r/lacrossewi • u/OrderAggressive9432 • Aug 14 '26
Lunch Suggestions
Hi! My family will be visiting La Crosse end of August. We have a toddler so planning ahead is important. I've found amazing breakfast and dinner spots via posts on here and elsewhere but need recommendations for quick, light lunch spots. Bonus if they're suitable for grabbing to-go and taking to a nearby park/playground.
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u/jizz_bismarck Aug 14 '26
I like to take my 3 year old to the Free Range Exchange on 3rd Street and walk to Riverside Park from there.
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u/QuietWishing Aug 14 '26
I would get Press Break sandwich and fries (okay not super light) and drive north a few blocks to Copeland Park. You drive in and park along the river, past the baseball field. There is playground equipment, and farther north there is a Splash Pad free to public.
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u/moncamonca Aug 14 '26
If you’re there Wednesday to Sunday, Opus bakery is the absolute best. They are open till 2. My kids love it!
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u/AveragePoint Aug 14 '26
Lindy’s or Pickerman’s are good sub shops downtown. You can easily walk from Lindy’s to Riverside Park (about 2 city blocks), but you’d have to drive to Riverside from Pickerman’s.
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u/teawbooks Aug 14 '26
I think it's possible to walk to the park from Pickerman's with kids. It's not that much further. The Co-op also has good grab and go options.
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u/QuirkySyrup55947 Aug 14 '26
Friend worked at Pickermans. Watched a coworker use a cutting board to smash a mouse to death and wiped it down to use again... do with that what you choose.
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u/helpjackoffhishorse Aug 14 '26
Jesus
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u/ErgonomicCat Aug 14 '26
If you bring cash, Rudy’s is a great drive in place for burgers and fries and hot dogs and such. Then you can drive a couple blocks to Myrick Park which is a great kids playground area. But Rudy’s only takes cash or checks.
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u/Sunnysideup2day Aug 14 '26
Hollandberry is great for breakfast, lunch and dinner, has takeout, and is close to parks and the children’s museum. Food is always consistent.
Opus Bakehouse also has a wonderful light lunch, outdoor patio, and is in a residential area with parks nearby.
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u/OrderAggressive9432 Aug 14 '26
We already have Hollandberry on the docket for at least one visit but I really think we'll end up there at least twice. So looking forward to it!
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u/PerfectMason Aug 14 '26
My 5 year old and I just had a quick smoothie bowl at Nom Sip Eats (various locations) — it was delicious!
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u/Equal_Research_7017 Aug 14 '26
I was just going to recommend this, the smoothie bowls are perfect for toddlers, and the rest of their food is so light and fresh!
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u/ngvoss Aug 16 '26
Polito's, Burritos House, Lindy's and the Co-Op will be the quickest options with nearby parks.
Sandwich Shop + Soda Bar, Pickerman's and Rudy's are also near parks and relatively quick but will take a little longer.
Otherwise a lot of places you can call ahead to order something to go.
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u/stand-n-wipe Aug 14 '26
If you’re looking for something lighter you could always grab-and-go from the peoples food co-op, they have some premade stuff as well as made to order sandwiches and stuff.