Can’t take the heat? Then get out of the kitchen! Hang up your apron because there are plenty of great restaurants near you where kids eat free. We’re dishing about eateries where delicious kids meals are on the house. Treat your hungry crew to pizza and pasta, burgers, kebabs and more. Scroll through our list of San Diego restaurants where kids eat free and then turn off the stove and grab the car keys, because it’s time to chow down!
Daily/Multiple Days Per Week
Bucca di Beppo
Kids eat free every day at Bucca di Beppo this summer! The deets: Dine in only, receive a free kids meal for each purchase of a Buca Small® Pizza, pasta, entrée or lunch item. Receive two free kids meals for each purchase of a Buca Large® Pizza, pasta or entrée. Your kiddo must be present to receive the discount.
10749 Westview Pkwy
Mira Mesa, CA 92126
858-536-2822
Online: bucadibeppo.com
Bruski Burgers & Brew
On Tuesdays and Sundays, kids get one free meal per adult entree purchased. They'll love dining on this restaurant's comfort food and you'll dig that it's on the house.
9844 Hibert St.
San Diego, CA 92131
858-530-2739
Online: bruskiburgersandbrew.com
Al's Cafe in the Village
Pancakes anyone? Get a free kids meal with each adult entree purchased any day of the week (kids 10 and under). Al's is open for breakfast or lunch daily.
795 Carlsbad Village Dr.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-729-5448
The Cheesecake Factory
If you like a menu with lots of choices, then this is your place. Bring the baby or toddler (those still in high chairs) and receive a free banana and bread plate upon arrival at your table.
789 W Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-231-0036
Online: thecheesecakefactory.com
Claim Jumper
Get a free baby-toddler plate for kids age 3 and under any time when you go to this dinner spot. The toddler plate has applesauce, mandarin orange slices, two cheese sticks and oyster crackers.
5500 Grossmont Center Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-469-3927
Online: claimjumper.com
12384 Carmel Mountain Rd.
San Diego, CA 92128
858-485-8370
1355 North Harbor Dr.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-469-3927
Denny’s
Basic kid-food from chicken nuggets to macaroni and cheese. Two kids 12 and under eat free off the kid's menu per adult entree and drink ordered. Dine-in only.
Many locations throughout San Diego
Online: dennys.com
Barra Barra Saloon
You'll gobble up chips and salsa, enchiladas and quesadillas at this Mexican eatery in the middle of Old Town San Diego. Come anytime and kids 10 and under eat free with a paying adult.
4016 Wallace St.
San Diego, CA 92110
619-291-3200
Online: barrabarrasaloon.com
Sundays
BIGA
Voted best Italian restaurant by several different local magazines and foodie blogs, this hot spot serves up free food for little eaters on Sunday. Kids eat free Sunday evening after 5 p.m. Littles have a choice of a kid Margherita pizza or buttered pasta when an adult meal is served.
950 6th Avenue.
San Diego, CA 92101
619-794-0444
Online: bigasandiego.com
Dickey's Barbeque
Whether it's slow-cooked meat or the beef brisket, classic bbq for lunch or dinner always hits the spot for the fam. Receive one kid’s meal (12 and under) with $10 purchase per adult. Dine-in only.
Several locations throughout San Diego
dickeys.com
Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen
From salads with salmon to salads with tri-tip steak, you'll eat healthy and hearty at this spot behind La Costa Cinepolis. Kids eat free after 4 p.m. on Sundays. The ten and under crowd can choose one little chef’s meal with each adult entrée purchased.
6985 El Camino Real
Carlsbad, CA 92009
760-431-5323
Online: tinleafkitchen.com
Daphne's
Have you ever had a street gyros? They're delish! Kiddos 10 and under get a free meal on Sundays per adult entree purchased. The kid's meal comes with entree choice plus rice and a drink.
Several locations throughout San Diego
Online: daphnes.biz
Rockin Baja Lobster
While you have the lobster you half-pint ten-and-under can chow down a burger or mac n cheese with orange wedges (or fries) for free! One free kid's meal with the purchase of adult entree and beverage. Two kids meal per table and dine-in only. Mira Mesa location only. (Kids eat free special is offered on Sundays and Mondays)!
8223 Mira Mesa Blvd.
Mira Mesa, CA 92126
Online: rockinbaja.com/mira-mesa
The Weevil Burger
Plenty to entertain little burger eaters with an arcade, jukebox and large screen TV. Sundays, one kid meal per paying adult and little drinks are about a buck.
9104 Fletcher Pkwy.
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-644-1010
Online: restaurantji.com/ca/la-mesa/the-weevil-burger-restaurant
The Kebab Shop
Veggie skewers, a lamb doner, and saffron rice will get eaten up at this local hot spot. Kids 12 and under eat free Sundays (and Saturdays!) with the purchase of an adult entree and drink.
9450 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92126
858-586-0499
Online: thekebabshop.com
Mondays
Fuddruckers
You can customize your burger on a fresh-baked bun at this self-serve restaurant. After 4 p.m. on Mondays, this joint gets packed with little ones with the buy one adult meal, get a kid’s meal for $1.99 deal. Kid’s meal includes an entrée, side, kid’s drink and a cookie for dessert.
Mira Mesa Shopping Center
8285 Mira Mesa Blvd.
San Diego, CA 92126
858-693-3916
Online: fuddruckers.com
Mission Valley
891 Camino de la Reina
San Diego, CA 92108
619-299-2270
La Mesa
5500 Grossmont Center Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-589-6144
Chula Vista
340 3rd Ave.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-420-4881
Borelli’s Pizza & Italian Restaurant
Got a spaghetti-loving crew? This local’s spot serves up a good-sized free kid’s meal with each adult entrée all day on Mondays. Good to know that drinks are additional, and run about $2 each.
