I have two little girls that love to go out to eat, however they are not just consumers of food; my kids like to be entertained as well. The guide that I have created is based on their personal favorites and it includes prices, places, and special items that my children order almost every time. Sometimes my husband comes with too and so when I refer to the price for our family that would be for a five-year-old, a three-year-old, and two adults. Without further adieu, here is the Kulasiewicz Family’s pick for best restaurants for kids to eat free in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, according to my children.
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #1:
Perkin’s Restaurant and Bakery
My kids love Perkin’s. They have a children’s menu that they can color, a couple of vending machines on the way out, and, of course, ‘Rainbow Pancakes.’ My kids would do just about anything for an order of their rainbow pancakes. When my youngest daughter was two, to save money she would share my breakfast because their portions are huge, but now she manages to wolf down an entire pancake all by herself. Kids eat free at the Eau Claire Perkin’s Restaurant and Bakery from 4pm to 10pm Tuesdays and Saturdays with an accompanying adult’s purchase. (Pie doesn’t count, but the French Silk is to die for.) The staff is fantastic, although the service may be a little slow during busy times; it is always worth the wait.
Average Meal: Entree: $4 – $10
Location(s)
715-834-9911
2025 Highland Ave.
Eau Claire, WI
www.perkinsrestaurants.com
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #2:
Chick-a-Dee’s
This restaurant is great. Any place where the restrooms are labeled “Hens” and “Roosters” has to be visited. It is Eau Claire’s, Westside best kept secret. The restaurant has a menu loaded with dinners ranging from fried chicken to steak and eggs. They offer an all day breakfast as well as a different special every day. My kids love the Mickey Mouse Pancakes that are not on the menu, but they will make them for anyone that asks.
Average Meal: Entrée: $3 – $9
Location
715-832-7724
1928 3rd St.
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #3:
Pizza Hut
I try to sneak off to Pizza Hut with my children at least once every-other-week for lunch. Not only do they have a great buffet, but they also have a super-friendly staff and a miniature game room in the back. Kids under 3 eat the buffet for free otherwise kids ages 3 – 12 cost $2.65. Adults cost $5.58 and they also have an evening buffet that runs from 5:30pm – 7:30pm Monday and Tuesday evenings. Their average pie runs about $12 – $16 depending on size and toppings. While there are three Pizza Huts in Eau Claire, the west side one is our favorite because, as my five-year-old says, “Their games are better” and the Pizza Hut on Eddy Lane is only for pick-up and delivery.
Average Meal: $3 – $16
Locations
715-834-5346
2602 E. Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI
715-833-1222
2225 Eddy Lane
Eau Claire, WI
715-834-1004
1242 W. Clairemont Ave
Eau Claire, WI
www.pizzahut.com
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #4:
Pizza Del Re
Pizza Del Re is known for its excellent pizza and salad buffet and is my children’s first pick for pizza in Eau Claire. I wondered if it was because they have games for the kids to play, but I think that it might be the awesome salad bar that they have because they like to build their own salad and most of the time eat all of it. Pizza Del Re is great because my whole family can eat there for under twenty dollars any time of the day, any day of the week. It is a casual restaurant and the staff is very friendly. The food is hot, fresh and tasty. Kids under three eat free, otherwise kids 3 -5 pay $1.85, kids 6 – 9 pay $3.43, kids 10-12 pay $3.96, and kids 13 and up pay the adult price that is $5.54 for lunch and $6.59 for dinner.
Average Meal: $3 – $16
Location
715-834-0703
911 N. Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI
www.pizzadelre.com
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #5:
Texas Roadhouse
This restaurant rocks in a country, line-dancing sort of way. Not only do they offer great prices for kid’s meals ranging from $2.99 – $6. 99, but children are given a fun pack when they come in and can even order a steak. Texas Roadhouse also offers a reading program where if the child reads a book selected by their teacher and they sign off on it, the kid can bring in the card and eat for free! Kids can order macaroni and cheese, chicken critters, hot dogs, ribs, 6oz sirloins, or mini-cheeseburgers and it is the only place in Eau Claire where your children can see line-dancing every hour. It’s fun, fast, and friendly.
Average Meal: Entrée: $3 – $18
Location
715-838-0035
5019 Keystone Crossing
Eau Claire, WI
www.texasroadhouse.com
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #6:
Pizza Plus
My kids lose their minds when we go to Pizza Plus in downtown Eau Claire. Not only do they have a great lunch buffet, offering salad, pizza, and a soda, but they have a game room in the back with air hockey, pin-ball, a candy crane, (that no kid ever wants to leave) and a merry-go-round that hold three children and operates for a quarter. The buffet runs from 11 – 1:30pm is free for kids under three, kids ages 3 – 11 cost $3.95, and it costs $7.95 for an adult. During the other hours you can get a large pizza for about $15, but they also offer a full menu with different daily specials. Although it seems a little bit dark in the restaurant, the food is delicious.
Average Meal: Entrée: $3 – $21
Location
715-832-8844
208 S. Barstow St
Eau Claire, WI
www.myspace.com/thebottleandbarrel
Best Restaurants for Kids to Eat Free (or close to it) in Eau Claire, WI #7:
McDonald’s
I guess it would be nearly sinful not to include McDonald’s in this guide. While some parents might scoff at the food content or nutritional value offered, they have tasty meals and there is always the option of going for ice cream. The play lands that are offered at Eau Claire’s Craig Road and Gateway Drive addresses are wonderful! McDonald’s has helped me with potty training, attitude adjustments, and has given me a little breather when Mom just needs to sit for a half-an-hour. This restaurant is fun and a definite reward for kids.
Average Meal: $3 – $6
Locations
715-835-7951
2702 Craig Rd
Eau Claire, WI
715-835-9919
1513 S. Hastings Way
Eau Claire, WI
715-830-1135
3708 Gateway Dr
Eau Claire, WI
715-874-6771
6251 Truax Ln
Eau Claire, WI
www.mcdonalds.com
