Thanks to hectic family schedules, sometimes even the best-laid dinner plans can go awry. That's when it's a relief to realize there's dozens of New Jersey restaurants willing to cut you a break on the bill with the little ones.

Dozens of NJ restaurants where kids can eat free (Thinkstock Photos)
Dozens of NJ restaurants where kids can eat free (Thinkstock Photos)
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When it comes to a "kids eat free" promotion, it generally means you get a free meal from the kids’ menu with the purchase of an adult entree. Deals can change, so it's best to call ahead and confirm the promotion before packing the kids into the car.

Do you know a place in NJ that offers free food for kids that isn’t on this list? Let us know!  Just tweet me @ProudJersey and at @NJ1015!

South Jersey 

The Pop Shop has a fun promo for lazy weekend mornings. Kiddos wearing their jammies eat free on Saturday mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Beverages are not included and the child must be accompanied by a paying adult. In addition to the Collingswood restaurant, there's a new location in Medford.

Denny's restaurants in Galloway, Northfield and Vineland, kids eat free on Tuesdays.The promo runs between 4 and 10 p.m. with a paying adult.

Marlton Tavern offers a "kids eat free" promotion every Sunday. For those 12 and under, the offer runs from 4 to 9 p.m. with a paying adult.

Miller's Ale House in Mt. Laurel offers "kids eat free" on Tuesdays. It's for dine-in, ages 12 and under (there's also restaurants in Woodbridge and Paramus).

The Tortilla Press Cantina in Collingswood offers a "kids eat free" deal on Mondays.


Central Jersey 

 

Ariang Hibachi Steakhouse & Sushi Bar in both Mountainside and Parlin offer a kids eat free deal for Mondays and Tuesdays. It applies to kids 10 years and under with the purchase of an adult entree of $17 or more.

Molly Maguire’s in Clark offers "kids eat free" on weeknights.

Nino's Coal Fired Pizza offers kids eat free for those 10 and under on Mondays. The chain has five locations in Monmouth and Ocean Counties.

Rosalita's Roadside Cantina in Englishtown offers kids eat free as part of their "Wild Wednesdays." The weekly fun starts at 5:30 p.m., and also features balloon animals and face painting.

WindMill has a Tuesday "kids eat free" offer. can chow down for free (with the purchase of an adult entree). The popular hot dog and burger spot now has 6 spots in Monmouth County (Belmar, Freehold, 2 in Long Branch, Ocean Grove and Red Bank) plus one in Brick.


North Jersey

Firehouse Subs in Wayne (on Hamburg Turnpike) offers "Kids eat free" all day Sundays and on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. That's with the purchase of an adult combo meal. Firehouse Subs in Totowa (on Route 46 West) offers the same deal on Sundays and Thursday nights.

Jalapenos in Glen Rock offers a "kids eat free" promotion for those 12 & under on Sundays after 4 p.m. per paying adult, excluding holidays. 930 Prospect St. (201-445-5566)

Ho-Ho-Kus Inn & Tavern offers a "kids eat free" dinner promotion for those 10 and under on Monday nights.

Montville Inn offers "Kids Eat Free" on Tuesdays from noon until 9 p.m. Every 2 children under twelve accompanied by 1 adult receive a complementary kids’ meal, including beverage and a scoop of gelato for dessert.

Morris Tap and Grill in Randolph offers their "kids eat free" as a weeknight dinner deal. Monday through Friday 4 p.m. until 6 p.m., with purchase of each adult entree.

O'Reilly's Pub and Grill in Newton offers "kids eat free" on Mondays for those 10 and under.


"Kids eat free" NJ restaurants with multiple locations:

 

Chevys Fresh Mex in both Linden and Clifton offers "kids eat free" on Mondays starting at 4 p.m. The deal covers two complimentary kids meals per adult entr̩ee purchased.

IHOP The latest "kids eat free" deal is every night, from 4 to 10 p.m. through at least the end of September. In the past, the Kids Eat Free at IHOP has varied from spot to spot. With about 40 restaurants in Jersey, there's gotta be an IHOP in close range.

MOE's Southwest Grill has a "kids eat free" deal that varies across its more than two dozen NJ restaurants.  CliftonMays Landing and Pompton Plains all offer it on Sundays, Branchburg offers a Tuesday promotion and East Windsor does Wednesdays.

Ruby TuesdayOn Tuesdays, from 5 p.m. until close, kids eat free. That means for each adult entree bought, you can get a free meal from the kids menu.  New Jersey has 20 Ruby Tuesdays. (The locations are Atlantic City, Brick, Bridgewater, Deptford, Elizabeth, Eatontown, Freehold, Hamilton, Howell, Mays Landing, Mount Laurel, Neptune,Old Bridge, Princeton, Somerset section of Franklin, South Plainfield, Toms River,  Union Township in Union County, Willingboro and Woodbridge.)


Proud Jersey Girl Erin Vogt’s first reporting gig involved her Fisher Price tape recorder. As a wife and momma of two kiddies, she firmly believes that life’s too short to drink bad coffee.  A fan of the beach, Dave Grohl and karma, in no particular order.

Follow her on Twitter and on Facebook as ProudJersey.

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