I remember the ghosts of Christmas past when going out to eat was no big deal. My husband and I could decide to dine fancy, dine casual or dine via take out at a moment’s notice. We had no timetables, no bedtimes to worry about, no windows of opportunity to fit in, and no discerning palates to please. I didn’t realize how good we had it. Ahhhh…..savoring the memories.
Fast forward….. It’s eight years later and we’ve got two additions to our “dining out” team. Our girls, almost 7 and 8 years, have opinions (uh…all those baby books never mentioned that tidbit), picky palates, and limited patience (although their attention spans have vastly improved from two years ago). Having kids definitely changes the “dining out” playing field. You have to be more strategic in your planning and think about the time of the meal, the food selection available, noise levels (we now prefer slightly elevated), and the cost. We all know that dining out with kiddos can get costly but luckily there are many family-friendly dining options in Greater Cincinnati that either offer “Kids Eat Free” nights or have some really awesome deals for families.
Below is a listing of some great dining options. Tuesday night seems to be one of the most popular “Kids Eat Free” nights. Also, some restaurants offer two free kids meals with an adult purchase versus just one so it’s always a good idea to double check the dining deals before you leave since any offers listed are subject to change. Also, some of the restaurants may not include drinks so if you are on a budget, water is always a great option. The age range varies based on the restaurant but it’s usually either 12 and under or 10 and under that can eat free. The deals are good for dine in only too.
We’d love to keep adding to our list so if you know of another “Kids Eat Free” place or great deal, leave us a comment so we can keep track of them all. Remember all dining deals are subject to change so before you make the trip with all the kiddos, give them a call to confirm the deal is still valid. Thank you to our great readers for all their input. We’ve added Reader Recommendations to the post.
Monday:
Skyline Chili locations across the Tri-State also offer Kids Eat Free Nights. Nights vary by location so check with your local Skyline restaurant to see what night it happens! The Blue Ash location offers a Monday Kids’ Eat Free night. Wednesday is also another popular night.
Flavors Eatery - Kids 8 and under eat free from the children’s menu with each adult meal purchase. 8374 Princeton Glendale Road, West Chester, Ohio 45069. (513) 860-9550.
Reader’s Recommendations:
- LaRosa’s - “Thank you! Another one for your list: Not exactly free, but on Mondays and Tuesdays LaRosa’s has an all you can eat spaghetti deal. Adults are $4.99 and kids are only $.99! This includes apple slices, a drink, and as much spaghetti as they can eat. Not bad for a dollar!” - Joie Linser via Facebook
- Hofbrauhaus - Kids eat free Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. One free kids’ meal with every paying adult. – Tiff
Tuesday:
bd’s Mongolian Grill - Thanks to the Savings Lifestyle for finding this great deal. From 5-9pm, you can get one free kids meal for every adult meal purchased (includes a kids’ drink). 8655 Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040. (513) 770-4330.
Brazenhead – Kids eat free on Tuesdays. We like visiting Brazenhead since they have a kids fish & chips on the menu that my oldest loves. 5650 Tylersville Rd., Mason, Ohio 45040. (513) 229-0809.
Bob Evans – New: We’re not sure how long this is going on so double check with your local Bob’s but they now have kids eat free on Tuesdays after 4pm. Good for one free kids meal with an adult meal purchase.
Champp’s - Kids eat free is now on Tuesday night (previously on Monday night – $5.99/burger special is still all day on Monday). 9424 Civic Center Blvd., West Chester, Ohio 45069. (513) 759-6315.
Chezburger Cafe – One free kids meal for each paying adult from 4pm-close. 12092 Montgomery Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. (513) 677-3354.
Chick-fil-A - Update: On Feb. 1, 2012, the Deerfield Township, & Voice of America locations will discontinue their kids eat free promotion. They will continue to have “Family Night” from 5:30-8pm with activities and crafts (bring socks for play area). Please check with other locations such as HoustonRoad before heading out to make sure they still have the kids eat free promotion going on. One free 4 piece nugget kids’ meals with the purchase of one adult meal and a drink is included.
Gold Star Chili – The Mason location offers kids eat free on Tuesday nights (many other Gold Star’s also offer this but double check with your local restaurant). Kids 10 and under can get a free kids’ meal with an adult combo purchase. The meals include a drink and they get to pick a cookie pack or fruit snack for dessert.
IKEA - A visit to IKEA is a great way to spend the day. Before you eat, have your kids visit Smaland (on site safe and fun monitored play 
area) while you shop. Then head up to the cafeteria and get a kids’ meal. On Tuesdays (new change) , kids 12 and under eat free at the West Chester location only and no adult purchase is required. Wow. On the other days, the kids’ meals are only $2.49 (still a bargain). 9500 IKEA Way, West Chester, Ohio 45069. (513) 779-7100.
Moe’s Southwest Grill – Another great find by The Savings Lifestyle. After 4pm, kids get one free meal with each adult purchase plus the drink is included and bonus….they get a cookie. 8260 Arbor Square Drive, Mason, Ohio 45040. (513) 770-0696.
