Top 10 Family Friendly Restaurant Deals of 2009

It’s Saturday afternoon.  I’m with my wife and 2 little girls and we are a hungry.  However, I get nauseous at the thought of ordering one more flippin’ Happy Meal or Kid’s Meal from my car!  (I usually get my grease fix when I’m alone). 

Right now my wife and I want to go to a “family friendly” restaurant where we can sit down with our kids, order an appetizer, maybe a couple of beers or margaritas, and have a good meal without spending more than $50 for the 4 of us (and yes, that includes tip). 

The Diner Dave Definition of a Family Friendly Restaurant

Now keep in mind that my definition of “family friendly” might differ from yours.  In my opinion a restaurant doesn’t necessarily need a sandbox, a ball pit or a bunch of colorful giant plastic gerbil tubes to be considered family friendly. 

To me a family friendly restaurant has to have the following:

• Kid’s menu - with food that kids will actually eat!
• Friendly waitstaff - just be nice to my kids…that’s all that I ask.
• Inexpensive meals where you can get a lot, but pay a little.
• Drink specials - that’s right….I wanna drink after I’ve spent all day with hyper little girls (don’t I deserve it?)

By my definition, Chuck E. Cheese does NOT qualify as a family friendly - no drink specials for the adults!

Casual Dining Chains to the Rescue!

So where do you and your brood go when tummies start growling?   You go to the Casual dining restaurant chains of course! 

Interesting fact:  Did you know that casual dining chains are struggling right now because of this tough economy?   Many of them are willing to discount their appetizers and entrees to get you and your family out of the car and through their front door.  

Since restaurant patrons are paying more attention to prices, casual dining restaurant owners are now lowering their menu prices to compete with the quick service and fast food restaurants.   Here are a few prime examples:

Diner Dave’s Top 10 Family Friendly Restaurant Deals of 2009

One of Applebee's 2 for $20 entrees

1. Applebee’s -  Where “feelin good in the neighborhood” means sharing an appetizers and 2 entrees for only $20(including the Fiesta Lime Chicken…YUM!).   No Applebee’s coupons are required to take advantage of this special offer.

2. T.G.I.Fridays - Check out their “Right Portion, Right Price” menu with entrees ranging from $6.99 to $9.99.  Their slogan says it all:  ”Stretch your taste buds’ limits, not your wallet’s”.  
3. Chili’s - 10 entrees under $7.  Need I say more?  Gotta have those baby back, baby back, baby back ribs?  You can even order a half rack to save some moola.
4. Ruby Tuesday - you gotta try their mouthwatering handcrafted burgers!   My fave is the simple Ruby’s Classic Burger for only $6.99…it’s the American classic “perfected” (at least according to their menu). 
5. Macaroni Grill - Try the “Chicken Fingerias” for your kiddos - only $5.99 and it comes with their signature Mac & Cheese.   Speaking of Mac - you can now sign up for the Mac Pack email club and get a free appetizer with 2 entrees.   Added bonus:  your kids get to draw on their paper table cloth with crayons!  
6. Outback Steakhouse - Go down under with 15 entrees that are “down under” $15!  Many of the entrees on the Outback Steakhouse menu start at $9.95.  This restaurant is a little pricier compared to the other restaurants, but they have an excellent “Joey Menu” for the kiddos with a big selection of kid friendly dishes under $6!
   

   Olive Garden Endless Soup & Salad

7. Olive Garden - You know that I have to include Olive Garden in my list of family friendly restaurants.  Afterall, their tag line is “when you’re here you’re family”.   Here you get a lot for your money with the “endless soup & salad” and a wide selection of Italian specialties for under $10.

8. Cheesecake Factory - The Cheesecake Factory’s menu can be a little overwhelming with over 200 “fresh from scratch” menu items and 30 mouthwatering cheesecakes to choose from!  However, you are almost certain to find something that everyone at the table will enjoy.   The “Small Plates and Snacks” menu features 16 entrees & apps priced at a measly $3.95 to $6.50.
9. Buffalo Wild Wings - OK..so maybe this one is a little more for me than my kids.  After all, they’re known for their wings, sports, and beer for daddy.  But, they also have video games and some tasty chicken tenders for the little ones.  Plus, they have great promotions on weekdays to reduce your tab (like 40 cent “Wing Tuesdays” and 60 cent “Boneless Thursdays”).
10. Red Robin Gourmet Burgers -  Of course I have to include a burger joint on my list.  I’m a burger-holic and this place makes burgers that are quite simply works of art!   I joined their Red Robin eClub in March and have already received 3 emails offering free burgers, appetizers, and drinks.  What a great way to recruit a customer (and his family) for life!

I don’t always eat out at the casual dining restaurant chains, but when I do, these are my favorites (I sound like the Dos Equis guy, right?).  And, most importantly, my kids love these restaurants.  The food is consistently good, the waitstaff is friendly and the kids menus are always a big hit!

Do you have a favorite family friendly restaurant I didn’t include?   I would love to hear your top picks in the comments section!