Restaurants Where Kids Eat Free or Cheap

Many national chains have a “kids eat free” deal, or discounts on select days of the week.  Our list includes nearly two dozen, plus a hotel chain.

Take advantage of these free meals to cut down your restaurant bills, especially if a family road trip is in your summer vacation plans.

Of course, the word “free” usually comes with restrictions.

Kids Eat Free restrictions include age limits, the free meal must be from the kids menu, and the free meal must be accompanied by an adult entree purchase.

Since not all locations in a chain may participate in the deal, it’s always wise to phone before heading out.  Also because these promotions don’t always appear on the chain’s website, and because kids eat free deals may change without notice.

• Many local and chain restaurants have free or discounted kids’ meals and don’t advertise them, so be sure to ask your server if they are offering a promotion.
• Don’t be shy – if you don’t ask, your kids don’t eat free.

Here’s the list of 18 restaurants where kids eat for free or cheap nearly every day of the week, including weekends.

Also included is one hotel chain which offers a kids eat free deal every day of the week.

Note that we are including chains with no NYC locations, because NYC on the Cheap has followers everywhere, and some of us are traveling again, including to locations where you might find one of these kids eat free deals.

Kids eat free Mondays

Fuddruckers:

On Mondays from 4 pm to close, kids can eat for $1.99. The offer is good with an adult purchase, and only at participating locations.

Kids eat free Tuesdays

Back Yard Burgers: 

Kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult combo meal. The offer is good only for specific items on the kids menu. Good only at participating locations.

Bob Evans: 

Kids eat free on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult meal.

Carrows:

Receive two free kids’ meals with the purchase of one regular adult entrée, 11 am to close. Kids must be 10 years of age or younger.

Chick-fil-A:

Many locations offer a “kids eat free on Tuesdays” deal between 5:30 and 7:30 p.m. with the purchase of an adult combo meal.

However, some locations may charge a small fee for the meal. Not every Chick-fil-A restaurant offers this deal, so call ahead.

Denny’s:

The Denny’s site states that Kids Eat Free Days may vary by location. Many restaurants offer the deal on Tuesdays from 4 pm to 10 pm.

The offer is valid for two free kids entrées from the kids’ menu with the purchase of an adult entrée for $6 or more. Offer is for dine-in only.

IKEA:

Get free baby food for every adult meal at the food court on Tuesdays.

There are also some specials throughout the year, and some locations may offer a kids eat free deal on a certain day of the week. 

Ruby Tuesday:

Get one free kid entrée per adult entrée purchased every Tuesday, 5 p.m. to close. 

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 Wednesdays

Cotton Patch Café:

Kids eat free every Wednesday with a minimum $10 purchase. One kids meal per entrée, available for dine-in only. 

Firehouse Subs:

Purchase one large or medium combo after 4 p.m. on Wednesday and receive up to two free kids combos. This deal is only offered at select locations and details may vary, so check before you go. 

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.

Kids eat free Sundays

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: 

Get a free kids meal per check with a minimum $10 purchase every Sunday. Valid for kids 12 and under.

The deal is available for delivery and carryout orders for a limited time, Use code KEFOLO at online checkout.

Firehouse Subs:

Most locations offer up to two kids combos for free with the purchase of one large or medium combo all day Sunday. Deals may vary from restaurant to restaurant, so check before you go.

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 locations let kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée or offer special menus for kids.  

Bennigan’s:

Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée on a select day of the week. Valid at participating locations only, and the day of week could vary by location.

Call your local Bennigan’s first and ask about their policy.

Burger King: 

Get a free kids meal with a purchase of at least $1 through their app or online ordering when you use this coupon. Pickup only, not available on delivery orders.

All new users to the app also get a free whopper. 

Chili’s:

Become a My Chili’s Rewards member to get free kids meal rewards 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. 

Golden Corral:

Kids three years of age or younger eat free every night of the week with the purchase of an adult meal. 

Holiday Inn:

Holiday Inn guests can eat at the on-site restaurant, and up to four kids ages 12 and under can eat free any time of the day.

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A version of this article appeared on sister site Living on the Cheap, including photos.  Republished here with permission.