Memphis with Kids: Our Loflin Yard Experience (Food & Play)
Visiting Memphis with kids? Our family loved eating at Loflin Yard for its cozy vibe, outdoor seating, fire pits, kid-friendly food, and plenty of space for children to play.
Some of our sweetest travel memories happen in the in-between places.
This time we found ourselves on a long road between Texas and West Virginia to visit family.
Memphis wasn’t supposed to be a “memory-making” stop, just day two of our three day drive. By day two, everyone was feeling it. We’d hit that moment where we needed more than just a quick bite… we needed some space to breathe, stretch, and let the kids run after hours in the car.
While searching for kid-friendly places to eat in Memphis, I came across Loflin Yard.
I wasn’t sure what to expect on a Saturday night, part of me worried it might feel too much like a bar and not enough like a family spot, but something in me said to try it anyway.
And I’m so glad we did.
What was supposed to be a simple dinner stop turned into one of those unexpectedly favorite strops of the trip: outdoor seating, string lights, fire pits, and plenty of room for the kids to play while we regrouped.
It ended up being exactly what our big family needed.
What is Loflin Yard?
Loflin Yard is one of those places that instantly feels welcoming the moment you walk in the gate.
It’s a laid-back open-air restaurant and bar tucked right into the heart of Memphis, with a huge outdoor space that’s perfect for families, big groups, and anyone looking for a laid back time.
There’s picnic tables, string lights, and fire pits that make everything feel warm and welcoming.
As soon as we walked in through the gate, I could immediately tell why so many families stop here.
There’s indoor seating too, but the outdoor space steals the show. Kids can spread out, run, and just be kids without anyone giving you the “look” for your kids being too rowdy.
And for parents? It’s one of those rare spots where you can just sit back for a minute, and actually enjoy a meal while keeping an eye on the kids.
If you’re traveling through Memphis with kids, Loflin Yard truly has that relaxed, family-friendly vibe you hope to find with kid friendly food and plenty of space.
Is Loflin Yard Kid-Friendly?
If you’re wondering whether Loflin Yard is kid-friendly, the short answer is yes! Honestly, it was exactly what our big family needed after hours in the van. This place let kids be kids, gave us parents a moment to breathe, and everyone just enjoying the cozy outdoor vibes.
The moment we got there, our kids spotted a group of other children and instantly joined in a giant game of tag across the yard. Some were climbing trees, others were playing cornhole, and our four-year-old settled right in and made “rock castles” like they were the greatest discovery of the trip. It was the kind of carefree play you don’t always stumble on during travel… but every parent secretly hopes for.
And the adults? We all were able to sit around the fire pits, relax and enjoy, while also letting the kids just be.
At one point, a family celebrating a birthday even offered our kids their leftover birthday cake, the sweetest, most unexpected little moment after such a long day on the road.
It felt relaxing, safe, and genuinely welcoming, the kind of atmosphere that makes you think, yes, this is exactly how it should be.
If you’re passing through Memphis with kids, Loflin Yard is one of the easiest, most comforting places you can stop (at least for us!).
What Our Kids Loved Most
When you’re traveling with kids, you never really know what’s going to stick with them. Sometimes it’s a meal they’ve ate.. but most of the time is some little in-between moment… and this time it was Loflin Yard.
Our kids loved being able to play after being buckled in the car all day. They ran nonstop, joining the other kids in games of tag, climbing trees, and creating their own little adventures.
Loflin Yard felt like a big backyard.
The kids also loved the simple, familiar food. They didn’t have a “kids-menu” but the menu was very kid-friendly.
Burgers, chicken tenders, and friends these are the kind of easy, kid-approve meals that are always a win on road trips. I didn’t have to beg the kids to eat.
And honestly, the kindness of other families there made such a huge impression too. That sweet family that offered our kids leftover birthday cake? My kids talked about it long after we were back in the car. It’s those kind of moments that make it feel extra special.
Loflin Yard gave the kids room to move around, explore, and just be themselves. And after a long travel day, that kind of space is everything.
What Parents Will Appreciate
As much as our kids loved Loflin Yard, it was just as welcoming and relaxing for us too.
First, the outdoor seating and fire pits were such a comfort. There’s something about sitting by a warm fire while the kids run around nearby that makes the chaos of the day feel a little lighter. We could actually sit back, chat, sip a drink, and keep an eye on everyone without feeling rushed.
