Dining & Recipes
Dining Guide with Menus
We have put together a family friendly dining guide
including menus to help you find exactly what your family is craving!
Casual Dining • Fine Dining • Fast Food • Curbside-To Go • Dinner Preparation
Casual Dining
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25+ Places |
In these tough times when anything free is slowly becoming extinct, with everyone working harder and the economy struggling, there are still a group of restaurants dedicated to serving free meals to kids. Most of these places offer free food to kids with some restrictions, particularly the age of the child, specific days and the ratio of purchasing adults to the number of kid’s meals required. Restaurants at various locations may not offer these free specials or may present some kind of variation on different days. As these offers are subject to change, be sure to verify the information before planning a trip. Also look for summer reading programs that offer free meals or complimentary items to kids to encourage reading.
Search by area: Coronado | El Cajon | Encinitas | Oceanside | Poway | Santee & San Marcos | Chula Vista | San Diego County
Things change. That’s why we’ve included phone numbers and Websites when available. Since most activities require advance reservations or have limited space, please call first to confirm dates, times and admission prices.
Coronado
Beach n’ Diner
1015 Orange Ave.
www.nadolife.com
619-437-6087
Kids eat free on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to close with paid adult.
Bistro d'Asia
1301 Orange Ave.
619-437-6677
Kids (11 and under) eat free on Tuesday nights (October through March) with each adult entrée purchase.
Lil’ Piggy’s Bar-B-Q
Coronado Ferry Landing, 1201 First St.
www.nadolife.com
619-522-0217
Kids eat free on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to close with paid adult.
Village Pizzeria
1206 Orange Ave. & 1201 First St.
www.nadolife.com
619-522-0449
Kids eat free on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to close with paid adult.
El Cajon
Hacienda Casablanca
700 North Johnson Ave.
haciendacasablanca.com
619-442-9827
Free kid’s meal on Mondays all day with paid adult.
Encinitas
Borelli’s Pizza and Italian Food
285 North El Camino Real
Borrellispizza.net
760-436-1501
Kids (12 and under) eat free on Mondays with purchase of adult entrée.
Oceanside
Anita’s Restaurant
2251 El Camino Real
www.anitasrestaurant.com
760-757-7745
Free kid’s (12 and under) meal with each adult purchase on Tuesdays, after 3 p.m.
Blendz
4225-B Oceanside Blvd.
www.blendzoceanside.com
760-724-7007
Kids eat free on Fridays with purchase of full-size combo meal.
Q Restaurant Sports and Grill
2725 Vista Way
www.theqrestaurantandsportsbar.com
760-757-7070
Children (12 and under) get a free kid’s meal with each adult entrée every Tuesday and free karaoke on Wednesday nights after 8 p.m.
Poway
Luc’s Bistro
12642 Poway Rd.
www.lucsbistro.com
858-748-9330
Kids (12 and under) eat free on Wednesday nights with each paid adult entrée.
Chicken Pie Diner
14727 Pomerado Rd.
www.chickenpiediner.com
858-748-2445
Free kid’s (10 and under) meal and drink on Tuesdays with an adult entrée and drink purchase.
Santee & San Marcos
Roadhouse Grill
110 Knoll Road, San Marcos
9816 Mission Gorge Road, Santee
www.originalroadhousegrill.com
760-510-3805
On Tuesday, free kid’s (12 and under) meal with each adult entrée.
Chula Vista
The Brew House
871 Showroom Pl., Ste. 102
www.brewhouseeastlake.com
619-656-2739
Kids (12 and under) eat free with each adult entrée all day on Mondays and Tuesdays.
San Diego County
Carrow’s
www.carrows.com
619-424-6881
Kids (10 and under) eat free with purchase of each adult entrée on Wednesdays and Thursdays after 4 p.m.
Chevy’s
Carmel Mountain, Del Mar, Mission Valley
www.chevys.com
858-675-9292
Kids (12 and under) eat free on Tuesdays with a paid adult.
Claim Jumper
12384 Carmel Mountain Rd.
www.claimjumper.com
858-485-8370
Free infant snack any day of the week.
Cheesecake Factory
7067 Friars Rd., Mission Valley
619-683-2800
2015 Birch Rd., Chula Vista
619-421-2500
www.thecheesecakefactory.com
Free infant snack any day of the week.
Coco’s
13 locations in San Diego County
www.cocosbakery.com
858-485-9419
Free kid’s meal (10 and under) on Tuesdays and Wednesdays with each adult entrée purchase.
Denny’s
16 locations in San Diego County
760-743-0920
Free kid’s meal on Tuesdays (days differ by locations) from 4–10 p.m. with each adult entrée.
