Summer vacation means more opportunities to connect over great food, but it can also mean endless meal planning. To make mealtime easy, our annual Culinary Adventures: Where Kids Eat Free campaign is back to offer parent-appreciated relief with complimentary kids’ meals all season long. We went straight to the experts at the Kids’ Table and asked local little foodies where they love to eat. From hanging out with Dad for Father’s Day to enjoying a festive outdoor lunch with Mom, check out their top kid-approved picks for the summer:
DAVE & BUSTER’S
DAVE & BUSTER’S
Irvine Spectrum Center
661 Spectrum Center Dr., Irvine, CA 92618
WHAT TO ORDER: Mac & Cheese (elbow macaroni noodles with creamy cheese sauce) and Goldfingers (crispy chicken fingers with seasoned fries).
THE VIBE: Lively and fun.
“It’s so fun going to Dave & Busters with my daddy. We play a lot of games there. I like the Mac & Cheese. It’s really cheesy and creamy, exactly the way it’s supposed to be. My brother, Xavier, likes chicken fingers and the pink lemonade for kids because it’s supposed to have dragonfruit in it. He likes the “dragon” part. I got the blue raspberry lemonade. It didn’t turn my tongue blue. But, it was still yummy. ” –Eloise, 3rd Grade
TACO ROSA
WHAT TO ORDER: Chicken fingers.
THE VIBE: Contemporary Mexico City atmosphere, family-friendly and good for groups.
“I like going to Taco Rosa with my mom. She orders the Rosa Combo with a steak taco and an enchilada. It comes with rice and beans. But the sweet corn tomalito that comes with it tastes really good! I get chicken fingers. The fries are thicker than other places so you can tell they use real potatoes.” –Everett, 4th grade
RUBIO’S COASTAL GRILL
RUBIO’S COASTAL GRILL
Harvard Place Shopping Center
17655 Harvard Ave., Irvine, CA 92614
WHAT TO ORDER: Build Your Own Tacos Kids Meal with wild Mahi Mahi, citrus rice, cheese and two flour tortillas.
THE VIBE: Fast casual and great for takeout.
“I like the Build Your Own Tacos at Rubio’s! The first time I tasted it, I really liked them. Now I order them with Mahi Mahi every time my family comes to Rubio’s. And I have a special method to make my tacos. I take the tortilla, then put on some black beans, and sprinkle on the cheese. Oh, and don’t forget the fish! Then you eat it. So good!” – Felicity, 4th Grade
