Rising prices don’t mean you need to cut family dinners out of your budget. Dining out has a lot of perks for families, from taking a break from cooking duties and coming home to a clean kitchen, to enjoying new food and each other’s company while supporting local businesses.
Finding a restaurant where kids eat free is a great way to stretch your hard earned dollars without breaking the bank. And at these local restaurants around Chicagoland, kids are not only welcome, but they can eat for free every day of the week!
Note: These specials and kids eat free meal deals are subject to change and may vary at chain and franchise locations. For the best experience, call to confirm these specials with the restaurant before you go.
This article was recently updated on Sept. 13, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Audience Development Manager, Katina Beniaris. Questions? Please reach out to katina@chicagoparent.com.
Where kids eat free in Chicago
Crosby’s Kitchen
- Address: 3455 N Southport Ave., Chicago
- Kids 12 and under eat free daily from 4-6 p.m.
Crosby’s Kitchen in Lakeview features a Midwest-slanted menu centered around rotisserie. Grown ups can feast chicken, beef or prime rib straight off the rotisserie while kiddos 12 and under enjoy a free kids meal. Other delectable dinner options include skirt steak salad, salmon, crab cakes and baby back ribs.
Kids dinner options include one main (chicken leg, chicken fingers, peanut butter and jelly, grilled cheese or buttered noodles), one side (mashed potatoes, french fries, veggies or fruit) a beverage and vanilla ice cream. Kids with a sweet tooth — and which kid doesn’t? — can upgrade their ice cream to a root beer float.
Fogo de Chao
- Address: 661 N La Salle Dr., Chicago
- Kids 6 and under eat free daily, kids 7-12 can enjoy the Full Churrasco Experience for half price
The main event at Fogo de Chao is the Churrasco Experience. For $66.50, each adult guest can enjoy unlimited tableside service of 14 cuts of fire-roasted meat, as well as sides of Brazilian cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes and caramelized plantains.
Older kids can feast on the Churrasco Experience for half-price every day, and littles ages 6 and under can enjoy lunch or dinner for free daily!
Tuco and Blondie
- Address: 3358 N Southport Ave., Chicago
- Kids eat free daily from 4:30-6 p.m.
The bustling outdoor patio and hip digs at Tuco and Blondie are the perfect backdrop for your next family meal. Kids enjoy a free dinner from 4:30-6 p.m. daily, which means grown ups can put those savings towards tacos, fajitas or cocktails like frozen margaritas, palomas or pina coladas.
Best suited for kiddos 6 and under, the free kids meal includes your child’s choice of chicken fingers, nachos, a chicken or beef quesadilla, mini tacos or a soft taco. All meals are served with fruit, a drink and an ice cream cone!
Smashburger
- Address: 360 Michigan Ave., Chicago and 4709 W Foster Ave., Chicago
- Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays
For every adult entree, side, and drink purchase, kids 12 and under get a free kids meal! Choices include a hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken strips with a side and drink. Adults can customize burgers, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, and salads or choose from Smashburger’s menu options.
Where kids eat free in North/Northwest Suburbs
Bennigan’s
- Address: 495 Airport Road, Elgin
- Kids eat free all day on Sundays
The entire family can dig into classic Irish pub fare at Bennigan’s. Sandwiches, soup and salad are all on the menu, but nothing can beat the prime burgers. Try the Guiness glazed bacon burger (paired with a Guiness or stout, of course!) or go all in for The Big Irish — a double decker burger with two half-pound patties and double the toppings!
For every adult diner, one child will receive a free kids meal. Kids meal options include mac and cheese, chicken tenders, burger bites, grilled cheese or salad. There are also a few yummy milkshakes to add on for dessert.
Danny’s Pizza
- Address: 231 Douglas Ave, Elgin
- Kids 12 and under eat free on Sundays
Your next family pizza party just got a bit more affordable! On Sundays at Danny’s Pizza, every purchase of an adult meal earns your family a free kids meal.
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
- Address: 1631 W. Lake St., Addison
- Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, kids 10 and under can dig into a Lil’ Wilbur meal with the purchase of any adult entree. Lil’ Wilbur meal options include mini corn dogs, country-roasted chicken, ribs and more, with a side, drink and Oreo cookies.
