Going out to eat as a family can be fun. Of course, if you’ve got squirmy little ones, it can also be challenging, but it’s always nice to get out of the house and enjoy a meal out once in a while. Especially on those nights after a long day when you just don’t feel like cooking dinner. I know we’ve all been there!
But, what’s not fun about eating out is the price. Depending on where you eat, a family meal can add up pretty quickly … but it doesn’t have to! Here is a list of places kids eat free (or almost free) to accommodate even the pickiest of eaters!
Note: Some restaurants only offer free kids meals specific days of the week. They are listed below by day. Also, offers can change, so be sure to verify details before you go.
Every Day
- Golden Corral (Forest Drive, Columbia) – Kids 3 and under eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
- Shealy’s BBQ (Batesburg-Leesville) – Tuesday-Saturday – Kids 4 and under eat free; Kids 5-6 $4.25, Kids 7-9 $5.75, Kids 10- 1 $8.50.
- Shoney’s (Garners Ferry Rd., Columbia) – Kids 4 and under eat free at the buffet with the purchase of an adult meal.
Monday
- Denny’s (Various Locations) – Kids 12 and under eat free from 4-10 p.m.
- Red Bowl Asian Bistro (Sandhills) – Kids 9 and under eat for $2.50. Dine-in only.
- Shealy’s BBQ (Batesburg-Leesville) – Kids 6 and under eat free, kids 7-11 eat for $6, and adults eat for $11.95.
Tuesday
- Beef O’Brady’s (Northeast Columbia) – Kids 12 and under eat for $3.49 with the purchase of an adult meal. Dine-in only.
- Carolina Ale House (Harbison) – Kids 10 and under eat for .99 with the purchase of an adult meal, 5-9 p.m.
- Denny’s (Various Locations) – Kids 13 and under eat free, 4-10 p.m.
Wednesday
- East Bay Deli (Sunset Court Location Only) – Kids eat free; One free kids meal per adult meal, 4-9 p.m.
- Hudson’s Smokehouse (Lexington) – Kids 10 and under – free buffet dinner. 5 p.m.
- Knead Pizza (Lexington) – Kids Meal 1/2 price with purchase of each adult meal. Dine-in only.
- Scottie’s Cafe & Grill (Blythewood) – Kids 11 and under eat free with purchase of an adult meal. Dine-in only.
- Smashburger (Columbia, Irmo, Lexington) – Free Kids Meal with the purchase of each adult meal.
Thursday
- Diablo’s Southwest Grill (Lexington) – Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal.
Saturday
- Groucho’s Deli (Northeast) – Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal, 4-8:30 p.m.
Sunday
- Firehouse Subs (Various Locations) – .99 kids meals (up to 2 kids) per adult combo.
- Moe’s (Various Locations) – Kids eat free with the purchase of an adult meal. (Call your location to see if they participate).
- Red Bowl Asian Bistro (Sandhills) – Kids 9 and under eat for $2.50. Dine-in only
Chickfila does different days at different locations. The one on forest drive is Thursday’s The on near sand hill is Mondays
Thanks for the info! We’ll add it to the list!
I called the Forest Drive location and they said they no longer participate in the family night. Only the location on Two Notch Rd. does.
Shealy’s BBQ in Batesburg Leesville. Mondays, kids 5 and under are free. Every other day, 4 and under are free.
Thanks for the info! We added it to our list.
Hudsons BBQ in Lexington — Wednesday nights kids free buffet
Thanks for the info! We’ll add it to the list!
Mellow mushroom told us today that it’s 1 child free per adult. We visited the Lexington location.
Thanks for letting us know! We will update our post.
Which location for Groucho’s Deli?
It is the Sparkleberry Crossing location. We have updated the information in the post. Thanks for checking!
Schlotzky’s on Bush River does a free kids meal with purchase of adult meal on Wednesday night.
Thanks for the info! We will add it to our list.
IHOP, every night from 4 to 10pm. With the purchase of an adult entree.
Thanks for the info! We will add it to our list.
I called IHOP and they said that was just a promotion they did for a limited time only. Unfortunately, they no longer offer that deal.
Mcalister’s is one child free per adult purchase. (It used to be 2 kids per adult)
Thanks for the info! We’ll update our info.
Captain Ds in Lexington does not have it thursdays
Thanks for letting us know! We’ll update our list.
HuHot went out of business.
Thanks for letting us know! We’ll take it off our list.