Family-Friendly Hibachi: Thai Spice’s Kid-Approved Dining Experience

Hey there, parents and family foodies! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Looking for a dinner spot where the kids won’t be bored, the food will please everyone, AND you can actually enjoy yourself too? Let me introduce you to one of Selma’s most entertaining family dining experiences: hibachi at Thai Spice Sushi & Hibachi!

Let’s face it – dining out with children can sometimes feel more stressful than staying home. But hibachi dining flips the script by turning mealtime into showtime, keeping kids engaged and excited from the moment they sit down until the last bite of dessert. Today, we’re exploring why Thai Spice’s hibachi experience is the perfect solution for your next family dinner outing!

Why Hibachi is Perfect for Kids

If you’ve ever struggled to keep little ones seated through a restaurant meal, hibachi dining will feel like a revelation. Here’s why it works so well for families:

Entertainment Built Right In

At traditional restaurants, the entertainment (if any) is separate from the meal. At Thai Spice’s hibachi tables, the preparation of your food IS the entertainment! Kids are naturally drawn to the spectacle of flames, flying utensils, and theatrical cooking techniques.

The chefs at Thai Spice know how to engage young audience members with age-appropriate tricks, jokes, and interactions. From onion volcanoes that erupt with steam to the rhythm of utensils tapping on the grill, there’s always something happening to hold children’s attention.

Educational Component

Hibachi dining also offers a sneaky educational element – kids get to see exactly how their food is prepared, learning about different ingredients and cooking techniques in an engaging way. They might not realize they’re absorbing a mini cooking lesson while they watch!

Parents often report that children who witness hibachi cooking become more adventurous eaters. When kids see fresh vegetables and proteins being transformed before their eyes, they’re more likely to try new foods that they helped “cook” (by watching).

No Waiting Woes

One of the biggest challenges of dining out with children is keeping them occupied while waiting for food to arrive. At hibachi restaurants like Thai Spice, the waiting IS the entertainment. From the moment the chef arrives at your table, kids are engaged in the experience, making those dreaded “I’m hungry, when is the food coming?” complaints a thing of the past.

The Thai Spice Kids Menu: Hibachi Options for Young Diners

Thai Spice has thoughtfully created a dedicated hibachi kids menu that offers child-sized portions of quality ingredients at family-friendly prices. According to their menu, kids have three excellent options to choose from:

• Teriyaki Chicken ($11.00): A perfect starter hibachi experience, featuring tender chicken with that sweet-savory teriyaki glaze kids love.
• Hibachi Shrimp ($13.00): For more adventurous young eaters, this option introduces seafood in an approachable, delicious way.
• Ribeye Steak ($16.00): When only the best will do for your junior foodie, this premium option delivers a quality steak experience sized for smaller appetites.

All kids’ hibachi meals are served with soup and steamed rice, making them complete, satisfying meals. As the menu notes, you can “Substitute for Fried Rice Add $3.00” if your little ones prefer that flavor-packed option.

Unlike many restaurants where children’s options are limited to the usual chicken nuggets and mac & cheese, Thai Spice gives kids a chance to enjoy quality proteins prepared with skill and flair. It’s the perfect way to expand young palates without pushing too far beyond comfort zones.

Family-Friendly Atmosphere and Accommodations

Beyond the menu, Thai Spice creates a welcoming environment for families in several ways:

Communal Seating

Hibachi tables are designed for shared experiences, typically seating 8-10 people. This makes them ideal for:

• Family gatherings with extended relatives
• Dining with another family for a social evening
• Celebrations where children and adults can equally participate

If you have a smaller family, you may share a table with other diners, which can actually enhance the experience – kids often enjoy watching other guests react to the chef’s performance too!

Flexible Timing

Thai Spice understands family schedules and offers hibachi dining throughout their business hours:

• Monday-Friday: 11am-3pm and 5pm-9pm
• Saturday: 11am-9pm
• Sunday: 12pm-9pm

This flexibility allows you to choose times that work best for your family’s routine – perhaps an early dinner before little ones get too tired, or a weekend lunch when everyone’s at their best.

Staff Who Understand Children

The team at Thai Spice is accustomed to young diners and knows how to make them feel special. From chef interactions that acknowledge children at the table to servers who understand kid-friendly service timing, the staff helps ensure a smooth dining experience for the whole family.

