an option).  You can download the free app, then peruse the menu and add the food items to your cart.  From appetizers, entrees, kid’s menu and desserts, you can find it all – complete with descriptions and customization options.  Once you have selected your meal choices, submit your order.  When you arrive at the restaurant, you are seated immediately and they turn in your food order at that time.  With the Order Ahead feature, it saves you the time of menu reading and waiting on a server to take your order and turn it in.  It gets sent as soon as you sit down.  We got our appetizer course within a few minutes of arriving.  As they were clearing our appetizer (calamari, by the way – and very good!), our entree’s were being delivered.  The kids have zero time for getting in trouble for fussing because the food is out so quickly!  In fact, our dessert (Mini Pizooki) was at our table before they had a chance to clear our entree plates.  Speaking of entree plates – the portions were HUGE!  We took half of each meal home.  Another cool thing with the Order Ahead App is that your entire bill is now on your SmartPhone.  You even pay using the app.  So, again, another huge time saver – no waiting for the server to get the check, take the check, bring back the check, etc.  It’s all so streamlined and simple!  It is such an amazing option and SO user friendly!  Oh, the other cool thing, is that when you use the app, you also receive BJ’s Premier Rewards points on eligible purchases – these points are good for free food, discounts, etc.  SCORE!!

Order Ahead Mobile App (3)

Eating Out Obstacle #3: Special dietary needs.  As I’ve written about before, Hudson has multiple food allergies, so eating out can be impossible for us.  That is why we typically do not eat out.  Well, BJ’s has changed that and given us a new spot to eat!  Their website has all of the nutritional and allergy information listed very clearly.  I was able to look through the entire menu and find what was safe for him, and what was not.  Their famous deep dish pizza WAS safe (miracle!), so that is what we ordered.  I made a note during my ordering process via the App, and then told our server when we were sat that he had food allergies, and confirmed that his meal would be safe.  Now, any allergy parent will know, that no matter what, it’s always nerve wracking watching your kiddo take that first bite – well, not only was the pizza from BJ’s safe for him, my picky eater LOVED it!  His eyes got huge and he exclaimed “This is the best pizza ever!!!”

NOT-FOR-PROFIT (4)

So, there ya go.  Overall, we had an amazing experience eating at BJ’s.  We will absolutely return and will most definitely use the Order Ahead App option – it saved us so much time, (and our sanity!), by not having to wait at any point during our meal.  Our kids were happy and fed, and we were happy because it was a really delicious meal and we didn’t have to spend half of the time waiting and trying to keep the kids entertained!

Now, it’s your turn!  One of our lucky reader’s is going to win a $25 Gift Certificate to give BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse a try!  I promise you want to win this!!  (PS: They have locations all across the US – so you don’t have to be an Austin resident to win!!)

All you have to do is “like” Austin Moms Blog on Facebook  and start tagging your friends for a chance to win! It’s that easy!We will choose a winner on Friday the 18th at 2 pm!

 

 

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