Dining out with kids can be, well, stressful to say the least. To help make things a little easier on parents (and their wallets), many restaurants in Chicago feature “kids eat free” deals, or days of the week when kids can get discounted meals. These are the top spots to grab a bite with kids in tow. Be sure to check with the restaurant first to verify the promotion, and also be mindful of age, time, and menu restrictions. If you’re looking for options beyond the Chicago area, check out our nationwide list of 50 places where kids eat free.
Skip ahead to check out the restaurants nearest you:
- Bolingbrook (60440) | Ikea
- Chicago 60607 | Wishbone Restaurant60611 | Shaw’s Crab House, Benny’s Chop House, Pinstripes60613 | Southport & Irving60614 | Dunlays on Clark60618 | Rocks Northcenter60622 | Hollywood Grill60657 | Frasca Pizzeria & Wine Bar, Hutch American Bistro, Crosby’s Kitchen, Pizzeria Serio
- Evanston (60201) | Celtic Knot Public House
- Schaumburg (60173) | Ikea
FRASCA PIZZERIA + WINE BAR
3358 N. Paulina St.Chicago, 60657(773) 248-5222
When: Every day 4:30-6 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: In the mood for pizza and wine but don’t want to pay for a baby-sitter? Frasca offers one free kids’ meal per customer per visit. The meal includes a drink and a scoop of ice cream.
HUTCH AMERICAN BISTRO
3301 N. Clark St.Chicago, 60657(773) 248-1155
When: Every day 6-6:30 p.m. and all night SundayAges: 12 and underDetails: Head over to Hutch and the kids can eat upscale comfort food for free. There’s also a great outdoor patio.
CROSBY’S KITCHEN
3455 N. Southport Ave.Chicago, 60657(773) 883-2525
When: Every day 4-6 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: Specializing in rotisserie meats and American comfort food, Crosby’s Kitchen is a popular family-friendly spot. Kids eat free with an adult purchase.
DUNLAYS ON CLARK
2600 N. Clark St.Chicago, 60614(773) 883-6000
When: Every day 4:30-6:30 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: Dunlays on Clark offers one free kids’ meal per visit. This deal cannot be combined with any other daily specials.
COLONIAL CAFE
Many locations in the Chicago area.
When: Monday after 4 p.m.Ages: 10 and underDetails: This all-American restaurant offers a huge selection of comforting classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, as well as a legendary ice cream menu. Kids eat free with an adult purchase, and there’s even a balloon twister on the first Monday of each month.
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MORETTI’S RISTORANTE & PIZZERIA
Many locations in the Chicago area.
When: Monday after 4 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: Not only do kids eat free after 4 p.m. on Mondays at Moretti’s, there are drink specials for the adults. To make it more fun, kids can choose to make their own pizza from the kids’ menu.
ROCKS NORTHCENTER
4138 N. Lincoln Ave.Chicago, 60618(773) 857-1793
When: Monday-Friday 5-7 p.m.Ages: 6 and underDetails: The kids’ menu at Rocks is half off every weekday evening. That means you can enjoy a few libations while your kids enjoy some cheap and tasty bites.
HOLLYWOOD GRILL
1601 W. North Ave.Chicago, 60622(773) 395-1818
When: Monday-Wednesday 2-10 p.m.Ages: 12 and underDetails: Hollywood Grill is an old-fashioned diner open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s the place to go for cheap and hearty breakfasts and dinner classics. Kids’ meals are discounted at $1.99 each (for up to three kids) with an adult meal and kids’ drink purchase.
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IKEA
1800 E. McConnor ParkwaySchaumburg, 60173
750 E. Boughton RoadBolingbrook, 60440(888) 888-4532
When: TuesdayAges: 12 and underDetails: Get two free kids’ meals at Ikea with the purchase of one adult entree. Go with the classic Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes and lingonberries for a true Scandinavian experience.
WISHBONE RESTAURANT
1001 W. Washington Blvd.Chicago, 60607(312) 850-2663
When: TuesdayAges: Not specifiedDetails: On Family Night at Wishbone in the West Loop, you get one free kids’ meal with every adult entree purchase. Dive into delicious Southern comfort food classics while the kids watch vintage cartoons on the big screen.
BULLDOG ALE HOUSE
Many locations in the Chicago area.
When: TuesdayAges: Not specifiedDetails: Get one free child’s meal per paid adult at Bulldog Ale House. Specials vary by location.
CELTIC KNOT PUBLIC HOUSE
626 Church St.Evanston, 60201(847) 864-1679
When: WednesdayAges: 12 and underDetails: Each child can choose any item from the kids’ menu with each adult meal purchased. Options include standards like grilled cheese and chicken tenders, but also classic kid-friendly Celtic fare like lamb stew, bangers and mash, and Irish farmhouse chicken soup.
SOUTHPORT & IRVING
4000 N. Southport Ave.Chicago, 60613(773) 857-2890
When: Wednesday-Sunday 5:30-6:30 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: Not only do kids eat free with purchase of an adult entree every day that Southport & Irving is open, they also get to take home a complimentary toy from the restaurant’s treasure chest. And every kids’ meal comes with an ice cream sundae. Sweet!
SHAW’S CRAB HOUSE
21 E. Hubbard St.Chicago, 60611(312) 527-2722
When: Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m.- 2 p.m.Ages: 6 and underDetails: Make your weekend morning a special one with brunch at Shaw’s Crab House. Kids can indulge in a buffet with crab quiche, lobster mac and cheese, eggs Benedict, and more for free.
BENNY’S CHOP HOUSE
444 N. Wabash Ave.Chicago, 60611(312) 626-2444
When: SundayAges: 12 and underDetails: An upscale steakhouse where you may not think to take children, Benny’s Chop House actually welcomes families. Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult entree (although there’s a $6 surcharge for the Kid’s Filet).
PIZZERIA SERIO
1708 W. Belmont Ave.Chicago, 60657(773) 525-0600
When: SundayAges: Not specifiedDetails: Treat the family to a fun pizza night at Pizzeria Serio at no charge for the kids. Don’t miss the “Nutellazones” for dessert.
PINSTRIPES
435 E. Illinois St.Chicago, 60611(312) 527-3010
When: Sunday after 5 p.m.Ages: Not specifiedDetails: For just $5 (half the regular price), kids can enjoy a starter, entree, dessert, and beverage from the kids’ menu with purchase of an adult entree. Plus, Pinstripes has bowling and bocce on site for some family fun and outdoor seating.
