I created this blog for a variety of reasons, but one of my main reasons is to share deals, tips, and specials I come across from time to time that I would like to share with parents to ease some of the burdens we all face when meal planning, shopping with the children, or even vacationing.  I have learned a lot through trial and error with my own children (still learning more everyday), and hopefully this blog can be a starting point for us to have open discussion and help each other along this fantastic journey called parenthood.

I love this movie!

Blah, blah, blah…I digress.

It’s Wednesday, October 28, 2009 and I wanted to share some Wednesday deals with all of my bargain hunter parents out there:

Tonight’s confirmed kids eat free restaurants are:

• Bob Baumhower’s Wings, 2232 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117. (Kids under 12 eat free with adult meal purchase over $10.00, drink not included, 2 kids’ meals with the purchase of one adult meal)
• IHOP, 115 Eastern Blvd. (Kids under 12 eat free with the purchase of adult meal, drink not included, 1 kids meal per adult entree)

Tonight’s unconfirmed (I’m not sure if they still provide the discount) kids eat free restaurants are:

• Jason’s Deli, 1520 Eastern Blvd, Montgomery, AL 36117. (334) 409-9890
• Firehouse Subs, 6661 Atlanta Hwy, Montgomery, AL 36117. (334) 213-2450

Tonight’s confirmed kids eat at reduced price restaurants are:

• Applebee’s, 6601 Atlanta Hwy., Montgomery, AL 36117. (Kids under 12 eat for $1.99 off kids’ menu, drink not included)
• Piccadilly’s, 2601 Eastern Blvd., Montgomery, AL 36117. (Kids 7-12 eat for $2.99, kids 6 and under free, drink included)

My helpful thoughts and tips with each restaurant (please feel free to add your own thoughts and experiences):

• Bob Baumhower’s Wings: see menu here http://www.baumhowers.com/menu.php- We had a nice time here, but the kids meals are tiny! I have a very hungry 9 and 6 year old and the choices were very limited and did not fill them up. I let them eat the rest of my meal. If your children are not into spicy foods, they do have the standard chicken fingers..does any child NOT like chicken fingers? They also have healthy options to add, vegetables, milk, etc. for a well rounded meal, if your children fill up on smaller portions. If your children are like mine and 2 or 3 chicken fingers won’t fill them up, Wings also has the “Wing and a Prayer deal” where you get 10 percent off your entire purchase if you show them your church bulletin from no more than seven days ago. If it’s past seven days old, go to church you heathen!  Seriously, it’s an ok deal for the money, plus you get two free kids meal with the purchase of one adult meal, great for single parents with more than one child. Drinks are NOT included.
• IHOP: see menu here http://www.ihop.com/docs/menupdf.pdf - Again, we had a nice time here, but tiny meals once again. IHOP is a fun treat if you maybe want to let the children have breakfast for dinner one night, but they also have the traditional kids meals (chicken fingers, mac n cheese, etc.) all served with fresh fruit. Kids under 12 eat free off the kids’ menu with one adult purchase, one free meal per adult purchase. Drinks are NOT included, but you do get free refills on soft drinks.
• Jason’s Deli/Firehouse Subs: I’m not sure if they still offer the kids’ eat free meals but I provided the telephone numbers for the locations listed above, so call ahead and check before heading over there. Both of these restaurants offer the standard sandwich meals for the children, nice light and healthy options if you like. My children are not into sandwiches, so these are not good choices for us. Let me know what you all find out.
• Applebee’s: see menu here http://www.applebees.com/Menu_Kids.aspx- Pretty much your standard kids’ menu with healthy side choices. Once again the meals are tiny, and my little ones were far from full after eating here. Our next time we chose to do the 2 for $20, which filled them up, while I got a happy hour half priced appetizer to fill me up ( you have to go between 4 and 7 to get the reduced price appetizer, and you don’t have to purchase alcohol) and we only spent just a wee bit more than if we did the reduced child’s meal option. Again, this all depends on your child’s eating habits. You do get two reduced price kids meals ($1.99) with one adult purchase, and drinks are NOT included.
• Piccadilly’s- their menu changes, I would call ahead and check if you have picky eaters. Piccadilly’s offers the standard meat and three meal, but it’s all you can eat and drink! Great option if you have little ones with hearty appetites and lots of fresh veggies and meats so you don’t feel so guilty about not cooking. Kids 7-12 eat for $2.99, drink included, and kids 6 and under eat free with paid adult. You get two reduced price or free meals with one adult purchase. My children love the chopped steak, fried chicken, baked fish and the carrot souffle. Go early though, I think they close around 7 or 8 pm.

And there you have it, the first installment of deals deals deals by Shannon! If you have any restaurants to add to the list or any other great deals you come across, please share. I look forward to hearing from you all.