EATS

Stressed over back-to-school routines? Take it outside. Maybe you could discuss it over dinner at IHOP, which is offering a Kids Eat Free promotion. Read on for details.
• AW SHUCKS Weekday lunch specials (Mondays through Fridays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) include two catfish fillets with french fries on Mondays for $5.95 and three fish tacos with rice and coleslaw on Fridays for $4.95. 3601 Greenville Ave. 214-821-9449.
– The specials are also available at Big Shucks locations in Dallas and Richardson.
• FERRÉ RISTORANTE E BAR The Tuscan Thursdays happy hour features $5 you-call-it martinis as well as free pizza on Thursdays from 4 to 8 p.m. at the bar or on the patio. 215 E. Fourth St., Fort Worth. 817-332-0033.
• IHOP The Kids Eat Free dinner promotion at area locations offers one free selection from the Just for Kids menu for ages 12 and under with the purchase of one adult entree. Through Sept. 13. Daily from 4 to 10 p.m.
• SULLIVAN'S STEAKHOUSE The Summer of $69 dinner for two features three courses. Through Labor Day. Daily during dinner hours. $69 per couple. 17795 Dallas Parkway. 972-267-9393.
• VICTORY TAVERN The Margarita and Quesadilla Wednesdays happy hour features $5 hand-shaken margaritas made with Herradura tequila and complimentary quesadillas at a quesadilla station. Wednesdays from 5 to 7 p.m. 3030 Olive. 214-432-1900.

Got a hankering to try the new Baja Fish Taco that Long John Silver's officially launched June 29? Then head over to your closest participating location Tuesday because that's when Long John Silver's is offering a free Baja Fish Taco to customers nationwide from open to 2:30 p.m.

That means ONE of those batter fried fish in a soft taco with lettuce and Baja sauce per dine-in, carry-out and drive-through customer. After the promotion, the Baja Fish Taco will cost its usual 99 cents. Click here to find your closest restaurant.

For those who want to do a little foodie slumming, Slurpees are FREE at 7-Eleven in honor of Saturday being 7-Eleven's 7/11 birthday. To be celebrated in 7.11-ounce quantities of course.

7-Eleven is also featuring a Slurpee Nation rewards code worth 2 rewards points on its Happy Birthday cups, which gives you a chance to enter the instant win game online here. Which gets you a code to buy Live Nation lawn concert tickets for (wait for it) $7.11.

The 7-Eleven Day instant win game runs from (yes!) 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

New deal: Berryhill Baja Grill. On Tuesdays, kids 12 and under pay $1 for their choice of entree from the kids menu which features chicken fingers, cheese quesadillas, tempura fish and cheese enchiladas. French fries, Jell-O and a balloon is included, drinks are extra. Kids will also get a temporary tattoo depending on availability. Berryhill Baja Grill, 1801 Preston Road. 972-732-8226.

Ever try Berryhill Baja Grill and its kids menu? Tell us what you think! And click here for more Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week.

New Deal: Blue Mesa Grill. Kids five and under get a free Sunday brunch from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at all five Blue Mesa Grills with an additional free Saturday brunch at the Addison location . And yes, this is the same award-winning brunch that costs $16.95 for adults ($6.95 for ages 6-10) and includes: chicken and mushroom enchiladas with chipotle cream sauce, blue corn cheese enchiladas with three chile red sauce, grilled chicken and steak fajitas, adobe pie stuffed with chicken, cheese and roasted peppers, glazed ham, roast brisket, red chile salmon, omelet bar, southwestern Caesar salad, spinach salad, pasta salad, fresh-made guacamole, Belgian waffles with fresh fruit, huevos rancheros, eggs Benedict, migas, grilled sausage, sweet corn cake and desserts, including homemade chocholate chip-pecan cookies, classic flan, fresh fruit, cinnamon churros, fruit cobbler and raspberry cajeta pudding along with soft drinks (and mimosas, coffee and tea for the adults). www.bluemesagrill.com

NEW DEAL: Peter Piper Pizza. As part of the chain's new Summer Kids Days, kids ages 3 to 12 will get two large slices of pizza, a 12 oz. drink, four tokens and a morning of crafts, speakers and activities Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon from Tuesday through July 28 for $4.99 each. Available at all six Dallas/Fort Worth Peter Piper locations. Parents and guardians must be present, but no additional purchase required.For more information, visit or call your local Peter Piper Pizza restaurant or contact Brandi Chambless at 972-317-4747 or bchambless@peterpiperpizza.com.

