There’s plenty for families to eat at Feges BBQ in Spring Branch.
As a freelance food writer, I’m often invited to dine at some of Houston’s best restaurants. During these calm, polished affairs, I wear something that requires the delicate cycle and drink a proper cocktail.
Dining out with my two boys, ages 5 and 8, is something else entirely. I’m issuing reminders about napkins and indoor voices while shuffling a deck of Uno to stave off the hangries, and there’s always the quiet dread of a $90 bill for plates barely touched. But at these nine restaurants, the food is good enough for adults, the atmosphere forgiving enough for families, and the bill predictable enough that I’ll keep coming back—Uno cards in hand. Here are some of Houston’s most family-friendly restaurants.
The Burger Joint knows how to keep families happy.
With multiple locations across Houston, it’s easy to spot the Burger Joint’s red-and-white logo and swerve in for a quick bite. The boozy milkshakes and stacked burgers are the obvious draw, but it’s the generous kids’ meals ($10–11) that keep my family coming back. The cheeseburger and hot dog are go-tos, though chicken strips are there for the fried fowl devotees. Each meal comes with a fountain drink and either mac and cheese or a substantial pile of fries, easily shared. Our home base is in the Heights, tucked beside sister concepts like the Taco Stand, Happy Go Lucky, and even the Car Wash, if you’re stacking mealtime with errands. Expect TVs galore, typically tuned to sports, which is ideal when patience is running thin, or an Astros game can’t be missed.
This Sichuan restaurant has eight locations around the region, with new spots opening in Katy and The Woodlands. The Stomping Grounds location is best for kids, who can play in the turfed, fenced courtyard (forewarning: balls are banned). It’s smaller, but the sleek, comfy booths and welcoming staff make it feel homey rather than cramped. An order of crab rangoons ($8), edamame ($8), and sesame chicken with white rice ($18) easily feeds four. The dishware is beautiful, but for little hands prone to accidents, colorful, nonbreakable plates and cutlery are also available. The only TV here shows calming images of Asia, though a claw machine does entice from the patio.
Feges BBQ’s expansive Spring Branch location is ideal for family dining.
Aside from its outstanding barbecue, Feges BBQ is also a draw for families thanks to its patio play area. Outfitted with turf and plenty of shade to shield littles from the Texas sun, kids are often seen crawling and climbing over structures while a playful giant pig squints from the wall. Even better, youngsters 12 and under eat free every Wednesday from 5 to 8pm, and these aren’t token portions that will leave growing kids hungry. Each main (cheeseburger, grilled cheese, chicken tenders, or PB&J) comes with a side and a cookie. Take care of tomorrow’s dinner, too, by taking your pick from the fridge conveniently stocked with to-go items near the register. Best of all, Feges is a neighbor to other family destinations like Barnaby’s and Cosmic Ice Cream, so don’t be afraid to restaurant hop for a scoop of ice cream or a new atmosphere entirely.
There’s something for every kind of kid here: crowd-pleasing dumplings (steamed or crispy), chicken tenders, grilled cheese, and crispy shrimp are all $8 with a choice of side. The Heights location balances its identity as a neighborhood tavern with an inviting, family-friendly atmosphere that keeps regulars coming back. Keep little ones contained in the indoor booth seating, or find a spot on the large front patio, which is outfitted with fans for a more relaxed dining experience.
This Garden Oaks spot pairs laidback vibes with Gulf Coast fare and enough space to make dining with tots feel manageable. If you have a messy eater in your clan, consider picking a table on the large covered porch, where the accumulating mess won’t be quite as stressful to witness. For those tired of the fried fare typical of kid-friendly restaurants, there are plenty of green options, including bountiful salads and grilled salmon and vegetables. The kids’ menu is expansive compared to most, with mains like fried shrimp, cheeseburgers, pasta, hot dogs, chicken strips, grilled cheese, and fish. My oldest likes the Shirley Temples, that classic combination of grenadine, soda, and cherries.
Get your bang for your buck at the Pit Room.
The award-winning barbecue joint’s Montrose location may get most of the attention, but the larger I-10 outpost is a gift to families. There’s more space, ample parking, and a fuller menu, with the addition of burgers, fries, and chicken tenders for finicky eaters. The front porch is turfed, covered, and enclosed by a high fence, ideal for keeping small diners from making a run for it. With quality cuts at the meat counter, and a Blue Bell ice cream bar to finish, this is a crowd-pleaser for larger family outings. There’s no kids’ menu, which means costs can add up quickly, but the feast platters (serving 4 to 8 people, $125–170) make group outings easier to justify. For those who prefer à la carte options, links ($6) and a side of mac and cheese ($5) are an easy meal for the kids.
Saint Arnold found its forever home in 2008, kick-starting its brewing operations there in 2010.
It’s almost cliché to peg Saint Arnold as kid-friendly, but there are plenty of reasons why it deserves the title: the navigable hedge maze, space to run, an overflowing fountain, cornhole, and plenty of dogs to pet keep children occupied for hours. Seating is available both indoors and out, a picnic table in view and within shouting distance of the maze gives kids room to roam. There’s no dedicated kids’ menu, so the move here is to order for the table and let the little orbit back for bites between laps. For us, that’s the Slow Dough soft pretzel ($10), fish and chips ($18), and a couple of pizzas ($15–18). If things get too rambunctious, take a stroll behind Saint Arnold, where you’ll find Art Cars parked to peruse.
Indulge in tamales from the Tamale Joint.
Despite having a Texan mother, my Idaho-born children remain unimpressed with Tex-Mex. But the Tamale Joint has been a standby since it opened. I order the sweet corn tamales ($11), while the boys stick to egg-and-bacon breakfast tacos ($4 each), thankfully served all day. The kids’ menu runs $8 to $9 and includes pork tamales, quesadillas, tacos, or enchiladas with beans, rice, and a drink. Jamaica and horchata aguas frescas ($2) are typically sipped through straws at our table, between requests for piping hot churros to finish the meal. Trying to save some money? Visit from 4 to 6pm on a Tuesday or Thursday, when kids eat free with the purchase of an entrée.
Traveler’s Cart has something for everyone.
This easygoing Montrose restaurant takes notes from street food markets around the world. The Little Explorers meal (entrée, side, and drink) is $9, with options such as cheeseburgers and lo mein, and sides like pandebono—a cheesy bread from Colombia—fries, white rice, and mixed fruit. The boys play it safe, much to my dismay, with the hefty cheese pizza or the breaded chicken breast, served with a side of marinara sauce for dipping. No matter what, we can’t leave until they’ve dug into a Greek custard pie, a stack of flaky filo, vanilla custard, pistachios, and apricot, with a scoop of soft serve.
