More Than Meatballs
I really wanted to take my kids to Europe this summer. But with the recession taking a bite out of my vacation budget and our trips to Vermont and Montana already planned, it just didn’t seem like it was going to happen this year. 
There is also the teensy-tinesy problem that my kids still don’t have passports even though it’s been on my to-do list for about three years.
In the middle of a camp-less week it occurred to me that even if we couldn’t afford Scandinavia this year, we could have a little Swedish adventure right here in Orange County: No packing, passports or outrageously long plane ride required. Destination: IKEA in Costa Mesa.
As soon as my kids saw me carrying the camera to the car they began a round of grousing about going to do 2 Kids and A Twenty
.“Guys, we are going out to lunch. OUT TO LUNCH. There is absolutely no way you can complain about going out to lunch.”
“Are we going to Ruby’s?”
“No.”
“Islands?”
“No.”
“Someplace that at least has chicken fingers and french fries?”
Sigh. “I have no idea. We have never been to this place before.” In my mind, they would be eating delicious Swedish meatballs and lingonberry pie. In their minds, going out to lunch means chicken fingers and fries. Extra ranch on the side, please.
As we grabbed a few trays and got in line at the cafeteria-style café inside IKEA, they both practically shouted, “Ohh, they have chicken fingers and fries!”
“Okay, but I want you guys to at least try the meatballs.”
“Noo.”
“Really, you’ll like them. I promise.”
When I got to the register, I was amazed at how much food we got for so little money. A big plate of organic pasta with organic vegetarian marinara sauce was only $1.99. That’s right—I ate a delicious and totally organic vegetarian meal for two bucks. There are 13 a la carte choices on the kids’ menu including meatballs, macaroni and cheese, applesauce, peanut butter and jelly and yogurt, each for $.99. My kids both got chicken fingers and fries ($2.99), but it was way too much food—I could have gotten away with one order. Of course, we got a side of the Swedish meatballs that they were determined not to try.
After we paid and poured enough ranch dressing to feed a small village, we found a table at the window where we could watch cars zip by on the 405. The dining area is light and bright in a Swedish kind of way, all beech wood and metal with huge windows and modern light fixtures. There are plenty of high chairs parked next to a microwave for customers to heat up baby food and bottles as well as a container of spoons just in case you forgot yours. Those Swedes thought of everything.
As I looked around, I realized that this just might be the kid-friendliest restaurant I had ever been to. Not only does the cafeteria eliminate the most difficult part of dining out—all the waiting—there is also a dedicated play space in the middle of the dining area. At 8 years old, my kids were too old, but the 2- and 3-year-olds absolutely loved it. So did their parents, who were able to actually eat and enjoy their meals. I even saw a few adults having a conversation.
The IKEA café is not just kid-friendly, it’s environmentally-friendly as well. The meats are anti-biotic and growth hormone-free; the coffee is purchased from growers that follow responsible farming practices; and IKEA “prefers organically grown products.” Me too, who would of thought? Which is why this was the perfect place for me. The chicken fingers made it perfect for everyone else in my party.
“Here,” I say. “Try a meatball.” They were both a little skeptical until they tried them.
“These are really good,” my son says.
“Can you make these at home?” My daughter asks.
“In fact I can.” After we sorted our trash into recyclables and garbage, placed our tray in the collection rack (did I mention that these IKEA folks thought of everything?), we went straight down to the Swedish food market and bought a big bag of frozen meatballs and a packet of delicious gravy mix. With our last $3, we bought ourselves soft-serve cones of vanilla frozen yogurt and left, happily licking, determined to come back to Sweden on the 405 very soon.
What I spent: $20
What they learned: If meatballs in Sweden are as good as they are at IKEA they are ready to go. . .after I get them passports.
What I learned: I am going to start saving now for our trip to Europe next summer. Luckily, Swedish meatballs at IKEA fit right into my savings plan.
IKEA, 1475 South Coast Drive, Costa Mesa. 714-444-4532. 
www.ikea.com. Sunday through Thursday(10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.); Friday and Saturday (10 a.m. to 9 p.m.).