Let’s be real. There are some days when you just don’t feel like cooking (or cleaning up afterward). But the thought of going out with the entire brood has you gripping your wallet for dear life. There’s a solution! From dependable diners to jazzier joints where parents can happily grab a much-needed cocktail, we’ve got you covered with the best free meals for kids all over the country.

photo: istock

National restaurants...

Bennigans
This Irish-themed eatery features a mix of American favorites and Irish classics.

When: Tues.
Online: bennigans.com

Applebee's
Only select locations participate in kids eat free nights, dolling out everything from cheesy pizza to chicken tacos.

When: Varies
Online: applebees.com

Dickey's BBQ
This BBQ joint keeps it simple for kids with three equally delish options—chicken nuggets, a sandwich plate, or a meat plate.

When: Sun.
Online: dickeys.com

IHOP
Breakfast for dinner any day of the week? Yes, please! This deal comes and goes throughout the year, so just double check before you go.

When: Mon.-Fri.
Online: ihop.com

Denny’s
Kids eat free every Tues. from 4 p.m.-10 p.m., making dinner easy.

When: Tues.
Online: dennys.com

Marie Callender’s
At select locations, score one kids’ meal per each adult entrée purchased.

When: Tues. & Sat.
Online: mariecallenders.com

IKEA
Head to your local IKEA for a free meal for kids 12 & under. Kids can get a freebie when an adult purchases a meal.

When: Varies
Online: ikea.com

Steak ‘n Shake
Kids (aged 12 & under) get one free plate for every $9 you spend —dine-in only.

When: Sat.-Sun.
Online: steaknshake.com

photo: Anthony J via Yelp

In the New York City area...

Brother Jimmy's BBQ
Kids 10 and under eat free any time and any day of the week. They’ll select from a kids’ menu featuring chicken fingers, mac-n-cheese, hot dogs and a kids burger.

When: Daily
Online: brotherjimmys.com

Scottadito Osteria Toscana
Kids get to select from a kids’ menu featuring pesto pasta and spaghetti with fresh plum tomatoes and meatballs. Yum!

When: Tues.
Online: scottadito.com

Lucca Restaurant
Kids can go for the tried and true pizza, chicken fingers with fries, or spaghetti and meatballs, or branch out with options like chicken parmigiana or Milanese.

When: Tues.
Online: lucca-restaurant.com

Arirang Hibachi
Kids 10 and under eat a hearty (free) meal featuring soup or salad, white rice, hibachi shrimp, chicken, steak or chicken fingers plus ice cream for dessert.

When: Tues.
Online: partyonthegrill.com

Woodrow's

Kids 10 & under get one free kids’ meal, which includes interesting choices such as sliced steak with fries, at this neighborhood fave with the purchase of an adult entrée.

When: Sun.
Online: woodrowsnyc.com

Uncle Jack's Steakhouse
Dine here, and your kids will eat free from 4 p.m. to closing. The only caveats: Kids have to be 12 & under and, natch, have to be accompanied by adults.

When: Sun.
Online: unclejacks.com

photo: Steve Welch via Unsplash

In the San Diego area...

Barra Barra Saloon
You'll gobble up chips and salsa, enchiladas and quesadillas here. Come anytime, and kids 10 & under eat free with a paying adult.

When: Varies
Online: barrabarrasaloon.com

BIGA
Voted best Italian restaurant by several different local magazines and foodie blogs, kids eat free Sunday evening after 5 p.m.

When: Sundays
Online: bigasandiego.com

Tin Leaf Fresh Kitchen
The ten and under crowd can choose one little chef’s meal with each adult entrée purchased.

When: Sun.
Online: tinleafkitchen.com

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!

When: Sun. & Mon.
Online: rockinbaja.com/mira-mesa

The Kebab Shop
Veggie skewers, a lamb doner, and saffron rice will get eaten up at this local hot spot. Kids 12 & under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree and drink.

When: Sat. & Sun.
Online: thekebabshop.com

Casa De Reyes
This popular Mexican restaurant in Old Town has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options.

Online: casadereyesrestaurant.com

Hacienda Casa Blanca
Little eaters will enjoy the colorful decor, music and free meal on Mon. for kids 10 & under with paying adult.

