18 Restaurant Chains Where I Don’t Feel Guilty Bringing My Kids

I won't lie. I love to take my family out to eat on weekends, weekdays, or any other chance that I get. There's something wonderful about getting out on the town with the people and enjoying a nice meal with the people I love the most. As a guy with young kids, I must be careful about where I choose to go for family nights. I don't want to pick a place where the other patrons are too rowdy or a place where I need to spend my entire paycheck just to feed a family of four. Luckily, there are many reliable restaurant chains out there where I can safely bring my kids.

We have 18 great restaurant chains on this list that are desirable for different reasons. Many of them, including IHOP, Ruby Tuesday, and Denny's, offer free meals on certain days. Others, like P.F. Chang's offer a highly elevated kid's meal. There's a lot here to love, so check these out and choose and pick your dinner for tonight.

First, a bit of advice. When you're looking for restaurant chains where you don't need to feel guilty bringing the kids, start by learning if they offer a kid's menu. Any restaurant that doesn't welcome children is highly unlikely to have a dedicated kids menu. If they do have one, then the restaurant is likely okay. Before you head to the restaurant, check out the kid's menu online and make sure that there's something there your kids actually want to eat.

If you really want to find a restaurant where you can enjoy a meal guilt-free, then find one that offers kid's meals for free. There will be many options like this on this list. No, not every meal is free. However, many restaurants have dedicated times during the day when you can get a small meal for free.

There are many reasons why IHOP is among the best restaurants that you can visit guilt-free. First of all, they have a great menu and it's not just breakfast food. Sure, they have pancakes and eggs, but there's so much more and everything is provided in large portions. Head to IHOP at lunch or dinner and you and the kids can enjoy a sandwich, hamburger, or even a steak. Best of all, if you go there any evening between 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., kids under 12 eat for free.

Ruby Tuesday continues to be one of the best restaurant chains for kids and adults alike. They serve a wide variety of dishes with large serving sizes. Best of all, this is another restaurant where your kids can eat for free. This should be easy to remember: Head to Ruby Tuesday on any Tuesday, and the kids eat for free. They have some tasty choices, too, including chicken tenders, macaroni and cheese, pasta, shrimp, and more. The prices are good, and the environment is friendly and pleasant.

While Denny's used to be known for breakfast, they have a vast menu loaded with items that you can enjoy any time of the day. There's everything from pancakes to steak and everything in between. Best of all, once you join the rewards program, kids can eat for free on select nights. You'll need to first purchase an adult entree of over $6, but that won't be a problem. This may be your new go-to, and you'll never feel guilty.

One of the most child-friendly restaurants in general is Chick-fil-A. All the locations are independently operated, and they have high standards for how they treat their customers. Many of the locations will offer a free meal for kids under 12 years old on Tuesdays after you make a purchase. The food at Chick-fil-A is top-notch, so anything you or your kids order will be amazing. Just make sure to call ahead to ensure that your local restaurant offers this promotion.

One of the first restaurants that many people think about when planning a family dinner is Chili's. The restaurant has a large menu with something for everyone. The kid's menu is loaded with goodies, from burgers to quesadillas to pizzas and even a mini chocolate molten cake. There are also healthy options, like grilled chicken dippers. Best of all, if you sign up for the My Chili's Rewards program, you'll get emails about promotions where kids can eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

Marie Callender's is another one of those family-friendly restaurant chains that has something for everyone. Best of all, when you go there to eat on Tuesdays and Saturdays and you order a meal, your child under 12 will get a free meal. There's a lot to enjoy at Marie Callender's, from their extensive salad bar to their large selection of burgers or pancakes. 

For something a bit different, head to your local On The Border location. They serve some of the best Mexican food in the country, with a selection of tacos, enchiladas, and quesadillas. Plus, they have corn dogs, chicken strips, and more. While you're on social media, follow the restaurant and you'll get updates and coupons for kids to eat free. Typically, these free meals are offered on weekends. If you've never been here before, add it to your bucket list.

