Kids can eat free at many restaurants across Houston on certain days of the week. Check out these 10 options, ranging from Mexican food to sushi.
Listen, we get it: The economy isn’t great, and it’s constricting all of our wallets. We’re using coupons at the grocery store and only driving when necessary (because who has the funds to pay for these rapidly rising gas prices?). But it still may not feel like enough at times, especially if you enjoy trying new restaurants while also finding the best deals. That’s why we’ve gathered 10 restaurants across Houston where kids can eat for free. That might mean setting aside your favorite Houston restaurant with insane views for now, but it’ll save you a few bucks while still allowing you to take your loved ones out for a nice, warm meal.
The following 10 restaurants offer a variety of cuisines, from authentic Mexican food to pristine sushi and classic yet delicious New American fare. They also have certain stipulations you need to follow in order for your kid to eat free, mostly restrictions with the day of the week you visit. But if you follow those instructions closely, you and your family members’ stomachs will be filled, and your bank account will thank you. So, without further ado, check out these eateries where the good eats won’t cost you an arm and a leg.
1. The Union Kitchen
Address: 12538 Memorial Dr Space 10, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am- 9 pm; Friday, 11 am-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-8 pm
The Union Kitchen takes classic Southern dishes and flavors and puts a unique spin on them, often with flavors from around the world. Think Honey Sriracha Salmon and On-The-Border Chicken Fried Chicken, which features pickled jalapeños. This creates a special experience for each guest, which is doubly true when each dish seems to be crafted with such care. The kiddos can get in on the fun, too, as The Union Kitchen allows one free kids’ meal per adult meal purchased every Monday and Tuesday.
2. Del Pueblo Mexican Restaurant
Address: 13235 Jones Rd, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm; Friday, 11 am-10 pm; Saturday, 9 am-10 pm; Sunday, 9 am-9 pm
If you’re hungry for Mexican food early in the week, we’ve got the place for you. Nestled in the Cy Fair Plaza Shopping Center, Del Pueblo Mexican Restaurant has everything you could possibly want, for both you and your kiddo. Here, kids eat free after 4 pm every Monday and Tuesday, and you’ll want to take the restaurant up on that when you see the menu. You can order delicious bites like Shrimp Queso, Stuffed Jalapeños, Del Pueblo BBQ Ribs, and so much more. You’ll thank us later!
3. Alicia’s Mexican Grille
Address: 12002 Richmond Ave, Ste 100, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm; Friday-Saturday, 11 am-10 pm; Sunday, 11 am-9 pm
Alicia’s Mexican Grille has four locations around the greater Houston area, with one in Houston proper, and it’s another excellent spot for Mexican food if you want to take advantage of a good deal. Here, each adult meal purchased earns one free children’s meal every Monday, and this is another case where the menu speaks for itself. Alicia’s serves up sizzling Elote Chorizo Dip, refreshing Shrimp Cocktails, and soul-warming Carne Asada, among many other beautiful dishes. Everything here is a feast for the eyes and stomach alike, and your kid will be happy to have experienced it.
4. Local Table
Address: 2003 West 34th St, Ste E, Houston
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 am-9 pm; Thursday-Friday, 11 am-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-9 pm
Local Table has six locations across Texas, including one in Houston, and as its name suggests, it prioritizes local, fresh ingredients to make its dishes truly pop. You could order something light, like the Ahi Tuna Bites or Homemade Hummus, to snack on as you catch up after a long day, or you could order stunning entrees like the Lemon Pasta or the Falafel Bowl. If you want to enjoy a nice deal, though, you’ll probably go with the latter, as you need to purchase an adult entree for a kid to eat for free. You can take advantage of this deal every Monday, and you may just find that it’s a nice new tradition in your family.
