When you take a whole crew out to eat, it can burn through your food budget. Thankfully, many national and local restaurants let kids eat free or at a discount on select days of the week. Taking advantage of these free meals will cut down your restaurant bills and allow you to eat out as a family more often.
Note that many restaurants offering free kids meals put restrictions on the deals. Many of them have age limits, the free meal must be from the kids menu and accompanied by an adult entree purchase, and not all restaurants participate in the deal. You should always call ahead and ask your local restaurant if they offer these family deals before you head out.
And come closer so we can whisper this into your ear: Many local and chain restaurants have free or discounted kids’ meals and don’t advertise them. You must ask your server if they are offering a promotion. So don’t be shy —if you don’t ask, your kids don’t eat free. (Check out our Living on the Cheap network sites for more restaurant deals near you.)
Here’s the list of restaurants where kids eat for free or cheap nearly every day of the week.
Kids eat free or cheap on Mondays
Rainforest Cafe: For the month of September, kids can eat from a customizable menu for only 99 cents. The webpage also says that there is a kids-eat-free option if you are a Landry’s Select Club member. Check it out here.
Kids eat free Tuesdays
Black-Eyed Pea: Kids eat free every Tuesday after 4 pm, according to the kids menu listed on the restaurants’ site. One free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree.
Bob Evans: Get a free kids meal when you spend at least $15 before tax on the Bob Evans app.
Denny’s: Buy an adult entree for $6 or more, get up to two free kids’ meals from the kids’ menu. The days and participation may vary by location. Restrictions may apply. One free entrée per child. Offer valid for dine in only.
Village Inn: Kids eat free every Tuesday for a limited time and only at select locations. The offer is valid for dine-in only, with the purchase of an adult entrée, for kids 10 and under.
Kids eat free or cheap Wednesdays
Luby’s: Kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays with an adult entree purchase. The offer is for children ages 12 and under. This offer may vary according to location, so always call your local restaurant to confirm.
Red Robin: Every Wednesday, Red Robin Kids’ Meals are 50% off, including entrees, sides and beverages. And dining in means unlimited free refills of bottomless sides and drinks! Use promo code KIDSMEAL50 if you are ordering to-go. There is a minimum purchase and some locations may not participate, so call first.
Smashburger: Participating locations are offering a Wednesday kids-eat-free deal. Children aged 12 or younger eat free with the purchase of an adult entree and drink. Kids’ meals include entree, fries, and a drink.
Kids eat free on Thursdays
Cotton Patch Cafe: Kids eat free every Thursday with a minimum of a $10 entrée.
Kids eat free on Fridays
Ruby Tuesday: If it’s Friday, kids eat free at Ruby Tuesdays! Dine in and purchase an adult entree, and one child age 10 or younger eats free. Some locations may have limitations, so ask your server or call ahead.
Kids eat free Saturdays
Denny’s: Some restaurants offers free kids meals on Saturdays from 4 pm to 10 pm. The offer is valid for two free kids menu entrées with the purchase of an adult entrée for $6 or more. Offer is for dine-in only and may vary by location.
Hooters : Hooters guests enjoy one free kids meal if they dine in on Saturdays or Sundays, with the purchase of an adult entree. Not all restaurants participate in this offer, so call first. The offer cannot be combined with other offers.
Luby’s: Wednesday’s deal is the same on Saturday! Kids eat free on Wednesdays and Saturdays with an adult entree purchase. Kids must be 12 or under. This offer may vary according to location, so always call your local restaurant to confirm.
Kids eat free Sundays
Arriba: This Phoenix area restaurant chain offers one kids meal fromt he kids menu free for every adult meal purchased on Sunday.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Sundays are free days for kids! Purchase an order of $12 or more in the store or by ordering online using the promo code KEFOLO.
Hooters: Hooters has Kids Eat Free Weekends, so guests can take advantage of this offer on either Saturday or Sunday. Buy one adult entree in the restaurant to receive one free kids meal. Some restaurants may not particpate in this offer, so a call ahead is always a smart idea.
Kids eat free on select days
Applebee’s: Every Applebee’s restaurant sets its own rules when it comes to this deal, so call your local Applebee’s to ask about kids meal discounts. Some stores let kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée or offer special menus for kids.
Chili’s: Become a My Chili’s Rewards member and you’ll get free kids meal rewards and offers that can be redeemed in-restaurant and online. The loyalty club is free to join, but there isn’t a set schedule for when the deals will show up in your account.
Fogo de Chao: This restaurant’s FAQ section states that children six and under eat free from a complimentary menu at Fogo. Kids aged 7 to 12 dine at half-price.
Holiday Inn: Holiday Inn guests can eat at the on-site restaurant, and up to four kids ages 12 and under can eat free from the kids’ menu for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The meal must consist of at least one main course and one dessert, and children must be accompanied by an adult who is registered as a guest.
IKEA: There are some “kids eat free” specials throughout the year, and some locations may offer a kids eat free deal on a certain day of the week. Typically, IKEA Family members get a maximum of two free kids deals with the purchase of one adult entrée at the Swedish Restaurant, weekdays only. These deals change quickly, so call first if you have questions.
Tony Roma’s: Kids eat free all day long, according to the promo card on this restaurants’ website. Tony Roma’s changes its promos routinely, so always ask about any deal before ordering.
Woody’s BarBQ: Located in Florida and Pennsylvania, this restaurant chains’s locations vary the days of Kids Eat Free Nights, so call ahead for verification. Children under the age of 10 can eat free from the Kids menu with the purchase of an adult entree. One child per adult purchase.
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