Places where kids eat free?

[bclydia]

Hi!
I'm trying to put together a budget minded trip for our family for the end of August. We will have a vehicle with us and so can drive to a restaurant. So, I am wondering, what restaurants in the Disneyland area offer "kids eat free" ?
Thanks so much for your help!
Lydia

 

[Malcon10t]

Just to be aware most of the places that have kids eat free have a large markup on adult meals.

 

[millie0312]

I know that the rainforest cafe sent me a coupon for a free kids meal for signing up for their email list. Its only one kids meal, but we only have one kiddo in our group so it works out. Its possible if you ask to split the bill amongst two adults or more that you could each sign up and each get a free kids meal and each pay seperately possibly. I also signed up for the Landry's club for $25- it immediately gives you a $25 credit on your next visit to RFC (or any other on the chain) as well as $25 on your birthday month. We are visiting on my mom's birthday month (she is traveling with us) so we paid $25 and will have a $50 dining credit (you can use more than one $25 credit at a time) as well as a free kids meal which means BIG savings! It also gives you premium seating- but with a ressie that might not matter anyway. I haven't done a ton more research or found any other stellar deals, but we are trying to stay on DLR property so DTD is as far as we are trying to go- I will let you know if I find any other great deals

 

[lalasmama]

Just to be aware most of the places that have kids eat free have a large markup on adult meals.

IHOP across the street is a great example of this! Meals at our local IHOP are in the $10-12 dollar range. At IHOP across from DLR, DD ate "free", didn't have a drink beyond water, and we were still at like $22 for the two of us!

 

[aliceindisneyland]

IHOP across the street is a great example of this! Meals at our local IHOP are in the $10-12 dollar range. At IHOP across from DLR, DD ate "free", didn't have a drink beyond water, and we were still at like $22 for the two of us!

Yes! And you have to order an adult entrée for each kid's meal. I rarely have the appetite for an entrée but the kid's meals are also marked up so if you don't get the kid's meal free you feel ripped off!

Maybe people can post budget restaurants that are close to DL.

We liked the Pizza Press on Harbor OK but parking was insanely difficult and we over-ordered because the pizzas looked small - I think they were $10 each and we got 3 and threw some out (family of 4; we usually nearly finish 2 large pizzas from regular pizza places.)

There's an El Pollo Loco on Harbor Blvd and on Ball Rd - tastes a little more like real food than most fast food. (I've been to the Harbor Blvd location and it was very clean; the Ball Rd one would be somewhat sketchy after dark.)
Bucca di Beppo (Harbor Blvd) can be relatively inexpensive depending on how many dishes your family needs to order. (I have not been to this location.)

Do you happen to have any credit card points to cash in, fuel perks for gift cards, etc.? You could get gift cards to a restaurant like Cheesecake Factory (Garden Walk) or a gas card that could offset your restaurant spending (you could use at home if you're flying)....

 

[teambeaman]

I'm from the area, if you like authentic Mexican food there is an Alerto's on Harbor and Katella. It's more of a take-out kind of place, but if you're open to picking food up and bringing it back to your hotel, they have amazing food that is inexpensive. You can get one of the best carne asada burritos around for about $4.

 

[bclydia]

Thanks everyone! It's a start!
I know that the IHOP is expensive. Frankly, I just don't like that location and we never go there. I know, for example, that many Denny's offer kids eat free on Tuesdays but I don't think the one across the street does. Perhaps another nearby does? When we were there 2 years ago, Baja Fresh up in Fullerton offered free kids meals on weekends. We love Baja Fresh and can't get it up here so we're willing to make the drive.
Any other thoughts on eating cheaply?
I remember hearing about a place on Katella but I don't remember the name, that offered a kids eat free option.
Looking forward to some more ideas!
Thanks a bunch!

 

[DHSbutcher]

Inside the park at counter service restaurants a kids meal is only 5 or 6 bucks, including a drink. It seems to me most restaurants in the area wouldn't have a kids eat free promotion given their clientele. But check out mousesavers theres a bit on dining deals and free kids meals.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

I dont know where you are staying but at desert inn if you show your room key at Denny you get 10% off. I also heard there are alot of coupons in lobby's for dennys and ihops.
I hop does have kids eat free after 4pm
Another thing i'm gona do is buy two 50 certificates to house of blues for 20 each at restaurant .com so you could check there.
I am limited because no car but restaurant .com had some other places around there too.

 

[JadeDarkstar]

Inside the park at counter service restaurants a kids meal is only 5 or 6 bucks, including a drink. It seems to me most restaurants in the area wouldn't have a kids eat free promotion given their clientele. But check out mousesavers theres a bit on dining deals and free kids meals.

also if you don't eat alot or only want small thing to hold over untill dinner, dont forget you can buy a kids meal at counter service for your self, they never ask
and you can get free ice water almost everywhere in dl

 

[Gisele]

Additional information on the subject:

http://www.mousesavers.com/disneyla...isneyland-meal-snack-drink-discounts-coupons/

May be of interest too:

http://m.retailmenot.com/coupons/restaurants

eta: additional link

 

[disneychrista]

Honestly, I find it cheaper to eat at Counter Service IN the parks than sit down OUTSIDE the parks. That plus the time it takes away from the parks, we don't find it worth it.

 

[rentayenta]

Honestly, I find it cheaper to eat at Counter Service IN the parks than sit down OUTSIDE the parks. That plus the time it takes away from the parks, we don't find it worth it.

MTE. Sharing is also an option. Lots of big entrees to choose from especially at the Plaza Inn. Their fried chicken meal easily feeds two of us.

 

[starshine514]

Denny's also has the $2, 4, 6, 8 menu. My girls like breakfast all the time, so they typically share a $4 value slam. It's hard to beat 3 pancakes, 2 eggs and 2 sausage links for $4!

 

[JadeDarkstar]

true with the dennys 4 6 8 menu i want to look at few of those too fo a few breakfasts when we don't want desert inns. I don't like eggs much so i like the chicken fried stake sometimes and if allowed to change the has-browns out i always take fries