El Torito
8 locations in San Diego County
www.eltorito.com
858-485-1905
Kids (12 and under) get a free meal from the kid’s menu with each adult entrée on Wednesdays.
Hooley’s Irish Pub
2955 Jamacha Rd., El Cajon
619-670-7468
5500 Grossmont Center Dr., La Mesa
619-713-6900
www.hooleys.com
Kids (12 and under) get one free meal and beverage with each adult purchase on Tuesdays nights.
Humphrey’s Restaurant
(Shelter Island)
www.humphreysbythebay.com
619-224-3577
Free brunch for kids ages 4–12 on Sundays with an adult brunch purchase.
Islands
10 locations in San Diego County
www.islandsrestaurants.com
858-569-8866
Kid’s (12 and under) menu item free with purchase of an adult entrée on Tuesday nights. Days may differ by location.
Marie Callender’s
6 locations in San Diego County
www.mariecallenders.com
858-675-9418
Kids 12 and under eat free on Tuesdays and Saturdays with each paid adult entrée.
Pat & Oscar’s
10 locations in San Diego County
www.patandoscars.com
858-621-6100
Kids 12 and under get a Just For Kids Meal on Tuesdays with each adult purchase.
Ruby’s Diner
3 locations in San Diego County
www.rubysdiner.com
619-294-7829
Tuesdays after 4 p.m. you get a free kid’s (12 and under) meal with each paying adult entrée.
TGI Fridays
5 locations in San Diego County
www.tgifridays.com
858-675-7047
Kids 12 and under receive a free kid’s meal with a paid adult Mondays and Tuesdays, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Zio’s
2940 El Cajon Blvd.
www.ziosinnorthpark.com
619-280-9467
Family Fridays free kid’s meal (up to 4 kids free with a paid adult).
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Geeta Shreedar is a freelance writer living in Sabre Springs.
Fresh and Tasty School Lunches
Fresh and Tasty School Lunches
Finding school lunch ideas that stay fresh can be challenging. But with a few simple solutions, you can provide delicious and tasty sandwiches.
Be sure to choose the right bread. The more moisture in the fillings, the drier and denser the bread should be. Breads with thick crusts work perfectly, or swap your regular bread for flour tortillas, bagels, English muffins or pitas.
To keep sandwiches crispy and delicious, place a single layer of deli meat on each slice of bread, then spread the condiments on those. Cheese also works as a barrier. Never place tomatoes directly on cheese - the juice will make the cheese soft and cause the bread to become soggy. Instead, place tomatoes in between lettuce slices.
The Back to School Bagelwich
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4-6 slices Hillshire Farm Deli Select Ultra Thin Honey Ham
1 bagel
2 teaspoons cream cheese
1 teaspoon honey mustard
1 thin slice beefsteak tomato
6 thin cucumber slices
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Split bagel, spread each cut half with 1 teaspoon cream cheese.
On each half of bagel, layer half of each of the ingredients in this order: Hillshire Farm Deli Select Ultra Thin Honey Ham, honey mustard, tomato, and cucumber slices.
Join the two halves together. Cut in half and wrap.
To get more quick and easy recipes or additional freshness tips, visit
www.gomeat.com.
Are your child's bones healthy?
There are 206 bones in the human body, and the skeleton comprises 20 percent of total body weight. For bones to become strong, it’s critical that your child meets her daily-required calcium needs every day. Eating plenty of calcium-rich dairy foods such as milk, cheese and yogurt during childhood and adolescence will help build strong bones and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis later in life, according to a report released today by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Sadly most studies show that many children fail to meet the required nutrients for strong bones, more than 86 percent of girls and 65 percent of boys fail to get enough calcium after age 11.
| Age (years) | Daily Calcium Needs |
| 1 to 3 | 500 |
| 4 to 8 | 800 |
| 9 to 18 | 1,300 |
| 19 to 50 | 1,000 |
Calcium, the key for strong bones
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the human body and 99 percent of it is found in our bones and teeth. Adequate calcium intake during the growing years is essential to achieve optimal peak bone mass. The preteen and teenage years are critical for bone development because the majority of bone calcium is formed between the ages of 11 and 20. Calcium is best absorbed into bones at around age 12 for girls and age 14 for boys. Relatively little calcium is added to the skeleton after age 20.
Unfortunately, younger children are drinking more juice and less milk, and many children start drinking soda instead of milk at an early age. Teens drink nearly twice as many soft drinks as milk, which significantly reduces the intake of essential nutrients such as calcium, magnesium, riboflavin and vitamin A. More than 70 percent of the calcium in our food supply comes from milk and dairy foods. Without milk on the menu, it’s unlikely your kids will meet their daily calcium needs.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is often referred to as the “sunshine” vitamin because our bodies create it when our skin is exposed to the sun. About 10 to 15 minutes of sun exposure per day on our face, hands and arms—without sunscreen—is enough to meet our needs. The AAP adjusted their recommendations for vitamin D (issued in 2003) from 200 IU a day beginning in the first two months of life to 400 IU per day.
