From a brewery to a local food truck, Mexican to Thai food, and all types of cuisine in between, Center Grove and Bargersville have food options to please the palette of everyone in your family. Pile everyone in the car and discover these local family-friendly restaurants, sure to soon become your new favorites.
Taxman Gastropub
13 S. Baldwin Street, Bargersville
The menu at Taxman changes seasonally and features beef, pork, and free-range chicken from local farms. The restaurant shares a facility with the award-winning Taxman Brewing Company, so there are also drink specials daily. With seating inside and outside, Taxman can accommodate parties of all sizes. Kids will love their menu choices of a pint-sized burger, chicken tenders, or mac ‘n cheese. Just be sure to request a low-top table if you have little ones.
Chicago’s Pizza
2 N. State Road 135, Bargersville
Snag a table close by the window to the kitchen and your kids will be sure to keep busy watching employees make pizzas as they wait for their dinner. Chicago’s has excellent breadsticks, pizzas of every kind, and even a salad bar with toppings and dressings to meet every taste. The lunch buffet (currently closed) is a great way to try all types of pizzas they offer. The dessert pizza with cinnamon and icing on a traditional crust is a must-have finale to your meal.
Dashboard Food Truck
Various Locations
Dashboard opened its food truck in March 2020 while its sister restaurant, Revery, was closed due to the pandemic. On the Dashboard Food Truck Facebook page, they announce where it will be parked next, often in the Center Grove area. You can order ahead through their website and then just pick it up at your reserved time, so no waiting for your kids. You can’t go wrong with any of their freshly-made food. The Rev Burger, Cheese Curds, and Chopped Sink Salad are all faves of my family. The kids’ menu usually just features one item, the Chicken Fingers and Fries, but other menu options, such as hotdogs, cheeseburgers, and corndogs, are also perfect for kids.
Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant
1133 N. State Road 135, Greenwood
With a menu eight pages long, Luciana’s is sure to have something for everyone in your family. There is indoor and outdoor seating, and several choices on the kids’ menu, from tacos to chicken nuggets and pizza. Their carry-out service is exceptional, always ready on time, and even includes to-go margaritas that you can make at home.
Tried and True Alehouse
2800 S. State Road 135, Suite 100, Greenwood
“Scratch food made daily,” is the motto of this local favorite. Kids will love the Little Cheeseburger, Kraft Mac and Cheese, and more from the kids’ menu. The chicken wings are amazing, and 30% off Boneless every Wednesday. Our family favorite is the Root Beer BBQ Sauce. If you want a special treat, try KT’s Cookie for dessert. It’s a plate-sized chocolate chip cookie served warm, with vanilla ice cream on top. There is plenty of seating outside on the patio, as well as inside. They also have specific parking spots set up for carryout if you’d rather order to-go.
Stone Creek Dining Company
911 N. State Road 135, Greenwood
My kids often request Stone Creek for their birthday dinners or other special occasions. We all look forward to the homemade bread and oil served before entrees. The kids’ menu is also extensive and includes pasta, ribs, sirloin, and mac and cheese. My kids love that each kids’ meal includes a drink and a brownie sundae for dessert. If you go Monday through Thursday from 4pm-6pm, be sure to request the Early Bird Menu that has many of the restaurant favorites for lower prices.
Arni’s
1691 Curry Road, Greenwood
A true family restaurant, there is something for everyone on the Arni’s menu. There are several appetizers, salads, wraps, sandwiches, pizzas, burgers, and desserts available. My family’s favorite is the pepperoni pizza with the finely chopped pepperoni pieces. If your kids would like their own meals, the kids’ menu has everything from grilled cheese to a ham sandwich, and even dinosaur chicken nuggets.
House of Tokyo
172 Melody Avenue, Greenwood
If your family enjoys the Hibachi Grill experience, you need to visit House of Tokyo. Parents appreciate that everyone is given warm cloths to wash their hands before the meal begins. Bonus, soup and salad are brought to your table promptly after you order, so little ones don’t have time to become “hangry.” Kids can choose from several options, including teriyaki chicken, filet, and Geisha, a combination of chicken and shrimp. They will be thoroughly entertained during the entire meal since it is cooked tableside. Be sure to request a “volcano” from your cook. It’s my kids’ favorite!
Strange Brew Coffee
4800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood
The oldest coffee shop in Center Grove, Strange Brew is a quaint spot to enjoy breakfast or lunch. Your kids will love the hot chocolate made to their specifications (lower temp, extra chocolate, etc). The muffins (pumpkin cream cheese, chocolate chip, blueberry, and more) are a hit with my kids, as are the bagels. We recommend the asiago with sausage and cheddar, which my toddler refers to as “Bagel Sausage.” You will love any of their extensive offerings of lattes, mochas, or specially made drip coffee (try the Holiday Grogg, you won’t be sorry). Order online and pick it up curbside to make things especially easy for yourself.
