19 restaurants where kids eat free (and parents get a break)
SUMMARY
Planning out and making a home-cooked meal every night can get old; so can the evening routine. Also, kids are expensive and you need for something, just once in a while, to not cost so goddamn much. Fortunately, there is the great American tradition of "kids eat free," wherein chain restaurants offer free, road-tested, mostly fried children's meals on certain days (Tuesday seems to be a popular one) or have special deals that significantly offset the cost of a kid's meal out.
From fast-casual restaurants like Applebee's and Red Robin to more regional chains, here are 19 restaurants where kids eat free. Because why not score a free mini-quesadilla or plate of chicken fingers for the kids when you can?
Applebee’s
Kids eat free on certain days of the week based on location. The menu includes a range of classic kids' favorites and moderately more adventurous dishes, from mac-and-cheese and chicken fingers to chicken tacos, pizza, and corn dogs.
Bob Evans
On Tuesdays after 4 p.m., when parents order an adult entrée, kids under 12 eat free. Parents will appreciate the family meals to go, which can be customized for whatever size family you have.
Cafe Brazil
For those in Texas, this eclectic cafe offers free meals to kids under 12 with the purchase of an entrée from Sunday through Thursday. The menu has Tex-Mex favorites like tacos and empanadas, plus classic brunch picks like waffles. Kids will get a kick out of the "pancake tacos."
Cafe Rio
With the purchase of an adult entree, you can snag a free kid-sized quesadilla.
Chili’s
Rewards members get a free kid's meal as long as they spend at least every 60 days. The kids' menu includes favorites like sliders, chicken fingers, pizza, pasta, grilled cheese, and quesadilla, so there's bound to be something for everyone.
Denny’s
At this beloved breakfast joint, kids eat free when adults order an entrée. It's limited to two free kids' meals per adult, and may apply to different days according to location.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
Kids under 12 eat free on Sundays for each adult that spends at least . With the hearty portions offered at Dickey's, nobody will be left hungry.
Hooters
Kids eat free at select locations, but….
IKEA
Everyone's favorite Swedish home store offers free baby food with each entrée purchased. Plus, certain locations offer free meals for bigger kids on special days of the week.
Johnny Rockets
At select locations of this old-fashioned diner and burger joint, kids eat free on Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. with the purchase of a regular entrée and drink.
Marie Calendar’s Restaurant and Bakery
Kids under 12 eat free on Saturdays with the purchase of an entrée at this regional chain with restaurants in California, Utah, and Nevada.
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Kids eat free on Saturdays and Sundays at participating locations of this New England chain.
Moe’s
At participating locations, kids eat free on Tuesdays. Plus, all entrées come with free chips and salsa, and kids' meals also include a drink and cookie.
Qdoba Mexican Grill
Kids eat free on Wednesdays and Sundays when adults order an enchilada entrée.
Red Robin
The deal varies by location, so check with your local franchise, but popular deals include "kids eat free" one night of the week and id="listicle-2645141716".99 kids' meals. At all locations, kids can get a free sundae on their birthday, and royalty rewards members get a free burger during their birthday month as well as every 10th item free.
Ruby Tuesday
This national chain lives up to its name. Kids eat free every Tuesday after 5 p.m. with the purchase of an entrée.
Sweet Tomato
This buffet-style restaurant is perfect for the kids who can never seem to answer the question, "what do you want for dinner?" The 50-foot salad bar might even entice them with some veggies. Rewards members get a free kid's meal on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Tony Roma’s
Kids eat free all day, every day at the largest ribs joint in the country. Participating locations only.
Uno
Kids eat free every Tuesday at participating locations of this famous Chicago pizza joint. For the more sophisticated palette, Uno offers a surprisingly wide-ranging menu, from classic deep dish to vegan and gluten-free pizzas, seafood options like lemon basil salmon, pastas like buffalo chicken mac-and-cheese and even the buzzed-about Beyond Burger. Plus they have margaritas. Amen.
This article originally appeared on Fatherly. Follow @FatherlyHQ on Twitter.
