Kid AND Parent Approved Restaurants in KC
My husband and I always joke that for us, a vacation is 50 percent about the destination and 50 percent about the food. In reality, that’s pretty close to the truth. When taking a trip, much of the fun comes from exploring local establishments and trying new dining spots.
Kansas City has a wealth of great restaurants, and we also have many places that cater specifically to families. For those of you seeking out a place to take the kids that both they and the adults will enjoy, here are some local restaurants to sample while visiting our fair city.
Blanc Burgers + Bottles
10583 Mission Rd.
Leawood, KS 66206
913.381.4500
Every single time my sister is in town to visit, we take her to Blanc. The variety and the quality of the burgers are what make it stand out. And as much as I love a good beef burger, I find myself ordering the lentil burger. Every. Single. Time. Actually, what’s nice is we all order a different burger and then we try bites of each others’. Thanks to this system, I think I’ve tried each and every burger—and love them all! The fries come in a mini shopping cart, which my girls think is so fun! In addition, they have an extensive bar for the grownups and Izze soda in bottles for the kids (a special treat in the Sarver home). Weekend evenings can be busy; plan ahead with a reservation.
Chez Elle
1713 Summit St.
Kansas City, MO 64108
816.471.2616
My girls were introduced to crepes in St. Louis years ago and they’ve been hooked ever since. (Side note: if you are in St. Louis during the fall, visit City Coffeehouse and Creperie for the pumpkin crepe. It’s ah-maz-ing!) We were thrilled to have a crepe restaurant open here in KC! Chez Elle hits the savory and sweet side, along with offering soups and salads if crepes aren’t the thing for someone in your party. And while I tend to be a morning/brunch crepe eater and would suggest one of the breakfast crepes, you can’t go wrong with the others.
Spin! Pizza
Multiple Locations
Pizza is a staple in many kids’ diets. Not only will the kids enjoy a pie at Spin!, but the adults will as well. They offer a nice variety of wine and beer to complement your meal. What I love about Spin! is the fact that they use fresh ingredients and that the homemade crust is crispy and tasty! In addition, the salads are far beyond your typical pizza place salad. Make sure you save room for dessert. Each visit I make to Spin! must always end with a scoop of their all-natural gelato. In fact, it’s worth the trip just for the gelato!
Stroud’s
Multiple locations
Some of the best fried chicken you will eat! Nothing, and I mean nothing, beats homemade fried chicken. It is, however, a complete pain to make. Stroud’s serves the ultimate comfort food: fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans and more. Your entire group will leave this dining experience very, very full. If fried chicken isn’t your thing, they have plenty of other options. In addition, you’ll receive some of Stroud’s famous cinnamon rolls. If you have leftovers (and you probably will) and access to a stove and a few ingredients, use the leftover cinnamon rolls to make French toast for breakfast the next morning. You won’t be sorry.
You’ll find many kid chains in Kansas City that you may very well have in your hometown. However, Kansas City is home to some original and uniquely kid-centric restaurants.
T-Rex Café
The Legends at Village West
1847 Village West Pkwy.
Kansas City, KS 66111
913.334.8888
Dine with the dinosaurs! Large, animatronic dinos fill this restaurant, where you’ll experience a meteor shower during your meal. Large gift shop attached to restaurant with a Build-A-Dino. Note that younger kids may be scared by the dinosaurs and loud noises.
Nearby: Kansas Speedway, Children’s Mercy Park (home of Sporting KC), Schiltterbahn Waterpark
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Three locations
Mainly a burger joint, but what sets this eatery apart from your typical burger place is that your food is delivered by a model train. Kids are mesmerized by the trains circling above with food. They also will love ordering the food by phone from your table.
Crayola Café
Inside Crown Center
2500 Grand Blvd.
Kansas City, MO 64108
A brightly decorated restaurant with a kid focused menu. Of course, plenty of crayons are on hand to keep you busy while you wait, and drinks are served in plastic crayon cups that make for fun souvenirs. After your meal, visit the Crayola Store next door.
Nearby: The Coterie Theater, Union Station & Science City, Legoland Discovery Center, Sea Life Aquarium
Margaret Sarver writes from her home in Lenexa. Her two favorite meals while on vacation have been a grilled cheese at Melt in Cleveland and a nice pasta dinner out at Spiaggia in Chicago.