Best Family Dining: Calico Restaurant & Bar

Since 1966, Calico Restaurant & Bar has been Jackson Hole's ultimate family dining destination, combining exceptional Italian-American cuisine with the valley's most spectacular family amenity: a massive 1.5-acre fenced lawn where children can play safely while parents enjoy their meal. Located on the scenic Moose-Wilson Road in Wilson, this beloved institution represents nearly six decades of serving local families and visitors who understand that great family dining means more than just good food—it requires an environment where everyone can truly relax.

The 1.5-Acre Family Paradise

What sets Calico apart from every other restaurant in Jackson Hole isn't just found on the menu—it's the extraordinary 1.5-acre fenced lawn that transforms dinner from a potentially stressful experience into genuine family time. From the expansive outdoor deck, parents can maintain clear sight lines to their children while enjoying panoramic views of the Teton Mountains and the restaurant's beautiful gardens.

The lawn comes equipped with game balls and provides a safe, enclosed environment where kids can burn energy before, during, and after their meal. This isn't a small play area or token gesture toward families—it's a legitimate outdoor playground that makes Calico the only restaurant in the valley where parents can actually relax while their children play freely.

Wood-Fired Pizza Excellence

The heart of Calico's family appeal lies in their hand-thrown, wood-fired pizzas ($25 each), which have been perfected over nearly 60 years of operation. The 12-inch pizzas provide perfect sharing portions for families, and the variety ensures everyone finds their favorite.

Tom's Bomber remains the ultimate family crowd-pleaser, loaded with sausage, hamburger, pepperoni, onions, and black olives—essentially every topping kids love on one pizza. For families seeking something more adventurous, the Ski Bum offers pesto, spinach, Canadian bacon, and artichoke hearts, while the BBQ Chicken with smoky BBQ sauce, roasted chicken, and onions provides familiar flavors in pizza form.

The Mushroom Chutes featuring goat cheese sauce and portobello mushrooms appeals to parents seeking more sophisticated flavors, while The Godfather with its selection of cured meats (capicola, prosciutto, pepperoni, salami) satisfies hearty appetites after full days of outdoor adventures.

Hearty Italian-American Classics

Beyond pizza, Calico's pasta selections provide the comfort food that tired, hungry families crave. The Spaghetti & Meatballs ($28) features two house-made meatballs that are generously sized and perfect for sharing with children who might find adult portions overwhelming.

The Spaghetti Marinara ($22) topped with basil and asiago offers a simple, familiar option that even the pickiest young eaters can enjoy, while the Rigatoni Bolognese ($28) with slow-cooked pork and beef provides the rich, hearty flavors that satisfy parents who've spent the day hiking or skiing.

For families seeking elevated comfort food, the Lasagna ($28) with mushroom, spinach, and sausage represents traditional Italian-American cooking at its finest—familiar enough for children, sophisticated enough for parents.

Premium Entrees for Special Family Occasions

When families want to celebrate special moments, Calico's main entrees provide restaurant-quality dining without intimidating formal atmosphere. The Chicken Parmesan ($29.50) offers crispy chicken with marinara that appeals across all age groups, while the Fire-Roasted Steelhead ($35) with warm farro salad introduces families to high-quality local fish preparation.

The Boneless Beef Short Ribs ($36) braised and served with herb potatoes represents comfort food elevated to celebration-worthy status—tender enough for children to eat easily, flavorful enough to satisfy adult palates seeking something special.

Family-Style Appetizers and Sharing

The family dining experience begins with Calico's carefully chosen appetizer selection. The Table Bread ($3) featuring fresh focaccia provides immediate satisfaction for hungry children, while the Calico Garlic Bread ($9.50) on toasted baguette with basil garlic butter offers flavors that bridge the gap between kid-friendly and adult sophisticated.

The Bruschetta ($14.50) with marinated tomatoes, roasted garlic aioli, and basil pesto introduces children to fresh flavors while providing parents with authentic Italian preparation they can appreciate.

Desserts That Create Family Memories

Calico's dessert selection transforms good meals into memorable family experiences. The Root Beer Float ($6) made with local "Buckin Root Beer" provides a uniquely Jackson Hole treat that kids remember long after vacation ends.

