When it comes to eating out, we are regulars at one place and one place only.
Note: this is not a sponsored post. I have no relationship with Carino’s, other than that they’ve named a booth in our honor at our local restaurant. Kidding.
I wanted to talk about Carino’s today because I feel that they have made eating out so affordable and fun for families, and I wanted to share what great deals they offer.
I know this isn’t my usual bloggy fare, but I love sharing a deal when I find it, and this? This is a really good deal.
Carino’s offers a bunch of special deals throughout the week.
First, on Monday nights they have Family Night. That means that all of their Family Platters are half price. Normally a family platter of lasagna, which serves 2-3, is $24.99. On Mondays, it’s $12.99. So, you and hubs can eat for $12. That’s right, $12 (and don’t forget the free bread. Yum).
Second, Wednesdays are Wine Down Wednesdays. Bottles of wine are half price. Yay!
Third, Carino’s offers a happy hour every day from 5 to 7. Glasses of their house Albertoni Merlot (which is not bad at all) are $2. Yes, I said $2. I think they have a chardonnay that’s happy hour priced too, but I am philosophically opposed to Chardonnay, so I never try that.
Fourth, and most importantly, they have a great rewards program called Pasta Points. We signed up for our Pasta Points card about a year ago or so. We were visiting Carino’s about once a month back then, but over the summer we went a bit more frequently.
When you sign up for Pasta Points and register your card, you earn a free mini-dessert. If you register the card online within three days of signing up, you earn a bonus 50 points. This is important, because for each dollar that you spend at Carino’s (excluding things like alcohol and tax), you earn a point.
For every 100 points you earn, you earn a $10 dining credit for use the next time you visit. For a family of four, that only takes a few times of visiting to earn $10 off – not bad. But there’s more to it: Each dollar you spend also earns you a point toward a Kids Eat Free pass. When you earn 400 points, you win a Kids Eat Free pass, which means one kid eats free with the purchase of an adult meal for ONE WHOLE YEAR.
We earned our pass for one child and then it became hard to eat out anywhere else. Here’s how it breaks down.
We visit Carino’s on a Monday night for Family Night. Hubs and I order a lasagna to share at $12.99. One kid eats free and the other kid’s meal is about $5 (including drink – yay, because I hate restaurants that charge $2 or $3 for a kid’s drink).
So now we’ve spent about $18. We each have a glass of wine, and we’ve spent a total of $22. For bread, wine, a big piece of lasagna and we’ve fed our two kids.
To compare, we’d spend about $20 at Wendy’s or Jersey Mike’s Subs…and not get table service or have alcohol.
This ended up being such a great deal that we started going to Carino’s every time we eat out. Our kids love their stuffed pasta (tortellini) and the bread.
Guess what else? You earn double points on Tuesdays. You get $5 off wine dinners. And you get double points during lunch Monday through Friday. So it’s really easy to earn the points fast, get a Kids Eat Free pass and start redeeming.
It’s so awesome and we all have our favorite items on the menu that we really love. I’m pretty darn picky about Italian food, but I like their lasagna and I really like their marinara sauce. Their brick-oven Margherita pizza is yummy too. Another bonus? Carino’s has gluten-free choices.
If you have a Carino’s near you – it’s so, so worth checking out. We feel good again about eating out and not breaking our bank every time we do it.
So I want to say a huge thank you to Carino’s for making such a great set of value offers for families. you’ve made eating out fun and affordable. I wish other chain restaurants would get it.
Do you have any family-friendly places that offer great deals like Carino’s? What are your favorites?
About the Author Gigi Ross
I'm a blogger, social media geek, mom and wife, foodie, reality TV addict and Jason Mraz fangirl. Not in that order. I write here about parenting, blogging, technology, social media and pop culture.
{ 23 comments }
I can get a week’s worth of calories, in one visit, at Carinos just from Raspberry Italian Cream Soda alone! Add on bread and pasta and I’m in real trouble!
Beth Zimmerman´s last [type] ..14 Things That I Love
Funny you should post this now. We went to Corino’s for our first time LAST NIGHT!! I had the lasagna and it was quite good. My wife liked it too.
