With gas prices rising and living expenses on a continual uphill growth, everyone loves a good deal. Restaurants are catching on, and they’re catering to families more than ever! There are many around the DC-area that offer Kids Eat Free specials (and healthier dining options), so keep your eye out for them! In the meantime, here are a few resources and restaurant specials you might want to know about!
Healthy Kid’s Meals
When you take your kids out to eat, you not only want them to have a good time, but you want them to eat a well-balanced meal too. Now there is a way to determine the best food for your family. Local blogger, Sarah Grosjean with Capitally Frugal, clued us into a wonderful resource for parents who want to provide healthy alternatives for their kids when eating out. In 2011, Kids LiveWell was created by the National Restaurant Association to encourage restaurants to make the “healthy choice the easy choice” for families. To be a qualifying Kids LiveWell meal, it needs to be 600 calories or less, have less than (or equal to) 35% calories from total fat, less than or equal to 770 mg of sodium, and more. Parents can find the participating restaurants online.
Chili’s
When you sign up for their email club, you not only get a free appetizer, but they keep you up-to date on other great Kids Eat Free specials they’re running. And at Chili’s, getting a great meal doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice healthy eating. Julie Flowers, a spokesperson for Chili’s gave us the lowdown about why they aim to keep their meals healthy and affordable. “Kids, just like adults, seek items that satisfy their cravings while at the same time meet their unique dietary needs…and we do our part by offering choices on our kids’ menu to meet these…”
Moe’s Southwest Grill
Tuesday is a big day for Kids Eat Free at Moe’s Southwest Grill. Sign up for their Club Mini Moe’s at clubminimoes.com to get an instant coupon for a free kids meal, and learn about their most recent specials to save the whole family money! Their Club also allows kids to play games on their website and download fun computer programs! So head into Moe’s and wrap up your burrito just the way you like it.
California Tortilla
Depending on the location, they have lots of different days available for their Kids Eat Free promotions! And our favorite promotion comes on Monday night, if you order a regular burrito any Monday after 5:00 PM, you get to spin the Monday Night Mystery Prize Wheel. Yee-ha! Whether you like fajitas, tacos or big, fresh salad, try out California Tortilla for an affordable, fun night out!
Clyde’s
This classic restaurant has been wowing families around the DC area for over 50 years. Their 14 properties use locally grown produce to support the local economy and it really shows through in their tasty foods. Their kid’s menu includes lots of American classic favorites, from mac and cheese to their famous Clyde’s burger. When finished eating, kids get a free ice cream, and parents can enjoy a treat from their extensive dessert menu!
Joe’s Crab Shack
Fresh fish doesn’t have to be sold on the beaches anymore! In Fairfax, you can grab some crab and other seafood goodies while keeping the kids entertained at Joe’s Crab Shack. While mom and dad can grab a signature drink after dinner, the kids can have fun in their own play area! And the fun doesn’t have to stop when you leave – they have an app where you can crack crabs and other fun games!
Generous George’s
How many places offer the chance for your kids to create their own pizza and make a mess that you don’t have to clean up? We don’t know of many, but Generous George’s Pizza does just that! Plus, kids get their own complimentary Chef’s hat too! With walls covered in vintage toys and cartoon figures, you truly can’t go wrong visiting this fun pizza place.
Eggspectation
Breakfast is served all the time, and there’s no better time to visit than Monday, when kids receive a free meal when their parents do! Whether you’re in the mood for a far-away treat like crepes or just want to grab an “Eggsecutive Burger,” there are plenty of locations around the area including Ellicott City, Silver Spring, Leesburg, Chantilly and Gainesville.
Uncle Julio’s
This is the place to be for lovers of Mexican Food and the kids are no exception. Keeping the whole family healthy is a priority with their Heart-Healthy menu items and kid’s meals are served with fruit. We enjoy going on Tuesday, where each of their 6 DC area locations offer half off their featured wine. Arriba!
The Original Pancake House
If your kids like breakfast, then they’ll love The Original Pancake House. Their Apple Pancake is oven baked with fresh granny smith apples and pure Sinkiang cinnamon glaze, and sure to be a winner with the kids. Moms and dads can enjoy a more mature crepe called The Tahitian Maiden’s Dream… a tender crepe filled with golden ripe bananas sliced in sour cream and tempered with Triple Sec, sherry and brandy.
Sweet City Desserts
At Sweet City, delicious is an understatement. Whether your kids enjoy unique ice cream sandwiches, fresh muffins or their out-of-this-world cupcakes (our favorite is the Somoa cupcake), there is a treat for everyone at Sweet City. They offer specials periodically through texting, so if you want IN on the goods, text the word “Sweets” to 90583!
