Everyone always says your life changes after you have kids.
From what I can tell as an aunt, they’re not wrong. Gone are the days when you and your spouse could eat a decent meal for under $30. Although most parents will tell you that their kids are the best thing that has ever happened to them, they’d also tell you that they’re simultaneously the worst thing to happen to their wallets.
So if you want to take the whole gang out for dinner without going broke, check out the information below. You’ll find “kids eat free” options as well as “kids eat cheap”.
Every Day Deals
Rusty Bucket runs a reading program called Bucketeer Bookworms. Ask for the bookmark tracker at any location, and when a child finishes five books they earn a complimentary kids meal. The reward comes with the purchase of an adult entree and is dine-in only.
Sunday
Sunday is a very popular day to eat out, so it’s not surprising that the options for free dining are limited. But don’t worry! There’s still a spot you can take the kiddos. Old Bag of Nails lets kids 12 and under eat free on Sundays.
Monday
Monday Funday! If you’ve had a rough start to the week and don’t feel like cooking, take advantage of the mad discounts you can get!
Carsonie’s in Upper Arlington runs kids eat free from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with two kids meals per adult entree. The deal is good at the Upper Arlington location only, not Westerville.
Las Margaritas at 706 N. State St. in Westerville gives one free kid’s meal with each adult entree that includes a drink.
Villa Nova Ristorante at 5545 N. High St. in Clintonville takes half off every kids meal, dine-in only.
Tuesday
Every Tuesday you’ll find the most options for free food.
Bob Evans gives a free kids meal with an entree purchase, up to three kids meals for three entrees. The offer is app only, so it has to be redeemed through the Bob Evans app.
Skyline Chili on Sawmill Road gives one free kids meal for every paying adult, plus a kids craft. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.
On the second Tuesday of every month, Hofbräuhaus Columbus at 800 Goodale Blvd in Grandview Yard runs Family Night from 6 to 9 p.m. Kids eat free with each adult entree, and there is live entertainment and face painting.
Wednesday
Roosters at Polaris and in New Albany charges $.99 for kids meals for kids under 12 with the purchase of an entree. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.Â
Thursday
As we move toward the end of the week, it may be a good time to hit up the grocery store! The only option for free kids meals is Quaker Steak & Lube at Polaris, 8500 Lyra Dr. Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Confirm with the restaurant before you go.
Deals To Confirm Before You Go
These places have run kids meal deals in the past, and none of them lists one on its own site right now. Call the restaurant before you count on it.
Steak ‘n Shake ran a weekend kids eat free offer for years.
Texas Roadhouse at Polaris, 8440 Lyra Dr, has run a $.99 Monday kids meal in the past.
Giant Eagle Market District in Dublin and Upper Arlington ran a Family Dinner Night that no longer shows up on the store’s events page.
Carfagna’s Bar & Ristorante at 1440 Gemini Pl once ran a Tuesday kids deal.
McAlister’s Deli at 7664 Sawmill Rd in Dublin ran a kids night.
Culver’s at 1444 Rentra Dr in Columbus has run a weeknight kids meal deal in the past.
Yabo’s Tacos is down to its Westerville and Lewis Center locations, and neither one lists a kids deal.
Spaghetti Warehouse is downtown now at 150 S. High St., with no kids deal listed.
Applebee’s in Hilliard and on Morse Rd ran $.99 kids meals.
So who’s hungry?
