Going out to eat with your crew is always a good idea but it can get expensive. Enter these restaurants and fast food chains in NJ that offer deals for kids, but you have to read the fine print: some have age limits, some require mom or dad to buy a meal, and some offers are at specific times of the day. Deals change all the time, so call ahead to confirm that your location offers kids’ meals for free.
Local Restaurants
Arirang Hibachi Steakhouse
1230 Rte. 22 West, Mountainside
986 Rte. 9 South, Parlin (Sayreville)
Every Monday and Tuesday, kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult entree, as long as you dine in the restaurant.
Calandra’s Il Vecchio Cafe
234 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell
Kids 10 and younger eat free every Wednesday, with their choice of chicken fingers with fries, grilled cheese panella with fries, ravioli or penne with butter, spaghetti and meatballs, or thin crust pizza. Includes milk, juice or soda.
Christie’s Italian Seafood Grill
2420 Rte. 9, Howell
Kids eat free Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as part of their Back to School Special. Open to kids 12 and younger who order off the Children’s Menu. Available for dine-in only.
Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern
1 E. Franklin Tpke., Ho-Ho-Kus
Sit inside or give your kids room to move outdoors as they have a meal for free.
Jalapeños Mexican Grille
930 Prospect St., Glen Rock
From 12-9 pm every Sunday, kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
Miller’s Ale House
Multiple locations
Get one free kid’s meal on Tuesday with the purchase of a $10 menu item. Limit two per table.
MoonShine
55 Main St., Millburn
On Sundays, kids eat free from a special menu that includes mac & cheese, grilled cheese and fries, pasta with marinara sauce or butter, cheeseburger and fries, or pizza. You get one free kid’s entree per adult entree.
Que Pasta Italian Restaurant
326 Market St., Saddle Brook
Sign up for their deals and kids will eat for free on Fridays.
Stage House Tavern
1099 Rte. 22, Mountainside
366 Park Ave., Scotch Plains
1719 Amwell Rd., Somerset
Kids 12 and under whose adult sits down for a meal from 5 pm to close on Wednesdays will get a choice of free pasta, pizza, chicken nuggets, spaghetti and meatballs, mozzarella sticks or hot dogs.
The Station Bar & Grill
99 Center St., Garwood
It’s a party! Kids eat free off the Kids Menu on Saturdays.
National Chains
Applebees
Kids eat free when you buy an adult full-priced entree. This deal is good through August 28.
Arooga’s
Kids 12 and under eat free every Monday with the purchase of an adult entree when you eat inside the restaurant.
Chili’s
Join My Chili’s Rewards so you’ll get promos via email and text that entitle you to a free kid’s meal (age 12 and under) when you order an adult entree. Kids have options like the Pepper Pals Cheese Burger Bites, Cheese Quesadilla and Cheese Pizza.
Denny’s
Kids get a free meal if an adult orders a meal costing $6 or more.
Famous Dave’s
Every Tuesday, kids get a Lil’ Wilbur meal on the house as long as an adult gets a meal, too.
IHOP
Kids eat free every day from 4-10 pm. They’ll want to have breakfast for dinner, trying the new Blue’s Dazzleberry Jr. Combo from the special “IF” movie-based menu.
Ruby Tuesday
Tuesday dinner is for kids here, with free meals after 5 pm. Your kid must be 12 or younger, you must order a meal, and you must dine in the restaurant.
Smashburger
Grab a free Kids Meal on Wednesdays (age 12 and under) with the purchase of any adult meal.
Not Free … But Close
Chevy’s Fresh Mex
Kids eat for just $1 on Wednesdays, all day in the dining room, when a parent orders their own meal.
Red Robin
If you come by on Wednesday then your kid’s meal will be half-off – and that includes a kid’s entree, side and drink. When you dine in, the drinks and sides are unlimited. If you decide to order online for takeout, use code KIDSMEAL50.
- Jennifer Amato contributed to this story.
Know of a place where kids eat free that we’re missing? Email jennifer@njfamily.com with your recommendations.
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