Dishes
Where Kids Eat Free
We dug up all the best local places to get free or nearly free meals for your kiddos. It’s the perfect excuse to ditch your cooking plans and dine out with the whole family.
By Courtney Caldwell
Feb 2018
Illustration by Morgan Baldwin
Sunday
Ocean Zen
4117 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-889-9596
When: Lunchtime on Sunday
What You Get: For each adult entree you purchase, you can get a kids meal for free, which is a great chance to go gourmet without burning a hole in your pocket.
[MORE: Kids Summer Camps in Springfield, MO and Beyond]
Monday
Amigo Mexican Restaurant
2118 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-887-1401
When: All day
What You Get: Kids ages 10 and younger can enjoy a free kids meal when you purchase an adult meal and drink at this family-focused south-of-the-border restaurant. That means a margarita for you!
Buckingham's BBQ
2415 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-831-7427, buckinghambbq.com
When: Dinnertime
What You Get: Only at the Glenstone location, order an adult meal and drink, and your kiddo can get something tasty like a chicken tenders meal or a barbecue sandwich for free. The offer is for kids 12 and younger.
Leong's Asian Diner
1540 W. Republic Road, Springfield, 417-887-7500
When: Dinnertime
What You Get: Kids 12 and younger can get a free kids meal with each adult meal that you purchase. They are known for their mac and cheese, so don’t miss out.
Tuesday
Big Whiskey's American Restaurant & Bar
Multiple 417-land locations, bigwhiskeys.com
When: Dinnertime on Tuesdays
What You Get: This place serves up some of the yummiest appetizers in 417-land. But in order to get a free kids meal, make sure you order a full-price adult entree, too.
Coyote's Adobe Café
807 N. Main St., Nixa, 417-725-6803
When: Dinnertime on Tuesdays
What You Get: Only at the Nixa location, you can get a free kids meal for children 12 and younger for each adult entrée you purchase. Don’t leave too soon; there’s a magician there starting at 6 p.m. to entertain the kids while they enjoy their meals.
Prima's Mexican Grill
Multiple locations, primasmexicangrill.com
When: Tuesday all day
What You Get: Kids can gobble up a free kids menu meal for each full-price adult meal you purchase. And what’s better than a family meal with warm chips and salsa?
Rib Shack
2925 W. Republic Road, Suite 100, Springfield, 417-315-8322; 2963 E. Chestnut Expressway, Springfield, 417-831-2144
When: Tuesday all day
What You Get: Get messy with some ribs. Kids meals are only $1.99 for kids 12 and younger, and you can purchase up to two kids meals at that price per adult entree.
Moe's Southwest Grill
Multiple 417-land locations, moes.com
When: All day
What You Get: Children 9 and younger get one free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Don’t miss out on a free meal and free chips and salsa with your dinner.
Ruby Tuesday
Multiple 417-land locations, rubytuesday.com
When: Dinnertime on Tuesday
What You Get: If you and your little ones are craving a late snack, Ruby Tuesdays has a deal for you. From 5 to 10 p.m., get one free kids entree with just one adult entree purchase.
Wednesday
Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders
4560 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-720-4414
When: Wednesday all day
What You Get: Sometimes you just really crave a big, hearty sandwich for dinner, and you can get that here along with a good kids deal. When you buy a tasty adult entree, you can get an equally tasty kids entree for $1.99.
Dublin's Pass
Multiple 417-land locations, dublinspass.com
When: Wednesday all day
What You Get: Kids 12 and younger get one free kids meal with the purchase of one adult entree. While your kids munch away, you can sit back and relax with an Irish drink for the adults.
Newk's Eatery
220 W. Battlefield Road, Springfield, 417- 881-6395
When: All day
What You Get: Wednesday night is kids night from 3 p.m. to close. Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. Get up to two kids meals with each adult meal purchase—killing two meals with one entree!
Whole Hog Café
224 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-868-0042
When: Dinnertime on Wednesdays
What You Get: Order an adult plate of yummy barbecue and get a kids plate for free for kids 12 and younger. Dine-in after 5 p.m. only.
Friday
Buffalo Wild Wings
Multiple 417-land locations, buffalowildwings.com
When: Dinnertime
What You Get: Starting at 5 p.m., kids 12 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.
Saturday
Rosie Jo's Café
1711 S. 15th St., Ozark, 417-581-6047
When: Dinnertime
What You Get: Kids 10 and younger can enjoy a tasty free kids meal at dinnertime for each adult entree you purchase.
Multiple Days
Bair's All-American Sports Grill
1644 US Highway 60 East, Republic, 417-732-5077
When: Dinnertime Monday through Thursday
What You Get: At the Republic Bair’s location, kids meals are only $1 when you purchase an adult entree for dinner.
Bud & Walt's Pizza & Pasta House
701 McCroskey St., Nixa, 417-724-0070
When: Dinnertime on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
What You Get: In the mood for pizza for the whole family? For just $1.99, your child can eat and get a soft drink (if you’ve purchased an adult meal).
Springfield's Incredible Pizza Company
2850 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-887-3030
When: Daily
What You Get: What’s better than a pizza buffet? A free pizza buffet for your kiddos! Kids who are 3 and younger get pizza and a drink, all for free.
McAlister's Deli
Multiple 417-land locations, mcalistersdeli.com
When: Tuesday (dinner) and Sundays (all day)
What You Get: On Tuesdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and all day Sundays, kids 12 and younger get one free meal with each adult entree—limit 2 kids meal per adult entree purchased. The offer is good for dine-in only, and kids must be present.
Steak 'n Shake
Multiple 417-land locations, steaknshake.com
When: All weekend
What You Get: One free kids meal with every $9 spent. So you could get four whole meals for less than $14—a deal you can’t pass up.
Springfield Family Restaurant
2222 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-883-0900
When: Dinnertime daily
What You Get: For every adult entree you purchase, you can get a kids meal for free. Make sure you come at dinnertime to get this great deal.
HuHot Mongolian Grill
2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417- 882-0300
When: Daily
What You Get: Get a free grill kids meal for your children ages 3 years and younger. Don’t forget to leave room for your tableside campfire s’mores.
Village Inn
Multiple 417-land locations, villageinn.com
When: Monday and Tuesday all day
What You Get: In the mood for home cooking and a slice of pie for dessert? Bring the kids and get a free kids meal (for children 10 and younger) for each adult meal you purchase.
The Almost Free Stuff
Houlihan's
2110 E. Republic Road, 417-883-3434; 2421 N. Glenstone Ave., 417-862-7777; Springfield
When: Sunday all day
What You Get: Select kids meals are only $2.99 for children 10 and younger. That means you can take the whole family out for a meal without breaking the bank.
HuHot Mongolian Grill
2825 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417- 882-0300
When: Daily
What You Get: If your kids are older than 3 years, HuHot still has the best deals in town! Kids 4 to 7 years old can get a meal for only $3.99, and kids ages 8 to 12 only cost $6.99. Don’t forget, you have to buy one adult entree as well.
