Ever feel like you force your kids into the same flavor routines you tend to get stuck in? Now and then, I realize I want to expose Baby A to some new tastes and cooking styles—you know, expand her culinary horizons.

But lately I don't have a lot of time to explore new recipes and grocery-shop for them. And it can be an expensive venture if the little Quicksie decides not to comply.

That's why I'm glad to see the increasing success of Latin-influenced chicken chains like El Pollo Loco (pictured here), Pollo Tropical, and Charo Chicken. Their brand of marinated, grilled chicken is a tasty, healthy alternative to fried chicken (without those increasingly controversial trans-fats). And the simple citrus-juice marinades are yummy any time of the year.

The sides at these chains are generally great, too, flavorful and relatively healthy—things like black beans, pinto beans, Spanish or yellow rice, garden salads, and fried plantains.

These quick-serve chicken chains, whose menus are based on traditional Latin cooking techniques, have so far been located mainly in states like California, Texas, and Florida. But, fortunately, they are finding growing audiences among mainstream Americans, and are expanding into lots of new markets. Watch for one near you.