When we go out to eat, our kids each get a meal, but neither ever finish theirs. So, I've found myself on a mission to keep spending in check for them when we dine out and I thought many of you may be in the same boat, so, here are some local restaurants with affordably priced - or free - kids meals!
Donut Villa (Arlington) - $6.99-$7.99
I'm not sure what rock I was living under when Donut Villa changed hands in 2018, but new ownership has brought an awesome perspective to its locations, especially Arlington. Kids can choose from mac and cheese, chicken fingers, pasta, French toast and more - with kids meals ranging between $7-8 each. And, parents can pick from a variety of menu items - and cocktails - while taking in a fun, vibrant diner vibe.
Tony C's (Burlington) - $9 Kids Meals, includes a drink, main, side and ice cream
Tony C's is low-key one of my favorite places (I hacked the chicken Caesar wrap and ask for it to be made with blackened chicken... and it's a game changer), but what makes Tony C's so perfect and easy is its kids menu. Kids get a great meal, with a side and a drink, then a scoop of ice cream at the end (which is precisely the 3 minutes my husband and I get to eat), but it's such a bargain and has such great variety, that it's often a go-to spot for us. And, when the weather is nice, the green space is great for kids to burn off energy while they wait for their meals.
The Ford Tavern (Medford) - $9 Kids Meals
I know I'm not the only one who's grateful for everything The Ford Tavern does for our local community - from hosting fundraisers to super fun events and its recurring Kids' Art Brunch. So, it should come as no surprise that they have a great, affordable kids menu, which includes grilled cheese, flatbreads, chicken fingers, fish & chips, and more. And, who knows, next time you go, you'll likely be there for some live entertainment (trivia, patio pup Saturdays, the list goes on!).
Krave (Woburn) - $9 Kids Meals
Do not sleep on Krave Kitchen & Bar. Tucked away in a shopping plaza just at the Winchester/Woburn line, Krave has a great menu all around. What we really love about Krave is its speed, proximity and quality. Sometimes our kids get one of their kids meals - sometimes we order a small pizza for them to share. And, if you have kids who don't do full meals, they even have reasonably priced snacks, like veggies and ranch or apples and peanut butter.
Black Horse Tavern (Winchester) - $9-$14 Kids Meals
It's well documented that we love Black Horse Tavern in Winchester. My son ordered a hot dog with a side of rice pilaf so often that it became his usual - and he had a favorite server who would just put the order in when he saw us arrive. Now, Black Horse Tavern doesn't have a kids menu that's priced the same for each item, but some of their meals start at $9 (and things like kids steak tips are what cost upwards of $14, which is perfectly reasonable). And, this is another place where sometimes we just opt for a table pizza and the kids eat that (with leftovers for later), so that's another great option!
Kids Eat Free!
There are a couple of great, kids-eat-free deals out there.
The 99 (locations in Wilmington & Woburn) - Kids Eat Free when the Red Sox win!
In order to take advantage of this deal, you need to become a 99 Rewards member (I did it via the app) and you CANNOT become a rewards member on the same day you want to take advantage of this deal. So, if the Red Sox win on Tuesday, you can get a free kids meal on Wednesday, if you're a rewards member (and you need to order an adult entree while there - you can't just unleash your children on the 99 for free). Our kids love the hot dogs, pizza and chicken (you know, the usuals). But, what's great about this amazing offer is that lots of parents take advantage of it, so if you've got a toddler who insists on doing laps around the restaurant, you'll find yourself in good company!
Evviva Trattoria (locations in Stoneham and Malden) - Kids Eat free on Mondays all Summer
Evviva is such a great, reliable Italian restaurant. We've never had a bad meal there and our kids order fried calamari as soon as they sit down. So, an excuse to go there because they eat free sounds like pretty great to me! The kids menu includes mac and cheese, ravioli, chicken tenders and more. And, kids get a Hoodsie cup at the end, which always helps!
