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By Deborah Dove

With the cost of just about everything skyrocketing, families everywhere are tightening their belts and cutting back on their spending. Unfortunately for parents who are strapped for time, or just plain tired of cooking, eating out is one of the first things to go. However, if you know where and when to go, you can still enjoy eating out with the kids without breaking the budget. Please note that most restaurants require the purchase of one adult meal per free/reduced kids’ meal.

SUNDAY
Souper Salad—204 Central Expwy., Ste. 59, Allen, 214-495-9455

Even the pickiest kids can find something they like at this salad bar buffet, which includes the usual salad bar veggies as well kids "faves" such as Mac and cheese, ham cubes, shredded cheese, pasta, animal crackers, raisins, crackers, breads, rice (most days) and pizza. Sundays are "Souper Kids Day" at Souper Salad, where kids ages 4-12 eat for $2.49 (drinks are extra). Parents of little ones take note—kids 3 and under eat free every day. Mom and Dad will enjoy the baked potato and wrap bars, and daily selection of fresh soups. The kid highlight is the ice cream sundae bar, where vanilla soft serve ice cream can be dressed up with chocolate sauce, caramel, pineapple, Oreo cookie bits, rainbow sprinkles and peanuts.

Dickey’s Barbecue—405 Central Expwy., Allen, 214-495-8877

Even Dad will love taking the kids here, where he can feast on slow-cooked meats such as brisket, sausage, pulled pork, chicken or turkey, while the kids can choose a meat, roll and a kid-friendly side such as French fries, fried okra, corn on the cob, fresh fruit salad or pasta salad. Free soft serve ice cream will motivate them to clean their plate. Kids eat free all day on Sundays and Tuesdays with a paying adult.

MONDAY
Spaghetti Warehouse—1517 N. Central Expwy., Plano, 972-516-8903

Mamma Mia, Mondays are good days for Italian food with kids eating for 99 cents. Good old-fashioned Italian classics such as lasagna, chicken parmigiana and manicotti are standard fare at this family friendly restaurant, with most entrees served with a bottomless tossed salad or soup and sourdough bread. The kid menu is equally enticing, with choices such as spaghetti and meatballs, cheese pizza, ravioli and mozzarella cheese sticks.

TUESDAY
Black-eyed Pea—605 West 15th, Plano, 972-423-5565

It’s like eating at home, only easier, and possibly cheaper on Tuesdays when kids eat free with a paying adult (one free kid’s meal per one paying adult) after 5 p.m. Menu items include home-style favorites such as meatloaf, pot roast, chicken fried steak and roast turkey breast, plus burgers, grilled steak, pork chops, seafood, soup and salad. There is an extensive kids menu with typical kid fare (corn dogs, chicken fingers, Mac and cheese, pizza). All kids meals come with a drink, one side (kids can choose from a huge variety such as squash casserole, mashed potatoes, green beans and glazed carrots) and dessert.

Denny’s—1830 North Central Expwy., Plano 972-423-8005

Every kid loves breakfast, and Denny’s is one of the best places in town to have it. The kid menu features pancakes (including new alien pancakes), French toast and the Jr. Grand Slam (silver dollar pancakes, an egg, sausage and bacon), as well as burgers, hot dogs, nuggets, pizza and more, while adults can choose their own breakfast combo or steak, seafood or dinner classic. On Tuesdays and Saturdays, kids eat free from 4-10 p.m.

Baskin Robbins—1512 Exchange Pkwy. (Wal-Mart shopping center), Allen, 972-646-6969

Treat your favorite kid to their favorite ice cream flavor (or work on trying all 31) on Tuesday evenings from 5-10, when kids’ scoops are just $1 and regular scoops are $1.50.

Dickey’s—see listing under Sunday

WEDNESDAY
Applebee’s—1820 W University Drive, Mc Kinney, 972-562-8016

Wednesday is a great night to take the family out to dinner (or pick up dinner on hectic nights with their call to order carside to go). There’s something for everyone with menu offerings such as salads, burgers, chicken, steak, seafood and Weight Watcher options. Kids can order off the fun kid menu featuring chicken fingers, cheeseburger, grilled chicken sandwich and macaroni and cheese for 1¢. Kids’ meals include a drink and French fries or healthier side option such as celery with ranch, applesauce or steamed broccoli.

THURSDAY
El Chico—1222 North Central Expwy., Mc Kinney, 972-548-7526

Get ready for the chips and hot sauce, not to mention classic Mexican food favorites such as burritos, tacos, chimichangas, enchiladas, fajitas and more. Mom and Dad can splurge on a margarita, since kids eat for 99 cents on Thursdays after 5 p.m.

SATURDAY
Texas Land and Cattle—3191 Preston Road, Frisco, 972-668-2832

Another great restaurant where Mom and Dad actually feel like they’re "out" to eat, with menu items such as wood fired steaks and unique entrées such as Chipotle Tuna and Jalapeno Pork Chops (not to mention the garlic mashed potatoes!). Kids can enjoy kid-friendly fare off the kid menu (hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken fingers, grilled cheese, Mac and cheese, chicken breast, quesadillas and chopped steak) plus a drink for free on Saturdays between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entrée.

Denny’s—See listing under Tuesday

EVERY DAY
CiCi’s Pizza—204 N. Greenville, Allen, 972-727-2424

You can’t feed the brood more economically anywhere else, and everyone can find something they like at this pizza joint where the salad bar, pizza buffet and several selections of pastas are included in one price. Be sure and save room for chocolate dessert pizza and cinnamon rolls. Kids will love the additional lure of old-school video games, prize and candy machines, and TVs, which are usually tuned in to cartoons. Kids 3 and under eat free every day and kids 4-10 are only $2.47.

MONDAY thru THURSDAY
Café Brazil—3190 S. Central Expwy. #530, McKinney, 972-984-1259

You can have your coffee (and drink it too, while feeding your kids dinner) at Café Brazil. In addition to their delicious specialty coffee, Café Brazil offers gourmet sandwiches, salads, quesadillas and breakfast all day, including fabulous migas, egg dishes, French toast, omelettes and crepes (you can even "build your own" to order) served with rosemary potatoes and homemade grilled white bread. Mondays through Thursdays from 5 p.m. until close, kids eat for free.