Raising kids is an expensive undertaking. Every time they hit a growth spurt, your grocery bill grows right along with them.
But filling their bellies – while keeping your wallet full – is a little easier when some of your favorite restaurants serve up free kids’ nights once a week. While national chains, like McAlister’s Deli, Fazoli’s and O’Charley’s, are famous for their kids’ promo nights, there are plenty of locally owned restaurants across the metro area that can curve your little ones’ cravings at no extra cost to you. Plus, it gives you a much-needed break from oven duty.
Check out these hot spots to add to your dining-out rotation. From Italian to tacos to even deep-fried Twinkies, there’s something for even the pickiest of eaters. As offers can change, be sure to contact the restaurant before visiting to confirm availability, rules and restrictions!
Sunday:
Pasta House, various locations
Kids 12 and younger receive one free meal from the children’s menu. One child per paying adult. It excludes drinks and is available only for dine-in guests.
Sunday through Tuesday:
Candicci’s, 100 Holloway Rd., Ballwin
Kids 10 and under eat free with one adult entrée.
Sunday through Wednesday:
Vito’s in the Valley, 138 Chesterfield Towne Centre, Chesterfield
Kids 10 and under eat free off the children’s menu. One child per adult.
Monday:
Walnut Grill, 1386 Clarkson-Clayton Center, Ellisville; 4401 Highway K, O’Fallon, Mo.
Kids can enjoy a free meal with each adult entrée purchase from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can even get a break at 6 p.m. when the restaurant hosts a free children’s movie!
Tuesday:
Famous for its edge-to-edge pizza. Kids eat free on Tuesdays. Two locations:
624 N. New Ballas Road, Creve Coeur,
154 Clayton Road, Ballwin.
Cannoli’s, 462 N. Hwy. 67, Florissant
Kids eat free from 4 p.m. to close with the purchase of a regular-priced adult meal.
Eckerts, 951 S. Green Mt. Rd., Belleville, Ill.
Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
El Maguey, 2408 Taylor Rd., Wildwood
Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée.
Firehouse Bar & Grill, 3500 Lemay Ferry Rd., St. Louis
Kids 10 and under eat free from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. One free meal per adult meal. Stick around for free trivia at 7 p.m.!
Frank & Helen’s Pizzeria, 8111 Olive St., University City
Kids eat free after 5 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée of greater value.
JJ’s Restaurant, 1215 S. Duchesne, St. Charles
Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of a $0.99 drink and adult entrée.
Krieger’s Sports Grill, 1356 Big Bend Rd., Ballwin
Kids 10 and under eat free for every adult meal purchased.
Malone’s Grill and Pub, 8742 Watson Rd., St. Louis
Kids eat free with each paid adult meal of $8.00 or more.
Talayna’s Italian Restaurant, 68 Four Seasons Shopping Center, Chesterfield
Kids 10 and under can eat free off the children’s menu. One adult dinner per child. Not available for carry-out.
Wednesday:
Family Night with Fredbird at Ballpark Village. Ballpark Village has announced that kids eat free during Family Night with Fredbird, held every Wednesday evening through April 4. Families can also participate in games and win prizes while they spend time with everyone's favorite big bird.
Edison’s Entertainment Complex, 2477 S. State. Rt. 157, Edwardsville, Ill.
Kids 8 and under eat free after 4 p.m. One free kids’ meal per paid adult.
O’Leary’s Restaurant & Bar, 3838 S. Lindbergh Blvd., St. Louis
Kids eat free off the children’s menu with each paying adult.
Honorable mentions:
Concord Grill, 11427 Concord Village Ave., St. Louis
While Concord doesn’t offer a free kid’s meal, it does offer a free dessert. On Twinkie Tuesdays, any child 10 and younger who purchases a kid’s meal and drink can create their own fried Twinkie masterpiece using a selection of toppings. The staff will even snap a shot and display it on their website.
Gulf Shores Restaurant & Grill, 215 Harvard Dr., Edwardsville, Ill. and 12528 Olive Blvd., Creve Coeur
On Family Day Tuesdays, all kids’ meals are $2.99 each. But the special includes a free family appetizer for you all to share.
(Updated 7/09/18)
What free kids’ nights are we missing? Let us know in the comments to help spread the word to your fellow money-savin’ mommas!
Metro East mom Nicole Plegge has written for STL Parent for more than 12 years. Besides working as a freelance writer & public relations specialist, and raising two daughters and a husband, Nicole's greatest achievements are finding her misplaced car keys each day and managing to leave the house in a stain-free shirt. Her biggest regret is never being accepted to the Eastland School for Girls. Follow Nicole on Twitter @STLWriterinIL
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