Click here for more Kids Meal Deals every day of the week through June.

New Deal: Cafe Brazil. The summer just got a little sweeter (and more affordable) when Cafe Brazil decided to extend its May kids meal deals through June. Kids 10 and under get a free kids entree with the purchase of an adult entree Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in a special May deal at all 10 Cafe Brazil locations. This coffee house/restaurant which also offers a 20% discount off the bill to all teachers through the end of the year (if you show your teacher's badge), offers kids a choice of kids' feast (with two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon and kid-sized pancake), pigs in a blanket, pancakes, candy bar pancakes, cheesy pasta, cheeseburger, dinosaur chicken nuggets, grilled ham and cheese sandwich or kids' French toast. All entrees come with a kids' beverage. Cafe Brazil.

Read on for Kids Meal Deals every day of the week through June.

NEW DEAL: Denny's. Up to two free kids meals for 10 and under with the purchase of a regularly priced adult entree Tuesdays from 4 to 10 p.m. Some locations also offer the deal on Saturdays from 4 to 10 pm. Kids meal choices are the new little dipper sampler with three chicken nuggest and three mozarella cheese sticks or two mini astro hot dogs or cheeseburger or hamburger or chicken nuggets, each with a choice of side item. While you check out the store locater here, sign up kids under 10 for Denny's birthday party club. They will receive a birthday card near their birthday that entitles them to a free entree and sundae.

Ever tried the kids meals here? How did the kids like it? Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed! And click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week through May.

NEW DEAL: The Gaylord Texan is putting out the welcome mat for families with this year's SummerFest and one of the most welcoming of those days is Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. when kids 12 and under eat free at the Old Hickory Steakhouse, Texan Station Sports Bar & Grill and Ama Lur with the purchase of an adult meal through Sept. 6. The children's menu at Old Hickory Steakhouse sports mini Kobe burgers with fries or mac & cheese with fries, Texas Station offers chicken fingers with fries or a grilled hot dog with fries and Ama Lur features pepperoni flat bread or chicken fingers.

Want more? Follow up the free kids meal with a Triple-Licious! Dessert Tasting for Kids on Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. For $5 (that includes tax and gratuities), kids and adults can feast on chocolate-covered Rice Krispy Treats, assorted cupcakes, chocolate-covered strawberries, M&M brownies and peanut butter cream tarts. at the Java Coast Coffee Shop, Texan Station, and SummerFest Sweet Shoppe.

Reservations recommended for Kids Eat Free and Triple-Licious! Dessert Tasting by calling SummerFest at 817-722-9444 or tickets can be purchased at the concierge desk or in the resort's restaurants.

Ever tried the kids meals here? How did the kids like it? Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed! And click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week through May.

New Deal: If you're shopping at Central Market with kids, you may want to stay and have a bite to eat at their cafe when you hear the deals available at two store locations.

In Dallas, kids meals are free Mondays after 4 p.m. for under 18 with the purchase of an adult entree. Kids meals include fruit and a choice of macaroni and cheese, quesadilla, chicken sandwich, pizza, and grilled peanut butter and banana. All entrees except pizza come with fries. Drinks are extra ($1.50 for fountain drinks, $1.29 for milk or juice). Central Market, 5750 E. Lovers Lane, 214-234-7000

In Southlake, kids meals are free Tuesdays after 4 p.m. for under 12 with the purchase of an adult entree. Kids meals are a choice of grilled cheese, chicken tenders or hamburger with fries or macaroni and cheese, spaghetti and meatballs or pizza. Drinks are extra ($1.49 for fountain drinks or milk, $2 for juice). Central Market, 1425 E. Southlake Blvd., Southlake. 817-310-5600.

Ever tried the kids meals here? How did the kids like it? Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed! And click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week through May.

New Deal: Cafe Brazil. Kids 10 and under get a free kids entree with the purchase of an adult entree Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. in a special May deal at all 10 Cafe Brazil locations. This coffee house/restaurant which also offers a 20% discount off the bill to all teachers through the end of the year (if you show your teacher's badge), offers kids a choice of kids' feast (with two scrambled eggs, two strips of bacon and kid-sized pancake), pigs in a blanket, pancakes, candy bar pancakes, cheesy pasta, cheeseburger, dinosaur chicken nuggets, grilled ham and cheese sandwich or kids' French toast. All entrees come with a kids' beverage. Cafe Brazil.