Parents can dine on award-winning ribs, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and more tasty barbecue combos.
Fogo de Chao
- Address: 5460 Park Place, Rosemont
- Kids 6 and under eat free daily, kids 7-12 can enjoy the Full Churrasco Experience for half price
The main event at Fogo de Chao is the Churrasco Experience. For $63.50, each adult guest can enjoy unlimited tableside service of 14 cuts of fire-roasted meat, as well as sides of Brazilian cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes and caramelized plantains.
Older kids can feast on the Churrasco Experience for half-price every day, and littles ages 6 and can enjoy lunch or dinner for free daily!
Miller’s Ale House
- Address: 1300 N. Meacham Road, Schaumburg and 4474 N. Harlem Ave., Norridge
- Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Rookies All American Pub & Grill
- Address: 72 N. Williams St., Crystal Lake, 2486 Bushwood Drive, Elgin, 4607 W. Higgins Road, Hoffman Estates and 12220 Princeton Drive, Huntley
- Kids eat free on Thursdays
Every member of the family can enjoy food (and drink!) specials on Thursdays at Rookie’s All American Pub & Grill. Kids eat free with every adult entree purchased. In addition to entrees, Rookie’s offers half-priced Italian Beef sandwiches, $.99 chicken fingers and $3 domestic beer bottles on Thursdays.
Kids have tons of yummy options at Rookie’s, from chicken fingers and grilled cheese to a kids gyro, mini tacos and pizza bread. Plus, every kids menu doubles as a coloring and activity sheet!
Smashburger
- Address: 1721 E. Golf Road, No. 1721, Schaumburg
- Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
- Address: 15657 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park
- Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, kids 10 and under can dig into a Lil’ Wilbur meal with the purchase of any adult entree. Lil’ Wilbur meal options include mini corn dogs, country-roasted chicken, ribs and more, with a side, drink and Oreo cookies.
Parents can dine on award-winning ribs, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and more tasty barbecue combos.
Miller’s Ale House
- Address: 6401 95th St., Chicago Ridge and 15630 LaGrange Road, Orland Park
- Kids eat free on Tuesdays
Chow down on classic American eats, tavern-style snacks, local brews and sweet cocktails at Miller’s Ale House, a popular bar and grill chain. On Tuesdays, up to two kids at your table can eat for free with every purchase of a $10-plus food item.
Kiddos can choose from a burger, cheese quesadilla, chicken Zingers, fried shrimp, mac and cheese or grilled chicken. Each meal comes with a side, a beverage and a Blue Bunny frozen dessert.
Smashburger
- Address: 5139 W. 95th St., Oak Lawn and 15061 LaGrange Road, Orland Park
- Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays
I probably shouldn’t be writing this guide around lunchtime, because I could talk about Smashburger’s truffle mushroom swiss veggie burger with smash tots all day! Luckily for me, for every purchase of an adult entree, side and drink, kids 12 and under can enjoy a free kids meal! Kids meal options include a hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken strips with a side and a drink.
Grown ups can build their own burgers, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers and salads, or try one of Smashburger’s yummy menu options.
Where kids eat free in Western Suburbs
Colonial Cafe
- Address: 8 W. Gartner Road, Naperville and 1625 E. Main St., St. Charles
- Kids eat free on Mondays after 4 p.m.
A trip to Colonial Cafe was a big deal for me as a kid growing up in Naperville, and it warms my heart to see that their legendary ice cream treats and free kids meal deals are still around for a new generation of families to enjoy.
Every Monday after 4 p.m., kids eat free with any adult meal purchase. There are 13 kids entrees, each served with a side and a drink. But the food isn’t the main attraction at Colonial Cafe — it’s their iconic ice cream treats!
Sundae Funnies for the kiddos include an Oreo Cookie Mouse (complete with Oreo cookie eats and a whipped cream smile), the Brownie Bear, the Yummy Gummy “dirty and worms” sundae and a Birthday Cake Sundae, perfect for special occasions. Grown ups can order off the cafe’s classic ice cream menu, or the entire family can challenge themselves to finish the World Famous Kitchen Sink: two whole bananas; six scoops of ice cream; chocolate, pineapple, strawberry, whipped cream and toasted almond toppings and, of course, a cherry on top!
