The Lollipop Road

Posts Tagged ‘restaurant’

Taking advantage of child discounts and freebies can save you a significant amount of money on your vacation.  In our quest for convenience, we often overlook the potential for restaurant discounts when traveling.  With the average price of a kid’s meal approaching $6, the cost of eating out two or three times a day can really add up.  On a seven night trip you’ll probably spend over $100 per child just on food.

What if you could get every kid’s meal for free or at least get half of the meals for free?  Sounds like extra spending money to me!  But, you’re not familiar with any of the restaurants at the destination that you are visiting, so how do you find out about these deals?

National Deals

The best place to start is by checking out the national restaurant chains that offer free kid’s meals.  These restaurants are likely to have locations across the United States, so finding one near your vacation destination should be relatively easy. Unfortunately, these deals can change without notice and not all location participate.

Here is a list of some nationally advertised kid’s eat free deals:

• Denny’s - Select evenings 4pm-10PM at participating locations
• Lonestar – Tuesday all day
• Holiday Inn – All day every day when you are a registered guest
• Max & Erma’s – Tuesday or Wednesday depending upon location
• Applebee’s – Select dates and times vary by location
• IHOP – Select dates and times vary by location
• Fudrucker’s – Monday & Tuesday after 4PM at participating locations

Beware that not all restaurants are required to participate.  You should always call the individual restaurant in advance to confirm days, times and participation.

Websites With Local Listings

There are literally dozens of websites that list restaurants offering free or reduced price kid’s meals by locality.  Below are what we consider to be the Top 5 Websites For Finding Restaurants With Free Kid’s Meals.

1. Kids Eat For – Easy search by zip code or major metro area.  Also available for the IPhone or IPod Touch.  Most comprehensive listing.
2. Kids Meal Deals – Search by mileage range within a zip code.  Available on the IPhone and Blackberry.  Search is limited by day of week.
3. Kiddie Menu – Quick, easy search by zip code.  No frills with some basic results.
4. Kids Eat Free Places – Ability to browse by state makes sure you see all listings.
5. Google – Try a simple Google search to obtain local results.  Type “kids eat free YOUR_STATE or YOUR_CITY” or “free kids meal YOUR_STATE or YOUR_CITY“.

Local Publications

When you arrive at your destination, make a quick stop at a visitor center, rest stop or hotel to pickup any brochures and tourist magazines that might list discount promotions.  You can also browse the local newspaper, phone book or ask the front desk staff at your hotel.  They’ll often be able to point you in the right direction

The best advice is to be prepared with a listing of possible restaurants that offer free kid’s meals.  You can find a list of potential chain restaurants here, but be sure to check in advance with the individual restaurant to verify days, times and participation.  Now all you need to do is figure out what to do with the money you’ll save!

Disclosure

It has been a while since we’ve featured our Focus On Customer Service segment. Unfortunately, this week we are reporting again on a national franchise with what seems to be a serious lack of customer service. We don’t take this harsh review lightly and our conclusions have only come as a result of many visits to many locations throughout the chain. Catering to families is in theory a prime objective of this chain, but they miss the mark in so many areas that it is now on the avoid list.

Friendly’s restaurant, made popular by its tasty ice cream (we don’t dispute that) has become an abysmal failure in all other aspects. On each of our last three visits, the service level was disappointing, from the host/hostess right to the server. On our last visit, we waited nearly 5 minutes to be seated while employees were chatting just feet away. Apparently, it was not their job to seat customers. Our server was no better. After waiting about 20 minutes for a drink that she clearly had forgotten, I decided to inquire. Sure enough, not only had she forgotten it, but casually acknowledged her absent mindedness as if it happens all the time. Forget an apology, I was lucky to get my drink. Add several other lapses in service and our visit left us never wanting to return to this Friendly’s restaurant again.

Let’s face it, the food doesn’t really provide a good value for your money either. At $8.99 for a hamburger and french fries, Friendly’s pockets as much as other restaurants with far better fare. The kid’s meals are no value either. At $5.50, you do get a drink and ice cream in addition to the meal, but the quality and portion size are hardly stellar. A cut up hot dog or industrial boxed mac & cheese hardly make for a nutritious meal. The only real reason to visit Friendly’s is for the ice cream.

This wasn’t an isolated incident. Just a week ago, we listened to a similar story from yet another disappointed Friendly’s customer. Upon arriving to place a take-out order this customer waited about 5 minutes before being assisted as she watched the manager chat it up with a friend just feet away. Adding insult to injury, she was charged $5.50 for a tiny portion of mac & cheese and a side of apple sauce. What – no drink or ice cream?

The problem appears simple – Friendly’s restaurants are seemingly infected with disinterested employees and management. Add mediocre food at premium prices and there isn’t much reason to visit. I speak with my dollars and they are going elsewhere!

On October 5, 2011, Friendly’s filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Sixty-three restaurants closed as a result.

Disclosure

You can read more about this topic, as well as many other family cruising topics, in our new book–Cruising With Kids: A Guide To The Perfect Family Cruise Vacation. Visit our dedicated Cruising With Kids website for more details.

One of the more dreaded times when cruising with kids, especially younger kids, is mealtime.  Imagine your embarrassment as your 8 month old throws food or something like say…a cup and it hits someone at the next table; for once you wish it had hit you (again).  What is the alternative?  Hibernating in your cabin for meals?  Well, that may be  part of the solution, but you can successfully dine anywhere on the ship armed with a few simple tips.

Everyone Better Duck!

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After spending a couple of hours at the Bethlehem Christmas Market, we decided to take advantage of the extensive shopping available in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.  Main Street is lined with unique shops with something for everyone, including the kids! Read the rest of this entry »

It’s someplace that someone without kids would never imagine venturing.  The first thing to pop into ones mind – chaos and screaming children, dodging in and out, running, jumping, crawling, yikes!

Chuck-E-Cheese

We’ll, after having kids and visiting for the first time, I was pleasantly surprised.  Of course, we always go on a weekday, but even when it is crowded with birthday parties, it isn’t so bad.  Read the rest of this entry »