Forget irritable parents, bored kids, and mediocre “family-friendly” fare… These Frisco area restaurants are truly enjoyable for the whole family!
The restaurants on this list meet two important criteria: 1) the food is actually good and 2) there's something fun to entertain children. Happy kiddos, happy parents, and no dishes to do afterward? I call that a win!
Check out our list of local spots offering great food and enjoyable time together as a family. We’d love to hear about your favorites for family dining in the comments below!
Cane Rosso
3685 The Star Blvd #200
What’s on the menu: Authentic wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas, with a variety of classic and innovative choices. Also, chopped salads, freshly made pasta, and family style starters to share. Brunch is also available on weekends. Bonus: Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3pm – 6pm, with $2 off appetizers and house cocktails, $5 house wines, $3 select drafts, and $7-$9 select pizzas.
Why we love it: Nothing says “Frisco” and “family-friendly” quite like The Star! Cane Rosso’s location directly in front of the Ford Center is the main draw. Running around on the huge turf field is a thrill for kids of all ages. Kids can score a few touchdowns and work up a great appetite for pizza. Plus, Cane Rosso’s happy hour menu is a great value for families who like to dine early. Patio seating is available – just don’t forget to bring your football!
Image courtesy Maddie Cargile
Chip’s Hamburgers
5872 TX-121 #105 (The Boardwalk at Granite Park)
What’s on the menu: Offering build your own burgers, “famous” salads, hearty sandwiches, and a great kid’s menu, Chip’s is full of family-friendly choices. You’ll find classic burger joint fare along with unexpected additions, like fried mushrooms and bbq pork loaded baked potatoes. Save room for an award-winning milkshake for dessert! Happy hour is Monday-Friday from 3 pm – 7 pm.
Why we love it: The Boardwalk at Granite Park is a fun dining destination for kids and adults alike, with great patios and plenty of open space to walk around. The lively, relaxed vibe is perfect for families. Chips offers a rustic sports bar feel (with heavy wood tables, big tvs, and games) that will appeal to tweens and teens. For younger kids, try the patio. The turf “climbing hill”, located right beside Chip’s, is a huge hit with young children. Mom and Dad can relax on the patio while little ones climb, run, and roll the evening away.
Pizzeria Testa
8660 Church St.
What’s on the menu: Located at the heart of Frisco Square, Pizzeria Testa offers Neapolitan pies from a wood-burning open. The menu is simple yet inventive, with great starters, salads, and classic Italian desserts. The wood fire pizzas are the stars of the show. Get several to share!
Why we love it: One word – patio. While the interior of Pizzeria Testa is warm and family friendly, an evening on the patio is a special treat. The patio opens up to the wonderful green space directly in front of the Frisco Public Library. Kids have plenty of room to roam (and enjoy the spontaneous games of tag that always pop up on the lawn.) Tip: the patio fills up fast, so plan on an early dinner.
Babe’s Chicken House
6475 Page St
What’s on the menu: Fried chicken, fried chicken, and more fried chicken! Babe’s all you can eat dining is perfect for big family gatherings. Main dish choices are fried chicken, chicken fried steak, chicken tenders, fried catfish, and hickory smoked chicken. Family style sides include mashed potatoes, green beans, creamed corn, and mouth-watering buttermilk biscuits. Top it all off with homemade banana pudding or chocolate meringue pie!
Why we love it: The whole Babe’s experience is entertaining, with its bustling atmosphere, quirky décor, and endless platters of home cooked goodness. Kids will enjoy picking songs on the old-fashioned jukebox and soaking up the scene (birthday meals are particularly festive here!). Outside, more fun awaits, with plenty of areas to explore. The 1920’s era tractor and 1940’s era fire truck are definite highlights.
Frisco Rail Yard
9040 1st Street
What’s on the menu: Frisco’s “first and finest” park for food trucks has something delicious for everyone! Guests can enjoy a variety of gourmet dishes, served up by some of the area’s top local chefs. (For example, The Star’s Tri-Tip Grill Mobile Meatery will be at the Rail Yard on February 22). The selection of food trucks rotates, keeping the dining experience fresh and interesting. Popular options range from steak sandwiches and lobster grilled cheese to pizza and ready-to-eat cookie dough. The Caboose menu is designed especially for kids and is always available. Happy hour is “open to close” Tuesday –Thursday and 11am to 7pm on Fridays.
