You're halfway between Edmonton and Calgary, the kids are hungry and you need to find a place to eat, quick. There's no need to settle for a fast-food chain: there are tons of great family-friendly restaurants in Red Deer, whether you stay on Gasoline Alley — the strip of businesses just off Highway 2 that's perfect for making a pit stop — or venture into the city.
Cilantro and Chive
The burgers are fully loaded, the drinks are creative, and you get free Dubble Bubble bubble gum with your bill: Cilantro and Chive will satisfy adults and kids alike. Owners Rieley and Kim Kay opened the first Cilantro and Chive in Ponoka in 2012, then relocated to Lacombe in 2015. In 2020, they opened a Red Deer location on Gasoline Alley. They offer a fresh, simple take on dining out, with many locally sourced ingredients and seasonal menu items. Choose pub favourites like beer-battered fish and chips, pulled pork and bison burgers. The kids menu is very affordable with everything priced at $9. They have a huge drinks menu of local craft beer, spirits and cocktails, and they even have take-home drink kits.
Las Palmeras
Las Palmeras is a family-owned and operated restaurant that opened in 1992 in the South Hill neighbourhood. They offer a robust menu of authentic Mexican food including classic and unique dishes like chicken tostadas and salmon al tequila, as well as enchiladas, fajitas and tacos. Make sure to try the deep-fried ice cream for dessert. They even have cute take-away margarita pouches, in both alcoholic and non-alcoholic versions.
Glenn's Family Restaurant
For a taste of Red Deer history, look no further than Glenn's Family Restaurant. Glenn and Jessie Simon opened Glenn's back in 1986 as a 24-hour diner and then evolved it into a full-service restaurant. No matter what time of day it is, Glenn's has you covered with a hearty breakfast menu and robust lunch and dinner menus with all your comfort food favourites, like handmade burgers, mac and cheese, pineapple chicken stir fry and breaded veal cutlets. If you love tea, you are in for a treat as Glenn's offers more than 250 different varieties.
The Donut Mill
The iconic Donut Mill is a Red Deer landmark that your kids are sure to spot as you pass through Gasoline Alley. This has been a Red Deer staple since 1994 and is owned and operated by Michelle and Parry Dyck. Michelle is the daughter of Glenn Simon, who owns Glenn's Restaurant next door. The Donut Mill serves made-to-order homestyle sandwiches and soups, and of course, dozens of flavours of donuts made fresh daily. Choose from classic donut flavours like honey dip, Boston cream or old-fashioned coconut, or be more adventurous and try the maple Rolo, apple pie or chocolate orange.
Queen's Diner
Show your kids what burger joints used to look like with a stop at Queen's Diner, a retro 1950s-style diner located on the western edge of Red Deer. Your kids will love checking out all the 1950s memorabilia as they wait for their food, which includes all-day breakfast and diner staples like grilled BLT, Sloppy Joes and grilled cheese. Automobile fans should stop by during their regular vintage car shows and bike rallies. They also host drive-in movies in the summer, to round out the nostalgia.
Taco Monster
Who doesn't love tacos? Taco lovers of all stripes have their pick of mouth-watering options from Taco Monster on Gasoline Alley. Choose from more than half a dozen different tacos like spicy drunken chicken, beef cheddar crunch or Korean pork, and pair them with seasoned tots, tortilla chips or coleslaw. Keep an eye out for the Taco Monster food truck around Red Deer and Central Alberta, as they are a regular visitor at various events and festivals throughout the summer.
Lucky Family Restaurant
If you're right in the heart of downtown Red Deer, Lucky Family Restaurant is your top spot for tasty Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine. Kids will love the classics like green onion cakes, ginger beef and sweet and sour pork, though they even have a few Western dishes like hamburgers if anyone doesn't feel like Asian food that day. Service is prompt and friendly, portions are filling and they have lots of excellent value combos.