Munch was desperate.

It was one of those moments for which Munch usually pities others.

Munch had two Munchkins, who were supposed to be riding in the extra-large shopping cart at Target. But Munch had turned to look at toilet bowl cleansers, then turned back. The 3-year-old was already rolling around on the floor. And the 5-year-old was in the process of diving out of the cart. Dang those winter jackets that make using the seatbelts nearly impossible. Dang the offer to take the Munchkins out to buy their parent a birthday present. Dang those security cameras that kept Munch from grabbing them both by the backs of the necks like kittens and carrying them to the car.

Munch grabbed the two little ones, sat them in the cart, paid for the purchases and headed to the car. That was followed by that wonderful moment of peace that occurred when the car seats were buckled, the back doors were closed and Munch was standing outside the car unable to hear what was going on inside. Through the windows Munch could see just the opening and closing of little mouths as if they were in a silent movie. Despite that moment of respite, it had to happen. Munch had to open the door to the full blast of demands from those hungry little mouths.

That was when Munch remembered Chick-fil-A -- or, more importantly, that the play area of Chick-fil-A is the closest thing Munch knows to a sound-proof booth. Kids go in, but their screams don't come out.

Munch was heading for Chick-fil-A.

In the world of fast food, Chick-fil-A could be considered health food. The company uses peanut oil for frying instead of partially hydrogenated oils. The food doesn't taste like peanuts, but it's much better and lower in the evil trans-fats.

The trans-fat content, according to the company's Web site, is just 2 grams in a medium order of waffle-cut fries. The kids meal chicken nuggets (there are only four) had no trans-fat, but they did have 550 milligrams of sodium, which seems high, but heck, they have to taste like something.

When Munch and the 'kins walked into the Chick-fil-A at the Waterfront last week, there was the sure sign that something in the plan was not going to go perfectly. There, along the aisle closest to the play area, were kids' meals, 14 of them, ready for the onslaught of 5-year-olds who were about to arrive to attend a birthday party.

Oh no.

But Munch was not going to be deterred. Munch was going to stick this out and let life take its course. Munch was hungry. It was raining. And the two 'kins would be so tired by the time they got home they would fall asleep. Munch was staying.

Before playing, each of the 'kins settled in at a table with Munch to eat their kids meal: the four nuggets, waffle-cut fries and milk (all for $2.39). The counterman gave the kids a choice of milk as "white or chocolate"; so much for whole, 2 percent and skim.

While the Munchkins ate their nuggets, Munch noshed on a chargrilled chicken sandwich in a combo with the fries and a cup of coffee ($5.45). The total calorie count for Munch's lunch, including the ranch dressing that Munch smeared on the grilled chicken to make it taste like something, was 755. The food was good. The company uses real chicken, not parts, for the nuggets, and the fries are from real potatoes, not reconstituted. But the real treat to Munch was the play area that beckoned.

Sure, there is a sign that says children must be under adult supervision, and sure Munch spotted a few mothers actually in the play area supervising their children, but Munch is not a believer in micromanagement. Munch sent the children in and sat on the other side of the glass wall, watching while sipping a cafe-blend dark roast coffee. Then the birthday party started. It seemed that the one requirement for an invitation was the ability to let out a scream that pierced the soundproof quality of the room. Even the Munchkins stopped climbing in order to cover their ears.

The fun pretty much ended when the 3-year-old came down the slide and was confronted by a boy who chased him back up in the Chick-fil-A reenactment of "Lord of the Flies." The 3-year-old was reduced to tears, and shortly thereafter the 'kins were back in the car with the rest of their lunch in the trash.

But those moments -- oh those moments -- of peace before the screaming began. That memory will draw Munch back to Chick-fil-A next time Munch volunteers to bring the Munchkins back out into public without real adult supervision.

Chick-fil-A at the Waterfront, 480 E. Waterfront Drive, Homestead, 412-462-9202.