× Expand Photos: David Croxford This isn’t run-of-the-mill kids fare; everything is fresh and so tasty the adults at our photo shoot were scooping up the leftovers the kids left behind.

2019 Editor's Note: Eating House 1849 in Kapolei has closed.

My first fine-dining experience as a young adult was at Roy’s Hawai‘i Kai. My best friend in high school treated me to dinner with a few paychecks from his first job. Years later, Roy Yamaguchi’s restaurants continue to be a favorite place for my extended family to celebrate birthdays and milestones, and for my husband and I to spend a rare night out without the kids.

Now, 30 years after his signature restaurant opened on O‘ahu’s East Side, parents have another reason to take the whole family to a Roy’s restaurant. Eating House 1849 is a more casual eatery, offering ethnic-inspired comfort foods including Portuguese sausage bean soup, pancit lumpia and beef tomato short ribs. The plates are big enough for keiki to share, but you won’t need to in Kapolei. The West O‘ahu location–which marks one year in business in April–is the only Roy’s location to offer a kids-eat-free deal.

× Expand Clockwise from top left: Cheese quesadilla with fruit, chicken tenders with seasoned fries and beans, penne pasta with butter or tomato sauce, teriyaki grilled salmon.

Every Tuesday night, parents can get a free keiki meal with each adult entree. The kid-size choices are a flat rate for an appetizer, bottomless drinks, dinner and dessert. Pick from teriyaki-grilled salmon with long beans and furikake rice, chicken tenders with seasoned fries and beans, a beef-tomato short rib with rice and beans, or a choice of tomato or butter sauce on penne pasta. This isn’t run-of-the-mill kids fare; everything is fresh and so tasty the adults at our photo shoot were scooping up the leftovers the kids left behind. Like at all Roy’s restaurants, keiki meals in Kapolei start with a cheese quesadilla and fruit, which arrives quickly to keep the kids occupied. Dinner ends with a sweet finish—an ice cream sandwich made with oatmeal chocolate-chip cookies. The entire kids’ menu for those 12 years and younger is peanut free and the staff is sensitive to other allergy requests.

That’s not the only special in Kapolei. Moviegoers at Regal Kapolei Commons 12 can bring in ticket stubs for a free appetizer of the chef’s choice. Bottles of wine are 25 percent off on Wednesdays and you can watch for other deals throughout the year.

Here’s another tip: The side room at Eating House 1849 in Kapolei is usually reserved for private events. If you have the opportunity, request a seat there. Not only is it air-conditioned, a big window gives kids a view of the kitchen so they can watch the chefs in action.

Eating House 1849 at Kapolei Commons, 4450 Kapolei Parkway. (808) 447-1849, eatinghouse1849.com.

Keiki Eat Free Deals

All specials are for one free kids’ meal with each paying adult entrée unless otherwise noted.

Auntie Pasto’s Beretania

Monday, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. 12 years and younger. 1099 S. Beretania St., (808) 523-8855.

Auntie Pasto’s Kunia

Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 to 9 p.m. 12 years and younger. Kunia Shopping Center, 94-673 Kupuohi St., #B-109, Waipahu, (808) 680-0005, auntiepastosrestaurant.com.

Denny’s

Tuesday, 4 to 10 p.m. 10 years and younger. Up to two free keiki meals for each full-price adult entrée. Five locations: Kāne‘ohe, Kapolei, Kunia, Waipahu and Waikīkī, dennys.com.

Eggs and Things Ala Moana

Sunday and Tuesday, after 2 p.m. 451 Pi‘ikoi St., (808) 538-3447, eggsandthings.com.

Gyotaku

Monday and Tuesday, 2 to 9 p.m. 10 years and younger. Three locations: King Street, Niu Valley and Pearl City, gyotakuhawaii.com.

IHOP

Weekdays, 4 to 10 p.m. 10 years and younger. Three locations: ‘Aiea, Ala Moana, Waikīkī, ihop.com.

Jose’s Mexican Café & Cantina

Tuesday, 6 to 10 p.m. 11 years and younger. 1134 Koko Head Ave., (808) 732-1833, joseshonolulu.com.

LuiBueno’s

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 8 years and younger. Ka Makana Ali‘i, 91-5431 Kapolei Parkway, Kapolei, (808) 628-4773, luibuenoskapolei.com.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill

Monday and Tuesday, 11 a.m. to 10 pm. 12 years and younger. Ala Moana Center, 1450 Ala Moana Blvd., #4240, (808) 356-8300, macaronigrill.com.

Ruby Tuesday Hawai‘i

Monday, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. Four locations: Kāne‘ohe, Kapolei, Mililani and Moanalua, rubytuesdayhawaii.com.

Tokoname Sushi Bar and Restaurant

Wednesday, during business hours. 10 years and younger. 98-150 Ka‘ōnohi St., ‘Aiea, (808) 487-9911, tonyromas.com.

Wahoo’s Fish Tacos

Tuesday, 5:30 to 9 p.m. 11 years and younger. 950 Auahi St., (808) 591-1646, wahooshawaii.com.