Our friends at This is Alabama recently posed a simple question, as they often do on Facebook: What’s your favorite kid-friendly restaurant in Alabama?
Readers chimed in with some great answers, for these purposes, we will not include the following on our list: “No such thing as a favorite “kid friendly” restaurant!” or “The one with the least amount of kids in it!!” or “My house...have you seen the price of gas in Alabama???”
While we understand that point of view, plenty of Alabamians need to get out of the house for a meal, and they’ve got kids to feed while they do it. And yes, you have to strategize where you can accomplish either without incident, or simply at a place where your kids will enjoy the food as well as the the atmosphere and anything else the place might offer.
Check out these picks made by a handful of commenters who shared their favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Alabama.
READ: 33 great places to take your kids in Alabama
Bama Bucks (Sardis City)
This family-owned and operated exotic animal farm runs a general store, antique barn, exotic wildlife viewing area and a wild game restaurant perfect for learning about exotic wildlife on site, riding a camel or bull, or taking in gourmet wild game meat prepared by Special Chef John Salmon. “We aim to incorporate a fluid working knowledge of our animals at Bama Bucks,” their website says. “You can observe them, enjoy dinner in the cabin, watch honey bees create sweet magic, and gain an extensive education from any member of our staff.” The park also has a large pavilion with a fireplace and seating to accommodate special gatherings. As for the cuisine, try the Bama Bucks Burger (bison patty, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, bison chili, slaw, onion ring, white and yellow cheese with an over-medium fried egg) or the Grilled New Zealand Elk Steak.
Chappy’s Deli (Prattville)
As one parent put it, “Kids eat free, very accommodating, free ice cream.” Need we say more? Located in the High Point Town Center in Prattville, Chappy’s Deli is a locally owned deli offering full-service and fast-casual breakfast, lunch and dinner, with fresh, quality ingredients at a good value. And yes, kids ages 6 and under eat free everyday all day with the purchase of a regular entrée. Kid-friendly, indeed. Try the Cuban or the Portabella Swiss Burger.
Chubbfathers (Alabaster)
“Nothing brings people together like a good burger,” says the Chubbfathers website, and we can’t disagree. Located at 1207 1st Street North in Alabaster, this joint has awesome burgers (the Zydeco, Chubba or Pit Stop, for instance), but we think the kids will especially dig on the fry options ranging from the Sloppy Fries to Buffalo Chicken Cheese Fries to the Loaded Cheese Fries. Customers can also bring in two nonperishable food items and receive a free drink -- on your 15th visit, you can receive a free meal.
The Groovy Goat (Foley)
The OWA restaurant features wood-grilled wings, burgers and their specialty Tableside Nachos Your Way, plus seafood favorites like raw oysters, fried shrimp platter, redfish sandwich and clam & bacon chowder. “For all goats under 12,” they offer mac & cheese, spaghetti and meatballs, burger and chicken tenders. And families always enjoy the Groovy Goat’s games, with more than 50 in their arcade. The spacious party rooms and proximity to both the arcade and the park at OWA also make it a great place for parties and other events.
Lamberts Cafe in Foley, otherwise known as the Home of the Throwed Rolls. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com
Lambert’s Cafe (Foley)
The Home of the Throwed Rolls! You’ve seen it on your way to Gulf Shores or Orange Beach. If you haven’t yet, make the stop. Michelle Matthews wrote for AL.com, “This Missouri-based restaurant’s Foley location is wildly popular with beachgoers. Along with chicken and dumplings or roast beef, served with two sides and a drink, kids can try to catch a ‘throwed’ roll.”
LuLu’s (Gulf Shores)
Michelle Matthews again: “Owned by restaurateur Lucy Buffett (the younger sister of Jimmy), LuLu’s is a kid’s paradise with a huge sandy play area, games, a ropes course, hair wraps, henna tattoos and gourmet snow cones to keep the whole family occupied while you wait. (Because you more than likely will.) In addition to the kids’ menu, there’s also an allergy-free menu because, honestly, LuLu thinks of everything.”
The Paramount bar and restaurant has great food, plus more than 20 arcade games including pinball, pop-a-shot and Skee-Ball. (Connor Sheets | csheets@al.com)
Paramount (Birmingham)
This downtown spot (at 200 20th Street North) has delicious burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, wings and more. A downtown bar arcade focusing on all-natural burgers and hot dogs and sandwiches. And for the kids (or your inner-child), enjoy the more than 20 classic and modern arcades games including NBA Jam, Skee-Ball, pop-a-shot, pinball, racing games and much more. It’s a total time-warp for adults, and something “new” for your kiddies who know video games as what you can only play on a TV at home.
Pruett’s BBQ (Gadsden)
This Gadsden favorite on Rainbow Drive has all the barbecue offerings any Alabamian knows and loves. One readers likely recommended for the kids menu including a pork or beef BBQ plate, or the homemade desserts like lemon ice box pie, chocolate fudge pie, banana pudding and peanut butter pie. Screen door specials (meat, two sides and bread) include homemade meatloaf, chicken and dumplings and open face roast beef sandwich.
Shrimp Basket (Gulf Shores, originally)
The popular “family-focused” seafood restaurant originally opened in Gulf Shores in 1993 in hopes of creating a place “where people would feel welcome to be themselves, families could afford to dine out together and strangers would leave as friends.” Its popularity has only expanded with locations across the Southeast (and several in Alabama). The kids menu includes whitefish and popcorn shrimp baskets, plus desserts like key lime pie, funnel cake fries and chocolate cake with raspberry sauce.
Supper Heroes co-owner Mark Woodard. (Matt Wake/mwake@al.com)bn
Supper Heroes (Huntsville)
From AL.com’s Michelle Matthews: “Huntsville has a super heroes-themed restaurant with menus that look like comic books. Supper Heroes’ kids’ meals might be standard fare, but their names have a lot of flair, just like the ones on the regular menu: The Hot Doggity (dog), The New Timey (burger), The Chicken Hawk (grilled or fried tenders) and The Mysterio Jr. (cheese quesadilla). Pictured are funnel cake nachos. Holy cow, Batman!”
READ: How Marvel movies impact some Huntsville small businesses
Tacky Jacks (Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, Fort Morgan)
Established in Gulf Shores in 1979, Tacky Jacks remains a go-to seafood spot for vacationers thanks to the waterfront locations and wide-ranging menu. Casual dining for the whole family includes breakfast, lunch and dinner at a good price. Favorites include the Tacky Shrimp (simmered in a spicy broth), Gulf Grouper tacos (fried, grilled or blackened), the Flaky Fish Platter or the TJ Burger (two quarter-pound burger balls hand-smashed and grilled).
Join the conversation at the AL.com and This is Alabama Facebook pages.
Tacky Jacks is still a go-to spot for vacationers and locals in Gulf Shores. (Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com).Joe Songer | jsonger@al.com