When: Mon.
Online: haciendacasablanca.biz

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.

When: Tues.
Online: peiwei.com

Ignite Bistro
Plenty of choices from a lobster roll and poke tacos to seared salmon and sweet and spicy bacon.

When: Varies
Online: ignitecarlsbad.com

Achiotes
Down an order of Huevos Rancheros with a little hot sauce and your little sidekick can eat their eggs for free.

When: Tues.
Online: achiotes.com

Hooley's Irish Pub
Kids 12 & under eat free with a paying adult.

When: Wed.
Online: hooleys.com

Click HERE to discover more San Diego area restaurants where kids eat free.

photo: Tom M. via yelp

In the Seattle area...

Trapper's Sushi
You'll drink to this all-day deal! For each Ramune Soda purchase, one kid eats free, and this special includes a kid's drink, too!

When: Sundays
Online: trapperssushi.net

Sand Point Grill
On Sun., Mon. and Tues., two kids eat free from 5 p.m.-6:30 p.m. with the purchase of one adult entrée.

When: Sun.-Tues.
Online: sandpointgrill.com

The Islander
Receive one free kid's meal with every full-priced entrée purchased to start your week off right!

When: Sundays
Online: the-islander.com

Lucia: Italian Kitchen + Bar
Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.

When: Sundays
Online: iheartlucia

Big Fish Grill
Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée from the regular menu. Psst! The seared wild salmon with garlic mashed potatoes and veggies is popular with petite diners.

When: Mondays
Online: thebigfishgrill.com

Hermann's Diner (Cattins Family Dining)
Located next to the main entrance at the Washington State Fairgrounds and Expo Center, this awesome restaurant offers two free kids meals per each adult entrée purchased.

When: Mon.-Wed.
Online: cattinsrestaurant.com

Teddy's Bigger Burgers
Sink your teeth into this beginning of the week deal—on Mon., Tues. and Wed., kids receive a free kid's combo meal with the purchase of two adult combo meals.

When: Mon.-Wed.
Online: teddysbb.com

Wedgewood Alehouse & Cafe
One kid eats free with the purchase of an adult or kid's entrée at regular price.

When: Mon. & Tues.
Online: wedgwoodalehouse.com

Zeeks Pizza
Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.

When: Mon.
Online: zeekspizzaissaquah.com

Farrelli's Pizza
Kids eat free all day with their paying folks. Kids meals include carrots, a breadstick, cookie and beverage.

When: Mondays
Online: farrellispizza.com

Whistle Stop Ale House
At this family owned and operated restaurant, one kid eats free from 4 p.m.-close with an adult purchase.

When: Mon.
Online: whistlestopalehouse.com

Spring Kitchen Restaurant
Two kids ages 10 & under eat free with a paying adult at this family-friendly restaurant serving fresh Vietnamese and Asian foods.

When: Tues.
Online: springkitchenrestaurant.com

Wing Dome
Kids receive one free kid’s meal for every adult entrée purchased. Plus, deals on beer for parents!

When: Tues.
Online: thewingdome.com

Serendipity Cafe
This is sort of a two-fer deal. Kids eat free from 5 p.m.–8 p.m with the purchase of an adult meal. And there's a play area in the back to keep the tykes busy while they wait for their food!

When: Tues.
Online: serendipitycafeandlounge.com

Lunchbox Laboratory: On Wed., from 5 p.m.-close, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult burger. All kids meals come with a choice of milk or soda. Choose from a cheeseburger, grilled cheese or corn dogs with tots.

When: Wed.
Online: lunchboxlaboratory.com

Zippy’s Giant Burgers
Kids get a free Zippy the Yum Yum Burger Boy's Wacky Meal during Wed. Happy Hour from 3 p.m.-6 p.m. One per purchase of a regular burger, side and drink.

When: Wed.
Online: zippysgiantburgers.com

Blue Star Cafe & Pub
Kids eat free from the kid’s menu from 5 p.m.-7 p.m. Limited to two kids’ entrées for each adult entrée purchased.

When: Sat.
Online: bluestarcafeandpub.com

Click HERE to discover more Seattle area restaurants where kids eat free.

photo: The Fields LA

In the Los Angeles area...

