Four of the best: Spots for a teenage family dinner

Lone Star Cafe and Bar. Photo / Michael Craig

Lone Star
Takapuna, Newmarket, New Lynn and Manukau
This is man-sized eating for a crowd, from the massive Redneck Ribs from $17 to massive mains from $26.50. Their steaks and buffalo chips are craveable. Download special deals at lonestar.co.nz.

Cobb & Co
Western Springs and Manukau
Still around after nearly 40 years, Cobb & Co has a traditional menu heavy on the crumbing and sauces. They offer a roast of the day and plenty of choices under $20 (steaks start at $30). Plus they have all the favourites for dessert, and a kids' menu. cobb.co.nz.

Tony's Restaurants
Wellesley St, 32 Lorne St, 27 Victoria St, 13 Edsel St, Henderson
All sprung from the original opened by Tony White in 1963 but now each is under separate ownership. Tony's still features the biggest and best prime beef mains around, and plenty of choice under $30 from burgers and salads to fish 'n' chips. tonys.co.nz.

Genghis Khan
Mongolian BBQ Epsom, Takapuna, Botany, New Lynn and Manukau City
The Epsom restaurant took out Metro's 2009 award for best restaurant for older kids, and with everything from meat, seafood, pasta and salads to hot chips, garlic bread and soup, it would be hard for the pickiest eater to starve. Mix your own stir fry ingredients and watch them get cooked in front of you. Lone Star Cafe and Bar.