Lunch Adventure Henry Vilas Zoo

Sometimes we find ourselves in odd places where a trip to the deli for a decent salad isn’t possible, and situational constraints require creative action to avoid eating out of a vending machine. Other times we just need to escape the stuffy confines of traditional restaurant dining, so we embark on Lunch Adventures.

Henry Vilas Zoo (702 S. Randall Ave., 608-266-4732)

Why you’re really there: For some reason you have toddlers in tow, and the zoo is a great place to run those rascals ragged. Running from station to station, watching monkeys swing, seals swim, flamingos stand on one leg, and bison emit odor will make anyone feel like a kid and work up a ferocious appetite to boot. Watching all those goats chow down at the petting zoo doesn’t help either.

You won’t find this in most restaurants: Living animals (wild ones at that) don’t get to rep much at restaurants due to pesky health codes. But plunk down on one of the metal picnic tables at the zoo and you’ll be able to enjoy a soothingly familiar menu mélange of french fries, nachos, bratwurst, and chili dogs, all within poop-throwing range of many furry friends. And since the theme for the day is animals, you may as well buy the gorilla-head lunchbox—and the animal crackers, too.

Delightful discovery: Kids’ meals, which come in the aforementioned animal head facsimile lunchbox, contain super-puffy Uncrustables peanut butter and grape jelly sandwiches neatly sealed at the edges to avoid mess (like a Cornish pasty). Crisp, tart apple slices and cartons of cold milk complete a relatively healthy lunch for little ones.

Signature selection: Drinks come in oversized animal-centric sippy cups linked to various zoo denizens. A blue slurpee is served sloshing around in a big, plastic tub printed with pleasant time-passing quizzes that helpfully remind readers of the threat global warming poses to polar bears.

Chance of a return visit: The summer is long and sometimes money is short, so a free zoo will always be a good option.