The Fields LA
This indoor food hall offers must-eat grub from chicken and waffles to pizza (and everything in between). Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult order.

When: Daily
Online: thefieldsla.com

Taste at the Palisades
All day on Sun., kids can gobble up a free kid-sized pizza with each purchase of one full-sized pizza. Mangia!

When: Sun.
Online: ilovetaste.com

Rush Street
Dad will love catching the Dodgers on the widescreen TVs, mom will dig the fab wine selection, and everyone will like the fact that kids (12 & under) eat free on Sun. and Mon. evenings.

When: Sun. & Mon.
Online: rushstreetculvercity.com

Café 50’s
Every week, Café 50’s hosts “Pee-Wee Wednesdays,” where littles get a free meal from the under 10-menu with every adult entrée purchased.

When: Wed.
Online: cafe50s.com

Norm’s
Kids (aged 10 and under) eat free from 2 p.m. – 10 p.m. from the kids’ menu with each adult entrée purchased.

When: Mon.
Online: normsrestaurants.com

El Segundo Fish Company
Pint-sized pescatarians will dig Wednesdays at El Segundo Fish Company when kids eat free with each order of a regular entrée.

When: Wed.
Online: esfishco.com

The Small Café:
If you’re in Long Beach on a Wed., snag one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased.

When: Wed.
Online: thesmallcafe.com

Click HERE to discover more Los Angeles area restaurants where kids eat free.

photo: Squat and Gobble

In the San Francisco area...

Squat & Gobble
Free child’s entree with the purchase of an adult meal.

When: Tues.
Online: squatandgobble.com

Celia’s by the Beach
Kids eat free at Familia Wednesdays from 4:30 p.m. ’till closing.

When: Wed.
Online: celiasbythebeach.com

Amici’s
One child entree free per purchase of an adult meal.

When: Tues.
Online: amicis.com

Emmy’s Spaghetti Shack
One child’s pasta dish per adult entree.

When: Mon. & Tues.
Online: emmysspaghettishack.com

High Tech Burrito
Free children’s meal per adult meal purchase.

When: Sun.
Online: hightechburrito.com

Maverick Jacks
Between 5 p.m.-9 p.m., score a kids meal free with the purchase of one adult entree.

When: Mon.
Online: maverickjacks.com/specialevents

El Torito
Kids 12 & under eat free with the purchase of any adult entree.

When: Wednesdays
Online: eltorito.com

Goodies Good Eats
Get your nom on here where kids 10 & under receive one free meal per paid adult entree.

When: Mon.-Fri.
Online: goodiesgoodeats.com

Black Bear Diner
Kids bring in their teddy bears for Teddy Bear Tuesdays and eat free.

When: Tues.
Online: blackbeardiner.com/sanrafael

Crepevine
Kids eat free (4 p.m.-close) with purchase of an adult meal. 4 p.m.–close.

When: Mon.
Online: crepevine.com/sanrafael

Click HERE to discover more Bay area restaurants where kids eat free.

photo: iStock

In the D.C. metro area....

Silver Diner

The Kids’ Club for kids 12 & under comes with perks such as a free kid-size shake with dinner on Kids’ Night and a free meal on your birthday.

When: Tues. and birthdays
Online: silverdiner.com

Brookland Pint
At this craft beer-, sustainability-focused restaurant, kids eat free all day Tues., and entrees are usually $8.

When: Tues.
Online: brooklandpint.com

Pizzeria Orso
Children ages 10 & younger get a free item from the kid’s menu for each traditional or house specialty pizza ordered.

When: Tues.
Online: pizzeriaorso.com

Whitlow’s on Wilson
Part bar, part dance club, part Sunday brunch spot, Whitlow’s offers one child 10 or younger a free meal with the purchase of an adult meal.

When: Tues.-Thurs.
Online: brooklandpint.com

Gusto’s Italian Grill
For every pizza or salad purchase, children 12 and under get a free kids’ salad or pizza with apple juice or organic milk.

When: Mon.
Online: eatgusto.com

Click HERE to discover more D.C. metro area restaurants where kids eat free.

—Ayren Jackson-Cannady

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