When you’ve got extra mouths to feed, dining out can cost a pretty penny. Nevertheless, there are definitely days when I just can’t fathom having to whip up yet another picky eater-approved dinner and want to pass the job onto someone else. Good news: If you ever feel a similar need to take a break from cooking, you can do so without breaking the bank. Read on for a list of restaurants where kids eat free, which was put together by searching for major chains that folks all over the country have access to. Just keep in mind that many of the following restaurants are franchises, which means the deals may vary significantly by location, so it’s a good idea to call and confirm before you head out in hopes of a free meal.
1. Chili’s
It’s not a sure thing, but Chili’s does offer “kids eat free” promotions very regularly to guests who earn points by signing up for a My Chili’s Rewards account. They will send you text alerts so you never miss a free kids meal, too. That said, it’s important to keep in mind that, although these specials pop up fairly often, the more you eat at the chain the more you’ll come across such deals. (It is a rewards program after all.)
2. Denny’s
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Ages: 12 and under
Days Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
Stipulations: must purchase an adult entree
Free Kids Meal Items: jr. grand slam breakfast, chocolate chip pancakes, chicken tenders, cheeseburger, mac and cheese
Locations Vary?: yes
One of America’s favorite 24-hour diner chains, Denny’s, offers a pretty sweet deal, allowing up to two kids to eat for free every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the purchase of a full price adult entree. That said, most but not all locations participate, so it’s best to call before you head out in hopes of free diner fare.
3. Perkins
Birthday dinner just got a little better. Sign your kid (age 12 and younger) up for the Perkins Birthday Club and they can score a free meal at any time during their birthday week.
4. Applebee’s
Applebee’s is a family favorite and there is indeed a Kids Eat Free deal to be found there—though when you can cash in varies considerably by location and many of the special deals are reserved for folks who belong to Club Applebee’s. Nevertheless, some of their restaurants offer kid discounts on a weekly basis to pretty much anyone, while others reserve it for holidays, so you’ll need to call to get the lowdown.
5. Red Robin
Red Robin is a top contender for best burger chain restaurant in my book, and if you join the Red Robin Rewards Program your kid will get one free birthday burger at any time during their birth month. (I also have it on good authority that any birthday boy or girl will get a free ice cream sundae surprise on their big day, no membership needed.) Select locations also offer 50 percent off of up to four kids meals for every adult entree purchased on a Wednesday.
6. Chevy’s
Next time you’re craving Tex-Mex and margaritas on a Wednesday, head straight to Chevy’s (and bring your offspring, too). The deal? A one dollar kid’s meal with the purchase of every adult entree. In other words, you can feed your whole brood with your reserve of parking meter change!
7. IKEA
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Ages: 12 and under
Days Kids Eat Free: Wednesday
Stipulations: must be an IKEA Family Member; up to two kids’ entrees with purchase of an adult entree
Free Kids Meal Items: Swedish meatballs, veggie balls, mac and cheese
Locations Vary?: no
I love taking my kids to IKEA in the summer—namely because the air-conditioning is free and they can entertain themselves for a good while simply by sitting on every sofa, bed and chair that’s on display. (The bras hidden in dressers were a hit, too.) As if that weren’t enough, the perks of becoming an IKEA Family Member are many. Case in point: Up to two kids can eat for free off the kids’ menu on Wednesdays with the purchase of one adult entree.
8. Ruby Tuesday
If you live anywhere near this popular American food chain, you probably know that their burgers are the bomb; what you might not know is that your kid can eat for free at Ruby Tuesday one day a week. Treat yourself to one (or any other adult entree) after 5 p.m. on Tuesday and you’re promised a free kids’ meal. Just keep in mind that this offer is valid for dine-in only.
9. Bob Evans
If you’re seeking classic all-American diner fare, Tuesday is also the day to score a family deal at Bob Evans, where your adult dinner entitles you to a free meal off the kids’ menu any time after 4 p.m. at most (but not all) locations.
10. Fuddruckers
It might not be totally free, but you can certainly feed your kid on the cheap if you head to Fuddruckers on a Monday, where the weekly deal is a full kid’s meal (entree, side, drink and cookie) for a mere $1.99 with the purchase of an adult meal. That said, Fuddruckers is a franchise and the kids' deals are location-dependent, so it’s a good idea to call before you go.
11. Culver’s
Dinner off the kids’ menu will cost you at Culver’s, but dessert is on the house; a free custard is standard with the purchase of any kid’s meal no matter when you go.
12. Steak n’ Shake
Ages: 12 and under
Days Kids Eat Free: Saturday and Sunday
Stipulations: must spend $9 for free kids’ meal
Free Kids Meal Items: steakburger, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, hot dog
Locations Vary?: no
For every $9 you spend, Steak n’ Shake will feed your kid for free on weekends, which means one adult entree is all it takes to enjoy the savings. (Hint: There are happy hour deals to be had here, too.)
13. Famous Dave’s
Tuesday is the day for a barbeque family dinner, as participating Famous Dave’s locations fall under the category of restaurants where kids eat free. (Note: Some restaurants will charge you a buck for the kid’s meal, but that’s not too shabby either.)
14. Pizza Hut
Is it just us, or is there something special about Tuesday? That’s the day that participating Pizza Hut locations offer kids a free buffet meal with the purchase of an adult buffet.
15. Marie Callender’s Restaurant & Bakery
If you live in California, Utah or Nevada, take your family out for a weekend dinner at Marie Callender’s, where you can score one free kid’s meal for every full-price adult entree you purchase on Tuesdays and Saturdays, plus some seriously tasty pie. (It’s what this restaurant and bakery is known for.)
16. Maggiano’s
There’s a big deal for little tots at Maggiano’s—a family-style restaurant that serves up Italian-American dishes and handcrafted co*cktails, and feeds kids under the age of 5 for free every Saturday. (They also currently have an ‘eat of dish for Make a Wish’ promotion, so you can do something charitable while dining at a restaurant where kids eat free.)
17. Golden Corral
Got a toddler in tow? Head to Golden Corral where kids under 3 hit the buffet for free when you purchase an adult buffet meal for yourself. However, it’s worth noting that schedule and availability varies by location, so it’s best to call before you go.
18. Chick-Fil-A
Diane Macdonald/Getty Images
Ages: 12 and under
Days Kids Eat Free: Tuesdays
Stipulations: must purchase an adult meal
Free Kids Meal Items: chicken nuggets, chicken stripes, grilled chicken nuggets
Locations Vary?: yes
Swing by this popular fast food joint on Tuesdays between 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. (i.e., family dinner time) to indulge in an adult combo meal; at participating locations, a kid’s meal won’t cost you a penny, but call ahead to make sure the deal is on.
19. Cici’s Pizza
You’ll need to ring up your nearest Cici’s to double check that it’s actually one of the restaurants where kids eat free—depending on the location this deal may be available every day, once a week, or not at all—but many locations feed kids under the age of 3 for free when you purchase an adult meal.
20. Moe’s Southwest Grill
Again, the exact day that you can get the deal varies by location, but participating restaurants provide a free meal from the kids’ menu for every adult entree (and the kids’ meal comes with a cookie, too).
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