Call around and find out which restaurants have "kids eat free" night.

I save coupons for restaurants that I get in the mail. When we feel like going out, I just get my handful of coupons and go shopping. It's a good way to try something new that you may not try otherwise.

if you have small kids. Bring there drink with you, or if they never eat when out beacuse of all the stimulation. Feed them before you go and let them split a dessert while you and your dh have dinner.
Split a meal and order an extra salad. (never works for us, dh is a pig)
Order an appetizer fro your dinner.

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"Before I was a Mom I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body." ~Anonymous

Hi all.. We like to eat out as a family as well, however on a limited budget. What we do is always choose a restaurant that offers a family night (kids eat free). With two young boys it makes our dinners $10 - $15 cheaper.

I visit KidsMealDeals.com - Home (has alot of choices in my area) and then call the restaurants to get the full details on the deals ie: drink included etc. and then plan our trip.

With a little pre planning (5 min.) I can make a good deal into a GREAT DEAL!

We just went to a "kids eat free" offer at a very nice restaurant in town. My 12 month old had his own cheeseburger, (which he can finish a McD's sized cheeseburger) and we brought so many leftovers home. The kids even got free desserts and I could have kicked my DH for declining the second free dessert. Never decline a free desert!