Bellbrook graduation 2012
Fairfield Senior 2012 graduation
Kroger Aquatic Center opens
Saving dining dollars
Taking the family out to eat doesn't have to break the bank
Monday, December 29, 2008
It's more than a coney or even a 3-way. It's a bargaining chip.
"I'll ask the kids to do this, this and this and, if Skyline is the reward, it's done," Dee Blunt said. "It works every time."
The Kettering mother of two is a regular at the Wilmington Pike Skyline, at least on Wednesday night for Kids' Night.
"They know when it's Wednesday, and I know that's where they want to eat," Blunt said.
But it isn't simply the chili that her children crave. There is a designated area for crafts and coloring on Kids' Night. While 12-year-old Casey has outgrown the activities, 5-year-old Dawson looks forward to bringing home a craft project, as well as a full belly.
"As soon as the kids walk in the door, most of them go right to the craft corner and catch up with their parents later," Skyline General Manager Ryan Tonkin said. "We know the kids enjoy it, and we do too."
With economic news that frequently includes terms such as "recession" and "layoffs," parents might think twice before taking the family out to dinner. But many area restaurants offer kids' nights with free or reduced price meals for youths.
Families looking for a bargain have the greatest selection on Tuesdays at restaurants ranging from Champps to Fazoli's, which offer free or discounted meals for kids with the purchase of an adult entree.
At W.G. Grinders at the Town and Country Shopping Center in Kettering, kids eat free every day with a purchase of a Grinder Combo Meal.
"Our customers know that the savings are there for them every time they come in," said W.G. Grinders owner Jim Powers. "If they are coming in with their family, it's good for them and it's good for us."
Other restaurants, such as Quaker Steak and Lube in Beavercreek and Tumbleweed in Kettering, have Family Nights. Quaker Steak and Lube has $1.99 kids meals on Monday nights starting at 5 p.m. and also offers free video game play for kids 10 and younger. Tumbleweed has Family Values day on Sundays with $1.99 meals and coloring contests for kids and $9.99 steak and chicken dinners for parents.
Restaurant kids clubs also offer savings — but not weekly or monthly. From burgers to burritos, kids can visit various restaurant Web sites and sign up for their free kids club. Members generally receive a free meal coupon around their birthday, but may receive other discounts and can access online games and activities.
"It's important to get out once in a while as a family, but it's also really important, especially the way things are right now, to save money," Blunt said.
Places where kids can eat free
BEEF O'BRADY'S
Who: Age 10 and younger
When: 4 to 8 p.m. Tuesdays (one child per adult entree ordered)
Where: 3437 Seajay Drive, Beavercreek; 953 S. Main St., Centerville; 4895 Princeton Road, Liberty Twp.
CHAMPPS
Who: Age 12 and younger
When: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays (two kids with each adult entree)
Where: 7880 Washington Village Drive, Centerville
DENNY'S
Who: Age 10 and younger
When: 4 to 10 p.m. Tuesdays and Saturday (with purchase of adult meal)
Where: 1136 S. Main St., Dayton
FRICKER'S
Who: Age 10 and younger
When: All day every day (one child per adult entree, beverage not included)
Where: All locations
LAROSA'S
Who: Age 10 and younger
When: All day Wednesday (with a $15 purchase)
Where: All locations
LONE STAR STEAKHOUSE AND SALOON
Who: Age 12 an younger
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday (two kids per adult entree ordered)
Where: 251 N. Springboro Pike, Centerville; 6868 Miller Lane, Dayton
LOS TRES AMIGOS
Who: 12 and younger
When: Noon to 3 Saturday, all day Sunday
Where: 2801 S. Dixie Drive, Kettering
SKYLINE
Who: 10 and younger
When: 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday (with adult meal purchase)
Where: 2724 Wilmington Pike, Kettering
Extras: Weekly craft projects
W.G. GRINDERS
Who: 12 and younger
When: All day every day
Where: 4100 Town and Country Road, Kettering
Extras: Baskin Robbins on site
Kids Clubs
BURGER KING'S CLUB BK
Who: 12 and younger
What: Free kids meal and access to online games and activities
Web site: clubbk.com
DENNY'S D-ZONE KIDS' BIRTHDAY CLUB
Who: 10 and younger
What: Free kids entree and sundae (with a regularly priced adult entree)
Web site: dennys.com
BOB EVANS — KID TIMES BIRTHDAY CLUB
Who: 12 and younger
What: Free kids meal, printable activity pages
Web site: https://kids.bobevans.com/birthday.asp
MOE'S SOUTHWEST GRILL MINI MOE'S BIRTHDAY CLUB
Who: 12 and younger
What: Free kid's meal during birthday week and free access to Kids' Club Web site with games, coloring sheets and fun facts about birthdays
Web site: moes.kidsbirthdayclub.com/sign_up.cfm
PERKINS RESTAURANT AND BAKERY — BAKERY BUDDIES KIDS' BIRTHDAY CLUB
Who: 12 and younger
What: Free kids meal during birthday week and free access to Kids' Club Web site with games, coloring sheets and fun facts about birthdays
Web site: bakerybuddies.kidsbirthdayclub.com/
