Eating out is by far one of our favorite things to do. It is so much fun to experience new cuisine, eat something you have never tried before or just go back to your favorite burger joint. It’s even better when we find a place where kids eat free!
If you’ve had a rough day and just cannot fathom the idea of cooking dinner, head to a local restaurant and treat yourself to a dish you love! It will instantly make you feel a little better.
We know, we know, eating out is pricey. That puts a little damper on the whole “let go of everything and head to a restaurant” idea, especially when you are going out with the whole family.
Three people out at a restaurant adds up quickly. And if you have more than one kid, the price skyrockets per child.
Table of Contents
- Where to Find Kids Eat Free Restaurants
- 1. Chili’s
- 2. Bob Evans
- 3. Denny’s
- 4. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
- 5. Johnny Rockets
- 6. Ruby Tuesday
- 7. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
- 8. IHOP
- 9. Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery
- 10. Fogo de Chão
- 11. Miller’s Ale House
- 12. Duffy’s Sports Grill
- 13. Moe’s Southwest Grill
- 14. Pollo Tropical
- 15. Texas Roadhouse
- 16. The Melting Pot
- 17. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
- 18. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
- Places Where Kids Eat Free (Almost) or Have Kids’ Freebies
- Summary
Where to Find Kids Eat Free Restaurants
We’re here to help with this list of restaurants where kids eat for free (or almost free).
This thorough list contains a lot of great deals that will really help you save on your dining out experience!
1. Chili’s
The Deal: Join their loyalty program for a free kids’ meal with the purchase of any regular entrée
Everyone loves Chili’s. Burgers, pasta, soups, salads – whatever you’re in the mood for, you’ll find it here. It is a great family-friendly hangout spot and loud enough where you don’t have to worry about how loud your kids are being!
Join the My Chili’s Rewards loyalty program and you’ll end up with free chips & salsa at every meal as well as personalized rewards like free kids’ meals, appetizers, delivery, desserts, and more!
2. Bob Evans
The Deal: Tuesdays after 4 pm – Free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée
Craving a home-cooked meal but don’t want to rev up the oven? Head on over to Bob Evans on Tuesday afternoons. Pick up the kids from school, wait ’til 4 pm at the playground, and then head over for dinner.
3. Denny’s
The Deal: Free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée purchase of $6 or more (days and participation vary by location)
This one varies by location, so be sure to call in advance to see what your local Denny’s offers. This is a good one, though, because a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée over $6 means you’ll get a lot of food for under $10!
4. Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
The Deal: Sundays – One free kids’ meal per check with a minimum $12 purchase
Sundays are for BBQ… especially when a free meal is involved! Go ahead and run over to Dickey’s Barbecue Pit this Sunday and enjoy a delicious meal of BBQ brisket or ribs with all the fixings. Then get your kid’s meal free and enjoy a happy family Sunday!
5. Johnny Rockets
The Deal: Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4-8 pm – Free kids’ meal with the purchase of a regular-priced adult burger or sandwich
Drive over to Johnny Rockets after your kids’ soccer practice to enjoy a juicy burger, milkshake, and fries while kids eat free.
6. Ruby Tuesday
The Deal: Tuesdays after 5 pm – One free kid entrée per adult entrée
Ruby Tuesday is another old favorite. Head on over to the salad bar and let your kids dig into a plate of mac & cheese on Tuesday evenings. This really is the best deal for the whole family!
7. Romano’s Macaroni Grill
The Deal: Mondays and Tuesdays – Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée
Romano’s Macaroni Grill is one of the only Italian restaurants we were able to verify that had a kids eat free promotion.
This one is nice because you can get a nice fancy adult meal and the kids will still eat for free. All you are paying for is the adult entrées, but you still get a really nice experience. It’s worth checking this one out!
8. IHOP
The Deal: Free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée
IHOP is a classic diner that has regular offers kids eat free promotions. It’s a great place to get breakfast in the morning or late at night, but the best part is that you can often find lots of kids eat free deals there. Be sure to call to find out what day they do it at your local IHOP.
9. Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery
The Deal: Tuesday and Saturdays – Free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entrée
Whether you want to go on a chill weeknight or a busier weekend, Marie Callender’s is a great place to go get a nice home-cooked type meal, just like your mom or grandma would have made you at home when you were a kid. Don’t forget a slice of pie before you go, too!
10. Fogo de Chão
The Deal: Free for children under 6; half-price for children ages 7-12
Next time you are out and craving a nice steakhouse dinner, head over to Fogo de Chão. The Fogo Churrasco Experience for children 6 and under is complimentary, and for children ages 7-12 it’s half price. It’s definitely a deal to take advantage of!
11. Miller’s Ale House
The Deal: Tuesdays – Free kid’s meal with the purchase of $10+ menu item (excluding alcohol), limit 2 per table
Did the stars align and a good game landed on a Tuesday? Take the family over to Miller’s Ale House. Buy yourself some wings and other appetizers to celebrate, and then you will be eligible for a free kids’ meal!
12. Duffy’s Sports Grill
The Deal: Wednesdays – Free kids’ meal per adult meal purchase
Duffy’s is a great place to enjoy some wings or ribs. If you have a game to watch on a Wednesday night, head on over and enjoy it at Duffy’s with the family.
They have a dining room away from the bar that makes it totally family-friendly and a fun place to take the kiddos.