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

Read on for weekly Kids Meal Deals through May.

New Deal: Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen. In the mood for some monster shrimp or Cajun spice? Can't think of a better time to dig in than Tuesdays when kids 12 and under eat free all day with the purchase of an adult entree. Want more? Seniors 55 and older get a 25% discount all day Wednesdays and the other weekdays from 2-5 p.m. And on Sundays, you can get 20% off your check with a dated bulletin from your place of worship. Kids meals include fries, a kid drink and choice of shrimp, catfish, chicken, corn dogs, grilled cheese, mac and cheese and cheeseburgers. Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen at 720 E. Campbell Rd., Richardson, 972-437-6800 and 5508 Arch Bridge Ct., Arlington, 817-557-3700.

So, have you tried Boudreaux's? Do you recommend it?
Click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week in April -- and let us know if you spot any we haven't listed yet!

New Deal: Back Yard Burgers. We know you foodies can debate for days, chewing on the virtues of various burgers in town. But this kids meal deal sounds pretty tasty to us. Kids 12 and under eat free on Tuesdays and Thursdays after 4:30 p.m. with the purchase of an adult combo meal. Dine-in only. Choice of burger, cheeseburger, hot dog or chicken tenders with fries and a drink from the kids menu. Back Yard Burgers, 10930 N. Central Expressway. 214-361-8544. www.backyardburgers.com

So, have you tried Back Yard Burgers? Do you recommend it?
Click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week in April -- and let us know if you spot any we haven't listed yet!

New Deal: Down Under Pub in Frisco. Kids under 12 eat free daily from the Joey menu with the purchase of an adult meal at this Australian-themed restaurant, that offers 30 50-inch plasma T.V.s for sports viewing and is independently owned and operated by Brett and Jodi Orsak.

To add to the fun, customers can also submit a business card on any visit to be deposited in a fishbowl. On the last Friday at every month at 5:30 p.m., they do a drawing; the winner gets $500 cash and does not need to be present to win. The Joey menu features mini corn dogs, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, crustless grilled cheese and fish and chips, all with fries, or pepperoni pizza, pasta with marinara sauce or butter noodles, beef or cheese ravioli or mac & cheese, plus refillable soda or milk and a Joey sundae. Mondays through Fridays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturdays 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. The Down Under Pub, 3231 Preston Road, Frisco. 972-668-0062. www.downunderpub.com

Click here for Kids Meal Deals for every day of the week.

NEW DEAL: Eating for free doesn't mean you have to scrimp on the food or the surroundings. Kids 12 and under can eat for free this Saturday and next Saturday, April 11 and 18, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the lovely Diamond Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth with the purchase of each adult meal fixed price of $12. Saturday, April 11 is a three course "All You Can Eat" Catfish Night and April 18 is "Italian Night" themed dinner, featuring salad, chicken picatta with lemon and white wine sauce, a pasta bar with angel hair and penne pastas and alfredo cream, pesto basil and meat sauce, steamed seasonal vegetables, fresh baked garlic bread, chef's assorted desserts, coffee, ice tea and water. Reservations required to James Bond, director of catering at jbond@diamondoaksclub.com or 817-834-6261 ext. 239.

And here are two Easter kids deals that Bindu Varghese shared with us from her terrific Easter dining round-up in Guide:
Hibashi Teppan Grill & Sushi Bar which we posted last week continues through Sunday.
Gaylord Texas Resort's annual Easter Ballroom Brunch: free for each kid 6-12 and under with paid adult (free for children 5 and under). That includes the full feast (leg of lamb, pork roast, salads, seafoods, breakfast dishes and more) plus the Gaylord's popular Easter egg hunt, offered at 11 a.m., noon and 1:30 p.m. outside the ballroom. 1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine. 817-778-1000.www.gaylordtexan.com

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

Read on for weekly Kids Meal Deals through April.

