Theatre district Mexican restaurant
 

Suggestions, please! Taking my 12 year old nephew to "Lion King" for his b-day and this is a cuisine I think he can get his head around!

Hell's Kitchen on 9th betw 46-47 is really good but is not your typical tacos and enchiladas place. It's better :) (sort of nuevo mexican) but maybe not what you're looking for. La Cocina up a block (48-49 on 9th) may be more what you're looking for or there are 2 locations of the chain Burritoville- on west 39th near 9th or 9th and 44th.

Rio Grande at 52d and 8th is also fairly adequate Mexican and much more kid friendly than Hell's Kitchen, although not as good.

manhattan chili company. i think it's on 43rd and b'way. kid friendly, awesome food! it'll be perfect. (for adults next time, check out rosa mexicana)

Is there a Rosa Mexicana in the theater district now Jasper?

mclaurie...no, it's a cab ride away. there is one on like 59th and first, and one by lincoln center on the west side. very worth it!!

There's a place called Chevy's FreshMex on the corner of 42nd Street and 9th Avenue, I believe. I've never eaten there, but it looks very family-friendly from the outside. It may be a chain, but it looks like it would appeal to kids.

You could also take him to the ESPN Sports Zone near Times Square. I don't even like sports, but the number of televisions in that place is pretty impressive (there is even a TV in every restroom stall), and there are tons of video and interactive games he can play before you have a bite (burgers, etc.). I think it's a place that a 12-year old boy would rave to his friends about.

Another place that's really cool for kids: the Jekyll & Hyde Club. It would be a quick cab ride to the location near Central Park (I think there is a second restaurant downtown somewhere), but he would have some great stories to tell his friends.

Restaurant report - After a "visual multiple choice," my nephew chose to have dinner @ Chevy's, right on 42nd and 8th. It was family friendly and the food was quite adequate for adult tastebuds. (The margaritas were, in fact, great!) Thanks, FluffnFold.