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Haven't had a chance to hit the grocery store? No time to cook? Eating out can seem daunting, but kids don’t have to put a dent in your wallet. Take advantage of the scrumptious cuisine at these Memphis-area locations to save big all year long.
Every Day
IHOP: From 4 to 10 p.m., kids 12 and under can have a free dinner with the purchase of one adult entrée. Various locations.
O’Charley’s: Kids can eat at a steep discount at your local O’Charley’s. Kids meals are just 99 cents.
Texas De Brazil: When purchased with a full-price meal, children 2 and under are complimentary, 3-5 are $5, and 6-12 are half-price. 150 Peabody Place #103, Memphis. 526-7600.
Chili’s: Free chips & salsa or non-alcoholic beverage offer is available on every visit at participating locations when you spend a minimum of $5.
Denny’s: Kids Eat Free days and restaurant participation may vary by location. Offer is valid at participating restaurants for up to two free kid's entrées from the kid's menu per one adult entrée purchase of $6 or more. One free entrée per kid. Offer valid for dine-in only. Not valid for online orders. Restrictions may apply.
Red Robin: Kids not only get a special birthday song dedicated to them in front of the entire restaurant, but they also get their own free birthday sundae. When you join Red Robin Royalty,® all of the kids get a free burger or entrée during their birthday month. Sign them up in the kids and teen club by logging in to your Red Robin Royalty account.
Sundays
Humdinger’s: From 4 p.m. to close, kids’ (12 and under) meals are $0.99 (limit two kids’ meals with the purchase of adult entree, dine-in only). 6300 Poplar Avenue #101, Memphis. 260-8292.
Moe’s Southwest Grill: Kids eat free 5 to 9 p.m. Various locations. Every Sunday, your child, 12 and under, gets their choice of kid's burrito, taco, or quesadilla + chips & salsa, drink, and cookie come with every meal.
Mondays
Three Guys Pizza Pies: Tuesday and Wednesday, kids eat free with adult purchase. Purchase any whole pizza and get a kid's meal free. Small = 1 kid's meal; large = 2 kids’ meals; XL= 4 kids’ meals. Lakeland, Cordova, Collierville, Southaven.
Central BBQ on Summer Ave.: Mondays and Tuesdays, one free kid’s meal with each adult meal purchased.
El Porton: Kids eat free (one kid per family) with adult entrée. Various locations.
Pyro’s Pizza: Offer valid on Monday nights from 5 until 10 p.m. at all Pyro's locations. Redeem up to three (3) free kids' pizza meals per one (1) adult entrée purchased.
Tuesdays
Central BBQ on Summer Ave.: Mondays and Tuesdays, one free kid’s meal with each adult meal purchased.
Fazoli’s: Kids eat for $0.99 from 5 to 8 p.m. with purchase of an adult meal. 3587 Riverdale Road, Memphis.
Holiday Deli and Ham: Kids eat free Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase. East Memphis, Germantown, Midtown, Collierville.
Mcalister's Deli: Two kids’ meals with any adult meal after 4 p.m. Various locations.
Perkins: Kids eat free from the kids’ menu from 4 to 10 p.m. 3455 Poplar Avenue, 323-5300. 5112 Park Avenue, 323-5300.
Main Event: Kids under 12 eat free when you buy a menu item for $8.99 or more, all day long.
Wednesdays
Belly Acres: Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesday with the purchase of an adult meal. 2102 Trimble Place, Memphis. 529-7017.
Pancho’s: Kids 12 and under eat free off the kids’ menu. One kid’s meal per adult. 3600 E. Broadway Avenue, West Memphis, AR, 870-735-6466; 717 N. White Station Road, Memphis, 685-5404.
Thursdays
Crazy Italians Restaurant: Kids' meal $2.99 after 4 p.m. Dine-in only. 1250 N. Germantown Parkway #105, Cordova. 347-2449.
Piccadilly Cafeteria: Everything is $1.99 on the kids' menu with adult purchase. 2 kids per adult, dine-in only. Various locations.
Holiday Deli and Ham: Kids eat free Tuesday and Thursday evenings with an adult meal purchase. East Memphis, Germantown, Midtown, Collierville.
Fridays
Firehouse Subs: Fridays and Saturdays kids 12 and under eat free after 4 p.m. Various locations.
Saturdays
Piccadilly Cafeteria: Everything on the kids menu is $1.99 with adult purchase. 2 kids per adult, dine-in only. Various locations.
Firehouse Subs: Fridays and Saturdays, kids 12 and under eat free after 4 p.m. Various locations.
McCalister’s Deli: Kids meal $0.99 with purchase of an adult entrée, drink not included. Dine-in only. Various locations.
See any we missed? Comment below and let us know!
For more ways to save, follow this advice from Cameron Huddleston, an online editor for kiplinger.com and the author of Kip’s Tips.
1. Lay down the law before you go out. Let your kids know eating out is a privilege, and that there are certain stipulations they must adhere too. If you tell them before you sit down that they can only have a dessert or drink if it comes with the meal, there will be no room to “negotiate” if the circumstance is otherwise. This might also aid in preventing temper tantrums!
2. Don’t assume the kids meals are the cheapest option. A general rule of thumb: If a kids' meal is $3.99 or less, (with drink & dessert), it’s a good deal. If kid’s options are more than $4.99 or more, you’re better off ordering an adult entrée and splitting it.
3. VIVA Mexico! Mexican restaurants are typically economical and offer combination platters with several options.
4. Order a la carte. This is great for finicky eaters. If your children’s eyes are bigger than their tummies, pick out a few sides to munch on rather than ordering an entire meal.
5. “Follow” restaurants on social media. Most restaurants post promotions on Twitter and Facebook, so you don’t have to remember which day is which. This is also a great way to get instant feedback on menu items and other promotional deals.
Being frugal while dining out will also show your kids the importance of balancing a budget, forming habits for their later years. If you make dining out a treat rather than the norm, it will be more sacred to them as a “special occasion” rather than a right. Dine on.
This article was originally published in June 2015. Updated online August 2021.