Why we love it: Frisco Rail Yard is a totally unique dining experience and a terrific family outing. The food truck concept is built-in entertainment and the relaxed, picnic table seating is ideal for kids. The park also features outdoor games, and, of course, great live music. The Rail Yard has also has fun special events like the 3rd Annual Crawfish Boil on March 2nd. (Follow Frisco Rail Yard on Facebook for more on food truck selection and featured live music).
Nerdvana
5757 Main Street
What’s on the menu: The restaurant claims “nerds know food” and after a visit, I’m sure you will agree. Everything about Nerdvana is playful, but the scratch kitchen is serious (and seriously good). The menu includes entrees like chicken fried steak medallions and citrus glazed salmon, plus burgers, flatbreads, and a great selection of appetizers. Brunch, featuring tasty benedicts and specialty skillets, is also available. Happy hour is Tuesday – Friday, from 4pm-6:30pm.
Why we love it: This is probably the only restaurant in town where you’ll actually wish the food took longer to arrive. Nerdvana is all about “celebrating video game culture” and everyone joins in on the fun. Guests can enjoy a great variety of video games from the comfort of their dining booths, from the latest popular games to retro classics. All gaming is free-to-play with a minimum purchase of $10 per controller. Nerdvana is a huge hit with tweens and teens (not to mention a more than a few Frisco dads re-living their “Mario Cart” glory days). For kids (and kids at heart), Nerdvana is a winner.
Flix Brewhouse
1660 FM 423
What’s on the menu: Flavorful and eclectic, Flix’s menu is nothing like what you would expect from a movie theater. The kitchen uses scratch-made dough and fresh, regional produce to craft a wide variety of snacks and entrees. You’ll find everything from hand-tossed pizzas to savory wraps, plus a great section of burgers and appetizers. Brunch is also available, along with a signature collection of craft beers, brewed on site.
Why we love it: Blockbuster movies, comfortable recliners, and a restaurant quality kitchen? What’s not to love!? Enjoy a truly relaxing meal (or even a nap, we won’t tell!). Be sure and check out Flix’s alternative programming for fun family screenings (featuring movies like Land Before Time, The Matrix, and the Sandlot). And don’t forget about $5.25 discount Wednesdays!
Hat Creek Burger Company
3321 S. Custer Rd.
What’s on the menu: Hat Creek’s menu combines classic burgers and more health conscious fare, like grilled chicken salad with berries and almonds. These juicy burgers are the real deal, but it's nice to have the option to “make it skinny” with a lettuce wrap “bun”. (The menu also offers gluten-free items). Beverage choices include craft beer, wine, and specialty milkshakes. Breakfast is also available.
Why we love it: The full-on outdoor playscape! Hat Creek’s impressive outdoor playscape is great for kids of all ages (the unique indoor/outdoor slide is a highlight!). With family-friendly food and a laid back vibe, Hat Creek is a can’t miss choice for dining out with kids.
Hula Hut
210 E Eldorado Pkwy
What’s on the menu: Tex-Mex with a Polynesian twist. Choose from Shiner Bock Grilled Fajitas, Hawaiian Fajitas or the signature Huli Huli Luau Platter. And don’t forget an ice-cold margarita!
Why we love it: The restaurant surrounds a lagoon featuring a faux volcano and an enormous great white shark fountain. . need I say more? Everything about Hula Hut is kitschy and fun. Kids will love climbing aboard the boats and jeeps in front of the restaurant and checking out the “shark infested” lagoon. Hydrous Wake Park, located right outside the restaurant, also provides great entertainment and people watching.
Grimaldi’s
Watters Creek at Montgomery Farm
What’s on the menu: Coal brick-oven pizza made in the 100 year old tradition. These delicious pizzas are light and crispy on the outside, soft and delectable on the inside, and about as close to Brooklyn as you can get without boarding a plane. Classic starters, salads, and desserts compliment. Be sure to check out the “stoking social hour” specials daily.
Why we love it: Grimaldi’s is probably worth the drive for the pizza alone, but the wonderful Watters Creek outdoor play area really puts it over the top. The picturesque space includes inventive playscapes, whimsical climbing structures, and plenty of open areas to run around. Watters Creek also hosts fun, family-friendly events, like an upcoming Cupid’s Corner Valentine’s gathering. (Check Facebook for more details.)
The post 10 Places to Dine Out With Kids (That Parents Will Enjoy, Too) appeared first on lifestylefrisco.com.
