Is there still an area where families can bring a cooler and eat their lunch there?

There are so many places to eat. We packed a picnic and found a ton of places we could eat.

I don't know if it's openly condoned by the zoo, but I know my family and I usually pack and eat around the carnivore cafe or beer garden area. There's also a little area near the kids petting zoo where there are umbrellas and shade as well.

There certainly is. Lots of people eat their lunches by the carnivore cafe.