Rusty’s Ristorante - I really want to try Rusty’s Ristorante since they offer Italian dining and what kid doesn’t like pasta? One free kids meal with each adult meal purchase on Tuesday nights for kids 12 and under. Drinks are included. 8028 Blue Ash Road, Deer Park, Ohio 45236. (513) 793-6881.
Tom + Chee – I love Tom + Chee, just wish it was closer to Mason (hint hint) and we know Amy Q. loves them too (see her past post). They now have kids eat free on Tuesday. Yippie! Here’s the deal: “Free kid’s meals on Tuesdays with the purchase of any combo meal (limit 2 kids meals per adult combo meal).” They also have “Bring a Buddy” Monday: “Buy any Grilled Cheese and get a second Grilled Cheese for 1/2 price!(1/2 price offer good on grilled cheese of equal or lesser value)”. They now have three locations – Newport on the Levee, Downtown (133 E. Court St.), and Fountain Square Downtown – double check their website for hours of operation.
Toot’s - Kids (10 and under) eat free all day. Limit of two free meals per adult purchase. 12191 Montgomery Road, Loveland, Ohio. (513) 
697-9100.
UNO Chicago Grill - Kids 12 and under get one free kids meal per adult entree all day. Two locations in Cincinnati: Union Centre – 9246 Schulze Dr., West Chester (513) 942-6646. Anderson Towne Center – 7578 Beechmont Ave. (513) 231-5357.
Reader’s Recommendations:
- Max & Erma’s - “Max and Erma’s offers 1 free children’s meal per paying adult on Tuesdays.” – Kellie Sassin Eckhardt via Facebook . Some locations even offer Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays so make sure you call the restaurant in advance before heading out. Here’s a link to an October 2010 PDF on various locations offering Kids Eat Free.
- Gold Star Chili - “The Hebron Gold Star also definitely does kids night on Tuesday nights. Our kids love Dan the Balloon Man. Also, Beef O’ Brady’s in Hebron has $1.49 kids meals on Tuesday nights. ” - LoriNKY
- Bard’s Burgers – “Bard’s Burgers (3620 Decoursey Avenue, Covington) does a kids eat free from 4p-8p on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult meal. They update via facebook.” - Patty
- Lonestar Steakhouse - Valid all day on Tuesday, two kids eat free from the kids’ menu with the purchase of any entrée. – Thanks for the tip JoAnn.
- Hofbrauhaus - Kids eat free Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. One free kids’ meal with every paying adult. – Tiff
- Texas Roadhouse - The Milford, Ohio location has $.99 kids’ meals on Tuesday. Two kids can eat for $.99 each with each adult meal purchase. Not valid on Ranger meals. – Thanks for the tip Candace L.
- Bourbon House Pizza – Located in Florence, KY – Tuesday night kids’ eat free (selected food items) – Julie P.
Wednesday:
Applebees - Kids can eat free all day at the Mason location on Wed. – one free kids meal with each adult meal purchase. 9660 S. Mason Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio 45040. (513) 336-9943. Check directly with the Applebees in your neighborhoods to see if they have similar offers.
Pizza Tower – This is one of my kids favorite places to go (see my previous post) and on Wednesday nights (4-9pm) two kids can eat free with an adult meal purchase of at least $5. They get their choice of a one topping personal pizza. Drinks are not included but a small ice cream cup is. They also give them fresh pizza dough to play with that they can shape into animals or some creative creation. My go to masterpiece is the snowman. 8945 Governors Way, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. (513) 683-8400.
Hoggy’s - Every Wednesday Kids Eat Free at Hoggy’s from 5-9pm with the purchase of an adult entree!
Skyline Chili - Locations vary on the nights they do Kids’ Eat Free so just double check with your local Skyline before heading out. Thanks to reader, Patterson, for adding that Wednesday is another popular night for Skyline’s Kids’ Eat Free night.
Reader’ Recommendations:
- Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant – “Hey, as an FYI, Margarita’s in Cold Spring has Kids Eat Free every Wednesday.” - Ray Crawford
Thursday:
Captain D’s- Check with your local Captain D’s to see if they participate in Kid’s Day on Thursdays. Their national website shows that two kids can get a free kids’ meal with an adult entree purchase at regular price. They also have a birthday club and kids will get a free kids’ meal coupon for their birthday.
Viva Tequila - Here’s a new addition to our listing. Now offering Kids Eat Free on Thursdays. 2424 Kings Mills Road, Mason, Ohio. (513) 229-7579.
Friday:
Qdoba – On Friday nights, the Qdoba in Deerfield Townhip and the Qdoba in Florence (say hi to Jenn!) & Qdoba Blue Ash have Family Night. Kids 12 and under eat free with an adult entree purchase after 4pm. They have some yummy options for you and your kids that they prepare right before your eyes. Check with your local Qdoba’s before heading out to see if they have Family Night since stores may differ on local promotions.