If you've been to The Cheesecake Factory before, you likely remember that there is a huge menu filled with amazing dishes and there's plenty for the kids as well. In fact, this restaurant is highly respected for its kid's menu, which includes meals like the all-beef corn dogs and pepperoni flatbread, among others. There are also several healthy dishes, including grilled salmon and chicken. Finish off the meal with the mini hot fudge sundae.

If you're lucky enough to live near a Texas Roadhouse, then bring the kids and have a tasty and filling meal. Where else do you expect to find a nice piece of steak on a kid's menu? In addition, they can also try a rib basket, a sirloin, and more. For their sides, they can choose from mashed potatoes, steak fries, and other delicacies.

Who doesn't love Olive Garden? Like at Texas Roadhouse, your kids can have a very filling meal that goes well beyond a small burger and a few fries. At Olive Garden, kids under 12 can choose from cheese ravioli, spaghetti, and more. These are large dishes and most will cost under $7. Best of all, they can also eat those endless breadsticks. You can get a great meal here without breaking the bank.

In the mood for Asian-inspired food? Then, pack up the kids and head to P.F. Chang's. You'll be tempted to order off ofthe kid's menu yourself, as it includes delicacies like a Kids Lo Mein and Honey Chicken. Each dish comes with a fruit and a side. At $6-7 per dish, eating there won't break the bank, either. Granted, the meals don't come with a drink, so you'll need to purchase that separately. But don't forget the refreshing nature of a glass of water.

Of course, you also can't go wrong with well-known restaurant chains like McDonald's. Yes, prices have steadily increased over the years, but there are many meals that you can get that won't cost a fortune but will satisfy your child's appetite. You can choose a large nugget meal and share it as a family. Or, get a burger meal and cut the sandwich in half. 

There's a lot to love for both parents and children at the Cracker Barrel. First, they have that lovely gift shop where you and your kids can shop for knick-knacks and candy. When you sit down to order, you'll notice that the kid's menu offers smaller versions of many of the tasty adult menu options. You can choose from country-fried shrimp, chicken and dumplings, macaroni and cheese, and more.

Despite what you've heard, Red Lobster is still around, and the food is just as tasty as ever, regardless of your age. They still have all of the classics, including lobster, popcorn shrimp, fish, crab, and more, and many of them are on the kid's menus. There's also a side of steamed broccoli or orange slices. One of our favorites is the grilled shrimp. Everything is at a fair price. Red Lobster continues to be a great place for the family.

Outback Steakhouse continues to be one of the best family-friendly restaurants in the nation. You can go there and order your favorites. Then, direct your children to the chain's "Joey Menu" and watch their eyes light up. Options on this mini menu include steak medallions, ribs, grilled chicken, and more. Have your younger kids share a dish so the costs aren't too high.

There's a lot of tasty dishes to love at Red Robin and many chances to save money along the way. To start, when you sign up for their rewards program, you and your kids will be eligible for a free burger on your birthday. The kid's menu contains your usual fare, like chicken fingers, pizza, grilled cheese, and a burger. Sides include fruit salad and baby carrots. However, Red Robin is also famous for its endless fries, so you can save money while eating to your heart's content.

You can feel good about bringing your kids to Panera Bread because they have a lot of tasty dishes that are also surprisingly healthy. The kid's menu is loaded with low-calorie meals, including a turkey sandwich, chicken noodle soup, and more. You can save money by signing up for their rewards program, and you can save points for a free menu item.

Finally, you can't go wrong with Applebee's. As one of the most popular restaurant chains in the nation, there's a lot to love for the whole family. The kids's menu isn't life-changing, but there are many tasty items on there, including grilled cheese, burgers, and chicken tenders. They'll also get healthy sides, including carrot sticks, yogurt, or apples. Everything on these kid's menus is under $10. Plus, sign up for their rewards, and you'll be eligible for free birthday desserts.