Pinballz Kingdom

Great care from staff, Xavier took care of us and he a valuable asset to your company. My friends and I had a blast!

The mayonnaise based cole-​slaw tasted like it may have turned, but management was quick to offer a substitute side. Draft beer was a little warmer than I care for, but the customer service was excellent! Great customer service!

It was fun for a while going back and forth between the two Pinballz locations. The north location has more games, the Buda one can be pretty quiet and less crowded. I never had any problem redeeming tickets from one location at the other. This past trip some manager decided on the spot while I was redeeming tickets that they weren’t going to take ticket vouchers from the N. Austin location anymore.
I’ll just stick to the north location from now on since the Buda one employs power tripping managers.

Had some out-​of-​towners with kids, 6, 8 and 12, come to visit and we took them here. They had so much fun, complaining that they have nothing like this place where they live.

Pinballz Kingdom is more than just an arcade, it’s a restaurant with pretty darn good dining fare and a bar with an excellent selection of beers and other libations. The staff, even when the place is packed and things get pretty hectic, are extremely helpful, attentive and friendly.
You cannot go wrong with the fish and chips, so I highly suggest giving that a try. I’ve also had the Cesar Salad with their homemade croutons and it was tasty, as well. Pizza dough is made from scratch daily and it was pretty darn good when we have tried it.
It’s a locally owned establishment, which gives me even more of a reason to patronize them.
The kids can play video games with game play cards, so there’s no losing quarters or bills. I suggest using the machine to get your card, as I don’t remember it being the $ 1 to get the card, as it is if you get it from the counter folks.
Many of the games give back tickets for the kids to win prizes; everything from small trinkets to larger items they can save up for.
There are even, for those of us that love those old school games, plenty of them and great pinball choices. So be sure to walk around and check the entire game room area out.
While the kids are playing games, mom and dad can enjoy some really great beers on tap, or the plenty of other concoctions they’ve put together at the bar, as well as the game on TV our in the biergarten. Out in the biergarten area, there are some outside games, as well; jenga and other games — check it out!
There are always quite a few members of staff around, just in case there’s an issue with a game or questions you might have. The managers are constantly walking around, checking on folks to make sure everyone is happy and all needs are met to the best of their ability.
All in all, this a great place for everyone to enjoy a night out.
Grab your friends and head on over!

We had he best time with our 16 yr old AND our 18 month old! Great fun for all ages. Reasonable prices for food and all games.

Great great place. Bit of a drive out of the city, and can be hard to spot the first time you go there. But it’s great fun, tons and tons of pinball and classic arcade games, even a bunch of new ones I didn’t know they still made. Food court, alcohol, everything. I really enjoyed it.

Absolutely awesome and thoughtful management. We’ve been there before, and we’re planning an event but had to cancel (with hope of rescheduling) because of all the recent flooding. They were EXTREMELY thoughtful and were happy to work with us on rescheduling. Very refreshing to have a place go above and beyond to make sure customers are happy! Thanks again!

Very very pleased with the service. I love seeing a manager whose on the floor helping with the arcade and even helped me at the bar getting a to go box.
I came for the wings and my son wanted to play games. The wings were great and I ordered the cheese fries SOOO good. Be careful though, they put fresh slice jalapeños, had my mouth on fire!
Thumbs up to the manager who was so helpful today!

There’s still a lot of potential for this place since years ago it used to be a truck stop. It’s slowly making it’s way up however. I love the dragon outside and that there are quite a few games for 75 cents a play. Many of you who have a nostalgia for 80s arcade games will appreciate what PK has to offer. The play cards (if bought at the counter) are $ 1 for the initial charge up (for a new card) but I noticed when I used the free standing card machine, I didn’t get charged for it.
We had five people in our group and spent about two hours with a $ 10 card each. Not bad. Of course, we took our time and perused (even thought two of us had already been here, there were some games that were switched out from our last visit). It still has a little ways to go in terms of its cousin, Pinballz Arcade in Austin but at least here there’s a ton more space for possibilities.

Awesome! Finally an arcade with games that aren’t just giving me tickets to buy junk. I love pinball games so ya know it sang to me. Most of the games were working, I only noticed one that wasn’t. The Pulled Pork Nachos were not good.

