Favorite Fast and Kid-Friendly Restaurants + 3 Giveaways!

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I’m not the only busy one out there. We’ve got soccer. We’ve got softball. We’ve got a toddler and an almost teenager and an in-between. I’ve got a job and my husband does, too. We’ve got work stuff, band stuff, home stuff, yard stuff, car stuff, and we’ve got church stuff. Ain’t nobody got time for all that.

We eat approximately 90 percent of our meals at home and I love my apron and what-not, but when we need to pick up something quick, here is a list of our go-to, non-burger joint, one-stop shops.

Favorite Fast & Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Des Moines

#1. Chick-fil-A

The food is real. It is hand prepared. It is hot. You can eat healthy here if you want to. My toddler loves the play land. And I don’t get the germ-world vibes that I get at all other playlands. I don’t know… I just like it here. They say, “My pleasure,” when you say, “Thank you,” and they are genuinely nice. One time I was missing fries and someone out in the dining room stopped to ask me if everything was okay. I told her we were missing fries and she told me not to get up, that she would make it right. She was back in 30 seconds with plenty more and a treat for my son. Great service. Great food. Plus, I can’t get enough of their coleslaw.

Locations: Jordan Creek Mall, Mills Civic Parkway, & SE Delaware in Ankeny

#2. Pancheros

My kids scream this out when we are talking about where to eat. They love the burritos. They love the black corn chips. The bonus here is that the food is made before your eyes, it’s healthy, and the portions are large and in charge. We can split a burrito between two people and get out of there for under $25 for five people with drinks. BAM.

Locations: 100th Street in Urbandale, SE Delaware in Ankeny, Johnston, & Jordan Creek Parkway

#3. Planet Sub

Okay, if you ask anyone who knows me, I’m a sub sandwich hater. However, my kids love them. So does my husband. As an exception, I will eat Jimmy John’s like there’s no tomorrow, but there are plenty of other sub shops that make me super nauseous. So, my husband has been harping on me to try this one for some time and I was, of course, reluctant, then eventually swayed. I would say I was pleasantly surprised. They have a WIIIIDE selection of sammys, mostly toasted I think, and some surprising combos that make the selection more adult, but with plenty of kid options, too. The full size sam was $10, which I found to be steep, but you could get a half for less. That was my only complaint. I’m a cheapo. But it was really, really tasty. You could easily split the full-size.

Locations: NW 86th in Johnston & University Avenue in Des Moines

#4. El Rodeo

QUESO.

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They are also SUPER fast, with great food, and kid friendly. They don’t bat an eye when you show up with your kids, your best friend and her kids, and you say you have a party of 13. On days off, the husband and I can meet for lunch in less than 30 minutes for real food. That’s a deal.

Locations: Douglas, Clive, & E Euclid

What are your favorite quick and good food places? Please share in the comments below!

The Giveaways

Three lucky winners will receive giveaways from some of our family’s favorites! Enter below for a chance to fill your bellies!

Chick-fil-A (2 Original Sandwich Meals + 2 Peach Milkshakes), Pancheros ($30 gift card), or Planet Sub ($25 gift card)!

2 COMMENTS

  1. Planet Sub does have a Kids-Eat-Free Special every Sunday at both locations – up to 3 kids meals (4″ sub, kids drink, and a side) with a minimum adult purchase of a 6″ with a meal, as well as Turkey Tuesday (6″ classic turkey for $3) and Veggie Thursday (any 6″ veggie for $3).

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