Tips for Dining with Children of Different Ages

Every age group has different needs when dining out. Here are some age-specific tips for taking kids to Thai Spice’s hibachi:

Toddlers (Ages 2-4)

• Request seating where toddlers can clearly see the grill but aren’t too close to the flames
• Bring a small, quiet toy for potential waiting periods
• Consider sharing your meal rather than ordering separately if your toddler has a small appetite
• Be prepared for potential sensory overload – the flames and noise might be startling for some little ones

Elementary Age (Ages 5-10)

• Encourage them to ask the chef questions about the cooking
• Talk about what they’re seeing to enhance the learning experience
• Let them practice using chopsticks if they’re interested
• Consider ordering the Kids Teriyaki Chicken as a safe but exciting choice

Tweens/Teens (Ages 11+)

• They might enjoy ordering from the adult menu for more variety
• Encourage them to try the sushi side of Thai Spice’s menu as well
• Let them capture photos or videos of the cooking performance
• Involve them in choosing combination plates for the family to share

Special Occasions That Shine at Hibachi

While hibachi dining is fantastic for everyday family meals, it really shines for special celebrations:

Birthday Celebrations

Many hibachi chefs have special birthday routines or songs. When making your reservation, be sure to mention if someone in your party is celebrating a birthday so the staff can make it extra special.

Good Report Cards & Achievements

Hibachi makes a memorable reward for academic achievements or sports victories. The festive atmosphere underscores that this meal is a true celebration of their hard work.

Family Reunions

When family comes to visit from out of town, Thai Spice’s hibachi provides both a meal and an activity in one. It’s especially great for groups with different ages, as everyone from grandparents to the youngest cousins can enjoy the experience together.

Graduation Celebrations

For older kids graduating from elementary school, middle school, or high school, a hibachi dinner makes for a memorable celebration that the whole family can enjoy together.

Parent Testimonials

While we couldn’t find specific testimonials for Thai Spice’s hibachi experience with children, hibachi dining is universally popular with families. Parents regularly note how the interactive nature of the meal keeps children engaged and interested throughout dinner.

The combination of entertainment and quality food creates positive associations with dining out, potentially making future restaurant visits easier as children learn that restaurants can be fun, engaging places.

Planning Your Family Hibachi Experience

Ready to treat your family to this exciting dining adventure? Here are some tips to ensure your visit to Thai Spice goes smoothly:

Reservations Recommended

While not always required, making reservations is strongly recommended for family hibachi dining, especially:

• On weekends
• During school holidays
• For parties of 6 or more (Note: As their menu states, “A Gratuity of 20% will automatically be added for party of 6 or more persons.”)

Call (210) 658-1665 to secure your table and mention that you’ll have children in your party so they can prepare accordingly.

Timing Is Everything

Consider your children’s natural rhythms when planning your visit:

• Avoid times when they’re typically tired or hungry
• Earlier dinner times (5-6pm) often work best for families with young children
• Lunch hibachi can be less crowded and sometimes more affordable

What to Bring

A few strategic items can enhance your family’s experience:

• Booster seats for smaller children (though the restaurant likely has some available)
• A small, quiet activity for very young children during any waiting periods
• A camera to capture the excitement and reactions
• Hand sanitizer for post-hibachi cleanup

Setting Expectations

Before you go, let your children know what to expect:

• Explain that there will be flames and noise, but it’s all part of the fun
• Set ground rules about staying seated during cooking demonstrations
• Let them know they’ll be sharing a table with other people if your group is small
• Build excitement about the performance aspect of the meal

A Complete Family Meal: From Soup to Dessert

To round out your family’s hibachi experience at Thai Spice, don’t skip dessert! Their sweet offerings are the perfect finale to your meal:

• Coconut Sweet Rice ($7): Topped with sweet coconut custard
• Mango Sweet Rice ($7): Topped with fresh ripe mango slices
• Fried Ice Cream ($7): Described as “a must try! creamy vanilla ice cream fried within a crispy outer shell of sweet pound cake”
• Mochi Ice Cream ($7): Green tea, mango and strawberry flavors

These sweet treats provide a delightful end to your family’s hibachi adventure and give kids something to look forward to after they finish their main meal.

Your Next Family Dinner Adventure Awaits!

Located at 8327 Agora Parkway, Suite 135 in Selma, Thai Spice Sushi & Hibachi is perfectly positioned to serve families from Selma, Universal City, and the greater San Antonio area. With its combination of entertainment, quality food, and family-friendly atmosphere, it offers an ideal solution for parents seeking a dining experience that everyone can enjoy.

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply looking to break the monotony of everyday family dinners, Thai Spice’s hibachi experience creates memories that will have your children asking, “When can we go back?”

So gather the family, bring your appetite, and prepare for an evening of food, fun, and excitement that will have everyone – from the youngest to the oldest – thoroughly entertained. Your family’s new favorite dinner tradition awaits!

 

 

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Thai Spice Sushi & Hibachi is located at 8327 Agora Parkway, Suite 135, Selma, TX 78154. For reservations or to place an order, call (210) 658-1665 or visit their website at thaispicesa.com.

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Menu item prices are subject to change.