We all love the word “free”—free museum visits, free birthday presents, but what do we love the most? Free meals. While it can be difficult to find free meals for ourselves, many restaurants offer family-friendly deals where children can eat for free. So, the next time you’re deciding where to take your family for dinner, consider trying one of these restaurants.
1. Smoke Daddy
Smoke Daddy is the ideal place to satisfy your barbecue cravings. The Wrigleyville location offers free meals for kids every day from 11:30 AM to 6:30 PM. Meanwhile, at the Wicker Park location, kids eat free daily from 3 PM to 6 PM.
📍 Location: 1804 W Division St, Chicago, IL 60622
📍3636 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
🗓️ When: Kids eat free daily
2. Crosby’s Kitchen
Crosby’s Kitchen in Lakeview offers a Midwest-inspired menu focusing on rotisserie dishes, making it a great choice for families with children. Kids can enjoy a free meal, including one main dish, a side, a beverage, and vanilla ice cream. For those with a sweet tooth, there’s also the option to upgrade to a root beer float instead of regular ice cream.
📍 Location: 3455 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
🗓️ When: Kids 12 and under eat free daily from 4-6 p.m.
3. Fogo de Chao
We love Fogo de Chão—unlimited food for one price? Count us in! Adults have a set price of $66.50, where they get all-you-can-eat meat carved tableside, plus an extensive salad bar. Older kids can enjoy that experience for half price daily, and children aged six and under can eat lunch or dinner for free daily!
📍 Location: Various locations
🗓️ When: Kids 6 and under eat free daily
4. Parlay Lincoln Park
Children eat free on Tuesday nights at this Lincoln Park sports bar, which offers a delicious pub-grub menu featuring sandwiches, pizzas, and wings.
📍 Location: 950 W Wrightwood Ave, Chicago, IL 60614
🗓️ When: Kids eat for free on Tuesdays
5. Uncommon Ground
Uncommon Ground feature delicious menu that highlight slocal and sustainably sourced ingredients. Additionally, kids eat free on weeknights from 5 PM to 6:30 PM.
📍 Location: 3800 N Clark St, Chicago, IL 60613
🗓️ When: Kids eat for free Monday through Wednesday
6. Wilde Bar and Restaurant
This homey tavern serves kids free on weeknights from 4:30 pm to 6:30 pm, with gluten-free options and a satisfying menu for grown-ups, too.
📍 Location: 3130 N Broadway, Chicago, IL 60657
🗓️ When: Kids eat free Monday through Thursday
7. Tuco and Blondie
Tuco and Blondie is one of our favorite spots in Southport. Its outdoor patio and energetic atmosphere provide the perfect setting for a family meal. Kids can enjoy a free dinner from 4:30 to 6 p.m. daily. For children ages six and under, the meal includes a choice of chicken fingers, nachos, a chicken or beef quesadilla, mini tacos, or a soft taco. All meals come with fruit, a drink, and an ice cream cone!
📍 Location: 3358 N Southport Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
🗓️ When: Kids eat free daily from 4:30-6 p.m.
8. Smashburger
Smashburger is the quintessential spot for burger enthusiasts—and it’s a great choice for parents looking to save some money. For every adult entrée, side, and drink purchased, kids aged 12 and under receive a free kids’ meal! The options include a hamburger, cheeseburger, or chicken strips, each served with a side and a drink.
📍 Location: Various locations
🗓️ When: Kids 12 and under eat free on Wednesdays
9. Bennigan’s
If you’re searching for classic Irish pub fare where kids can eat for free, consider visiting Bennigan’s. One child receives a complimentary kids’ meal for every adult who orders a meal. Options for kids’ meals include mac and cheese, chicken tenders, burger bites, grilled cheese, or salad. Additionally, there are some delicious milkshakes available for dessert.
📍 Location: 495 Airport Rd, Elgin, IL 60123
🗓️ When: Kids eat free all day on Sundays
10. Miller’s Ale House
Many people enjoy visiting local breweries, but few are suitable for families with children. However, Miller’s Ale House is different. On Tuesdays, up to two kids can eat for free with every $10 or more food purchase. Kids can choose from a variety of options, including a burger, quesadilla, chicken Zingers, shrimp, mac and cheese, or grilled chicken. Each meal also comes with a side, a drink, and a Blue Bunny dessert.
📍 Location: Various locations
🗓️ When: Kids eat free on Tuesdays
11. Rookies All American Pub & Grill
Make your Thursdays unforgettable at Rookie’s All-American Pub & Grill! Kids eat free with each adult entrée purchased. Rookies offers a wide variety of options for kids, including chicken fingers, grilled cheese, a kids’ gyro, mini tacos, and pizza bread.
📍 Location: Various locations
🗓️ When: Kids eat free on Thursdays
12. Colonial Cafe
Every Monday after 4 p.m., kids eat free with the purchase of any adult meal. There are 13 different kids’ entrees, each served with a side and a drink. However, the main attraction at Colonial Cafe isn’t just the food; it’s their iconic ice cream treats!
📍 Location: Various locations
🗓️ When: Kids eat free on Mondays after 4 p.m.
13. Lavergne’s Tavern
Lavergne’s Tavern is a cozy neighborhood bar offering a fantastic selection of comfort food and a place where children can eat for free in Chicago. On Mondays, each child’s meal comes with a choice of tater tots, fries, or applesauce, along with a kid’s drink. Children can choose from chicken fingers, burgers, grilled cheese, mac and cheese, or cheese quesadillas for the main course . You can even add a scoop of vanilla gelato for just $5!
📍 Location: 6546 Windsor Ave, Berwyn, IL 60402
🗓️ When: Kids eat free on Mondays
14. Danny’s Pizza
Every kid loves pizza, and now you can enjoy it for free! Your next family pizza party just became more affordable. On Sundays at Danny’s Pizza, for every adult meal purchased, your family will receive a free kids meal.
📍 Location: 6021 S Archer Ave, Chicago, IL 60638
🗓️ When: Kids 12 and under eat free on Sundays