I know it's not Monday, when we usually post the Kids Meal Deal. But this one couldn't wait. Bindu Varghese found us this fine freebie while doing her Easter round-up for Guide that runs Friday. Hibashi Teppan Grill & Sushi Bar, directly across from the Galleria Dallas, will let one child under 12 eat free April 5 through April 12 with a party of four; two children under 12 eat free with a party of eight.

Want more? Hibashi will serve one complimentary Easter Sushi Roll to parties of four or more. On Easter Sunday, the chefs will cook with colored and decorated eggs.

And not to worry -- we'll be back Monday with another Kids Meal Deal, too.

NEW DEAL: Tin Star. Free for kids 12 and under on Sundays after 4 p.m. with the purchase of an adult entree. While you're enjoying your Tex Mex, the kids get their choice of an entree, side, drink and dessert. The entree options are cheese quesadillas, chicken soft taco, Kraft macaroni and cheese, cheesburger, chicken fingers and grilled chicken. The sides are French fries, Granny Smith apples, rice, beans, steamed broccoli, corn on the cob or mashed potatoes. Desserts are Blue Bell vanilla ice cream or Oreo cookie. Drinks choices are milk, juice, tea or soft drinks. The offer is good at all Tin Star locations.

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

MORE weekly deals through March.

The daily half-price kids meal deal that Humperdink's was offering in February is over. However, the special does continue all day Saturdays and Sundays. Read on for the details:

NEW DEAL: Texadelphia restaurants on Greenville Ave. and in Irving. Gotta admit, we love the terms of this deal. Owner Tom Landis, the father of a two-year-old with another on the way, promises to give a free kids meal for kids under 12 with the purchase of an adult meal any day of the week after 4 p.m. IF the child orders for himself and says "please" or "por favor." Otherwise, kids meals are 1/2 off or $1.65 after 4 p.m., and $3.29 before 4 p.m. The kids meal offers a choice of mac and cheese, corny dog or kids burger with apple sauce, waffle fries and a kids' drink. Texadelphia at 5500 Greenville Ave. (at Lover's and Greenville), 214-265-8044 and 7601 N. MacArthur Blvd., Irving, 972-432-0725. www.texadelphia.com

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

MORE weekly deals through March.

A new Web site promises to help Dallas-area diners eat out for less. ChowOut.com compiles local restaurant specials and presents them in a simple-to-use daily calendar format: Click on the day you'd like to dine out and see what deals are available. Though most of the listed offers are lunch and happy-hour specials, dinner patrons can also find some impressive savings, including printable coupons, kids-eat-free offers and buy-one-get-one promotions.

NEW DEAL: Applebee's Neighborhood Grill on Tuesdays, free kids meal for ages 12 and under with each purchase of an adult entree. Kids get a beverage with a choice of chicken fingers, cheeseburger, grilled chicken sandwich or macaroni & cheese. All entrees, except the macaroni & cheese, come with a choice of sides: celery with ranch dressing, applesauce, French fries or steamed broccoli (good luck with that). All Dallas/Fort Worth and Central Texas locations.

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

MORE weekly deals through March.

NEW DEAL: GattiTown in Frisco: Wednesdays, free for kids 10 years and under with purchase of an adult or senior buffet ($8.49 for adults and $7.49 for seniors). Mondays, free for moms (sorry, dads) with purchase of a kids buffet ($5.49 for ages 2-5, $6.49 for ages 6-10 and $7.49 for ages 11-14). Free daily for kids under 2. Most people think of GattiTown as an indoor amusement center, but it's also a restaurant where you won't go away hungry with a buffet of all-you-can-eat pizzas, baked pastas, a full salad bar, baked potatoes, freshly baked desserts and beverages. GattiTown, 3251 Preston Road, Frisco. 214-618-9800. www.gattitownfrisco.com

Please dish on any other Kids Meal Deals or comment on some we've already listed!

MORE weekly deals through March.

After reading Leslie Brenner's delicious review of Cibus, I was delighted to discover for all us parents out there that while Cibus does not have a formal kids' menu, they do offer a kid portion upon request ($7 for kids' pasta portions; pizza prices vary according to the menu). Kids who like to keep it simple can choose pizza or plain pasta with butter or cheese. In addition, the chef will add or subtract ingredients to your child's liking.

NEW DEAL: Spaghetti Warehouse. Mondays. Ninety-nine cents for 10 and under. If your kids like spaghetti, you've come to the right place. Kids get a choice of spaghetti with tomato, marinara or meat sauce or chicken strips or a kid's pizza, plus bread, salad, drink and a kid's ice cream. All locations.

