- Animatronic creatures entertain the kids
- Large kids' menu
- Great atmosphere
- Handicapped accessible
- Mediocre food
- Restaurant may be too noisy for some
- Wait time can be long
- Web site: Rainforest Cafe. Click on the frog for a menu and the jaguar for specials and information on Family Night.
- Location: Inside Grapevine Mills Mall in Neighborhood 2. Large stores nearby are Books-a-Million and Old Navy.
- Hours: Mon-Fri 10 a.m.-10 p.m., Sat 10:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m., and Sun 11 a.m.-8 p.m.
- Directions: From Dallas, take N Loop 635 west which will merge into 121 North. Exit Grapevine Mills Pkwy.
- Directions: From Dallas, go north on Highway 114. It will merge into 121 North. Exit Grapevine Mills Pkwy.
- Phone Number: Call (972) 539-5001 for reservations.
The Rainforest Cafe is decorated in and out with the rainforest theme. Kids will be delighted by the animatronic gorillas, elephants, leopard, anaconda, crocodile, talking tree, and the toddlers' favorite, the butterfly. Then there's the roaring waterfall with a rainbow in its middle and a golden statue of a man holding up the globe. The bar sits under a giant toadstool. A large aquarium frames either side of the entry and above. Several smaller aquariums set around the restaurant ensure that every diner sits near at least one moving attraction.
Reservations are recommended, but not required. The wait for a table varies anywhere from immediately seated to two hours. Not to worry, the hostess who takes your reservation will give you an estimated time to be seated that you can count on. I've gotten more shopping done while I wait. Rainforest Cafe also has a gift shop with all sorts of nifty toys, clothes, and souvenir items.
Average meal price is between $10 and $25. Some of the food is good, some is not good. We got the Nile Shrimp Enbrochette--rubbery shrimp stuffed with flavorless cheese. There was supposed to be a jalapeno sliver in there to spice it up, but the green thing didn't add to the flavor. Tuscan Chicken is pretty good with marinated chicken breasts pounded thin and surrounded by olives and tomatoes. Burgers are average, neither good nor bad.
The mixed drinks, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, are delicious. For the kids, dinosaur-shaped chicken tenders are popular, but the kids' menu has plenty of other choices, including pizza and Kraft mac n' cheese. For dessert, try the Volcano, a rich chocolate cake topped with a lit sparkler.
The noisy atmosphere and dim lighting make the place an adventure for the kids. Flat floors with no steps or ramps mean grandma has no problem getting around in it.