PHOENIX (AZFamily) – As students in Arizona return to the classroom, it can cost a lot to get everything they need for a successful school year, including meals for the athlete or the bookworm.
Luckily, there are a few places in the Phoenix area that can help ease some of that financial burden. Here are 14 restaurants in the Valley that offer discounted or free meals for kids to help you save some money.
Tap/click on the name of each restaurant to learn more about specific offerings.
About Simple
The breakfast, brunch and lunch spot has over a dozen locations in Arizona and offers classic dishes made from scratch, including cinnamon roll French toast, chicken fried steak or Cubano sandwich. Students and faculty receive 20% off their meals on Tuesdays through the month of August. All locations are open daily from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chompies
Arizona’s New York-style deli and bakery is known for its classic bagels and signature East Coast recipes for breakfast, lunch and dinner. There are four locations in the Phoenix metro area that offer a free kids’ meal with the purchase of an adult entree on Tuesdays. Chompie’s is open seven days a week from 6 a.m.
I jump
The international pancake house and restaurant chain specializes in American breakfast dishes, but also serves lunch and dinner items such as burgers and chicken sandwiches. During IHOPPY HOUR starting at 3 p.m., you can order a meal in or takeout starting at $6. Most branches are open 24 hours a day.
Moon Valley
The family-owned Mexican restaurant has two locations in Phoenix and one in Chandler. It serves Sonoran-style dishes, including fajitas, fundido and enchiladas. The restaurants have also been named “Best of Phoenix.” Kids eat free on Wednesdays when they purchase an adult entree. Each location is open seven days a week from 11 a.m.
Lakeside Bar and Grill
The Peoria restaurant offers a variety of American and Southwestern favorites, from nachos and tacos to burgers and sandwiches. It also has a spacious dining room and dog-friendly patios with live music. Kids eat free every Tuesday in August with the purchase of an adult meal. It’s open seven days a week from 11 a.m.
Outback Steakhouse
The American chain with an Australian flair has over half a dozen locations from Surprise to Phoenix and Chandler. The menu offers a wide variety of steaks, from ribeye to sirloin and filet mignon. There are also sandwiches and salads, seafood dishes and the specialty Bloomin’ Onion. Kids eat free every Monday through September 2 with the purchase of an adult meal. The restaurant is open seven days a week from 11 a.m.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
The family-owned, Texas-style barbecue restaurant serves slow-smoked meats, baked potatoes and a handful of sides at its nearly two dozen Arizona locations. Kids eat free on Sundays with an adult order. These restaurants are open seven days a week, with hours varying by location.
Streets of New York
The Italian restaurant and pizzeria opened its first store in 1976 and has since expanded to over a dozen locations in Arizona. It serves a variety of New York-style pizza and pasta dishes with several unique lunch specials under $10. Kids eat free on Tuesdays through August 27 with the purchase of an entree. Streets of New York is open seven days a week and hours vary by location.
Cold beer and cheeseburger
There are over 15 locations across the state offering (you guessed it) cold beer and cheeseburgers. The restaurant also serves salads and sides like homemade potato chips. It offers traditional bar food and gluten-friendly options, as well as dozens of beers, margaritas and other cocktails for the adults. Kids eat free on Tuesdays with the purchase of an adult entree. These are also open seven days a week, and hours vary by location.
The neighbor
The Uptown Phoenix restaurant serves seafood specials like a platter of crispy shrimp and grilled salmon along with braised short ribs or an aged pork chop. The menu also includes cast iron cornbread and roasted Brussels sprouts as an appetizer. Kids can eat free during happy hour, which runs from 3 to 6 p.m. daily. The restaurant is open Monday through Saturday from 4 p.m.
robin
This casual American restaurant chain has been known for its burgers and milkshakes since it opened in the 1960s. Today, it offers a variety of chicken dishes, pizza, salads and endless sides. Kids’ meals are half price every Wednesday and include a main dish, side and drink. The offer is valid for dining in or online orders with the code: KIDSMEAL50. Branches are open seven days a week from 11am to 10pm.
Floridino’s Pizza & Pasta
The family-owned and operated restaurant in Chandler has been serving customers for over 25 years. It is known for offering the “pizza muffin” with different flavors each month. This month, it’s a birria muffin. Floridino’s offers all the traditional Italian dishes, from pizza and pasta to calzone, chicken parmigiana and antipasto salad. Kids eat free on Wednesdays when they spend $10 at the restaurant. Floridini’s is open seven days a week from 11 a.m.
Smash Burger
There are dozens of locations of the fast-casual hamburger chain across the state, offering signature burgers, chicken sandwiches and a handful of sides. The restaurant uses a metal grinder to caramelize the meat patties on the grill and offers both keto-friendly and vegetarian burger options. Kids eat free on Wednesdays with the purchase of an adult meal. These are open seven days a week, with hours varying by location.
The hungry monk
Chandler Bar and Grill is a family-friendly restaurant that offers an extensive selection of craft beer and dishes made with locally sourced ingredients. There are unique appetizers like the Brussels sprouts with Sriracha bacon or the gyro quesadilla. The restaurant also offers over half a dozen burgers and over 15 sauces for its chicken wings. Kids eat free on Mondays with the purchase of an adult entree. It is open seven days a week from 10 a.m.
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