11 restaurants in DFW where kids can eat for free

Save some money by bringing your kids to one of these fantastic restaurants in Dallas-Fort Worth that offer free kids’ meals.

Kids are expensive. The expression that they’ll eat you out of house and home? It’s so true! If your wallet needs a break—especially in this economy—then there are plenty of area restaurants where kids can score a free meal throughout the week.

Whether your child prefers Mexican food, burgers, pizza, or breakfast for dinner, there is something for everyone at these Dallas-Fort Worth-based restaurants. So, bring your hungry kiddos and enjoy an evening (or morning) out for a fraction of the price. (Note: participating locations may vary, so check with your local restaurant before going out.)

1. Blue Mesa Grill

Fort Worth Location: 612 Carroll Street

Addison/Dallas Location: 14866 Montfort Drive

Plano Location: 8200 Dallas Parkway

Kids ages 5 and younger can eat all the fresh fruit, Belgian waffles, omelets, smoked chicken enchiladas, and other delicious savory and sweet options at Blue Mesa Grill’s brunch for free!

The brunch buffet is open 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays in Addison and Plano, and from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sundays at all three locations. BTW, accompanying adults and older kids also get to enjoy the meal for $30 for adults and $15 for kids ages 6 to 11. And don’t forget to order a brunch cocktail for an additional charge! The prices go up on holiday weekends, including Mother’s Day, but those 5 and under are still free.

2. Colter’s Texas BBQ

Arlington Location: 4435 Little Road

Dallas Location: 3904 West Camp Wisdom Road

Give your family a mid-week treat by taking them to Colter’s Texas BBQ on Wednesday night. After 4 p.m., you can get one free kid’s meal with every full-priced adult meal.

The kids’ meals, designed for ages 12 and under, include your choice of a sandwich, meat-and-veggie plate, or chicken strips, plus a drink. Of course, the adult meals are basically bigger portions of the kids’ meals, with additional options like baked potatoes.

3. El Rincon Mexican Kitchen

Carrollton Location: 1114 South Elm Street, Suite 100

Addison Location: 5004 Addison Circle

It’s rare to find a restaurant that offers free kids’ meals on the weekend, but El Rincon Mexican Kitchen does. On Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids under 10 eat free with the purchase of an adult entrée. These include smaller versions of fajitas, tacos, flautas, enchiladas, and more.

4. Fogo de Chão

Location: Various restaurants in Dallas, Addison, Irving, and Plano

Looking for a nice night out with the kids? Take them to the Brazilian restaurant Fogo de Chão, where there’s no pressure on how much they eat because kids ages 6 and under are free. (And kids ages 7 to 12 are half-off!) Everyone can enjoy an all-you-can-eat churrasco experience, including premium cuts of meat, plus sides and fresh fruits and veggies.

5. Jason’s Deli

Location: Various locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth

From pasta to sandwiches, kids will love the menu just for them at Jason’s Deli. At participating delis, you can get a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. These include delicious options like chicken alfredo or marinara and meatballs pasta, personal pizzas, and grilled cheese, among others.

6. IHOP

Location: Various locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth

Kids and pancakes go together like peanut butter and jelly, so if you can get them free pancakes? It’s a win-win! At IHOP, you can get the iconic Happy Face Pancake (with whipped cream and cherry eyes and a chocolate chip smile), Jr. Cupcake Pancake, French Toast Sticks, Jr. Cheeseburger, Jr. Chicken Strips, and other delicious options for free for kids 12 and under.

The Kids Eat Free deal is available daily from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée at participating locations.

7. Luna Grill

Location: Various locations in Dallas, Richardson, Plano, Mansfield, Southlake, Flower Mound, Alliance, and Clearfork

If you’re part of Club Luna, you can score a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée Monday through Thursday at Luna Grill (maximum of two free kids’ meals per check).

This Mediterranean restaurant has flavorful options, even for kids 10 and under, including the chicken kabob and gyro meat in child-sized portions. Each one is served with rice, salad, or fries, plus pita bread, tzatziki, and a drink.

8. Mod Pizza

Location: Various locations in Dallas-Fort Worth

If my kids could decide, they would have pizza every night for dinner. Now, at least one of those nights will be free when you go to Mod Pizza. They offer a free kid’s meal for kids 12 and under with the purchase of a MOD-size pizza or salad every Sunday (use the code KEF2026 when ordering online).

For the uninitiated, a MOD-sized pizza is a medium 11-inch pizza that you can customize with over 40 different toppings. A MOD-sized salad is an entrée salad, which you can also customize with the same pizza toppings. Trust me: this is about to become your new favorite Sunday tradition.

9. Pluckers

Location: Various locations in Mesquite, Cityview, Greenville, Grapevine, Allen, Addison, Alliance, Arlington, and Plano

What kid doesn’t love some crispy, crunchy chicken nuggets? Take them to Pluckers Wing Bar on Tuesdays for your kids to eat free and satisfy their cravings. Choose from mac and cheese, grilled cheese, buffalo bites, and more. And don’t forget to order your own wings, buffalo bites, sandwich, or burger while you’re there!

10. Roman Cucina

Dallas Location: 7989 Belt Line Road, Suite 315

Allen Location: 201 East Bethany Drive, Suite 1

Italian restaurant Roman Cucina offers nightly deals, and kids can take advantage of its Monday promo. Come in for a free kid’s meal with the purchase of an adult entrée—there are so many mouth-watering ones to choose from: eggplant parmigiana, pasta bolognese, shrimp scampi, and lasagna. The biggest battle is deciding on just one!

11. Smashburger

Dallas Location: 2222 McKinney Avenue

1425 East Renner Road, Richardson

Burgers are always a favorite in my house. If you want to save money, take your family to Smashburger on Wednesdays, where those 12 and under can get a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult meal. The meals include either a kid-size hamburger, cheeseburger, or crispy chicken strips, plus fries and a drink.