18 Restaurants from the Past That Had the Best Kids' Meals
These beloved old-school eateries knew how to make kids feel like royalty at mealtime.
- Chris Graciano
- 4 min read
Before tablets were at the table and fast food places on every corner, dining out as a kid meant getting a special meal with a toy. These retro restaurants created unforgettable experiences for kids. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with 18 restaurants that served up the most iconic kids’ meals of all time.
1. McDonald’s (Classic Happy Meal Era)
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Back when Happy Meals came in cardboard boxes covered in cartoons, they were the ultimate treat. Each one came with a toy, fries, a burger or nuggets, and a drink—plus the thrill of collecting the whole toy set.
2. Burger King (Kids Club Meals)
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Burger King created its own cartoon crew—the BK Kids Club—to appeal to younger diners. Meals came in bold boxes, including puzzles, stickers, and action figures.
3. Pizza Hut (Book It! Rewards)
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Through the legendary Book It! program, kids who loved to read were rewarded with free personal pan pizzas. Dining in meant crayons, colorful paper menus, and sometimes even tabletop arcade games.
4. Wendy’s (Wacky Adventures Toys)
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Wendy’s kids’ meals once rivaled the big names with imaginative toys and engaging packaging. Their themed releases featured tie-ins with cartoons, movies, and their own unique characters.
5. Howard Johnson’s
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Known for its orange roof and family-friendly vibe, HoJo’s made kids feel welcome with simple, tasty meals. Each order came with a coloring sheet and crayons, and the ice cream dessert was the real highlight.
6. Chuck E. Cheese (When It Was Pizza Time Theatre)
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Before it turned into an arcade free-for-all, Chuck E. Cheese was all about food and family fun. The kids’ meals were paired with animated shows, tokens, and unforgettable pizza parties.
7. Shoney’s
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Shoney’s brought out the best in diner-style family meals, offering a dedicated kids’ menu with crowd-pleasers like chicken fingers and mac and cheese. Meals came with a toy and a smile from the friendly mascot, Shoney Bear.
8. Denny’s (Kids Eat Free Nights)
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Denny’s made dining out more affordable with their kids-eat-free deals, and the meals weren’t just throwaways. Pancakes with smiley faces, mini burgers, and chocolate milk made the meal an event.
9. Friendly’s
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Friendly’s always lived up to its name with cheerful service and sweet kids’ offerings. The highlight? That famous clown sundae with a cone hat and candy eyes.
10. ShowBiz Pizza Place
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Before merging with Chuck E. Cheese, ShowBiz Pizza ruled with its animatronic band and irresistible kid-friendly food. Pizza was the go-to, served in party-size slices alongside arcade fun.
11. Hardee’s (Cool Kids Combos)
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Hardee’s once had a solid run with their “Cool Kids” meals, offering bold packaging and interactive toys. Kids could expect themed cups, puzzle games, and the occasional glow-in-the-dark surprise.
12. Sizzler
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While mostly known for its buffet, Sizzler surprised many with its kid-approved meals. A small plate of chicken or mini-steak paired with jello or soft-serve was always a hit.
13. Big Boy
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Big Boy restaurants offered classic diner-style kids’ meals with flair. From mini burgers to spaghetti, every plate was served with a side of whimsy and a smile from the Big Boy mascot.
14. Red Lobster (Treasure Chest Treats)
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Seafood might not scream “kid food,” but Red Lobster made it fun with treasure-themed meals. Some locations even gave out plastic treasure chests with toys or stickers inside.
15. Long John Silver’s (Pirate Meals)
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Long John Silver’s leaned heavily into the pirate theme for its kids’ offerings. Meals came in treasure chest boxes, sometimes including pirate hats, eye patches, or mini ship toys.
16. Bennigan’s
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This Irish-themed eatery wasn’t just for adults—its kids’ menu included Irish-named dishes like “Little Leprechaun Sliders.” The vibe was cozy, and the meals were thoughtfully presented with kid-friendly touches.
17. Fuddruckers
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Known for its build-your-own-burger bar, Fuddruckers allowed kids to be chefs. Their meals included a mini burger, a cookie, and access to all the fun fixings.
18. Steak and Ale
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Though more upscale, Steak and Ale offered a small but satisfying kids’ selection that made younger diners feel fancy. Chicken tenders or mini steak bites came plated like grown-up meals.