5. Kokai Sushi and Lounge
Address: 2404 Texmati Dr #101, Katy
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am-2 pm & 5 pm-10 pm; Friday-Saturday, 12 pm-10 pm; Sunday, 12 pm-8 pm
We’ve explored deals at Southern, Mediterranean, and Mexican restaurants so far, but it’s time to turn our attention toward Japan now. Located in the Houston suburb of Katy, Kokai Sushi and Lounge brings more than two decades of experience to its customers daily—and it brings the savings, too. Every Monday and Tuesday, kids eat for free, so you don’t have to worry about filling their tummies. There’s a lot to choose from as well, with options ranging from appetizers like edamame and gyoza to elaborate sushi rolls for the main course.
6. Hungry’s
Addresses: 14714 Memorial Dr, Houston; 2356 Rice Blvd, Houston; 5750 Woodway Dr, Houston
Hours: Monday-Wednesday, 11 am-9 pm; Thursday-Friday, 11 am-10 pm; Saturday, 10 am-10 pm; Sunday, 10 am-9 pm
Hungry’s has three locations across Houston, and all of them participate in the same deal that lets your kid eat for free. Like many of the other restaurants on this list, Hungry’s offers one free kids’ meal for each adult meal purchased on Mondays. Luckily, the kids’ menu is easily accessible on the chain’s website, so you can see exactly what your little one’s options would be. They could opt for the Penne Pasta with All Natural Grilled Chicken and Alfredo Sauce, a mac-and-cheese dish called the Sunshine Bowl, chicken tenders, and more. Needless to say, they’ll be happy!
7. Crust Pizza Co.
Address: Many locations
Hours: Varied
Crust Pizza Co. is on a mission to bring Chicago-style thin-crust pizza to the rest of the United States, and it’s opened many Houston locations on that journey, including in Houston Heights, Summerwood, and Hedwig Village. Store hours differ by location, but one thing they have in common is their kids’ meal deal. On Tuesdays, guests can get a free kids’ meal when they buy a normal adult entree—and what child doesn’t like pizza? This is one restaurant that may need to be worked into your weekly dinner rotation.
8. BuffBurger
Address: 1014 Wirt Rd #220, Houston
Hours: Monday-Sunday, 11 am-9 pm
All pizza’d out? Head on over to BuffBurger in the Shoppes at Memorial Villages. Here, you can get your hands greasy with menu items ranging in size from quaint but delicious smash burgers to large, overflowing Texan Burgers with mounds of fried onions on top of the seared patty and cheese. The best part? Kids eat for free every Monday and Tuesday when you buy an entree for yourself, and the deal runs all day, so lunch and dinner are both fair game. Then, the money you saved on the kids’ meal can go toward a cookies-and-cream milkshake to split with your kiddo!
9. The Backyard Grill
Address: 9453 Jones Rd, Houston
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 am-9 pm; Friday-Saturday, 11 am-10 pm; Sunday, 11 am-9 pm
The Backyard Grill is the place to be if you want a free kids’ meal on Wednesdays. While many other restaurants focus on the first two days of the week—when sales might be weaker on average—The Backyard Grill is diversifying by offering one free kids’ meal per adult meal purchased each hump day from 4 pm to 9 pm. The kids’ meals here are fairly standard but high-quality, including mac and cheese, mini corn dogs, hamburgers, and chicken tenders, among other yummy options.
10. Feges BBQ
Address: 8217 Long Point Rd, Houston
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 am-9 pm; Sunday, 11 am-3 pm
Last but certainly not least is Feges BBQ, which has two locations in Houston, one in Greenway Plaza and the other in Spring Branch. However, you can only take part in the kids’ meal deal if you dine at the Spring Branch location due to it taking place every Wednesday from 5 pm to 8 pm, a time slot when the other store isn’t open. As you’d expect, you can fulfill all of your meat cravings here, with Feges serving turkey, pulled pork, brisket, half chickens, and sausages. That said, the kids’ meals are a little different, with options including a grilled cheese, cheeseburger, chicken tenders, sausage corndogs, and PB&J. The kiddo does get a side and a cookie, though!