Johnson’s BBQ Shack
82 S. Baldwin Street, Bargersville
Located in downtown Bargersville, Johnson’s uses their on-site smoker to make all of their BBQ. Kids can choose from an all-beef hotdog or pork or chicken slider. Kids meals include chips and a drink. Can’t decide? Order a Shack Pack. Each features choices of meats and sides. Our favorite sides include the sweet corn casserole and baked mac and cheese. Eat inside or on the large porch outside if the weather is nice.
YiaYia’s House of Pancakes
1694 W. Main Street, Greenwood
My kids always request YiaYia’s after spending the night at their grandparents’ house. Their favorite menu item is the Mickey Mouse Pancake made to look like the mouse himself using cherries and whipped cream. Also on the kids’ menu are egg combos and french toast. Service is quick, seating is plentiful, and the coffee is hot, so all will have an enjoyable experience.
Ella’s Frozen Yogurt and Candy Shop
530 State Road 135, Suite A, Greenwood
Your kids will love to make their own perfect FroYo treat at Ella’s. Featuring ten flavors that change frequently, there are choices to satisfy everyone’s pallet. My kids’ favorite part of the experience is the toppings bar. You can choose from candies, cookies, cakes, fruits, cereals, sauces, and more to top your treat. Sit on the patio or inside near the Candy Shop. Abbott’s Caramels, Albanese Gummies, and more are available for you to purchase and take home for a treat later.
Don Cuervo
4800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood
Pro tip: Order queso for your kids as soon as you are seated. They’ll happily munch away until dinner arrives. Kids dinner choices include several combos, taco salad, and our favorite, the arroz con pollo. You will love the housemade guacamole, freshly made meals, and the Don Cuervo Revenge margarita, if you dare.
FlapJack’s Pancake House and Restaurant
2991 Fulmer Drive, Greenwood
A popular breakfast place any day of the week, FlapJack’s also is open for lunch and dinner. My kids recommend the chocolate chip pancakes, scrambled eggs, sausage links, and hashbrowns. Other kids’ menu items include eggs, Freedom Toast, and even grilled cheese and hamburgers. You really can’t go wrong with the crepe creations, french toast, potato pancakes, omelettes, or anything else on the extensive menu.
Campbell’s Highland Grille
1001 N. State Road 135, Greenwood
Family owned by lifelong Greenwood residents, Campbell’s prides itself on being a Scottish American Sports Grille. The kids’ menu offers grilled cheese, wee burgers, chicken tenders, or chicken breast, all served with a side and a drink. Featuring fresh, locally grown food, you will also find a plethora of choices for your meal from sandwiches and fresh pressed “smash burgers” to pizzas and suppers.
Greek’s Pizzeria and Tapp Room 2
1642 Olive Branch Park Lane, Greenwood
Kids can choose from chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, spaghetti, or a mini pizza on the Greek’s kids’ menu. They may opt to just share pizza with you, though, because there are so many choices. Our kids love half cheese and half pepperoni sausage, while our fave is the Greek’s Special and the Greek Salad. The breadsticks are true crowd pleasers while you wait for your meal, as is the karaoke machine. There is indoor or outdoor seating available.
South of Chicago Pizza and Italian Beef
2550 S. State Road 135, Greenwood
The deep dish pizza at South of Chicago is a favorite of our family. The Italian beef sandwiches also get rave reviews. With TVs to watch and indoor and outdoor seating, your kids are sure to stay entertained until their dinner arrives.
Bamboo Chinese
4800 W. Smith Valley Road, Greenwood
Fresh ingredients, affordable prices, and a variety of dishes make Bamboo an excellent place to dine with kids. From our favorite appetizer, crab rangoon, to hot and sour soup, lo mein, fried rice, or pad thai, there is something for everyone in your family to try. The quick service is a plus.
House of Thai
275 S. State Road 135, Greenwood
Touted as “traditional Thai food with modern flair,” House of Thai offers the best Thai cuisine in Greenwood. My kids love the kids’ fried rice, but other kids’ menu offerings include chicken nuggets, chicken tenders, and battered fried shrimp. Salads, thai noodles, fried rice, and curries made to your liking round out the choices for adults. Make a reservation by phone or their website so your table is waiting for you when you arrive.
El Beso
2993 S. Grove Boulevard, Bargersville
On nice days, we love to dine outside on the covered patio of El Beso. We order queso to keep the kids busy until their arroz con pollo arrives. The kids’ menu is extensive. It includes twelve items from a cheeseburger or hot dog to nachos or cheese quesadilla. With over 60 entrée offerings, adults are all sure to find something to their likings, too. Try the fried ice cream for dessert if you’d like a special treat.