This place has a serial problem with games that charge your card but fail to give credit. I finally pointed this out to employee Jordan who proceeded to explain the card’s transaction history and defend the crummy system. Inexcusable — I miss the token days.

Best Pizza I ever had, and of course I ain’t gonna pass up a bar. Tried their Grapes Of Wrath, and give it a 3 out of 5. Wings were also an OK, but again, I suggest try their pizza, especially the Meat Mania. Hell, that pizza was so good, it would turn Vegans into hypocrites. Also the arcade is a must.

I’ve been wanting to check out this place for a while and finally did. Its a typical arcade. It was fun to play Time Crisis. 3 AND 4 :-D Also realized that I get way too excited playing games. There are drink stands all around so that’s really nice and seat/​stools all around also. We went early on a Saturday night and it wasn’t crowded at all. Very much like a GattiTown but much cleaner and the games are well kept. Also, everything is for sale apparently, but overpriced. Bar food was ehh. but it’s nice to have a drink and snacks when you’re taking a break from playing games.

I really like the atmosphere here. They have a great bar selection, a lot of fun games, and plenty of space.
I’ve only tried the food a couple times, but it wasn’t really anything to brag about.
It can definitely get crowded at times, so I try to avoid going during busy hours when there aren’t kids everywhere.
Prices seem a bit high, but that’s everyplace in Austin nowadays.
Overall they are still growing and adding new things, so I’m sure it will only get better.

We decided to make the trip to Buda because it was pretty nasty outside and we had ½ loaded coin cards, laying around, all over the place.
Upon arrival, we headed to the bar to grab a bite and a drink. First thing on the menu I tried to order was the stuffed pretzels. I was told by the bartender that they didn’t have this item. Thinking that the item had been discontinued, I asked why, because it was still on the menu. She quickly rolled her eyes and snapped back, stating that «they were out of stock, ugh.» Ooook. Well, we’ll have to try something different then. Lol. By this point, I think she realized what a B she had been and was back to being in better spirits. We got our food a few minutes later, ate (meh) and proceeded to head out into the gaming area.
Omg, this place was crawling with people.
*However, they recently transferred over my all time favorite pinball game and there was no line for this beauty… Bride of Pinbot.
I think the north location, though it’s byob instead of having a bar, is more adult friendly. They don’t have all the ticket earning, kiddie games the Buda location has.
Overall, the Buda location has well maintained games and the staff members seem to be in good spirits for having to deal with booger eating 7 – 15 year olds all day.
All in all, a decent day.
Best.

Some friends and I made the trek south to Buda to see an Austin band we liked. Don’t let the name fool you (and it probably will), Pinballz Kingdom is more kingdom than pinball. It’s obviously a place in transition with big hopes and dreams for its future.
When you enter under the giant leering dragon, you’re in the covered patio section with a large number of picnic tables, a cement dance floor, and a raised stage for a full band. This section also sports a full bar in a floating cubicle. This is where the band played, after interminable sound checking and house system adjusting. So there are some kinks to work out there.
Entering the building, you’ll find the pinball kingdom. The weekend night we were there, it was absolutely overrun with wild children and slightly less wild adults. I navigated around a group of kids sword fighting with their prize ninja swords to get to the bathrooms, which require a trip through a maze of machines all the way to the back of the building. The front part of this middle section has tables and a full bar, where parents sat enjoying food and libations. The pizza looked tasty, and they also offer a variety of typical bar food snacks. Our cheese sticks and onion rings were typical out-​da-​box and heated up offerings. The variety of tap and bottled beer is impressive. They also have a wine list and a nice collection of brand alcohol and mixers. So you can eat and drink while your kids slay the dragon and passersby in the kingdom behind you. And that’s exactly what it appeared was happening in there.
Way out back is a fairly peaceful and nicely lighted Biergarten, with a covered patio and bar and an open graveled patio section. Pleasant music played on the sound system while parents and kids ate, drank, and played games like Jenga with giant wooden blocks and horseshoes and washers out in the back. I noticed signs that said kids are no longer allowed in the Biergarten after 10PM.
This would be a perfect place to put a band, but alas, the stage is out front and no one knew the band was there playing unless they happened to notice on their way in or out under the dragon. Maybe I’m spoiled, coming from Austin where we adore live music, but it seems like they could be doing a better job featuring the professional live acts. Maybe that’s in the works?
They have plenty of empty space out back of the establishment, and there were rumors that a go-​kart track is planned. This could become Buda’s #1 theme park. The indoor area and Biergarten were packed with locals on a weekend night, so it’s obvious that this is a regular family hangout spot. All the servers were friendly and efficient, the drinks were great, food decent. They just have some adjustments to make as they develop this kingdom that is rising up from the remains of a burned-​out truck stop. Maybe a new name would help. But definitely, keep that dragon. We like it weird in Austin, and Buda could use a little weird, too.

