Sure, the kids love chowing out of boxes at the golden arches, but Milwaukee is filled with many other easy, affordable restaurants just waiting to clean the food, sugar packets and forgotten small toys from under your table.

In an effort to compile a comprehensive list of places for you and your family to dine -- other than the usual chains -- we asked Milwaukee parents from all parts of the city to tell us their secret and not-so-secret eateries of choice. Certainly we didn't get 'em all, so please contribute to this list by using the talkback feature.

"The Lakefront Brewery Palm Garden, 1872 N. Commerce St., is great for a Friday night fish fry with kids. My neighbor's 2-year-old son loves to dance to the polka music," says Holly Schiek.

Indeed, Lakefront Brewery's Friday night fish fry scene is a great venue for decent food (fish fry, pasta dishes and sandwiches), indoor exercise (thanks to the large dance floor and house band, Brewhaus Polka Kings) and freshly tapped beer for those parents weary from a long week.

"I can't say enough about Maharaja, 1550 N. Farwell Ave. They really, genuinely like children, have great food and attentive service," says Denise Lubotsky about the East Side Indian restaurant with lots of space, a fleet of high chairs and a Buddha-patient staff.

Ferch's Malt Shoppe, 5356 Broad St. in Greendale, is an old-fashioned ice cream shop where Stephanie Simmons likes to take her kids for a bite.

"It has a counter with 'swirly seats' and some booths in the back. They also have a jukebox," she says. "The food is great too. They have a selection of wraps as well as other diner food."

The Comet, 1947 N. Farwell Ave., was recently renovated. It now has high chairs and is non-smoking on one side of the restaurant. Plus, the Americana cuisine is popular with picky eaters. Comet's sister cafe, Fuel, 818 E. Center St., is also very kid-friendly, with loud music, booths and room to roam. Sure, there's smoking, but think of it as "dining in the 1950s."

Milwaukee has no shortage of Mexican restaurants, and many are mucho kid friendly. Riverwest's Jen Lucas votes for La Fuente, 625 S. 5th St.

"It's so noisy that I never feel self conscious of my kids' volume," says Lucas. "They genuinely seem to enjoy and welcome little ones. One time I swear two or three waiters worked overtime picking up toys and forks that my youngest kept dropping or throwing."

"Conejitos, Conejito's, Conejito's," says Shorewood's Mike Bradford, referring to Conejito's Place, 539 W. Virginia St. "Cheap, good food and great margaritas."

"We go to Sunset Family Restaurant, 535 W. Sunset Dr. The staff is always really nice to my kids and their beverages are always put in a cup with a lid and straw," says Waukesha's Kristen Rose.

Brookfield's Terri Mohrfeld recommends Maxims, 18025 W. Capitol Dr., for a quality kid-friendly eating experience.

"The menu offers such a wide variety that you don't have to order chicken nuggets and fries every visit. They also let you substitute healthier items instead of french fries," she says.

"My husband and I have found that the Cracker Barrel, Highway 45 and County Line Road, is very child-friendly. They have special wooden chairs that were made to hold an infant car seat, very rare at other restaurants. Usually you get a wooden child seat turned upside-down to support the car seat, which is not very safe," says Melissa Paap-Young.

Many local 'rents recommend Beans & Barley, 1901 E. North Ave. Although "Beans" doesn't have a kids' menu, appetizers -- like the black bean quasadilla -- make great entrees for little people.

"The casual dining area is great for kids and the food is wonderful! We love to go there for breakfast. There are always a lot of kids there from newborns on," says Kuchinski.

"There is a nice toy section to look through when you are waiting for a table. I always feel safe letting my oldest run to the bathroom or look at the deli section while we eat," says Lucas, mom to daughters Autumn and Zoe.

The Chancery features "kids' night" every Tuesday, meaning kids are measured and charged a penny-an-inch for their meals. Barb Schreffler enjoys visiting the Chancery in Mequon, 11046 N. Port Washington Rd. The Downer Avenue Chancery is closed, but there are three other locations: 7615 W. State St., 4624 S. 27th St. and 2100 Moorland Blvd. in Waukesha.

Schreffler doesn't limit her options to places with free crayons. She also dines with her family in a few surprisingly kid-friendly restaurants like Mamma Mia's, 8533 W. Greenfield Ave. and 18880 W. Blumound Rd., and Silver Spring House, 6655 N. Green Bay Ave.

"My husband and I will take our 7-year-old and 18-month-old just about anywhere," she says.

More kid-friendly restaurants in Brew City:

Baker's Square
4900 S. 76th St., Greenfield, (414) 282-0141
1305 E. Capitol Dr., (414) 963-9880

Bonefish Grill
18355 W. Bluemound Rd., Brookfleld, (262) 797-0166

Red Robin Restaurant
7575 Edgerton Ave., Greenfield, (414) 421-2257

StoneFire Pizza Co.
5320 S. Moorland Rd., New Berlin, (262) 970-8800

Add your favorite kiddie eateries by using the talkback feature.