It seems like such a simple idea--combining good pizza with things to keep the youngsters (or the young at heart) busy. For travelers, these pizza-and-game restaurants let the adults take a breather while the kids tire themselves out. For locals, they're a good place to get together with friends and family in a place where kids aren't excluded. Games at these places range from carnival-style skill games to arcade-style video games. Choose your venue based on how old your kids are as well as their gaming skill level.
Adults may remember Chuck E. Cheese's as the scene of a childhood birthday party, but this pizza franchise has become a bit more sophisticated in recent years. Chuck E. Cheese's now offers three separate play areas, so little kids and big kids can find games that match their aptitude and skill level. There's a toddler zone, kiddie area and separate area for skill and arcade games. Kids can crawl through tunnels, dive into a pool of bouncy balls, rock the latest video games or get a glimpse of virtual reality in a simulator ride. Before it's time to go, let the kids take their tickets to the prize counter and cash them in for a few nifty gadgets. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Chuck E. Cheese's
4308 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 963-7200
chuckecheese.com
Adults will likely prefer GameWorks to Chuck E. Cheese's simply because it's designed for them as much as it is for the kids. Menu choices include burgers, pizza and sandwiches; the drink menu offers a host of frosty margaritas and martinis. The adults' gaming area offers classic pool and darts, virtual bowling, driving games (Outrun2 SPDX or Sega Rally 3), fighting games (Rambo or House of the Dead 4) and TV-inspired games (Deal or No Deal). The kids' area offers slightly tamer video games (the Fast and the Furious), along with special appearances by favorite video game and cartoon characters, including Sonic the Hedgehog. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
GameWorks
1600 E. 8th Avenue, Space A147
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 241-9675
gameworks.com
Tate Brothers Pizza is a local favorite offering New York-style pizza, wings, calzones and Philly cheese steaks. It's also a Tampa landmark; the family that owns it was featured on an episode of Extreme Home Makeover in 2007. Although the restaurant also includes a bar, it's housed in a separate room from the main dining area, so you can keep your kids away from the alcohol. Tate Brothers is best for older kids and teens because the games consist of pool and a host of arcade-style video games. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Tate Brothers Pizza
223 E. Davis Blvd., Suite A
Tampa, FL 33606
(813) 251-2767
events.tboextra.com/tampa-fl/venues/show/162371-tate-brothers-pizza
This casual eatery is a hit with adults and kids, thanks to the varied menu offerings. Adults will appreciate the hot wings, beer, wine, bacon burgers and gourmet pizza, while the kids will dig into the square slices of cheese pizza. Appropriate for kids of all ages, the Red Elephant game room features old-school, tabletop-style arcade games, skill games (can the claw keep hold of the stuffed animal long enough to drop it in the chute) and modern arcade games. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Red Elephant Pizza and Grill
14391 North Dale Mabry Highway
Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 908-7492
redelephantpizza.com