MORE weekly deals through March.

NEW DEAL: Texas Land and Cattle. Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Free for 12 and under with up to two free kids meals with the purchase of each adult entree. In the mood for steak? Now you can bring the kids along at no extra cost. Kids meals include a beverage, side and choice of grilled cheese, ranch hand chicken sticks, prairie dog, buckaroo burger, chuckwagon chicken, cowboy chopped steak or macaroni and cheese. Fifty cents for an ice cream sundae or two Oreo cookie dessert. All locations.

MORE weekly deals through February.

My 12-year-old's immediate response when I told him kids 12 and under eat free at the Black-eyed Pea Tuesdays after 5 p.m. was "Can I go?" The offer, good with one adult meal purchase per free kids meal, includes an entree, side and drink. Some locations also include a free dessert choice of a mini sundae or banana pudding.

Entree choices: macaroni & cheese, mini corn dogs, grilled cheese sandwich, cheese sticks, slow-roasted pot roast, grilled chicken breast, fried chicken fingers, mom's meat loaf, turkey dinner, cheeseburger and cheese pizza.

Side choices: kernel corn, mashed potatoes, glazed carrots, green beans, French fries, fried okra, steamed broccoli, cornbread dressing, seasoned rice, baked squash casserole, broccoli and rice casserole and black-eyed peas of course.

Meanwhile, remember that you have until Wednesday at 5 p.m. to make reservations at Diamond Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth for a free Thursday night meal for kids 12 and under -- a deal we first wrote about here.

As we continue spotlighting a new kids meal deal every Monday, we'd love it if you'd dish about your experience with taking your kids to any of these restaurants on our list -- or if you recommend any kids meal deals we have yet to include.

Find more more weekly deals.

Let's give a hearty Ciao! To Patrizio Pizza Pasta & Vino for joining our Kids Meal Deal list of restaurants that offer terrific free or low cost meals for kids. Here's what they're offering Mondays through Thursdays in their Plano, Cedar Hill and Highland Village locations:

Patrizio Pizza Pasta & Vino: Kids Eat Free Mondays through Thursdays in its Plano, Cedar Hill and Highland Village (not Highland Park Village) locations. For 12 and under. Up to three kids per adult meal. $4.89 Fridays and Saturdays. Cheese or pepperoni pizzetta (a mini-pizza) or spaghetti and meatballs or bambino salad or pasta-bilities (bow tie or spaghetti marinara, alfredo or butter), a scoop of homemade vanilla ice cream and a soft drink or milk. www.patrizios.net.

Read on for a look at how the kids can eat well, and cheaply, at local restaurants all week long:

Got some young sports fans who like to eat cheap? Humperdink's, known for its big, multiple screens that show various games in progress, is offering a daily 1/2 price special on its Kids Menu in February.

While the restaurant always offers a 1/2 price kids meal with a one for one purchase of an adult meal Saturdays and Sundays, now dine-in customers ages 12 and under can get the kids meal for $2.49 at any time with the purchase of an adult meal (additional kids meals are the usual $4.99). The kids get a choice of burger, hot dog, mini corn dog, grilled cheese, fish and chips, cheese quesadilla, macaroni and cheese, chicken tenders, pepperoni and cheese pizza and combo meal with one chicken tender, a mozzarella cheese stick and four mini-corn dogs. All meals come with a sliced red and green apple appetizer, fries (yes, even the pizza), a choice of soft drink, juice or milk and a cup of vanilla ice cream with Oreo cookie crumbs.

The offer is good at all five Humperdink's locations: 6050 Greenville Avenue at Southwestern (214-368-6597), 3820 Beltline Road at Marsh (972-484-3051), 1601 North Central Expressway, Richardson (972-690-4867), 700 Six Flags Drive, Arlington (817-640-8553) and 2208 West NW Hwy at Loop 12 (214-358-4159).

Want to treat the kids to a fancy meal -- for free? Kids 12 and under are free with each paid adult meal at Diamond Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth Thursday, Feb. 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. At the "Italian Night" themed dinner, kids and parents (whose meals cost $15.50 each) can feast on salad and chicken piccata with lemon and white wine sauce. Also included: a build your own pasta bar featuring angel hair and penne pastas and alfredo cream, pesto basil and meat sauce, seasonal veggies, fresh baked garlic bread, assorted desserts, coffee, tea and water.