Famous Dave’s Bar-B-Que
- Address: 1828 Abriter Court, Naperville (to-go only) and 7201 W. 25th St., North Riverside
- Kids 10 and under eat free on Tuesdays
Every Tuesday, kids 10 and under can dig into a Lil’ Wilbur meal with the purchase of any adult entree. Lil’ Wilbur meal options include mini corn dogs, country-roasted chicken, ribs and more, with a side, drink and Oreo cookies.
Parents can dine on award-winning ribs, hearty burgers and sandwiches, and more tasty barbecue combos.
Fogo de Chao
- Address: 1824 Abriter Court, Naperville and Commons, 1204 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook
- Kids 6 and under eat free daily, kids 7-12 can enjoy the Full Churrasco Experience for half price
The main event at Fogo de Chao is the Churrasco Experience. For $63.50, each adult guest can enjoy unlimited tableside service of 14 cuts of fire-roasted meat, as well as sides of Brazilian cheese bread, polenta, mashed potatoes and caramelized plantains.
Older kids can feast on the Churrasco Experience for half-price every day, and littles ages 6 and under can enjoy lunch or dinner for free daily!
Lavergne’s Tavern
- Address: 6546 Windsor Ave., Berwyn
- Kids eat free on Mondays
Lavergne’s Tavern is a cozy neighborhood bar with a great selection of comfort food and local and craft beers. The entire family can enjoy food and drink specials on Mondays when kids eat free and mezcal margaritas and Purple Smoke cocktails are on special.
Every kid’s meal is served with your choice of tots, fries or applesauce and a kid’s drink. For your child’s main course, they can pick from chicken fingers, burgers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese or cheese quesadillas. Add a scoop of vanilla gelato for just $5!
Miller’s Ale House
- Address: 778 Illinois Route 59, Aurora, 455 E. Butterfield Road, Lombard and 7515 Cermak Road, North Riverside
- Kids eat free on Tuesdays
On Tuesdays, up to two kids eat free with every $10+ food order. Kids can pick from a burger, quesadilla, chicken Zingers, shrimp, mac and cheese, or grilled chicken, along with a side, drink, and Blue Bunny dessert.
Rookies All American Pub & Grill
- Address: 1360 Lake St., Roselle, 1996 S. Kirk Road, Geneva and 1545 W. Main St., St. Charles
- Kids eat free on Thursdays
Every member of the family can enjoy food (and drink!) specials on Thursdays at Rookie’s All American Pub & Grill. Kids eat free with every adult entree purchased. In addition to entrees, Rookie’s offers half-priced Italian Beef sandwiches. $.99 chicken fingers and $3 domestic beer bottles on Thursdays.
Kids have tons of yummy options at Rookie’s, from chicken fingers and grilled cheese to a kids gyro, mini tacos and pizza bread. Plus, every kids menu doubles as a coloring and activity sheet!
Smashburger
- Address: 1755 W 22nd St, Suite A, Oak Brook and 2736 Showplace Drive, No. 100, Naperville
- Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays
I probably shouldn’t be writing this guide around lunchtime, because I could talk about Smashburger’s truffle mushroom swiss veggie burger with smash tots all day! Luckily for me, for every purchase of an adult entree, side and drink, kids 12 and under can enjoy a free kids meal! Kids meal options include a hamburger, cheeseburger or chicken strips with a side and a drink.
Grown ups can build their own burgers, chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers and salads, or try one of Smashburger’s yummy menu options.
Warren’s Ale House
- Address: 51 Town Square, Wheaton
- Kids 10 and under eat free on Mondays
Mondays are a party at Warren’s Ale House in Wheaton! Kids 10 and under eat free with the purchase of every adult meal, which means parents can put those extra dollars towards special $6 margaritas. Kids can pick from classic children’s menu options, all paired with applesauce, a drink and their choice of fries, carrots and ranch or salad.
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