“Research shows that increasing vitamin D intake can provide lifelong health benefits, yet data indicates that most children are not getting enough,” says Frank R. Greer M.D., FAAP and chairman of the AAP Committee on Nutrition.
Consuming three daily servings of vitamin D-fortified milk provides many other nutrients that contribute to overall health and a reduced risk of chronic diseases. Milk is an ideal source of vitamin D for children due to its unique nutrient-rich package and kid-friendly flavor.
Physical activity and strong bones
Muscle strength and bone strength go together. When muscles work, they pull on the bones, stimulating them to develop and grow denser. Also, when muscles work, hormones are stimulated, which in turn help build stronger bones. As a result, active children have denser bones than sedentary children.
Inactive children and teens who eat inadequate amounts of calcium-rich foods have increased risk of bone fractures. According to “The Journal of the American Dietetic Association,” children who avoided milk were more likely to experience fractures and be overweight than a comparison group of more than 1,000 similarly aged children. The study was the first to link milk avoidance to increased fracture rates.
Activities that are specifically good for bone health include weight-bearing activities such as jogging, walking and dancing or team sports such as soccer or basketball. All of these activities are fun for kids and definitely good for increasing bone health.
Tips for Healthy Bones |
| • Be a positive role model by setting a good example. Children will follow your lead if you include calcium-rich food in your diet. |
| • Encourage small changes. Simply choosing a glass of milk instead of a soft drink provides 25% of your teen's daily calcium requirement. |
| • Pack a lunch. Boost calcium by adding a slice of low-fat cheese on a sandwich, or add some cheese sticks for a snack. |
| • Grill or bake salmon once a week for a meal that's rich in vitamin D. |
| • Add tuna fish to a green salad or make tuna sandwiches to help boost vitamin D intake. |
| • Don't be a couch potato. Encourage outdoor family activities such as riding bikes, going for a family hike or spending a day at the beach. |
| • Choose more leafy greens. Dairy isn't the only source for calcium; leafy greens are a good choice for easily absorbed calcium. |
| • Mineral-rich foods such as beans and nuts contribute to overall bone strength. |
| • Supplement your child's diet. Increase calcium by choosing an appropriate calcium supplement formulated for children. |
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Janet Little is a Certified Nutritionist with Henry’s Farmers Market.
Red, White and Blueberry Torte
This Fourth of July, get the kids involved in decorating the yard for a red, white and true blue backyard party.
- One-of-a-Kind Mural: Break out the sidewalk chalk and let the kids create their own patriotic sidewalk mural. Flags, fireworks, the Statue of Liberty - anything goes. Guests might like to try their hand at adding to the mural, too.
- A Patriotic Welcome: Put red, white and blue pinwheels and flags into buckets and flower pots filled with sand. Line the walkway to your door to set the mood and welcome guests.
- Balloon Fireworks: Use a funnel to fill red, white and blue balloons about one-quarter full with sparkly confetti. Inflate balloons with a hand pump and tie them off. Then, let kids pop away for some "firecracker" fun.
Of course, no Fourth of July party would be complete without an inspired dessert.
Red, White and Blueberry Torte
Makes 8 to 10 servings
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3/4 cup granulated sugar
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 tablespoon water
1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) Nestle Toll House Semi-Sweet Chocolate Morsels, divided
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, divided
2 large eggs
2/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, room temperature
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1/2 of an 8-ounce container frozen light whipped topping, thawed
2 cups sliced strawberries
1/4 cup fresh blueberries
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PREHEAT oven to 350 degrees F. Line 9-inch-round cake pan with wax paper; grease paper.
COMBINE 3/4 cup sugar, butter and water in small, heavy-duty saucepan. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Add 3/4 cup morsels; stir until smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract. Add eggs, one at a time, stirring well after each addition. Add flour, baking soda and salt; stir until well blended. Stir in remaining 3/4 cup morsels. Pour into prepared cake pan.
BAKE for 20 to 25 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Invert torte onto wire rack; remove wax paper. Turn right side up; cool completely.
BEAT cream cheese, 2 tablespoons sugar and remaining 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in small mixer bowl until creamy. Stir in whipped topping. Spread over torte; top with berries. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
For more recipes worth celebrating, visit TollHouse.com.
Jenny Harper is Consumer Test Kitchen Project Manager for the Nestle Test Kitchens and VeryBestBaking.com.
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