I’m a mom. A very busy mom. With a husband involved in two-startup businesses, I am a full-time writer, housekeeper, entertainer, accountant, taxi driver and personal assistant. I often depend on restaurants to get us fed and on our way without worrying about cooking and cleaning on busy evenings. Also, being a Southern belle by birthright, I have an obligation (ok, it’s a guilt complex that it will get back to my Momma) to take food when someone is ill, has a baby, loses a family member or just needs a little cheering up. Not to mention any social event. It’s impolite not to bring something. I also need my sanity-saving gab sessions with my girlfriends at least twice a month sans kids.
So, instead of worrying about what I’m going to make or where we’re going to go, I’ve got a list of local restaurants that are my go-tos for specific categories including:
- Lunch with the Girls – sanity-saving gab sessions
- Takeout - On the run or errand evenings
- Sit-Down – Date night
- Bring Something - A very detailed list depending on the life event or social setting
How does someone get on my list? I’m going to reveal the secrets for getting on my go-to restaurants list over the next few Wednesdays. This will be a series because there’s a lot of thought that goes into each list and it’s too long for one blog post. We’ll start with the simplest list – Lunch with the Girls. Take notes because every momma has these lists.
Lunch with the Girls
Every mommy needs a place to escape for a sanity-saving gab session, but it needs to be quick so that everyone can get back to work or on their way quickly.
Who’s on My Go-To List?
Mexican (cheap and a good bet if we have to take the kids); cafe (quick, easy and healthy) and trendy (the new place in town is a perfect excuse to spend $10-$12 and see what’s in style this season).
How to Get on Mom’s “Lunch with the Girls” List
- Get on Facebook. I’ll often check a friend’s profile to see what kind of food she likes before I issue an invitation. If she likes you, it’s a no-brainer.
- Send me an email right before lunch or update your Facebook status.I might just find a reason to ditch the gym and invite a friend to lunch. You wouldn’t believe how much planning (texting, IMing, e-mailing, Facebooking) women do around lunch time. Plus, if you update your status with a special right about 10:30, I’ll probably see it.
- Make my experience all about my conversations. I don’t want to be looking at the kitchen wondering where my food is while I’m trying to talk to someone who is actually potty-trained. Also, don’t send the waiter by 18 times. And, clarify the tipping policy. It’s annoying when you have counter service and waiters. Do either/or, not both.
- Put your menu online and make sure it’s up-to-date with ingredients. Nutrition info is a big plus. If you have a menu I can peruse before I head your way, I might just love you enough to put you on my list. All of us mommies are trying to kill that 5-10 baby pounds that are sticking around two years later. If I can hunt for a lunch that won’t blow my good intentions beforehand, I might just cave to peer pressure and split a dessert.
How to Get Off My “Lunch with the Girls” List
- Make me wait in line a long time to order. If you don’t schedule enough people to avoid long lines at the counter or don’t have menus available right inside the door, I’m probably going to discount you as too slow for my working friends.
- Don’t offer a lunch special. I’m a mom and I’ve got less money to spend on my clothes than ever before, so I need a good deal. Also, if you don’t offer me a healthy side option like non cream-based soup or a salad, I’ll probably not like you as much.
- Nickel and dime everything. If I pick an establishment that charges extra for this and that, my friend won’t be impressed and neither will I. Price your food accordingly so we don’t have to think about how much making changes will be.
- Don’t have a changing table in your restroom. So, sometimes lunch with the girls is lunch with the girls and kids. If you don’t have family-friendly, clean restrooms, I’m going to remember that.
How do you attract moms to your restaurant? Share your ideas in the comments below. Or, join our discussion over at Facebook.
