Welcome! I'm a mom of four, navigating family life in beautiful Folsom, California, and sharing our favorite local spots, events, and family adventures to help other families discover the endless fun our community has to offer.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot
As a mom of four always on the lookout for family-friendly dining experiences, I'm excited to share our adventure with this interactive dining experience that had even our pickiest eater trying new things!
Happy Lamb Hot Pot 7271 Franklin Blvd Sacramento, CA
Walking into Happy Lamb, I immediately appreciated the bright, clean atmosphere and spacious seating arrangements. Unlike some restaurants where I'm constantly worried about my kids bumping into servers or other diners, Happy Lamb offers plenty of room between tables. The staff greeted us warmly and didn't bat an eye when we mentioned we had four children in tow – always a good sign!
For those unfamiliar with hot pot dining, each table has built-in heating elements where you cook your food in flavored broths. We opted for the split pot with the original white broth on one side (milder for the younger kids) and the spicy broth for Robert and our 14-year-old Jordan who like spicier foods.
What makes Happy Lamb particularly great for families is the interactive nature of the meal. The kids were absolutely fascinated by the cooking process! Alex and Payton took turns adding ingredients to the pot and watching them cook, while Taylor was thrilled to use her special kid-friendly tongs to fish out her favorites.
A few standout features for families:
- The staff provided plastic aprons for the younger kids, saving their clothes
- They offer booster seats and high chairs for little ones
- The sauce bar is accessible for kids to create their own dipping combinations
- Children's utensils are available upon request
What impressed me most was how the format naturally encouraged our kids to try new foods. Alex, typically hesitant with vegetables, happily ate bok choy and mushrooms simply because he enjoyed dipping and cooking them himself!
The meat was fresh, the broths flavorful, and the variety of dipping sauces meant everyone could customize their meal to their liking.
Our server was patient with our many questions and offered helpful suggestions for first-timers. The all-you-can-eat option worked perfectly for our family, although à la carte is also available if you prefer.
While hot pot isn't the cheapest dining option, the experience factor combined with the amount of food made it a worthwhile family night out.
Kids under 4 eat free, and children 4-10 are half-price, which helped with a budget.
Happy Lamb Hot Pot turned what could have been just another dinner out into a memorable family experience. The kids are already asking when we can return, which speaks volumes! If you're looking for a fun dining adventure that engages children while introducing them to new flavors, Happy Lamb is definitely worth visiting.
As with any restaurant experience with kids, I recommend going a bit earlier than the dinner rush (we arrived at 5 PM) to have a more relaxed experience. And don't worry about making a mess – that's part of the hot pot experience!
Have you tried hot pot with your family? I'd love to hear about your experience in the comments below!
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