Mama Knows Best: Mama Cozzi’s Pizza Kitchen Take and Bake Deli Pizza*
Little Fan Favorite: Happy Farms String Cheese*
Sip & Celebrate: PurAqua Belle Vie Sparkling Flavored Water*
Dinner Delight: Fresh Family Pack Chicken Breasts
Keeping it Fresh: Strawberries* *Denotes repeat winner
It’s no secret that ALDI shoppers are big fans of the store’s low prices and wide selection of high-quality foods. More than 360,000 shoppers have voted over the last three years.
The Mama Cozzi’s Pizza line earned its own category this year, after being the overall fan favorite in 2020. And it’s still a winner: The brand’s Kitchen Take and Bake Deli Pizza was a top vote-getter this year, with more than 45,000 votes.
Among kid favorites, three-time champion Happy Farms String Cheese earned more than 50% of the votes in its category this year, winning by a landslide.
You’ll find these winners by looking for a blue heart-shaped logo on store shelves and on the ALDI website. Learn more about the 2021 Fan Favorites here.
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day––so why not start your morning off on the sweetest note possible with luscious dishes that are almost too good to be true? From Pop Tart ice cream sandwiches to double chocolate Oreo pancakes to waffles doused in caramel, chocolate and Nutella, we’ve rounded-up 11 eateries where you can treat your little honey bears to breakfasts that could double as dessert. Put down that donut and scroll through our top picks!
Sugar & Scribe
Sugar & Scribe
Begin with the brioche French toast topped with homemade whipped cream and balsamic syrup. Or try the new Nutella nuts French toast with toasted almonds, whipped cream, Nutella and strawberry chocolate balls. Further, for little fingers, the French toast sticks go over big. On the other hand, if you opt for a traditional breakfast and want something sweet afterward, you'll find a wide assortment of yummy mini-cupcakes to eat for dessert.
Cost: French toast, $14; Nutella nuts French toast, $17; French toast fingers, $8 Hours: Mon.-Sat., 7 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
Your sweet tooth takes off with the pancake flight. You can pick three different (yummy) pancakes. Plus, you can even sub-in French toast. Don't miss Nana's hot cocoa pancake with Mexican chocolate and marshmallow, or the famous pineapple upside down pancake with caramelized pineapple and homemade vanilla creme. More still, for half-pints, the kid's menu offers French toast sticks, pancakes (and more!) with a side of fruit and hash browns.
Fresh air, casual and sweet eats. Fido's welcome too, at this outdoor breakfast spot with ocean views. For a sweet and savory waffle, try the Elvis: caramelized bananas, peanut butter syrup and bacon mixed on a freshly made waffle. Or another fave is the cinnamon brioche French toast. Also, there are breakfast burritos and egg sandwiches. A good morning pit stop to fuel up, then hit the beach or stroll through downtown Del Mar.
The sweet ban-a-tella pancakes put you on cloud nine. The bananas are mixed in with the pancakes and then topped with a good dose of Nutella. Moreover, little tykes chow down the mouse-eared M & M pancakes and everyone loves the gigantic cinnamon rolls. Also, the crack n' eggs with burgandy tri-tip steak and three eggs is perfect for those with a bigger appetite.
An easy to get to breakfast spot located in Liberty Public Market's Mess Hall. Indeed, they make mouthwatering breakfast sandwiches on brioche buns from the local bakery, Bread and Cie. With an egg, applewood bacon and special sauce, they are yummy. Further fun for half-pints are the Pop Tart ice cream sandwiches (yep, breakfast) or make-your-own cereal bowl creation with your favorites mixed in one bowl.
Cost: Pop Tarts, $3; breakfast sandwich, $7 to $8; cereal creation, $5.50 Hours: Daily, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Little pancake eaters scarf down the Oreo cookie pancakes or banana split French toast. (Yep, it has bananas, ice cream and chocolate sauce.) On the other hand, the pineapple upside down pancake or s'mores French toast are tops too. Further, if you want to try a few different flavors you can order the flight of three pancakes (French toast too!) and sample everything!
