Good evening fellow fodorites! Going in to NYC next weekend and staying at the Hampton Inn at 108 W. 24th St. I'm not familiar with that particular neighborhood and was hoping to get some recs for kid friendly restaurants nearby. Kids are 12, 8, and 1 1/2 years old. Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

Menupages.com has a nice feature that allows you to select an area and several special features. Choosing Chelsea and kid-friendly, here's the list
http://menupages.com/restaurants.asp...d=17&mt=0&ft=9

The Comfort Diner would be very close.

The Trailer Park Lounge -- it's a hoot. The chili is really good, wonderful hot dogs and macaroni and cheese. The name says it all, complete with bad country music on the radio. It's on 23rd, between 7th and 8th.

RUB - Real Urban Barbeque is good at 208 W. 23rd St. between 7th and 8th.

Waldy's Pizza - excellent pizza by Waldy Malouf (chef at Beacon in midtown) 800 6th Ave bet. 27th and 28th.

F&B - European-style hot dogs are GREAT - good french fries, right next to the Trailer Park Lounge Patrick suggests at 269 W. 23rd.

Mclaurie is right as always, Comfort Diner is on 23rd between 5th and 6th (25 W.23rd) great grilled cheese, shakes, burgers, eggs and pancakes.

Oh and Rickshaw Dumpling Bar at 61 W. 23rd is fun for kids - terrific fried or steamed with lots of different fillings . . . and chocolate dumplings for dessert.

And if you're looking for something more upscale but still very kid-friendly, try Le Zie 2000, an excellent Italian place at 172 7th Avenue between 20th and 21st. They'll make plain pasta for the youngest and the older ones will find much to eat . . . good wine list, lovely service. reasonable prices. A New York neighborhood place.

I forgot - there is a Whole Foods right down the block from the hotel on 7th Avenue and 24th Street with a terrific hot and cold salad and soup bar, build your own burritos, sandwiches, sushi, etc. for "hotel picnics".

Also, realize you aren't far from Union Square. I like Melrose in that 'hood.

I almost always stay in Chelsea whenever I go to NYC and there are restaurants everywhere. Be aware that it probably isn't the most kid-oriented area, but you shouldnt' have any trouble finding restaurants with something to keep the kids happy.

John's Pizzeria is great too - and check out Billy's Bakery for dessert - I think it's on 9th Avenue just south of 23rd on the east side of the street.

Another vote for Trailer Park ... the place is hilarious!

If you are going to take your kids to "Trailer Park" you might want to ask yourself whether you would take them to a soul food restaurant named "Ghetto" or a Mexican restaurant themed "El Barrio." No to be a tightass, but I wonder if perpetuating class stereotypes is really a kid-friendly experience, even if the food is arguably kid friendly.

In case you do want to take Mike up on his suggestion, there is an El Barrio restaurant conveniently located in Spanish Harlem.

And I believe "Ghetto" just opened in the Union Square area ... neo-nostromosian fusion cuisine.

But while in Chelsea, don't miss Trailer Park!

FYI, Whole Foods makes my favorite PB&J sandwich. Yummo!

I was hoping for more recommendations along the lines of a restaurant which is kid friendly that is moderately priced with kid friendly items as opposed to diners. I've been to the Comfort Diner and I agree it is good but looking for something other than a pub or a diner. I must admit I am a bit perplexed by the Whole Foods recommendations. It's a great grocery store but not really what I would consider a restaurant. Thanks for the pb and j tip though on that one! I'll have to try it next time I am there.

I'm not sure if it's unique to NYC, but the Whole Foods have a seating area that is a very popular place to grab lunch. Most people will get there food in the prepared foods section/deli and then eat at the Whole Foods. It's a great option for a casual lunch.

No I don't think the dining seating area is unusual for a Whole Foods, though some of them have better ones than others. I'm not familiar with the NYC one, but it sounds nice. And I think the Austin, TX one is the Grand daddy of them all. Multiple dining options and many seating areas.

Also, the Chelsea Market looked like a good spot for dining (Rachael Ray's Tasty Travels went there).
http://www.chelseamarket.com/
No personal experience there though.

"I was hoping for more recommendations along the lines of a restaurant which is kid friendly that is moderately priced with kid friendly items as opposed to diners."

Well, the most kid-friendly places in Chelsea are going to be diners. Chelsea isn't exactly kid-central. There is a BBQ place at 23d and 8th that would be kid friendly (and is quite good). You could also probably find stuff to please kids at some place like Rocking Horse (Mexican) or Viceroy.

There's not dining area at Whole Foods in Chelsea.

MikeT- Are you familiar with the Chelsea Market? It looks like it's mostly takeout type places, but there's tables to eat at, correct?
FYI, Rachael Ray's NYC Tasty Travels is on tonight so I'll pay attention.

Some places do have tables. Actually, most do. Good spot for breakfast or lunch. Not sure about dinner.

Dallas BBQ...family friendly and inexpensive. Enjoy! Pjay