Sumpter Junction Restaurant

September 21, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of Ken’s World

2 Sunridge Lane
Baker City, OR

The following review was submitted by Ken of the blog Ken’s World. Thank you, Ken, for your contribution to Pit Stops for Kids!

Sumpter Junction Restaurant makes for a great pit stop along I-84 while driving through Eastern Oregon. What makes Sumpter Junction more than just a diner? The G-Scale train that passes through the restaurant every few minutes while you eat! Train buffs and curious kids (and adults) will love the attention to detail and fun atmosphere.

Date last visited: August 2010

Distance off the interstate: Right off I-84.

Hours: Open for Breakfast at 6:00 am everyday! (Lunch & Dinner till 9 pm.)

Website: None.

Phone: 541-523-9437

Directions: From I-84, take exit 304 for OR-7 S toward Geiser Grand Hotel/Historic District/Baker City Center. Turn right at OR-7 S/Campbell St , then turn right at Sunridge Ln.

On the Rise Bakery

May 19, 2010 By

Photo courtesy of On The Rise Bakery

Bridge St & Esplanade
Richmond, VT

Sometimes, you just want to have your cake and eat it too! And if your family vacation takes you through scenic Richmond, Vermont, On The Rise Bakery offers just that…literally. A wonderful place to stop for breakfast, lunch, or dinner, On The Rise is more than just a quaint eatery; it’s kid-heaven. Located adjacent to a park, kids can burn off energy while waiting for their bagels or muffins.

Even better, On The Rise is dedicated to sustainable food services. Most of what they serve comes from the local farming community, and if you’re looking for gluten-free fare, you’ll be right at home! (Another bonus: the building is equipped with wi-fi.)

Says MissMagPie of Find and Go Seek, an awesome guide for all things Vermont, “There are several tables set up inside the building and on the deck. Within eyesight is Richmond Volunteers Playground if the kids want to run and stretch their legs. There is even a sandbox right on the porch of the restaurant. In the evenings this is also a venue for local musicians.”

Date last visited: May 2010.

Distance off the interstate: Five minutes off I-89.

Hours: New extended hours! Monday/Tuesday: 6AM-6PM, Wednesday-Saturday: 6AM-10PM, Sunday: 6AM-2PM (Brunch 8AM- 1PM)

Bathrooms: Located on-site.

Directions: Take Exit 11 off of I-89, then go to the center of the village (east on RT 2). Take a right at the light onto Bridge Street, then head down the hill, across the tracks past Railroad and Church street. The bakery is on your right. Turn into the parking lot at Volunteers Green.

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The Original KFC Restaurant

August 8, 2009 By
The original Sanders' Cafe, now a museum

The original Sanders\’ Cafe, now a museum

688 US Hwy 25 W
Corbin, KY

While driving I-75 en route to Disneyworld, Disboards user ‘Disney Janet’ (now of Seattle, WA) stumbled upon the original Kentucky Fried Chicken outside of Corbin KY. “There is a little museum there and it was neat and free. It is definitely one of my strongest memories of our drives down to Florida as a kid.” After touring the museum, grab lunch or dinner and continue on your way!

Date last visited: 2003

Distance off the interstate: 5-10 minutes off of I-75.

Hours and Admission Prices: Free to tour museum. Hours are 10 am to 10 pm.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: That’s what it’s all about at this pitstop!

Website: http://www.corbinkentucky.us/sanderscafe.htm

Directions: Directions: From I-75 take exit 29, go south on 25E one mile, then right on 25w one-half mile. Located at the junction of 25E and 25W in Corbin.

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La Tarasca Restaurant

July 5, 2009 By

La Tarasca in Centralia, WA

1001 W. Main
Centralia, WA

All the other reviews out there are right: La Tarasca has excellent Mexican food¦perhaps the best, and certainly the most authentic, I’ve ever tasted. Due to its close proximity to The Great Wolf Lodge Grand Mound, this restaurant has been heavily reviewed (just do a Google search), but all those words really do bear repeating. From the street, the place is nothing to look at, but don’t let that dissuade you. Inside, it’s colorful and cheery. We were served by the restaurant’s owner herself, who was happy to help us decide which of her native southern Mexican specialties we’d most enjoy. When our four-year-old couldn’t decide on his drink order, she told him she’d whip him up something special’ and came back with a delicious rice milk and cinnamon concoction. The restaurant does has a children’s menu, but she allowed mine to customize it to their tastes (my ten-year-old substituted beans for meat in his taco, for instance, and my seven-year-old opted for a tamale hot out of the oven instead of any of the kid offerings). My husband ordered carnitas (the house specialty), and ended up sharing his plate with all the kids, who all loved it (which is rare, as they’re primarily vegetarians). I ordered the chile relleno, and can say it’s the best I’ve ever had.

Date last visited: June 2009

Distance off the interstate: About two minutes.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Website: None. There is a phone number however: 360-736-7756. It’s advisable to call to check hours, which can vary. At the time of this posting, it’s open until 9 pm, and is closed every Tuesday.

Directions: From I-5, take Exit 82 (Harrison Ave). After Yew Street, Harrison turns into Main. The restaurant is located on the left.
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Sweet Tomatoes

April 25, 2009 By
Buffet at Sweet Tomatoes

Buffet at Sweet Tomatoes

6600 SW Cardinal Lane
Tigard, OR

I once forced my children to sit tight in the car an extra 70 miles past our pre-determined dinner-stopping-point in order to push on to Sweet Tomatoes. And even considering the whining, loud singing, and general disgruntlement, it was worth it. For those who aren’t familiar with this restaurant chain (which is brought to us by the same fine folks as Soup Plantation), imagine food that’s fast, but nothing like fast food. Or, if you will, a Hometown Buffet that’s actually good (sorry, I’m not a fan of the latter). Sweet Tomatoes is a buffet filled with fresh, whole foods: every type of salad you can imagine, six to eight homemade soups, pasta, bread to die for, drinks, and dessert. If you’re a newbie, don’t make the same mistake we made our first time: be sure to grab the compartmentalized child trays for your kids (they’re molded to keep foods from running into each other¦ewww), and if your kids want to skip all the specialty salads offered at the beginning of the buffet, don’t panic¦there’s tons more kid-friendly options (including a Kids Only station) further in the back.

Try to avoid this Tigard location on weekend nights (but that’s probably true for all of them).
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