Cost: pancakes, $7 to $11 Hours: daily, 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
You'll fall in love with the Valentine French toast stuffed with white chocolate and raspberries. (The French toast also comes with a gluten-free option!) Another sweet choice is the banana fosters pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar. Half-pints can order the kids pancake with fresh banana or strawberries. More still, there are tasty options for eggs, bacon, and omelets.
Cost: Valentine French toast, $12.95; banana pancakes, $10.95; kid's pancakes, $4.95, add fruit, $2.50 Hours: Vary by location
Locations: Pacific Beach, Hillcrest and Liberty Station Online: figtreeeatery.com
If you like a large order of pancakes then this is your morning eatery. Littles eat up the strawberry shortcake pancakes––and it's good to know you can order just one. Also, if available, the banana nut pancakes and lemon ricotta are sweet and delicious. What's more, there are plenty of healthy breakfast items on this menu too!
Cost: single pancake, $4.95; stack of pancakes, $10.95 to $11.95 Hours: Mon.-Fri., 6:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
6791 El Camino Real Suite 201 Carlsbad, Ca 760-931-1362 Online: beachplumkitchen.com
With a Volvo van tent and fire pit, this casual breakfast spot whips up delicious waffles in a fun setting. For example, little waffle eaters go for the chocolate infused waffle with berries on top and a glass of lemonade. Secondly, the hazel Nutella is a fave of many. You can find this little eatery tucked next to a laundromat in North Park.
Traditional comfort food with impressive sweet breakfast treats on this menu. If your crew likes pancakes, then the caramel apple pancakes topped with whipped creme hit the spot. Moreover, the supreme French toast made with cinnamon roll dough is a kid favorite too. Even though you'll find this hot spot busy on the weekends, it's a good family breakfast joint with a kid's menu and attentive service.
Cost: caramel apple pancakes, $12; French toast, $12; kid's breakfast, $4.50 Hours: Mon.-Sat., 6 a.m.-2 p.m.; Sun., 7 a.m.-2 p.m.
950 W. San Marcos Blvd. 760-591-4558 Online: mamakats.com
You'll grin like a possum after eating this country cookin'. First, the fresh waffles topped with strawberries and whipped cream or peanut butter and banana are sweet and delish. Secondly, try the Swedish crepes that are light and yummy. Also, there's a kid's menu with mouse ear pancakes topped with whipped cream, a half-order of French toast and many more choices.
If you’re in search of good food, cold beer and happy kids, look no further than Mukilteo’s Diamond Knot Brewery and Alehouse. This North End gem caters to all its patrons (affectionately called Knot Heads) young and old, offering mouth-watering eats, a diverse selection of handcrafted beer, and provisions that’ll put a smile on any kid’s face. At Diamond Knot, you can have your beer and sit long enough to drink it too. We’ll toast to that!
photo: Abbey McGee
The Story Behind the Brew
Twenty years ago, Bob Maphet and Brian Sollenberger started producing Diamond Knot brews in the back of a building on the waterfront. What started as Mukilteo’s first microbrewery has morphed into an establishment fit for the whole family. Diamond Knot doubled its size in 2013, adding the alehouse and a year-round ice cream and coffee bar featuring local favorites like Snoqualmie Ice Cream and Black Swan Roasting Company.
The Nautical Vibe
Named after a 1947 shipwrecked vessel, Diamond Knot’s interior radiates a wharf-like, nautical vibe with its large rustic beams and open plank ceilings. Upon expansion, Diamond Knot worked diligently to preserve the patina of the brewery, while creating an equally relaxed, casual atmosphere in the alehouse where Knot Heads could enjoy the cuisine and beverages with kids in tow.
photo: Abbey McGee
For the Minis
Diamond Knot totally gets kids, giving every child their own paper menu and overflowing cup of crayons, eliminating the perennial fight over the red crayon. And a full kids’ menu provides plenty of options for picky palates. Petite pizzaiolis can make their own two-topping masterpieces, a perfect entrée to keep little hands busy and fill their bellies. Genius! Other favorites include homemade mac ‘n’ cheese, chicken fingers, and burgers. If your little Knot Heads are deserving of a treat, order up a round of root beer floats, made with the finest handcrafted root beer in town.
