Best Restaurant

TIE: Waterloo Ice House; Phil's Icehouse

They say the hand that rocks the cradle rules the world. Actually, these days it seems like the cradled rule the world. The cradled (aka children) have spoken, and the icehouses have it. Gone from the list are Chuck E. Cheese's and McDonald's playscapes, replaced by true Austin originals, Waterloo Ice House (an Austin institution since 1976) and Phil's Icehouse (owned by Amy's Ice Creams founders Amy and Steve Simmons). Serving up some of the very best burgers, fries, and shakes to your kids (as well as ice-cold beer for Mommy and Daddy), Waterloo and Phil's are low-maintenance dreams for taking your kids out to eat.

Waterloo Ice House, various locations; Phil's Icehouse, 5620 Burnet Rd., 524-1212