Good Deals for Kids

There is such a thing as a free lunch (and dinner), for the kiddos at least. Here are our top-10 picks for places where kids can eat free.

Whether you want to get out of the kitchen, aren’t much of a cook in the first place or just love good deals, there are places all over town where your kids can eat free. We’ve selected our top picks for places kids can get their grub on at no cost to you. Our selections are all from The Kids Directory’s Kids Eat Free list. To get to the complete list, visit springfieldkids.com/kids_eat_free.php for a complete list of places kids can eat free. If your restaurant features a family-friendly deal, send an e-mail with the details to editor@417mag.com.

Hemingway’s
1935 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield,
417-891-5100
Everyday kids age 4 and younger can get a free buffet. We’re partial to the Sunday buffet, which was voted Best Sunday Brunch in our Best of 417 readers’ poll. The Sunday buffet also features a large chocolate fountain, which is always big hit with wee ones.

Pasta House Co.
4109 S. National Ave., Springfield,
417-883-5678
On Sundays, get a kid’s meal free for each adult meal purchased for ages 12 and younger. We liked this deal because places tend to just offer free deals for the youngest sprouts, generally kindergarten age and younger. This deal might just make Sundays your family’s Italian night. Chicken fingers, cheese sticks and toasted ravioli are among the most popular selections on the kids’ menu. 

Perkins Family Restaurant
729 W. Sunshine St., Springfield,
417-864-8400
On Tuesdays all day and Sundays 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can get one kid’s meal free for each adult meal purchased for kids 12 and younger. Perkins has the usual kids favorites such as grilled cheese, mini pizzas and chicken fingers but kids also choose a side, and there are some healthy picks on that list such as a cup of chicken noodle soup, fresh fruit cup, salad, steamed broccoli, corn and applesauce. It’s always nice to have healthy alternatives when eating out.

Qdoba Mexican Grill
2631 E. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-877-9777; 4127 S. Kansas Exwy., Springfield, 417-823-7825; 900 E. Battlefield, Springfield,
417-887-7329
On Sundays, kids meals are just $1.50 and include chips and a drink. This one is nice because if you’re out running around and your kids are hungry but you’re not, you aren’t stuck buying an adult meal just to get the deal (not that you’d want to pass up that to-die-for queso).

Applebee’s
1855 E. Primrose St., Springfield,
417-883-4700
All day on Mondays at the Applebee’s Primrose location, get one free kid’s meal with the purchase of one adult entrée. We also like that adding additional kids to the deal is only $1. This way you don’t have to worry about the adult-to-kid ratio. Kids can also get a free sundae upon request.

Backyard Burgers
711 N. McCroskey St., Nixa,
417-725-8788; 1915
W. Marler Ln., Ozark 417-581-6686
On Mondays from 4 p.m. to close, get a kids meal free for kids age 12 and younger with the purchase of an adult combo meal. We liked here too that older kids were included in the deal. Also, from 5 to 8 p.m., these two Backyard Burger locations offer free face painting.

Buckingham Smokehouse BBQ
2415 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield,
417-831-7427
On Mondays and Tuesdays from 4 p.m. to close, kids ages 8 and younger eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. The menu offers selection such as kids-sized pork, beef, ham and turkey sandwiches and three chicken tenders and two ribs on the side.

Cassil’s Coffee Café
2925 W. Republic Rd., Springfield,
417-851-1104
On Tuesdays, kids younger than 12 get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult meal. Between all the burgers and pizza and fast food, we liked that there was a good deal at a place where you can get a tasty, healthy sandwich and other café offerings, such as the delicious baked goods. On the kids’ menu, Cassil’s offers items such as chicken fingers, ham and cheese sandwiches and 7-inch individual kid’s pizzas.

Here are EVEN MORE kids’ deals TO KEEP YOUR WALLET—AND LITTLE TUMMIES—FULL:

Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon
3030 S. Campbell Ave., Springfield,
417-886-2900
On Tuesdays all day and on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., two children can eat free from the kids’ menu with every paid adult entree. The kids’ menu has traditional offerings such as macaroni and cheese and cheeseburgers as well as steak medallions.

Zio’s Italian Kitchen
1249 E. Kingsley St., Springfield, 417-889-1919
Kids eat for $1.99 every day.

George’s Steak House
339 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield,
417-831-6777
Everyday for kids ages 12 and younger, get one free kids meal from the children’s menu with each adult entrée purchased.

Hard Wok Chinese Buffet
1258 E. Battlefield, Springfield,
417-881-7828
Every day kids age 4 and younger eat free.

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

Pizza Inn
1631 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-869-1597; 1425 W. Battlefield, Springfield, 417-889-9769; 2440 N. Kansas Exwy., Springfield, 417-831-5262
Kids age 4 and younger eat free every day at Springfield locations.

Shoney’s
2946 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-887-1389; 3731 N. Glenstone Ave.,Springfield, 417-831-6053; Hwy. 14 at 65, Ozark,
417-581-6545
Every day kids 4 and younger get a free buffet with an adult purchase.

Western Sizzlin’
1700 E. Kearney St., Springfield,
417-869-2001
Every day kids 3 and younger get a free buffet with purchase of adult entrée or adult buffet.

Captain D’s
839 N. Glenstone Ave., Springfield, 417-865-9357; 2964 S. National Ave., Springfield, 417-881-6098.
Thursday evenings, get a kids meal for
99 cents with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Chick-Fil-A
3700 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield,
417-890-5800
Chick-Fil-A doesn’t have a meal deal, but it hosts Family Fun Night from 5 to 8 p.m. on Thursdays with free activities, and kids can create a free ice cream sundae. No purchase is necessary.

El Chico
2639 S. Glenstone Ave., Springfield,
417-886-4768
After 5 p.m. on Thursdays, buy an adult entree and get a kids meal for 99 cents (kids 12 and younger).

The Cafe
at The Courtyard by Marriott
3521 W. Kearney St., Springfield,
417-866-7626
All day on Thursdays, get one free kids meal for children ages 12 and younger with the purchase of adult entree. Additional kids eat for $1.49.

McAllister’s Deli
210 W. Sunshine St., Springfield, 417-831-4450; 1460 E. Primrose, Springfield,
417-890-5250; 2445A Kansas Exwy. at Kearney  St., 417-866-2331; 703 N.
McCroskey, Nixa,  417-725-9299
On Tuesdays, kids 12 and younger eat free from 5-9 p.m. Must purchase adult meal to get free kids meal. Limit two free kids meals.