While not the best place to bring the kiddos, I'll definitely be coming back for date nite or sneaking away for a date lunch or two. The adult cocktails were light and refreshing while maintaining their boozy element.
We all agreed the food was fabulous. Everyone's fish was fresh and cooked to perfection. There's not many places that can make lobster rolls taste as good as theirs did - especially way down here in the middle of Texas! But TJ's did and I'd have to say their lobster roll even rivaled some of those made in New England. I should know - I'm from there! Summer after summer growing up, I spent long family car rides driving up the coast of New England - from Connecticut to Maine cracking open every lobster in sight.
Hot Connecticut Lobster Roll - Petite
My only regret at TJ's was that I had ordered the petit portion. I'm used to petite portions not really being that small, but theirs was itty-bitty. It looked like what a kid's meal should have been. It would have been perfect for my 6 year old. Next time I will order the full size and I recommend you do the same. You will probably want to substitute out the chips that come with the lobster roll if you are able to. They are ok, but there is nothing special about them.
Now there's two reasons we probably won't take our kids here again. The whisper quiet noise level of the restaurant and the minuscule kid portion sizes.
It's no secret we like good food and drinks, but atmosphere is also key. Quiet restaurants are perfect for couples on a date; overly loud restaurants are great for younger partying kids; and then there's those restaurants with the perfect combination of both - not too quiet, not too loud - just right - creating an awesome vibe for all who are there. A quiet restaurant doesn't work for us. Our 6 year old doesn't know what an inside voice is. After 15 minutes of schussing him at the table, everyone is upset.
And as for the kid portion sizes... 3 shrimp and grated carrot as a side... This, of course, did not include the $3.00 soda my child drank. Luckily, we ordered lots of appetizers cause there would not have been enough food to go around. Seeing my son's sorry plate reminded me why I started this blog. Nearly 2 years ago I went to Oceanaire in Atlanta. They served my then 4 year old a big huge pile of fries with 2 measly shrimp on top. My son kept trying to ask the waiter for more shrimp, but he was just ignored. While we may have found this hysterical, we never went back to this place we once liked so much. Restaurants, while we like kids menus, it's ok not to have one. If you are truly worth it, we will pay adult prices for our kids to eat there. We don't want itty bitty meals or meals piled high with fries. Suggest an appetizer or soup or something the kids can share.
$8.00 Kid's Shrimp and Grated Carrot
Update: Our first time going to TJ's was at lunch time. We've now gone 2 other times (and yes, we brought the kiddos!). Of the times we've been, dinner seems to be the most lively which is a plus for us and anyone else with kids. An extra bonus at dinner is the scoop of mashed potatoes you get with the shrimp kid's meal. Now only if I convince my son to eat potatoes!
