Kid’s Meals Are Not Just For Kids: Pay $5-$7 At Top Restaurants

I am a foodie, and love restaurants.

However, most casual dining restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory can start at $15-$20.

I don’t mind paying that for the right meal.

However, on everyday occasions, I prefer to spend less.

I want to pay around $5.

When I want to spend less at restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory or Applebees, I go for the kid’s meal.

You should too.

This is also great if you want to try something new at these restaurants.

I have been having a lot of fun with this lately..

You should too.

Here is how it works.

What Is Included In A Kid’s Meal?

Is a kid’s meal enough food?

This may be your first question.

After all, most kid’s meals portions are smaller than regular meals.

The portions are not large, but enough for a small meal.

Most will even give you a drink or side too.

At Applebees recently, I had two kid’s meals:

• quesadilla (came with a side)
• chicken fingers (came with side too)

In both cases, it was enough food.

It was not a big meal, but it was enough for lunch.

What did I save?

The kid’s meals were around $5.99 whereas the appetizers started at around $10.

Some of the kid’s meals at Applebees were from their appetizer menu.

Some were from their regular menu.

So, that was about $4 saved for me.

I told you sometimes I don’t want to even spend $10.

I want to spend $5-6.

I also want to still enjoy my casual dining restaurants like Applebees and the Cheesecake Factory.

This has worked well.

If you are trying to lose weight, the kid’s meals portions are perfect.

I even got a steamed broccoli side with my quesadilla.

You Can Also Get Kid’s Meals At Fast Food/Fast Casual Restaurants

It is not just casual dining restaurants like the Cheesecake Factory that sell kid’s meal.

You can get kid’s meals at fast casual and fast food restaurants too.

Here are some fast casual restaurants with kid’s meals:

• Chipotle
• Panda Express
• Panera

I don’t eat a lot of fast food, but you can get kid’s meals at fast food restaurants too.

I find kid’s meals at fast food and fast casual restaurants might not save money as much as casual dining restaurants though.

For instance, a kid’s meal at Panda Express was $5.99

For $1 more, you would get more food in the bowl.

Again, I don’t eat a lot of fast food.

However, at fast food chain Captain D’s, the kid’s meal was only 1 piece of fish and fries.

For $1 more, you would get the two piece meal.

So, in both those cases, the kid’s meal was not the better value.

So, you will have to check this out at your favorite establishments, and do the math.

My local fast casual Chinese restaurant was actually a good value.

I could get meals like General Tsos Chicken or Sesame Chicken with rice for $5.99 as opposed to $8.99.

This was worthwhile.

For me, for the most part, kid’s meals work best at casual dining restaurants like Applebees and the Cheesecake Factory where I would be paying significantly more than $5-7 again though.

Most fast food and fast casual restaurants offer a better value for only $1 more by not getting the kid’s meal.

So, I generally buy kid’s meals at casual dining restaurants like Applebees.

Again, instead of paying the normal $10-$15 or more to eat at these restaurants, I pay $5-6.

I find this a very good deal.

Make sure to check your favorite restaurants out though.

You may find something different.

Why You Would Buy A Kid’s Meal?

This may seem obvious, but maybe all the reasons to buy a kid’s meal do not make sense yet.

Here are the top reasons:

1. To save money

Of course, saving money at restaurants is the obvious reason to buy a kid’s meal.

Like I said, I buy kid’s meals at restaurants like Applebees and the Cheesecake Factory.

Again, usually, meals at these establishments can start at $10-$15 and be even higher.

So, by paying only $5, I save a lot of money.

Here are all the kids meals at Applebees:

• quesadilla
• hamburger meal
• chicken tenders
• pizza
• grilled chicken alfredo
• chicken taco
• cheeseburger
• grilled cheese
• macaroni and cheese

Here are all the kid’s meals at the Cheesecake Factory:

• sliders
• kid’s corn dogs
• grilled cheese
• fried chicken strips
• pasta
• spaghetti and meatballs
• flatbread cheese or pepperoni pizza
• grilled chicken
• grilled salmon

2. To try something new

When trying something new, you may like it or not.

This is where a kid’s meals comes in handy

You won’t have to waste your money if you don’t like the new meal.

3. To eat less food

Kid’s meals are less food.

Yet, they are enough to satisfy you.

Many restaurant portions are too large.

A kid’s meal could help you lose weight by being the perfect portion.

Which Casual Dining Restaurants Offer Kid’s Meals?

Since kid’s meals are best for me at casual dining restaurants, here are some of the chain casual dining restaurants that offer kid’s meals:

• The Cheesecake Factory
• Applebees
• Chilis
• Logans
• BJs

Pretty much, if it is a national chain, it offers kids’ meals.

Other Ways To Save Money at Restaurants

This is a way to save at casual dining restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory.

Here are some of my other favorite ways to save at restaurants in general:

• Do happy hour appetizers
• Eat lunch specials
• Buy discounted gift cards
• Drink water
• Skip dessert
• Use delivery promo codes
• Meal plan
• Cook more

I love restaurants, and am a foodie.

I love saving money too.

So, I get to have my cake, and eat it too.

You should too,

Summary

When I want to eat at casual dining restaurants, I don’t always want to spend $15-20 or more.

Why would I when I can pay $5-7?

I still enjoy nice meals that cost more than kid’s meals too at casual dining restaurants.

However, I find kid’s meals an easy way to save money at times.

I have been having a lot of fun with this lately.

I hope you do too.

Kid’s meals are just one of many ways to save money at restaurants.

Use it when it works for you,

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