Traditional options like Double Chocolate Cake ($9), Tiramisu ($9), and Bailey's Irish Cream Cheesecake ($8) satisfy adult dessert cravings, while Moo's Organic Ice Cream ($4) offers a simple, high-quality option that works for all ages. These desserts often become the highlight of family meals—the sweet ending that caps off evenings of outdoor adventure.

The Perfect Wilson Location

Calico's location on Moose-Wilson Road in Wilson provides families with authentic Jackson Hole atmosphere away from the tourist crowds of Jackson town. The 8-mile distance from Grand Teton National Park makes it an ideal stop after day trips to the park, while the Wilson setting offers the relaxed, local vibe that makes family dining feel natural rather than performative.

The restaurant's position allows families to experience the "real" Jackson Hole—where locals actually eat and where children can play freely without worrying about disturbing other diners or maintaining formal restaurant behavior.

Local and Sustainable Family Values

What enhances Calico's family appeal is their commitment to locally sourced, sustainable ingredients. The locally raised, grass-fed beef and free-range organic chicken mean parents can feel good about what they're feeding their children, while the seasonal produce ensures freshness that even young palates can detect.

This commitment to quality ingredients combined with familiar preparations creates the perfect balance for family dining—nutrition parents approve of in forms children enjoy.

Practical Family Dining Information

• Hours: Daily 4:30 PM - 9:00 PM (Friday/Saturday until 9:30 PM)
• Reservations: Recommended for dinner, especially during peak summer season
• Location: 2650 Moose-Wilson Road, Wilson, WY - 8 miles to Grand Teton National Park
• Pricing: Appetizers $9-15, Pizzas $25, Pasta $22-30, Entrees $29-36, Desserts $4-9
• Special Features: 1.5-acre fenced lawn with game balls, outdoor deck dining
• Accessibility: Family-friendly facilities and ample parking
• Seasonal Note: Summer outdoor dining is peak experience

Why Families Choose Calico for Nearly 60 Years

The three-generation track record speaks to Calico's understanding of family dining needs. When parents who ate there as children bring their own kids to play on the same lawn, it demonstrates the kind of consistent family experience that transcends typical restaurant visits.

The combination of exceptional food quality with genuine family accommodation creates dining experiences where parents can enjoy sophisticated Italian-American cuisine while children experience the freedom of outdoor play in a safe, supervised environment.

Summer vs. Year-Round Family Dining

While Calico operates year-round, the summer season (May through September) represents peak family dining when the outdoor deck and lawn create the complete experience. During these months, families often spend entire evenings at Calico—arriving early for dinner, letting children play between courses, and extending meals into relaxed family time.

Winter dining focuses more on the cozy interior atmosphere and wood-fired pizza warmth, but the essential family-friendly service and food quality remain consistent throughout the year.

Insider's Family Dining Strategy

• Optimal Timing: Arrive around 5:00 PM for best outdoor seating and lawn access before sunset
• Pizza Sharing: Order 1.5 pizzas per family of four—kids often get full on appetizers and lawn play
• Lawn Strategy: Let kids play before ordering to burn initial energy, then again between courses
• Weather Backup: Even on cloudy days, the deck provides covered outdoor dining
• Local Secret: Tuesday and Wednesday evenings typically offer the most relaxed dining pace
• Celebration Planning: The private feel of the lawn area makes it perfect for family celebrations
• Park Integration: Perfect dinner destination after full days exploring Grand Teton National Park

The Family Dining Standard

Calico Restaurant & Bar doesn't just accommodate families—it was designed around family needs. The 1.5-acre lawn represents a fundamental understanding that great family dining requires space for children to be children while parents enjoy quality food and relaxed conversation.

After nearly 60 years of serving Jackson Hole families, Calico has perfected the balance between excellent Italian-American cuisine and genuine family hospitality. This is where active families create lasting memories over wood-fired pizza while children play freely under the shadow of the Teton Mountains.

This is family dining as it should be—where great food meets genuine accommodation for families who refuse to compromise on either quality or comfort.