13. Moe’s Southwest Grill
The Deal: Sundays – Free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée of $6 or more
We couldn’t get through an entire page of kids eat free deals without mentioning a place where you can get burritos and tacos while still getting free kids meals!
Moe’s offers one kid meal free per adult entrée purchased on Sundays. There’s a specific kids’ menu to choose the free meal from, but there are a few options your kids will love!
14. Pollo Tropical
The Deal: Tuesdays – Kids eat free
In the mood for Cuban food? If there’s a Pollo Tropical near you, head over for some rice, beans, and grilled chicken. Go on Tuesdays so you can get that free kids’ meal, too!
15. Texas Roadhouse
The Deal: Tuesdays or Wednesdays – Kids eat free (differs based on location)
Be sure to call ahead to find out if your Texas Roadhouse location offers free kids’ meals on Tuesday or Wednesday, but be ready to go enjoy a nice juicy steak with a loaded baked potato.
Your kids will be so entertained watching the servers dancing through the dining room and all the fun treats handed out on kids eat free night!
16. The Melting Pot
The Deal: Sundays – One free child’s entrée plate with the purchase of an adult 4-course dinner
If you want to take your kids on a really fun date, take them to The Melting Pot. This is an experience they surely won’t forget. This is perfect for an early Sunday afternoon parent/child date!
17. Cafe Rio Mexican Grill
The Deal: Free kids’ quesadilla any day of the week
The catch: you must dine in! However, as delicious as Cafe Rio is, you are not going to want to wait to eat it. So take the kiddos on in and enjoy a delicious bowl of your favorite food while they chomp on a cheesy quesadilla!
18. Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ
The Deal: Wednesdays – Kids eat free
Bring the family to Crave Hot Dogs & BBQ for smoked brisket, pulled chicken and pulled pork, all-beef hot dogs, and more. Kids eat free every Wednesday!
Places Where Kids Eat Free (Almost) or Have Kids’ Freebies
19. Steak ‘n Shake
The Deal: Earn a $5 reward for every $50 spent (all kids’ meals are priced under $5)
Steak ‘n Shake offers a rewards program in which you earn a $5 reward for every $50 spent. On the menu, all kids’ meals are $5 or less.
So start going through the drive-thru of your favorite Steak ‘n Shake for fries and a milkshake every so often and after a few visits, you will have your $5 reward to take your kids out for a fun dinner.
20. Fuddruckers
The Deal: Mondays after 4 pm – $1.99 kids’ meal with adult purchase
We absolutely love Fuddruckers because it’s such a fun experience for kids. It’s totally worth taking them out on a “kids eat discounted” night!
Each kid’s meal basket comes with a little token that the kids can take over to the little bakery at the center of each Fuddruckers and turn in for a cookie of their choice. It’s so fun for them!
21. O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar
The Deal: $0.99 kids’ meals daily
Some O’Charley’s locations have a great deal – a $0.99 kids’ meal any day of the week!
Although not entirely free, this is the most consistent as you do not have to look up what day the deal is offered. Show up any day, any time, and let your kids enjoy a kids’ meal for less than $1.
22. Beef ‘O’ Brady’s
The Deal: Tuesdays – $2.99 kids’ meals all-day
The kids’ meal portions here are nice, so $2.99 for a dinner for the kiddos is a great deal. The best part is that at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, all kids’ meals include a side, drink, and treat.
23. Chevys Fresh Mex
The Deal: Wednesdays – Get a kids’ meal for $1 with the purchase of one adult entrée
At Chevys Fresh Mex, kids will love this fun restaurant where they can get any meal for $1. You will be able to enjoy some delicious Mexican food and a nice discount, too.
Each $1 kids’ meal requires the purchase of an adult entrée. Kids can also take home a tortilla dough ball and a pit to grow their own avocado tree.
24. Wendy’s
The Deal: Kids eat for $1.99 after 4 pm
This deal isn’t available all the time, but when it is, it’s a good one! Head to Wendy’s for a burger, fries, and Frosty and your kids can also enjoy a kids’ meal for less than two bucks.
Combine their deal with a deal for your own meal on Wendy’s app and you can save some good money on dinner!
25. Zaxby’s
The Deal: Tuesday nights – Free kid’s meal with every adult meal purchase
Zaxby’s is on this list…score! There is nothing better than their fried tenders in their amazing Zaxby’s sauce. So grab your kids and drive over on Tuesday night to get a delicious dinner and a freebie along the way.
Disclaimer
We did thorough research on these restaurants, and at the time of writing these promotions were accurate and valid. We also gave as many details as possible to help you find the best restaurant to suit your needs.
However, we do encourage you to call the restaurant you are planning to visit before heading out to ensure that the location is offering the deal. Some locations are franchises and others are privately owned, so promotions may vary by location.
Calling beforehand ensures you don’t waste a trip to a restaurant that has ended a given promotion. Calling in advance also allows you to find which restaurant will give you the best deal on a given night.
If you do find a change somewhere, please reach out to us! We want to keep this list as accurate as possible.
Summary
This list is just the beginning of all the free options out there for dining with kids. Keep in mind that these offers do change, so be sure to confirm before heading over.
Get adventurous and call some places in your area that aren’t on this list and ask if they offer any freebies for kids. You may be surprised and find your favorite location has a yummy surprise for your kids!
