Kids Eat Free

Visit the right restaurants at the right times, and your kids can have plates for pennies. Seconds, anyone?

The mad restaurant dash any night of the week begins with the inevitable (and dreaded) question, “Where do you want to go?” Before answering, many families have to take into consideration what one mom calls the “child-price” ratio; in other words, how much can families afford to spend per person when eating out? Fortunately, kids can eat free at many local restaurants, cafés and coffee shops, during the week and sometimes even on weekends. The following list highlights our favorite restaurants and our favorite deals for families looking to save some cash without hitting the frozen foods aisle.
—Additional reporting by Kathy Fridge at The Kids Directory.

Acambaro
1779 S. Glenstone Ave., 417-886-1444
Mondays, all day.
Get one free kid’s meal for each adult order, drinks and ice cream included.

Amigo’s Mexican Restaurant
2118 S. Campbell Ave., 417-887-1401
Mondays, all day.
Two free kid’s meals for children ages with each adult entrée.

Applebee’s
1855 E. Primrose St., Springfield, 417-883-4700
412 N. Old Wilderness Rd., Nixa, 417-724-2100
Nixa: Tuesdays.
Springfield: Mondays.
One free kid’s meal with every adult entrée. Each additional kid’s meal is $1. Ask nicely, and the server might bring a complimentary child’s sundae.

Back Yard Burgers
4020 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield, 417-889-2292; 711 N. McCroskey Ave., Nixa, 417-725-8788; 1915 W. Marler Lane, Ozark, 417-581-6686
Nixa and Ozark: Mondays, after 8 p.m. Springfield: Tuesdays, after 8 p.m.
Get one free kid’s meal (ages 12 and younger) for each adult combo meal.

Coyote’s Adobe Café
1725 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield,
417-889-7120; 807 N. Main St., Nixa, 417-725-6803.
Tuesdays, 5 p.m. to close.
Get one free kid’s meal for each adult meal purchased.

El Chico
2639 S. Glenstone Ave., 417-886-4768
Sundays, all day.
Get one free kid’s meal for each adult entrée purchased.

George’s Steakhouse
339 S Glenstone Ave., 417-831-6777
Monday–Sunday, all day.
One free kid’s meal from the children’s menu for each adult entrée priced $7.99 or more.

Hemingway’s Blue Water Café
1935 S. Campbell Ave., 417-891-5100
Daily, all day.
Children ages 4 and younger can help themselves to the buffet, free.

Hill Top Pizza
91 S. Main St., Fair Grove, 417-759-7794
Mondays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Kids receive a free kid’s meal for every adult meal purchased. Extra kid’s meals are $1.99.

IHOP
5437 N. Kansas Expy, 417-868-8783
Wednesdays, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Children receive a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Limit two meals per adult meal purchased.

Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon
3030 S. Campbell Ave., 417-886-2900
Tuesdays, all day.
Get two free kid’s meals for every adult entrée purchased.

Longhorn Grill
1645 W. Republic Rd., 417-447-1064;
Tuesdays, all day.
Get one kid’s meal for every adult meal purchased.

McAllister’s Deli
2445 N. Kansas Expy, Springfield, 417-866-2331; 210 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-831-4450; 1460 E. Primrose St., Springfield, 417-890-5250; 703 McCroskey St., Nixa, 417-725-9299
Tuesdays, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Get two free kid’s meals for each adult meal entrée purchased.

Perkin’s Family Restaurant
729 W. Sunshine St., 417-864-8400;
Tuesdays.
Get one free kid’s meal with any adult entrée purchase.

Pickerman’s Soup and Sandwich
3234 S. National Ave., 417-886-2360
Wednesdays, all day.
Get one free kid’s meal for each adult meal purchased.

Pizza Inn
1631 N. Glenstone Ave., 417-869-1597
Saturdays, all day.
$o.99 buffet for kids with each adult purchase.

Qdoba Mexican Grill
2631 E. Sunshine St., 417-877-9777;
4127 S. Kansas Expy., 417-823-7835;
900 E. Battlefield, 417-887-7329.
Sundays, all day.
Kid’s meals (entrée, chips and drink) are $1.50 with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Rib Crib
750 N. 18th St., Ozark, 417-581-5566
Monday, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Receive one free kid’s meal for a child 12 or younger with an adult meal purchase.

Ryan’s Family Steakhouse
1950 E. Kearney St., 417-862-6133
Daily, all day.
Children ages 3 and younger eat free. Purchase kid’s meals for children ages 4-8 for $3.99, children ages 9-12 for $4.99.

Shoney’s
2946 S. National Ave., 417-887-1389;
2731 N. Glenstone Ave., 417-831-6053.
Daily, all day.
Get one free kid’s meal for ages 4 and younger with each adult buffet purchased.

Springfield’s Incredible Pizza Company
2850 S. Campbell Ave., 417-887-3030
Daily, all day.
Children ages 3 and younger eat free all day, every day.

Village Inn
4222 S. Campbell Ave., 417-887-4774;
2036 S. Glenstone Ave., 417-881-0774;
909 E. Republic Rd., 417-881-2752;
850 N. 17th St., Ozark, 417-581-8815.
Mondays, all day.
Get one free kid’s meal for a child age 10 or younger with any adult meal purchased.

Western Sizzlin’
1700 E. Kearney St., 417-869-2001
Daily, all day.
Children ages 3 and younger eat free from the buffet with every purchase of an adult entrée or adult buffet.

Ziggie’s Café
all locations Mondays, 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
One free kid’s meal with every purchase of an adult entrée priced more than $6.