We have relatives coming from out of town and will be taking the Alcatraz tour in SF. There will be two kids along - ages 11 and 5. I've read the description of the Rainforest Cafe chain (there's one at Fisherman's Wharf) and thought it might just be fun for the kids.

So I'm wondering if anyone has been to any of these - either in SF or elsewhere and could offer some comments. Thanks.

I took my kids there once (to the one here in Seattle). Food is decent, nothing spectacular. If the 5 year old is skittish at all, the faux lightning storm and the faux live animals might freak them out.

I've been to 2 or 3 of these and it is a fun and different way to have lunch or dinner.

I've been to the one on Fisherman's Wharf. It's fun for kids but the food is nothing to talk about. Just edible, in my opinion. I woulld take them but perhaps you could just do dessert or salad there.

I went to the one that was in the Opry Mills Mall in Nashville. I like all the "decorations and other stuff" but the food was not too great to me, but still you have to make your reservation early in the day, or you might not be able to eat there. I probably won't ever eat there again.

I been to the one in SFO a couple of times but not within the last 4 years and the one thing I distinctly remember is a spicy cajun shrimp that I thought was really, really good.

Otherwise.. it's not too bad for kids.

I think it's a good choice.

As missydarlin said, there are lightning storms and animal roars, and it is a rather noisy dining experience, so be prepared for that.

I've found that their salads are great. And if you are so inclined (and celebrating a birthday or something special) get the Volcano dessert......yum!

Have fun.....they closed the Rainforest Cafe we had here, and we do miss it.

I've been to 2 or 3 of these and it is a fun and different way to have lunch or dinner.

Don't know about SF, but others are open for breakfast as well. The 2 I've been to have had pretty good b'fast offerings.

Thanks for the feedback - it sounds like it's worth a try. We won't expect any gourmet food, but I think the kids will enjoy it.

It's better than Chuck E Cheese.

They have one in Michigan and it is alot of fun. The animal and noices are great (I even enjoyed it). It is noisy and it is not somewhere I would go to on a regular basis, but fun for a family night out and when you are with family and children, do you really expect to be eating four star?

The cafe' is a pleasant place to have lunch, with the lighting storms and robotic safari animals, and the fish aquariums are very nice! and spotless.
The food is on par with Bennigans, and Chili's.

I've been dragged there for a couple of kid's parties & the food is truly awful - even my daughter won't go back. Plus, it is so loud, you walk out with a massive headache from all the racket. I'd avoid if at all possible - if these kids have any taste (ie. they've been raised on real food/not chain-fast food), they won't like it either!