Food is amazing!!! I don’t know where the bad reviewers eat, but the food is off the charts! Pretty much everything is made in house. I’ve been there four times and it was great every time. Their isn’t waiter service so you have to order food from the bar. The menu is mostly targeted at adults but there’s plenty there for kids as well.
Chicken strips are amazing and made in house, no frozen breaded stuff, very fresh.
Pulled pork sandwich is one of the best I’ve ever had.
Wings are fantastic, they smoke them first and then fry them. Great flavor to the meat.
Pit Beef sandwich had amazing flavor to the meat.
The nachos weren’t my thing as I’m not a fan of having queso sauce on my nachos. But the pulled pork on them was great.
They also used to have their own ketchup that they make in house that’s way better than Heinz, but they pulled it off because of complaints from people wanting regular ketchup. I’ve been able to get it when I’ve gone in by requesting it specifically. So ask for the bloody Mary ketchup when you go in to give it a try.
Large beer selection with many on tap. Great bar, friendly staff. Good times. Check it out.
Oh yeah, they’ve got some great retro and new arcade games too!

They are doing good with the video games, I have not played «Rastan» since high school, was really surprised that they had it, that kinda did it for me. Now for the food, I think it could be done a bit better, especially for the price. The onion rings come drenched in a sweet spicy sauce that just makes the rings go limp after a few minutes, food staff did not have any desire to come and ask if you needed anything, they looked more like bartenders who have to take food orders and wouldn’t be getting a tip for doing so, and that by itself would keep anybody for ordering food, get a person designated for food service, and some quality control. Nobody is gonna pay $ 60 – 70 dollars for a family of four to eat, work on it please.

My family and I just got home from Pinballz, and I have some very mixed feelings.
We wanted to eat first so we went to the restaurant area, sat down and waited. And waited. Waited some more. We saw employees tended to the few other guests and cleaning tables but ignoring us. After roughly ten minutes one of the young ladies put a sign by the register that stated «Order here». There weren’t any menus n the tables but there is a chalk sign on the side wall with the menu options. So my husband walked to the register to order.
We ordered mozzarella cheese sticks, spicy wings, a pizza for the kids, a cheeseburger, and a cheese steak. There is no kid’s menu, we found that kind of annoying. After all there are plenty of kid’s games. The food was beyond disappointing.
Cheese sticks — Pretty much your standard cheese sticks that you can get in the frozen section of HEB.
Buffalo wing — We ordered Spicy Buffalo flavor. They tasted like BBQ suaced wings with some Tabasco added. The ranch had no flavor.
Cheeseburger — Bland. No taste at all.
Cheese Steak — This was awful. Bland, tasteless horribly dry meat with VERY LITTLE cheese. I ate half of a sandwich that cost me $ 10.
French fries for each meal was an EXTRA $ 2. They were just ok but at least they had salt on them.
Pepperoni Pizza — Not horrible but I won’t bother with it again.
So that meal, with four sodas, cost us $ 62 and it was barely edible.
We did not have any cocktails as we didn’t take a chance on such expensive drinks.
The arcade however was fun. Plenty of games for kids of all ages. Most of the games were $ 1 — $ 1.50, a few at $.75 and two or three that were $.50. There were plenty of games that gave tickets, and gave lot’s of tickets. The redemption counter has your standard toys, with as expected ticket values. Much like Chuck E Cheese or Gattiland.
They have a TON of old pinball games which I found pretty cool, although a few of them barely worked and one that I played had no sound. Also in that corner is a very impressive collection of old cabinet arcade games.
The restrooms were a bit hard to find and absolutely FREEZING.
Overall we will may visit again but we will make sure to eat somewhere else first. I’m really not happy that I now have to go make dinner after having paying so much for dinner two hours ago.