Dine Out On A Dime; Restaurants That Feed A Family For Under $40

PITTSBURGH,None — Are you tired of fast food? Do you want to take your family out to dinner and not spend a fortune? Well, you're in luck. Target 11 Consumer Investigator Robin Taylor has uncovered some hidden gems. They are restaurants in the Pittsburgh area where the food is cheap, the portions are generous and kids are more than welcome.

This is my list of "Cheap Eats." They are kid-friendly restaurants that are a real deal for families on a budget.

Here is our criteria: They had to be restaurants where a family of four could eat for $40 or less. While doing the research I even found a couple steals where mom, dad and the kids could eat for about $20.

I begin with CiCi's Pizza, which is the least expensive restaurant on our list. The all-you-can-eat buffet is $4.99. For kids 10 and under, it is just $2.99.

"We have 20 varieties of pizza to choose from. Our guests can choose from salad, soup, desert, bread sticks. That's all included in the buffet price," said Eric Packe a CiCi's district manager.

With tax two adults and two kids can eat to their heart's desire for just $22. Since CiCi's is self-serve, there's no need to leave a tip.

Next up: the Spaghetti Warehouse. It is a real bargain, especially on Monday nights when kids eat for $1.99. Even when it's not kid's night, children's meals are cheap costing $3 to $5. The manager told me a family of four could eat at the Spaghetti Warehouse for $30 or less with no one leaving hungry.

"We have a lot of boxes that go out that door," said Ben Josefoski, a manager at the Pittsburgh Spaghetti Warehouse.

Coming in at number three is Red Robin. Hamburgers are $10 or less and kid's meals are just $4.99. Meals come with all you need fries and free refills on beverages.

"Every day is kid's night here. It's hard to go wrong with all the meals being bottomless for the kids as well," said Ed Zurich the general manager at the Red Robin the Waterfront.

Red Robin also has a generous rewards program. You get a free burger on your birthday and a free appetizer for signing up. The total bill would come to about $36.

"As far as getting out under $40, we'll get you out with some change," said Zurich.

Number four is a neighborhood restaurant in Gibsonia. The North Park Clubhouse serves up a slice of Americana. We paid a visit on a Tuesday night when kid's meals are just $0.99 and that includes tokens for the arcade.

"It's hard to get them to sit and eat. They want to go play the games. But they like the food, too," said Kristin Morrison a mother who was there with her daughter.

Parents told me at the North Park Clubhouse, you could feed your family for about $25.

No. 5 is another neighborhood gem. It is the Getaway Café in Brookline. On Wednesdays kids eat free all day. Adult meals are in the $13 to $20 range. A nice family dinner cost about $40.

And finally my favorite, Lu Lu's Noodle Shop in Oakland. It is the most exotic restaurant on our list of cheap eats. Lu Lu's serves up pan-Asian noodles family style and it's a real bargain. The most expensive dish on the menu costs $7.50.

"Kids love noodles. When they come in here they say, 'I love noodles,'" said Ping Chen who has worked there for 23 years.

Lu Lu's served us up a feast of wonton noodle soup, crab rangoon, pot stickers, Hong Kong chow fun beef, pad thai noodles and Dr. Freddie Fu egg noodle bean chicken. A typical dinner costs $15-$25.

Of course, there's also Eat 'n Park. Their food is a real value, but we figured most of you knew about Eat 'n Park already.

More Restaurants offering great deals for the whole family:

Applebee's - http://www.applebees.com/

Lelulos Pizzeria - http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/23/1573450/restaurant/Pittsburgh/Lelulos-Pizzeria-Plum

A'Pizza Badamo - http://www.thesequelpolice.com/apizzabadamo/

AJ's Burgers and Fries and Peruvian Rotisserie - www.ajsperuvianrestaurant.com

Aladdin's Eatery - http://www.aladdinseatery.com/

Bella Notte Pizza Pasta and More - 1914 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15222 - (412) 281-4488 (no website)

Bob Evans - http://www.bobevans.com/Default.aspx

Buffalo Wild Wings- http://www.buffalowildwings.com/

Chuck E. Cheese - http://www.chuckecheese.com/

Cracker Barrel - http://www.crackerbarrel.com/

Denny's - http://www.dennys.com/en/default.aspx

Fuddruckers - http://www.fuddruckers.com/

Max and Erma's- http://www.maxandermas.com/

TGI Friday's - http://www.tgifridays.com/home/welcome.aspx

Donte's Pizzeria - http://www.dontespizzeria.com/

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