My kids LOVE tacos. It’s always their answer when I ask, “what should we have for dinner?” So naturally, our family eats lots of tacos because I like ’em too! There’s no lack of delicious taquerias in the East Bay. But when it comes to options in North Berkeley, many families turn to one of three restaurants when it comes to dining out on Mexican food: Picante, Tacubya, and Cactus.
Picante
Located in the Northwest corner of Berkeley, Picante serves up delicious Mexican food and a nice assortment of grown-up drinks. It was recently renovated so the interior is super sleek, decorated with a mix of modern accents and traditional masks. There’s still a lovely outdoor patio that offers families a chance to dine al fresco away from a busy street. (I do love parklet dining, but this large outdoor space is a refreshing change.) There are heaters for when the weather’s chilly and large doors open to let the fresh air into the main dining area, too. All to say, Picante is totally inviting and a bit elevated, the type of setting where you’ll really enjoy a margarita and a tasty meal. Speaking of food, my kids and I gobbled up our meal. There’s a simple kids menu and extensive regular menu. Everything was 10/10 in our book! Food and drinks are ordered at the counter, then delivered to the table. Kids can color on the kids menu (though BYO crayons; we didn’t find any on our visit.)
Location: 1328 Sixth Street, Berkeley, CA
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Pro tip: Order online and pick up curbside for a feast at home. Great after soccer practices and on busy weeknights!
Tacubaya
Fourth Street’s Tacubaya is hands down my favorite restaurant in Berkeley. I like dining there with my kids because we love the fresh ingredients and unexpected flavors of the dishes. We typically enjoy our meal up in the little loft area because it adds a fun perspective to the experience. There’s also a small outdoor eating area. Tacubaya has a small kids’ menu, though I’ve met some families who think the menu is less kid-friendly than other restaurants in town. Tacubaya’s menu is a little more inventive than the traditional tortilla, bean, and cheese options that tend to appeal to kid-sized taste buds. But let me tell you my oldest will clean a whole plate of chicken enchiladas without any complaints! My youngest loves the super cheesy quesadillas and the refreshing aguas frescas. Every time we eat here (which is quite often), there are many other families present so I urge other families to give it a try – because parents deserve a flavorful meal. Oh and did I mention, there’s a full bar?!
Location: 1782 Fourth Street, Berkeley, CA
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Find a bunch of family-friendly things to do while on Fourth Street >>
Cactus TaquerÃa
With Cactus TaquerÃa East Bay locations on Solano Avenue in Berkeley and in Rockridge, their kids’ menu is adored by families. Find a handful of options around $8 a piece including the wildly popular petite Shen’s Burrito “just beans and cheese (nada mas)”, wrapped tightly in foil. We’ve enjoyed them on the sidelines of softball games and in the restaurant; there’s rarely any mess or complaints from my kids. Now that’s a win in my book. I’m not a big fan of flavors at Cactus but it’s extremely affordable for a family of four — by far the least expensive option of these three. Whitney and Heather have each ordered Cactus catering for a DIY taco bar for family parties. All in all, it’s a great option for a quick meal when no one wants to cook.
Locations: 1881 Solano Avenue, Berkeley, CA and 5642 College Avenue, Oakland, CA
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Find 99 restaurants kids love >>
Bottom line: You can’t go wrong with any of these restaurants. Picante is great for outdoor dining or celebrations. Tacubaya has a delicious and fresh menu. Cactus has a reliable menu and burritos kids really enjoy.Â
What do you guys think?
