Gather Around: Family-Friendly Restaurants

For some families, going out to eat with kids can sometimes be a task. Thankfully, there are several restaurants in Jackson that have great menus and atmospheres that are perfect for the entire family, even the kids.

Here are some of our favorite places to take the whole family without breaking the bank.

A loaded banana split ice cream dessert
Sal & Mookie's

Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza & Ice Cream Joint - LeFleur East

What kid doesn’t love pizza and ice cream? Sal and Mookie’s is the perfect place for both! Though Sal & Mookie’s is known as a pizza joint, there is so much more to this place than pizza. Most restaurants give out coloring sheets and crayons to kids to keep them entertained, but not Sal & Mookie’s. Kids can keep themselves busy with strands of wax and make wax creations while they wait on their food. Creations of all kinds don the walls of the restaurant, and it adds a creative touch to the interior of the building. Sal & Mookie’s has even been voted the best restaurant for families in Parents and Kids Magazine since 2007, and there’s absolutely a reason why.

Sal & Mookie’s makes it fun and easy for families with kids to go out to eat, and parents can even reward their kids at the end of a meal with a treat from the ice cream parlor that’s right inside the restaurant. Countless flavors of ice cream, sundaes, splits, shakes, malts, and ice cream floats are available for the kids… and even the adults. Check out Sal & Mookie’s menu and see for yourself why kids and adults both love it.

A family dines outside. On the table is pizza and other Greek-influenced foods.
Family dining on the patio at Aplos in Highland Village. Image: Someday I'll Learn

Aplos - LeFleur East

Aplos is a Mediterranean restaurant that boasts a cozy atmosphere, great food and indoor and outdoor dining, the latter of which is perfect for running off all that energy.

Guests rave about the ribeye steak gyro and the gyro pizza that you will not find anywhere else. For kids, there are cheese pizzas and burgers, lest they turn their noses up at "Mediterranean" cuisine.

The menu also includes some great salads, like the classic Greek. However, there are also great Italian wood fired pizzas and other Mediterranean classics like hummus, falafel and stuffed grape leaves. Don't forget to check out the frozen Greek yogurt (also a kid favorite).

kids eating ice cream
Credit: Brent's Drugs

Brent’s Drugs – Fondren

Brent’s Drugs has been serving the Jackson area since 1946. Still complete with a soda fountain and classic bar stools, Brent’s is perfect for all ages, including kids. The kids menu at Brent’s includes Kids Burger, Grilled Cheese, Hot Dog, and Buttermilk Pancakes. Even the pickiest of eaters will find a yummy meal at Brent’s. Kids under 12 even eat free on Friday nights with the purchase of an adult entree. Of course, no meal at a diner would be complete without a milkshake to wash it all down.

Choose from classic flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, and Strawberry, or get a little out of the box with flavors like Nutella, Dreamsicle, or PB&J. Other desserts include items like a Cookie Monster Sundae, complete with cookies & cream ice cream hot fudge, Oreo cookies, and graham cracker crumbs. Brent’s is a simple and charming diner that is perfect for any lunch or dinner with the whole family, and kids and adults alike will find themselves coming back for years to come. Check out their menu: brentsdrugs.com

Paige McKay White

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Paige McKay White

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