The whole place has this relaxed, come-as-you-are vibe that works so well for families. No one expects quiet. No one expects your kids to sit perfectly still. You don’t feel like you’re disturbing anyone. It’s just a yard full of families, travelers, couples, all sharing the space in the most easygoing way.
We also appreciated how safe and visible the yard felt. The kids could play, climb, and explore without wandering too far, and we never lost sight of them from our table. For a big family, that alone makes a restaurant stop feel so much easier.
And after hours in the car? Having a place where the kids could burn off energy while you actually get to relax is priceless. It’s the kind of travel stop that reminds you that family trips don’t have to feel chaotic the whole way, sometimes you find these little pockets of calm that make the long drive worth it.
The Menu: Simple, Kid-Approved Food
One thing I appreciated right away is that the menu at Loflin Yard is exactly what you hope to find on a long travel day, familiar, easy, and full of options every kid recognizes.
When you in, the menu is posted right on the wooden posts (like in the photo above), and it’s all the kind of food that makes big families breathe a little easier.
They have the classics:
- Chicken tenders
- Burgers
- Fries
- Tacos
- Mac and cheese
Nothing fussy, nothing overly “creative” that you have to talk your kids into trying. Just good, straightforward meals that make everyone happy, especially after hours in the car.
Our kids went straight for their favorites (always chicken tenders), and burgers, the portions were great for hungry travelers. The chicken tender were delicious, I even snagged a few bites. The breading on the chicken was fantastic.
The adults grabbed tacos and a chicken salad, and everything came out quickly. It’s counter-service style, so you order at the bar and then settle in wherever you’d like, which actually worked perfectly with our crew being in and out of the yard.
It’s not gourmet dining, and it’s not trying to be. It’s the kind of simple, reliable road-trip food that fills everyone up without any battles, which honestly felt like a win after a long day of travel.
Tips for Visiting Loflin Yard with Kids
1. Go earlier in the evening if you can. We went on a Saturday night and it was totally fine with kids, but arriving earlier means more open seating and more space in the yard.
2. Expect counter-service. You order at the bar, then find your own table. This actually worked well because the kids could play while we waited.
3. Drinks. there’s a big cooler with water and plastic cups right at the bar where you order. It’s self-serve, which was perfect for our crew and saved us from ordering a bunch of extra drinks.
4. The outdoor area is the best spot for families. There’s plenty of room to run, climb, and play. If you want a relaxed meal with kids, choose the yard seating. There is indoor seating but it’s more geared for watching the game than kids playing.
5. Keep an eye on the weather. Everything about Loflin Yard is outdoors. Bring jackets if it’s chilly, and maybe a blanket for little ones.
6. Bring wipes or hand sanitizer. Kids will be touching everything, trees, rocks, yard games, and the ground. It’s a very “play outside” kind of spot.
7. Don’t worry if your kids are loud or active. There were tons of kids running around, playing tag, and climbing trees. It’s normal here.
8. Parking is easy. There’s a small lot nearby plus street parking. We didn’t have any trouble finding a spot.
9. Be prepared for kids not wanting to leave. Ours were having so much fun with the other kids that getting them back to the car took longer than expected.
10. Gratuity. With a family of 7 — though only 6 actually eating — we’re no strangers to the automatic large-party gratuity. But just a heads up: it seems like they add a 20% gratuity to every order at the counter, even if you’re only getting drinks.
Would We Go Back?
Loflin Yard ended up being one of our favorite stops on the drive. It wasn’t planned, but it checked all the boxes for a family-friendly place to eat in Memphis, good food, lots of space, and an environment where kids could play without feeling out of place.
The kids burned off energy, we got a real break from the car, and the whole experience just worked for our big family.
If you’re passing through Memphis with kids and need somewhere easy for dinner, Loflin Yard is a spot we’d stop at again. It made a long travel day a lot smoother, and sometimes that’s all you need.
If you’re embarking on your next family trip, don’t forget to check out my article, Road Trip Essentials for Family Travel.
For more on family-friendly travel, motherhood, cozy recipes, homemaking tips, and seasonal inspiration, you can find me over on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and YouTube. I’d love to have you along!
