Frankie & Benny’s Bolton Review
Reviewed by Jo Flaherty
Frankie & Benny’s is a chain of restaurants serving an Italian-American menu. I booked in for a late lunch with my two children aged 7 and 3, at the Bolton Middlebrook restaurant. There was plenty of free parking right outside the restaurant, so there was no fussing from my youngest about tired little legs – always a bonus.
We were acknowledged immediately we entered the restaurant, and although the waiter was with a customer he let us know he wouldn’t be long. Shortly after he came back and greeted us. The kids were asked their names and were given an activity pack. We were seated really quickly in a comfy booth; there are both booths and stand-alone tables in this restaurant, but I like the booths because the kids are less squirmy and more contained. It’s a really family friendly environment, which is borne out in the menu, with options for younger and older children – the junior menu has a more grown up feel to it, great for kids who don’t want to be treated like kids!
As it was a late lunch, we skipped starters and just chose mains, knowing that a dessert would probably be on the cards for the kids. I decided on the penne arrabiata and the kids settled on chicken bites with mash and beans, and a cheeseburger and fries. Each of the kids’ meals comes with a choice of potatoes, and another side order, so there are options for even the fussiest eaters.
The kids took out their farm-themed activity packs, which contained a puzzle book, crayons and mini cardboard cutout animals to assemble. The puzzle books were particularly good, with two halves – one for younger children and one more challenging for older children. Both my children enjoyed doing the activities whilst we waited for our food.
We didn’t have to wait long, and although this is not always a good sign, the food was hot and fresh. The portions were a generous size, and the food was really tasty. Pasta can often be the safe choice in a chain restaurant with a one-size-fits-all sauce; however, this was not the case here – it was a good arrabiata, with a nice chilli kick, without being overpowering. The cheeseburger was a proper burger and the chicken bites were real chicken – the kids cleared their plates… but I had a feeling they couldn’t wait to get through their main and onto the dessert. They’d spotted the menu card in the stand advertising the Ice Cream Candy Shop. This really is the cherry on the cake! Two scoops of ice cream, chosen from strawberry, chocolate or vanilla – which arrived on a tray with mini bottles of jelly tots, mini smarties and chocolate chips, with mini marshmallows, popping corn and a jug of chocolate sauce…. and if it’s all too much, you get a little candystripe paper bag to take any leftover sweets home. My kids couldn’t wait to get stuck in! I managed to get a tiny taste of the ice cream before it was demolished and can say that it was very nice ice cream – on the whole, a great dessert for little and big kids alike (it seems a little unfair that this is on the kids’ menu… although the grown up desserts looked pretty darn good too!).
Fine dining this is not, but nor is it trying to be; what Frankie & Benny’s offers is good food, great service and family friendly dining where the adults can get a proper meal alongside the kids.
Each member of staff we encountered was pleasant, friendly and attentive, without being intrusive, and on the way out the manager remembered the kids’ names, which was lovely. A good time had by all … I’m sure we’ll be back (I hear the breakfast’s good!).
Rating: 5/5
For more information, to view menus or to book a table visit:
www.frankieandbennys.com/restaurant/frankie-bennys-bolton-middlebrook
Frankie & Benny’s, Unit 20, The Linkway, Middlebrook, Bolton, BL6 6JA | 01204 474000
