Kids Eat Free: 24 Los Angeles Restaurants with Free Meal Deals for Families

Kids eat free are three little words that make a restaurant dinner feel possible. I'm a mom of four and constantly searching for great food with good deals to feed hungry little mouths in addition to my own. 

This list of restaurants throughout the Los Angeles area offers free meals for kids at least one night a week. The restaurants vary from local joints to national chains, from the valleys to the beaches, from Italian to Mexican, and from seafood to steakhouses—enough to satisfy picky and non-picky eaters.

For more bargains, check out these birthday freebies for kids, discover where to take the kids for free museum days, and uncover more complimentary deals and ways to save with our Guide to Free Things To Do in Los Angeles with Kids. 

The restaurants below offer free kids' meals, as noted, with the purchase of an adult meal (unless otherwise noted). Also, while all deals are current as of publication, they are subject to change at any time, so confirming with the restaurant before you go is highly recommended. 

Where Kids Eat Free on Monday

1. Rock & Brews — El Segundo, Redondo Beach, & Buena Park

Kick off the week with a free kids' meal on Mondays and some rock and roll. Kids ages 12 and under get one free kids' meal per adult entree. Little rockstars will love the atmosphere and the fact that Rock & Brews was founded by members of the band KISS. 

Where Kids Eat Free on Tuesday

2.  La Cocina Bar & Grill — Santa Clarita 

 This local favorite Mexican restaurant offers free kids' meals (plus unlimited chips and salsa) on Tuesday nights. Your kids can dine on fantastic tacos while you dive into a massive margarita. 

3. Burger Lounge — Various Locations 

 One of my favorite burger chains offers free kids' meals every Tuesday with the purchase of an adult entree. Also, the kid's meal comes with ice cream, so you can be the mom of the week without spending a dime. 

4. Coco's — Various Locations 

This offer is available for dine-in only on Tuesdays, and specifically for children 10 and under. Kids can enjoy a free meal with purchase of an adult entree. Ask your server for details at the restaurant. 

5. Bun Street — West Covina 

Bun Street offers specialty burgers and tots that will make your mouth water, while your kids can enjoy homemade mac n' cheese, toasted PB&J, or sliders at no cost if you pop in on a Tuesday. 

6. Islands — Various Locations  

French fries with a side of surfing videos? Islands is one of my favorite places to take the kids as they can enjoy the surf and snow videos on the overhead monitors. Plus, they can eat their food for free on Tuesdays at most locations. 

7. Ruby's Diner — Various Locations

Treat your family to a delightful throwback diner experience with red vinyl booths and jukeboxes. On Tuesdays after 4pm, kids 12 and under get a free kids' meal when purchasing one adult entree. 

Where Kids Eat Free on Wednesday

8. IKEA — Burbank, Carson, Covina, & Costa Mesa 

Kids can indulge in those famous Swedish meatballs (or other delicious fare) at IKEA for free on Wednesdays. Two kids' meals are free per adult entree. 

RELATED: Restaurants Where Kids Can Play While Parents Eat

 
Try the churro pancakes at El Torito. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

9. El Torito — Various Locations

While you won't completely get free kids' fare at El Torito, the kid's meals on Wednesday are only $1. Make sure to call ahead to confirm that your El Torito location is participating in the deal, as franchises can tend to change up their specials. 

10. Maria's Italian Kitchen — Various Locations 

Italian fare for free? Yes, please. Many of Maria's locations offer kids eat-free Wednesdays with the purchase of a full-sized entree. Make sure to call, as some locations have discontinued the deal. 

11. Smashburger — DTLA

Make Wednesdays a family affair at Smashburger, where kids eat free. With the purchase of an adult meal (entrée, side, & drink), kids 12 & under can enjoy a complimentary kids' meal, available in-store at participating locations.

Where Kids Eat Free on Thursdsay

12. Gladstone's – Long Beach

How about a free kids' meal with scenic water views in Long Beach? Mention the post on Gladstone's website for kids to receive a complimentary children's meal with the purchase of an adult entree on Thursdays. It includes a beverage, a main course, and a delightful vanilla ice cream sundae. 

13. Mama's on 39 – Huntington Beach

This kid-friendly local favorite is about half a mile from the beach and believes in hefty portions of comfort food. And bacon: it believes in bacon. Mama's offers free meals for kids aged 12 and under on Thursdays, all day and night. All free kids' meals require the purchase of an adult entree. 

Where Kids Eat Free on Weekends

14. Kebab Shop — Various Locations 

Want to dine out on the weekends? The Kebab Shop offers free meals for kids on Saturdays and Sundays. Guess what we're grabbing for Sunday lunch this week? 

RELATED: Best Outdoor Dining in Los Angeles at Family-Friendly Restaurants

 
Dig in to free BBQ kids' fare. Photo courtesy of Dickey's Barbecue Pit

15. Dickey's Barbecue Pit – Various Locations

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit offers one free kids' meal for those 12 and under on Sundays, all day, with a $12 or more purchase per adult. The offer is dine-in only. Dickey's has over 60 locations in California, including Westlake Village, Woodland Hills, Pasadena, Whittier, Downey, Canyon Country, Long Beach, and Redondo Beach. 

16. Joselito's — Montrose 

Mom and Dad will want to try a Purple Dinosaur at this beloved Mexican restaurant on Honolulu Ave. in Montrose, and the kids can enjoy their food for free on Sunday nights. The rule is one free kid's meal from the children's menu per adult order of $8 or more. Free kids' meals are only for kiddos ages 10 and under, and the deal does not include drinks or desserts. 

Multiple Day Deals Where Kids Eat Free 

17. Luna Grill — Various Locations

If a healthy Mediterranean meal hits the spot for your family, stop into a Luna Grill any school night (Monday to Thursday) from 4pm until closing for a free kid's meal with each purchased adult meal for kids ages 10 and under. That's a lot of organic hummus at more than 20 Southland locations. 

18. Colette — Pasadena 

This Pasadena restaurant specializes in Cantonese Dim Sum. This "finer" dining experience is a great way to introduce the kids to new cultures and flavors without adding kids' meals to the bill on Wednesdays and Thursdays. 

19. Denny's — Various Locations 

Most Denny's franchises offer a kids-free deal at least one day a week. Make sure to call your local spot and ask for specific details, as not all franchises participate, and there may be menu restrictions. 

20. Chubby Cattle — Monterey Park 

At this unique Japanese steakhouse, kids under 43" eat for 50% off, while children under 35" can consume for free. 

21. Something Healthy Cafe — Monrovia & Sierra Madre 

This nutritious spot offers a free kids' meal with every adult entree, which comes with a sandwich (grilled cheese or PB&J), a large serving of fresh fruit, and milk. 

22. Cafe Rio — Various Locations 

It's not completely free, but the nino quesadillas at Cafe Rio are "basically" free at only $0.99 per meal. These cheese quesadillas come with an orange slice. We always enjoy using the money we saved on kid fare to buy some incredible nachos for the table to share. 

23. IHOP — Various Locations 

Currently, IHOP has "scrumdiddlyumptious" menu items inspired by the new blockbuster, Wonka. Kids can enjoy meals for free (one for each adult entree ordered) every day from 4-10pm for a limited time. 

24. Fogo de Chao — Various Locations

The tiniest diners, ages six and under, can enjoy their meal for free at Fogo de Chao if mom and dad order the Churrasco experience. Kids ages seven to 12 can get their meal for half price. 

Top photo via Bigstock. All others courtesy of the restaurant

Originally published August 17, 2011