285 N. El Camino Real
Ste. 106
Encinitas, CA 92024
760-436-1501
Online: borrellispizza.net
Hacienda Casa Blanca
Little eaters will enjoy the colorful decor, music and free meal on Mondays for kids 10 and under with paying adult.
700 North Johnson Ave.
El Cajon, CA 92020
619-442-9827
Online: haciendacasablanca.biz
Tuesdays
DiMille's
On Tuesdays, kids eat free after 4 p.m. with purchase of an entree.
3492 Adams Ave.
San Diego, CA
619-283-3153
Online: dimilles.com/specials
Pei Wei
Polish of an adult order of chow mein noodles (or another entree) and receive a free kid's meal that includes a drink. This offer is good after 4 p.m. on Tuesdays.
Several locations throughout San Diego.
Online: peiwei.com
Souplantation
Fill-up on clam chowder, make-your-own salad, muffins and more at this local eatery. All day on Tuesdays, kids eat free (12 and under) with each adult meal purchased. Head over for lunch today!
Several locations throughout San Diego
1860 Marron Rd.
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-434-9100
Online: souplantation.com
Ikea
Who doesn't love Ikea's Swedish meatballs with gravy, cranberry sauce and mashed potatoes? (Or you can substitute fresh veggies). You can satisfy that craving any Tuesday and get two kids meals per adult entree.
Fenton Marketplace
2149 Fenton Pkwy.
San Diego, CA 92108
888-888-4532
Online: ikea.com/sandiego
Ruby's Diner
Shake up Tuesdays (after 4 p.m.) with a free kid's meal that includes fries and a drink with each adult meal purchased.
Good to know: In the summer, you'll need to request this sweet deal!
5630 Paseo Del Norte
#130 D
Carlsbad, CA 92008
760-931-7829
Online: rubys.com
1640 Camino Del Rio N.
San Diego, CA 92108
619-294-7829
Hamburger Factory
Step into the Old West for some burgers and tater tots. There's plenty to enjoy at this cute diner. Head out on Tuesdays after 4 p.m. and kids 10 and under eat free with paying adult.
14122 Midland Rd.
Poway, CA 92064
858-486-4575
Online: hamburgerfactory.com
Achiotes
Brunch it out. Down an order of Huevos Rancheros with a little hot sauce and your little sidekick can eat their eggs for free. One free kid's meal (10 and under) with adult entree purchased on Tuesdays from 10 a.m.- 4 p.m.
4419 Camino de la Plaza
San Diego, CA 92173
619-690-1494
Online: achiotes.com
Marie Callender’s
If you're craving comfort food from chicken pot pie to grilled cheese and delicious apple pie, hit up this local spot Tuesday (or Saturday) where kids 12 and under eat free with paying adult.
Escondido
515 W. 13th Ave.
Escondido, CA 92025
760-741-3636
Online: mariecallenders.com
La Mesa Area
6950 Alvarado Rd.
San Diego, CA 92120
619-465-1910
Chula Vista
330 F St.
Chula Vista, CA 91910
619-420-0751
O's American Kitchen
While Pat and Oscar's changed its name to O's American Kitchen, they still have the best breadsticks. Hit them up anytime Tuesdays from 4-6 p.m. when an adult spends five dollars or more, the littles get one free kid's meal.
Several locations throughout San Diego
Online: osamericankitchen.com
Wednesdays
Del's Hideout
Wednesdays at Del’s Hideout invites adults to bring in their kids for a complimentary kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. More perks: free mini ice-cream cones and an array of retro arcade games, a dedicated children’s activity zone complete with stationary iPads for educational gaming, alongside a dozen TVs for game day entertainment.
5351 Adobe Falls Rd.
San Diego, CA 92120
619-255-8175
Online: cohnrestaurants.com/delshideout
Red Robin
Rock over to this eatery all day Wednesday and with the order of one adult entree you can get up to three $1.99 kids meals. Note: This is a summer promotion.
4373 La Jolla Village Dr.
San Diego, CA 92122
858-450-0343
Online: redrobin.com
Oggi's Pizza Liberty Station
Dig into pizza or pasta after walking around Liberty Public Market. On Wednesday, receive one free kid's meal per adult entree purchased after 6 p.m.
2562 Laning Rd.
San Diego, CA
619-876-5000
Online: oggis.com
El Torito
Kid-sized fajitas and cheese quesadillas are on this kids eat free menu. One kid's meal for one dollar (12 and under) for each adult entree purchased. Dine-in only.
5024 Baltimore Dr.
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-698-7404
Online: eltorito.com
2693 Vista Way
Oceanside, CA 92054
760-439-5407
Hooley's Irish Pub
Pull up a chair for good bar grub like fish and chips for you and mac n' cheese for the littles. Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays with a paying adult.
5500 Grossmont Center Dr.
#277
La Mesa, CA 91942
619-713-6900
Online: www.hooleys.com
2955 Jamacha Rd.
El Cajon, CA 92019
619-670-7468
Thursdays
Mendocino Farms
Not only do little ones get a free kid's meal when you buy an adult meal all day on Thursdays. But there's also a chalkboard to do artwork, a bean bag toss and foosball, so kids stay busy while you get to eat. You can also take your food to-go.
Del Mar Highlands Town Center
12873 El Camino Real
Carmel Valley, CA 92130
858-436-0000
Online: mendocinofarms.com
8795 Villa La Jolla Dr.
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-731-8130
-–Nikki Walsh & Beth Shea
featured photo: iStock
RELATED STORIES:
You’ll Flip for the Best Pancakes in San Diego
11 Restaurants with Pre-Meal Distractions to Keep Kiddos Happy
8 Super Family Date Spots in San Diego