RSVPs required by Wednesday, Feb. 18 at 5 p.m. with catering director James Bond (who is not, to our knowledge, doubling as a secret agent) at 817-834-6261, ext. 239 or jbond@diamondoaksclub.com. Diamond Oaks Country Club, 5821 Diamond Oaks Drive North, Fort Worth.

Nancy Churnin has been collecting meal deals for kids. Here's a sampling:

You don't have to buy kiddie meals at fast food restaurants to save money. There's an increasing number of area restaurants that give kids a chance to eat quality food for less. Here's a sampling:

Siciliano's A Taste of Italy in Garland: Kids ages 10 and under eat FREE with the purchase of an adult meal on Mondays after 3 p.m. And we're talking spaghetti with meatballs or meat sauce, meat or cheese ravioli, lasagna, manicotti, chicken tenders with spaghetti, fettuccini alfredo, fried shrimp and spaghetti, grilled chicken and spaghettie or a kids pizza with one topping, drink included.
2210 W. Buckingham Road, Garland. 972-276-8913. www.sicilianosgarland.com

Dickey's Barbecue Pit: On Sundays, kids 12 and under get one FREE kids meal for each adult meal purchased. Kid selections usually include a serving of chicken nuggets, one sandwich or one meat (beef brisket, pulled pork, chicken, turkey or Polish sausage) along with a side or a drink. And everyone gets free ice cream every day -- you, too, parents. Go to www.dickeys.com for your closest location.

Luby's: On Wednesdays, kids under 10 can get a kid entree with one side, Jell-O, a roll and a kids' drink for $2. Check Lubys.com for locations.

Souper Salad: On Sundays, kids ages 5-12 can help themselves to the buffet of soup, salad, pizza, pasta, potatoes, ice cream and fruit for $2.49 (with a limit of two kids meals per dining adult). Drinks are an additional 99 cents each. The price goes up to a modest $3.49 Mondays through Saturdays with no limit on the number of kids. And kids 4 and younger are always FREE.

Sweet Tomatoes: Kids under 12 dine for 99 cents on Kids' Night at Sweet Tomatoes in Dallas (near Addison) every Wednesday with the purchase of an adult meal. They will also receive a coloring maze with a 99 cent coupon attached that can be used any day of the week.
That means that like the adults (whose meals cost $7.99 for weekday lunch and $9.50 for dinner), they get the all-you-can-eat salad bar in addition to hot pastas, soups, muffins, Focaccia breads and pizza. The kids drinks cost extra -- $2.19 -- but the reusable Kid Cub can be brought for a free beverage on future visits.
And it gets sweeter. You can hit Kids' Night three days in a row if you don't mind a little driving. That's because the Irving location offers Kids' Night Monday and Arlington on Tuesday in addition to Dallas on Wednesday. That's 1820 Market Place Blvd. in Irving (972-830-9200), 4001 Matlock Road in Arlington (817-557-1809) and 15225 Montfort Drive in Dallas (972-385-7160).

McAlister's Delis: Remember when you could get a toasted cheese or peanut butter and jelly sandwich, or macaroni and cheese for less than a dollar? Kids ages 12 and under can still get them for 99 cents at the three McAlister's Delis in Addison, Garland and Mesquite.
And it gets better. From 5 p.m. to close every Tuesday, it's Kid's Night: A FREE kid's meal with the purchase of each adult entree. In addition to the normally 99-cent meals, kids' choices include Kid's Nacho or Cheese Pita Pizza or Mac's Hot Dog (usually $1.99) or Ham & Cheese or Turkey & Cheese (usually $2.99).
All kids meals come with Teddy Grahams, and all sandwiches include chips. Kids' drinks are extra at 89 cents apiece.
Meanwhile, big people can chow down on the salads, soups, spuds and the deli's famous sweet tea, provided they don't get too distracted with the free Wi-Fi.
McAlister's Delis: 1512 Montfort Drive, Dallas (469-374-0495), 5129 N. Garland Ave., Garland (214-703-5566) and 1515 N. Town East Blvd., Mesquite (972-686-2236); mcalistersdeli.com.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------