An updated Kids Eat Free in the RGV guide has been long overdue. Restaurants change their specials. Some close, others open. Tastes change and so do menus and pricing. (The last guide (now outdated) was published in March of 2014!)
Ultimately, parents still want to go out to eat from time to time WITH THE KIDS.
Introducing our beta version of the Kids Eat Free guide: Kids Eat Free (or Really Cheap) in the RGV.
[scroll down for full guide]
Note from the author:
A few things happened when I called up each restaurant to confirm their specials. Some restaurants are true to their routines and are set in their kids eat free days and times. Some restaurants sounded a bit offended when I asked if they still offered kids eat free days, or even claimed that they never had a special, even though the first guide was published after making these very same calls 18 months ago. Many were very pleasant and excited to share their specials in earnest.
In general, please use this guide as a starting point. Here are a few pointers if you are looking for a great meal with the family and might want to save a few bucks while you’re at it.
(scroll a little further for full guide… or read these helpful tips)
Tip #1: If in doubt, ask a manager. They are most well-versed in a restaurant’s specials and promoted offers. If a promotion is posted on a restaurant’s website, they are going to honor it. Take a minute to look it up before your meal to see if it is still valid.
Tip #2: Join the email list. Lots of restaurants and businesses are moving towards building a relationship with their customers through their email newsletter. Specials may not be as consistent and regular as before but they do exist and are now being promoted this way. (In particular for Tony Roma’s does this and will accept a current email offer if shown directly on a device.)
Tip #3: Depending on when you read this, some specials and offers may change. Please use this resource to explore new restaurants, try to find good deals (especially when your kids never eat their food… am I right?) or just to mix up your routine meal patterns. Share it with a friend, print it out, pass it on, or comment below with any other great finds you may have for our readers!
Tip #4: Check your receipt for special offers for returning customers. “Return later today for a free drink” or “fill out this survey for a free ______ on your next visit!” Pay attention to expiration dates, as most of these special offers have a quick turnaround time.
Tip #5: Follow your favorite restaurants on social media (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest, etc) to keep up with special announcements of flash promotions or surprise daily specials. LOTS of restaurants are doing this, too!
Sundays
Dickey’s BBQ – Mission, TX – All day – One free kid’s meal per adult meal purchased
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Mondays
Buffalo Wings and Rings – Kids eat free. All day.
Denny’s – Kids 10 and under eat free 4-10pm. 2 kids/adult
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Johnny Carino’s – Family Night – 1/2 off Family Platters, 4PM – Close
Luby’s – After 4PM Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal. Dine-in only. Breakfast not included
Macaroni Grill – Child’s Meal Free With Purchase Of Adult Meal (not Appetizer) – Ask a manager for this one. The offer is available but not advertised.
Russo’s New York Pizzeria – One FREE kid’s meal per adult entree purchase!
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Texas Roadhouse has an “early dine” special for $8.99 which would be great for parents, too! Available Monday all day, then Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM. Texas Roadhouse previously had a regular kids eat free special but now primarily awards Kid Coins through schools as well as other passes and discounts for students and teachers.
Tuesdays
Costa Messa – McAllen – Kids Eat Free every Tuesday with the purchase of an adult entree
Dejarvis Taco – McAllen – 2-8PM – Kids eat free from select menu
Denny’s – Kids eat free 4-10pm. 2 kids/adult
Freebirds – Kids eat free all day!
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Luby’s – After 4PM Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal. Dine-in only. Breakfast not included
Macaroni Grill – Child’s Meal Free With Purchase Of Adult Meal (not Appetizer) – Ask a manager for this one. The offer is available but not advertised.
Ostioneria Michoacan – Kids eat free with adult meal purchase.
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Texas Roadhouse has an “early dine” special for $8.99 which would be great for parents, too! Available Monday all day, then Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM.
Wednesdays
Applebee’s – Kids eat for 99 cents all day, limited to four kids per adult
Buffalo Wild Wings – Wednesdays – 1.99 kids meals all day 12/under dine in only
Denny’s – Kids eat free 4-10pm. 2 kids/adult
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Luby’s – After 4PM Kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal. Dine-in only. Breakfast not included
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Texas Roadhouse has an “early dine” special for $8.99 which would be great for parents, too! Available Monday all day, then Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM.
Thursdays
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Texas Roadhouse has an “early dine” special for $8.99 which would be great for parents, too! Available Monday all day, then Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM.
Fridays
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Texas Roadhouse has an “early dine” special for $8.99 which would be great for parents, too! Available Monday all day, then Tuesday through Friday from 3-6PM.
Saturdays
Golden Corral – Kids 3 & under eat free with adult meal purchase. All day.
IHOP – Kids eat for free from 4 – 10 pm, limited to one child per adult with purchase of adult entree
Shoney’s – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Texadelphia – Kids 12 and under eat for $1 (one meal special per adult entree ordered).
Have anything to add? Comment below! Thanks for reading and we hope this is useful!
[Go back to the tips on the previous page here.]
Hi! Just a little confused because the text in the blog post doesn’t match the printable guide. There seem to be a lot of discrepancies!
Sunday on the guide: Firehouse subs not in the blog post
Thursday on the guide: No Texas Roadhouse but in the blog post
Hi Andrea!
The post is an update from the printable guide, which was published about 18 months ago. Firehouse and Texas Roadhouse have both changed their terms. The text of this blog post is current. Note the tips up at the top which call to some of those changes. Thanks for reading!
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Hello, I was just wondering if there is going to be an updated version for this year, 2017.Thank you for your time.