Saturday:
Izzy’s Restaurants – Having a kids eat free Saturday option is great. Head to the home of the “World’s Greatest Reubens” at their Florence, Anderson, Red Bank, Forest Park, Western Hills, and West Chester locations and kids (14 and under) will eat free with an adult meal purchase. Plus this is valid all day (dine in only).
Reader’s Recommendation:
- Steak-n-Shake - “You missed our favorite: Kids eat free at Steak-n-Shake on Saturday and Sunday.” – WritingSols
Sunday:
Tropical Smoothie Cafe – I wrote a post about the Tropical Smoothie Cafe in April 2010 and I still love this gem. The food is fresh, healthy and delicious. On Sundays, kids 12 and under can eat free with each adult purchase. 7688 Voice of America Drive, West Chester, Ohio 45069.
Reader’s Recommendations:
- El Mariachi – “El Mariachi in Hebron (but NOT Harrison) has free kids meals on Sunday.” - LoriNKY. (Looks like this deal is good for a limit of 2 kids per party/table – with 2 kids eat free with the purchase of 2 adult meals and drinks).
- Skyline Chili - “Skyline in Independence, KY - kids eat free on Sundays.” - Heather Mohlman Huneycutt via Facebook
- Steak-n-Shake - “You missed our favorite: Kids eat free at Steak-n-Shake on Saturday and Sunday.” – WritingSols
- Hofbrauhaus - Kids eat free Sunday, Monday & Tuesday. One free kids’ meal with every paying adult. – Tiff
Evey Day and/or Every Night (or pretty close):
By Gollys Bar & Grill - On their website, they post that kids eat free Monday through Thursday from 5-7:30pm and all day on Sunday. Wow. Call (513) 248-4444 for more information. 714 Lila Avenue, Milford, Ohio 45150.
Star Lanes on the Levee – Amy posted about all the fun we had bowling eating at Star Lanes on the Levee. The food was delicious and what’s even better is that they have a kids eat free offer Monday through Thursday from 4-7pm. 1 Levee Way, Newport, KY 41071. (859) 652-7250.
Toot’s - They offer a free hot dog basket meal (drink not included but ice cream is) every day, all day. Up to two kids (ages 10 and under) get the free hot dog basket with each adult purchase. Toot’s also has a kid’s eat free night on Tuesdays and they always have coupons and specials on their website (see their kids color coupons – color a picture for a free kid’s meal). 12191 Montgomery Road, Loveland, Ohio. (513) 697-9100.
Fricker’s - The Savings Lifestyle did the research for us (thank you Becky) and found that not only do the Dayton area Fricker’s offer kids eat free all day every day, but so do the Fricker’s in Middletown and North College Hill.
Other Great Deals:
Bob Evans – I think Bob Evan’s has a really nice selection of kids’ meals plus they give you lots of healthier side choice options (broccoli, yogurt, fruit, carrots and more). Drinks are not included. Sign up for their birthday club and your kids can get a free kids meal on their birthday.
Chi -nnatti’s Pizza – FFC had a fun night out for their Wednesday Family Night. You can purchase any pizza/any style/any size and get one free (less expensive pizza is the free item). This is a great place for kids – it’s spacious with a notable “din” factor. But, if you do order the deep dish pizza, be prepared to wait a little bit longer (my favorite was their traditional style). 7980 Hosbrook Road, Madeira, Ohio. (513) 985-4445.
Sonic & Steak-n-Shake – Each have a happy hour during the week. You can get 1/2 price drinks and slushies at Sonic and 1/2 price milkshakes at Steak-n-Shake. Offer valid M-F, 2-4pm. And, if you feel a craving for a shake late at night, Steak-n-Shake also offers this deal from 2-4am. If you sign up for Sonic’s birthday club, they’ll send your child a free coupon for a free Wacky Pack kids meal to use.
Know of a restaurant offering a Kids Eat Free night that we missed? Please share it in the comments! Also, because restaurant promotions are constantly changing we recommend calling before heading out, just to make sure. We’ll do our best to keep this updated, but just in case…. call.
For more great dining options with kids, please visit my personal website, MasonMetu, from me to you.
Editor’s Note: While we try our best to be accurate, sometimes event details/information can change. We highly recommend our readers visit the website of the business or event we’ve written about before taking any action.
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I signed up for coupons for Cici’s Pizza (there is one located in the Jungle Jims strip mall) and I sometimes get Kids Eat Free with paying adult coupons from them. They have a magician on Wednesday nights who does tricks at your table. The kids love him, and he waits until you’re pretty much done eating to entertain.
Gold Start Chili-Ross, Oh kids eat free on Tuesday
Skyline – Harrison and Mt. Healthy (Pleasant Run) Kids eat free Wednesday
Thanks for the tips. I wish we still had a Cici’s near us. Might have to visit Jungle Gyms soon and stop there.
Kids eat free at the Chic-Fli-A in Eastgate on friday from 4-9. And Johnny Rockets in Kenwood is Fri & Sat nights