I am quickly becoming the City of Richardson’s cheer mom, but after so much success and interest from my original post a couple months ago about Top Richardson Restaurants, I thought I would get specific on those that are the most kid friendly in our sweet city. While my previous post is for anyone to enjoy, this one is specific for families looking to still enjoy nights out at restaurants, places to gather with friends and kids, and for a last minute reprieve from being at home all day watching it rain for 6 weeks straight. When you find yourself sending out a group text invite to get together with family friends in Richardson, I’d implore you to use this post as your go-to list of options.
Shady’s Burgers & Brewhaha
This is our #1 top choice when going out with our friends from my son’s school. It is easy to order at the counter then grab a table for the group. We love that it isn’t quiet, which allows our very spirited toddlers to enjoy being themselves. When a mom in my group throws out a last minute Friday post-school dinner meet up, you can assume we’ll be headed to Shady’s. Their drink selection is excellent, and they have live music on Thursday nights (for those of you who aren’t in the strict bedtime life stage).
Tip: Their kids meals are enough food for two of our toddlers to share usually. Cut the cost and split up a couple plate between the group, unless your kiddo has a healthy appetite. Also, they give a dessert with each kids meal OR you can head down the sidewalk after dinner for Sweet Firefly ice cream a couple doors down.
String Bean Restaurant & Bar
This restaurant reminds me of some of my favorite spots in Waco, where I grew up. It has a hometown feel with excellent home style cooking. What makes this restaurant over the top kid friendly? There’s a play room!! There is a room specifically for kids to have free play with different toys and a movie playing on the TV. As one of my Mohawk Are Moms put it, “Anywhere that has a bar & a play room is a total win!”
Special: Kids eat free on Monday nights after 5pm. (Dine in only, free kids meal with purchase of adult entree.)
Even Stevens Sandwich Shop
Not only is the food great, but they have a larger mission focus besides serving great food to our community. For every sandwich sold, they also donate a sandwich to a local non-profit in our direct area. They put it best on their website, “…we share a future with the places we do business in, and create sustainable change for the people who live there.” We love the decor as well! The booths are made from reclaimed bowling lanes, and they are eco-friendly in their dining habits.
Kid friendly bonus: There is a gated outdoor play area for the kids. It is very clean and always in use by excited kiddos. Grab a popsicle from POPBAR a couple doors down after dinner.
Communion Neighborhood Cooperative
When I first heard that Richardson was getting this cool new concept of a coffeeshop / co-working space, I thought “we’ve made it!” It feels like a big deal to have a local coffeeshop OR a co-working space, but Communion is both in one. The cafe has a great kids menu for all meals of the day, and the adult menus are simple incredible! Including a full bar. Everyone is more than accommodating and friendly to those with kids. Take some coloring sheets or activities for the kiddos and sit back and enjoy your coffee or cocktail. Win, win!
SPIN! Pizza
We recently fell back in love with this place when we found out that kids eat free on Sundays. We spent a Sunday evening there with my son’s friends after a playdate, and I was so happy went back again! My son is a picky eater, but he eats everything here! He loves the flatbread appetizer with marinara sauce as a dip. Their kids menu (any 1 topping pizza OR mac and cheese) comes with the perfect sized kid’s gelato. Plus, kids can sit up at the bar and watch them make pizzas in the open kitchen.
Special: Kids eat free on Sundays!
Super Chix Chicken & Custard
Here is a great excuse to break away from the fast-food rut! They offer amazing food, drinks, and custard! There is a patio with a play area for the kiddos! We love the laid back atmosphere without being in the crazy chaos of a typical fast food restaurant. Each time we have gone, the employees have gone out of their way to help us out with getting our food to the table and making sure we had everything we needed.
Tip: Do not skip the custard. I usually try to get the special custard of the month just because I like variety.
Honorable Mentions:
- Frankie’s Mexican (near Shady’s)
- Palio’s Pizza (BYOB)
- Central Market north of George Bush (variety of food to choose from in the “food court” and a fenced in playground)
- Torchy’s Tacos
- Taco Joint
- OR grab any food to-go and head to Mimosa park for a picnic!! If you choose this route, hit me up so we can meet up and be friends!