photo: Abbey McGee
For the Parents
For parental appetites, unique flavor combinations (peanut butter bacon burger anyone?), generous portions, and local ingredients fill the menu. The hottest items are the signature stone grill entrées, where Mom and Dad cook up their meat table-side on a flaming hot 750 degree stone. Regional culinary creations like the 12th Man salad for the loud and proud Seahawks fan add even more local flavor to the dining experience. And beer isn’t the only thing that is fresh and local; brioche buns are baked in-house daily, fries are fresh cut, and salad dressings and sauces are homemade, many incorporating house brews. From pizzas to prawns, salads to steak, Diamond Knot’s menu will entice you to come back again (and again) to try something new.
photo: Abbey McGee
Diamond Knot Brewery and Alehouse
621 Front St.
Mukilteo, Wa 98275
Phone: 425-355-4488
Online: diamondknot.com
Breakfast, lunch or dinner, we all get those little cravings for something classic and new all at the same time. These local Seattle shops will satisfy your familiar taste buds with a special kick to the traditional bacon-lettuce-tomato combo. There’s lots of debate as to what makes the perfect BLT, but whether it’s in-house smoked bacon or the simple delight of choosing your own breads, one thing is for sure: Seattle is not short on its BLT supply.
Marianne Hale from Seattle Magazine pulls out all the stops for the places to go.
DOT’S DELICATESSEN
Dot’s bacon is dry-rubbed and smoked in house, then laid on sourdough slices from Macrina Bakery with heirloom tomatoes (when in season), mixed baby head lettuce and fresh house-made aioli. $7. Fremont, 4262 Fremont Ave. N; 206.687.7446; dotsdelicatessen.com
THE SWINERY
Perhaps the Swinery’s entry should be called the PBLT, because the chefs use thick, crispy slices of pork belly accompanied by chicken liver pâté mayo, mixed greens and tomato, all snuggled into a Macrina brioche. $8. West Seattle, 3207 California Ave. SW; 206.932.4211; swinerymeats.com
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.
With the winter cold officially setting in, sometimes all you crave is a hearty hamburger with all the right fixins. Forget the fast food joints because the area’s locally-owned eateries offer some of the tastiest burgers in the nation. From the All-American burger to hot and spicy burgers to the bacon cheeseburger, you and the family are sure to fulfill that hamburger craving we all know so well. So read on burger enthusiasts to discover all the amazing hamburgers Seattle has to offer.
ALL-AMERICAN BURGER Butcher’s Grind House Burger at Local 360 Belltown
$11
The rustic, casual Belltown spot’s outstanding burger is made of a secret blend of local beef cooked perfectly medium, as requested, and has a nice steak-like flavor, a loosely bound texture and a salty crust. Comes with a gorgeous slice of tomato, a pile of greens, slivers of red onion, house-made bread-and-butter pickles and aioli. Upgrade with cheddar and bacon for $3 if you want to, but we don’t think it needs it.
Favorite sides: Great steak fries with the skins on ($3.50/free with burger!)
BACON CHEESEBURGER Swinery Burger with Bacon at The Swinery
West Seattle
$9
Grilled over charcoal outside in the bare-bones Swinery courtyard, the Swinery burger is a true thing of beauty: one-third pound of house-ground Painted Hills beef with soft onions, house-cured Swinery bacon cooked until softly crisp, your choice of cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and house-made pickles on a soft, sweet brioche bun from Macrina Bakery.
Favorite sides: One of those people who just can’t gain weight? Danger fries ($6) to the rescue! House-cut fries cooked in rendered pork fat and then doused with bacon and blue cheese béchamel sauce. Holy heart attack, Batman.
To discover all the best spots for burgers in Seattle read the full article here.
This is our weekly guest post from our friends at Seattle Magazine, which keeps readers on the pulse of restaurants, personalities, arts, entertainment and culture that reflect the tapestry of our dynamic landscape. We’ve teamed up for an exciting partnership to bring you a weekly dose of fantastic Date Night ideas throughout greater Seattle.
