Our fun Black Friday on Broad Street began and ended in the Honeymoon Bakery with this rationale:  Fortification for the project ahead and then a reward for a job well-done.  Spoken like a true grandmother/travel writer with grandchildren for company, right?

There were dozens of choices in this yummy place, but we opted to try mini-cupcakes, a canoli, and several varieties of cookies during our two visits.  All received 2-thumbs-up ratings from our little group.

decorating cookies at Honeymoon Bakery

After several hours, we were practically “faint with hunger” (a true hyperbole right there), so we started looking for kid-friendly options that were NOT chains.  If you prefer tried and true places (a.k.a. chain restaurants), then you’ll find Jefferson’s and Mellow Mushroom within a few steps of each.  Other highly-recommended options were La Scala Mediterranean Bistro, Harvest Moon Cafe, Partridge Restaurant, Curlee’s Fish House, and Crawdaddy’s.

Considering our budget AND the preferences of a 9-year-old and a 7-year-old, we chose Schroeder’s New Deli and were not disappointed.

Schroeder’s is very family-friendly with good prices.  It has concrete floors, TVs for watching sports, a lively atmosphere, and classic rock playing.  For example, we all sang along (softly) with “Gimme, Gimme Some Lovin.”  Our group sampled the roast beef wrap, the tuna melt, a pizza slice a la Shazam, a personal pan cheese pizza, and a veggie pita with a basket of okra to share.  Smiles all around.

veggie pita

pizza slice a la Shazam

tuna melt

roast beef wrap

Stay tuned for another blog in a few weeks about a delightful Bed & Breakfast in Rome, plus some of the historical significance of this lovely city.  It is SO MUCH MORE than just a place Sherman did NOT burn down on his way to Atlanta.