Would you take a 20-month old to Ray's the Steaks?

[Anonymous]

Ladies, looking for some perspective. My sister is coming into town and I have been wanting to take her to Ray's for forever. However, she now comes bundled with a 20-month old son (very low-key kid, he's never hyper or loud). I've eaten at Ray's for years (before the move, too), but can't say I know what to do. It'd be me and my DH, sis and her DH, and the kid.

I've actually been in the new location before (in the room furtherest to the back) and there were kids there (once or twice). They were also well-behaved. However, just because I've seen kids there and haven't personally been bothered at all doesn't mean it's cool to take a kid there, right?

So, do you think it's ok? Only for lunch? Should I ask for that back room? Should I tell them we'll have a child along when I make the reservation?

Like I said, I'm dying to take my sister there, so let me know if you think it could work or if I'm delusional. (Babysitter is not an option, sadly).

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Wanted to add, the kid loves regular food and will eat anything, so fussiness is not a problem.

[Anonymous]

I don't think it would be a problem - it's always loud and the dining room can be kind of disorganized anyway (oh, but the food!!). I would tell them that you will be dining with a child, and then have a back-up plan in place in case of fussiness. The biggest problem I can anticipate for you would be the staff (but if you eat there regularly, you already know this) - totally hit and miss. You might get a server who loves kids and is more than happy to help you give your sister a memorable dining experience. Or you might get a server who has attitude. Not your problem, but if you tell them ahead of time, hopefully the hostess will seat you in a section with a friendly server.

[Anonymous]

I did it, and it wasn't a problem. However, ever since Ray's East of the River opened, we take her there instead. It is wonderfully kid-friendly; every other table has a kid. Different neighborhood, different vibe, different menu, not family-friendly metro-accessible, but an excellent option with a child.

[Anonymous]

We do it and have no problem Our kids have been to all kids of restaurants and we don't think twice about it. At this point the kids think it's normal. We decided before they were born we weren't going to be the kind of people that hit up places like applebees instead of normal restaurants. I say go for it OP

[Anonymous]

I took DS to many restaurants until he started to walk and then, as soon as he was done eating, he had to walk around or screaming happened. DS eats everything and is very social, but asking a 20 month to sit still for that long is going to be an issue. I would try lunch and plan to have one adult walk outside w/ the toddler, no matter how laid back he is.

[Anonymous]

I think you'll be fine. We've gone to the new location a number of times and always see families with young children there.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks so much for the input, all!

I am really excited to get to take her (she always goes on about chain steakhouses like Ruth's Chris and I just want to take her to a nice local place that I think is the tops).

We'll make sure one of the adults is ok to be the "walk around" patrol (great suggestion).

Thanks again