Rainforest Cafe is one of our all-time favorite family places to eat…they have good food, an amazingly fun atmosphere, and shopping in the front. Beyond all that, I love watching the kids’ faces each time the gorillas and elephants start to roar and jump around! They don’t have an abundance of locations, but if you have one in your area, I highly recommend it as a fun, out-of-the-ordinary place to eat for families with young children.

Though the prices at Rainforest Cafe are higher than the average casual dining restaurants, their portions are huge (two people could easily eat from one entrée). We were actually just at the Grapevine, TX location a week ago, and spent $105 for our family of five, including the tips for the server and balloon artist, but we certainly could have done it for MUCH less, even without the coupon.

First, here’s a little more about the cost of dining…

Appetizers: Many appetizers are priced at about $8, though the Nacho Appetizer ($12) is a meal in itself for several people.

Kids’ Meals: Most items from the children’s menu average $6. As an example of portions, our three-year old ordered dinosaur chicken nuggets, and it came with eight nuggets and an adult-sized portion of french fries (I think she ate one).

Adult Entrées: Most adult entrées average $15-$20, though burgers are about $8. Again, as a portion example, I ordered a $15 salad that could have been shared with a couple of people. (Unfortunately, no one else in our family enjoys buffalo chicken salad!)

Desserts: Most of the desserts start at $5, but the Volcano dessert (which is a MUST-ORDER for kids!) is $12.50. The Volcano is a mound of brownie, ice cream, and hot fudge…topped with a lit sparkler. Each time a Volcano dessert emerges from the kitchen, the server repeatedly yells “VOLCANO!” as he/she escorts the dynamo to it’s rightful owner. Why is this exciting? I don’t know - haven’t a clue - but it IS! (Yes, I know sparklers come in packs of 12 for $1, but somehow, that sparkler is worth the price of the Volcano at the Rainforest Cafe.)

So now that we’ve identified how to SPEND money at this delightful restaurant, here are some tips for spending much less while you’re there…

1.) Contact your local Rainforest Cafe to find out about their Kids’ Nights. Each location offers a $0.99 or $1.99 Kids’ Meal night, one night per week. (In Texas, meals from the children’s menu are $1.99 on Wednesday nights.)
2.) Share an entrée (it can be easily done)
3.) Order water, instead of tea or soda
4.) Eliminate the appetizer
5.) Order the Volcano dessert, free of charge, with THIS coupon (valid through 05/11/08)! The coupon can also be used for $10 off of your $25 purchase.

That sounded a bit like an amateur restaurant review…regardless, the Rainforest Cafe is too fun, and doesn’t have to account for a major budget overhaul!