Only two complaints, and they are very minor. The kid’s meals did not include a drink and I wish they had a free starter salad like Olive Garden.
We’ll definitely go back though. Definitely on par with Macaroni Grill.
those drinks should have been included…they are at every Carino’s I’ve been to. And, obviously, I’ve been to a few!
Glad it was a good experience overall.
That sounds like a great place!! I’m always doing that too…promoting businesses, without getting paid. No wonder I don’t get offers to review things…I review them with nothing in return, so why waste a good product on me?
Q’doba is about as close to we come with having a rewards program. It’d be nice to have something like that at one of the nicer Italian places out here.
Never even heard of them. I’d like to hear what they say abt this post here, though.
Don’t have them here, alas.
My kids live for (get this) McDonalds. Give them a choice between ANYTHING and McDonalds, and MickyDs always wins out.
It’s cost-conscious, yes, but wow. Give me gourmet any day.
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach´s last [type] ..The Most POWERFUL Way You Can Touch Your Valentine Today…and it’s free!
I wish we had one of those by us! Our family loves Italian. Most of the places by us just offer kids nights where the kids can eat free with a paying adult.
Joy´s last [type] ..Boredom Busters For When Your Stuck Inside
Damn. They are no where near us. I’m always trying to find places that sell gluten free food for a bargain – we never eat out anymore.
They have so many great incentives! It sounds like the food is wonderful too.
JDaniel4′s Mom´s last [type] ..Italian Day at Publix and 25 Publix Gift Card Giveaway
We only go out to eat when I forget how crazy it was the last time we attempted. Glad you have found a great place, we don’t have one near us but maybe we will by the time we are ready to venture out again.
Jessica´s last [type] ..The Mom List
After reading this, I am incredibly sad that we do not have a Carino’s in our area. I would totally have racked up the points for a free kids meal for a year.:)
We do have Fricker’s chicken wing joints. They have kids eat free every day, and on Tuesday’s the wings are 35 cents each. The beers are 2.22 for 22 ounces. So, hubs, me and kids can eat and have beer for less than 20. Score!
Annie @astonesthrowfrominsanity´s last [type] ..The Words That Every Man Wants to Hear
Now I’m wishing we had a Carino’s near us. I went online and looked and the closest one is more than an hour away.
Kmama´s last [type] ..Hello!
Dude – what?
I’m so jealous.
KLZ´s last [type] ..Happy Valentines Day- I Hate You
We have a Carino’s, but isn’t in the most convenient location so we hardly ever go there. Sounds like that might have to change.
Jennifer´s last [type] ..I fell in love
Thank you for sharing all this great info!!! I love getting the benefit of others’ savvy! I will now become a Carino’s whore. I can hardly wait until next Monday!
Wow! We like Carino’s but haven’t been with the kids because they aren’t at a stage where taking them to a sit-down restaurant pans out well for us. However, now that I know this? We can go, order, chug wine while we wait for the food and ask for boxes immediately and take it home so as not to distress too many patrons.
Or wait a couple of years and take advantage then.
NotJustAnotherJennifer´s last [type] ..Identity Shift
I’m not affiliated with the restaurant anymore, but I used to work at a Carino’s Italian for almost 4 years, and they pride themselves for being a family-friendly restaurant. I also understand what it feels like to have two toddler age children, and cringing every time my child throws a sugar packet on the floor or is crying because they want out of their chair. Many of the Carino’s restaurants that I have been in to have seating areas that are in a somewhat separate area, and I take full advantage of those when I go to eat there because I don’t feel like my kids are going to cause an annoyance to anyone. Also, since it is a family restaurant the servers are used to trying to get food out quickly for the children so they aren’t bored or hungry while they are waiting. I say you should definitely try it so you can take advantage of all the great offers they have!
I’m not affiliated with the restaurant anymore, but I used to work at a Carino’s Italian for almost 4 years, and they pride themselves on being a family-friendly restaurant. I also understand what it feels like to have two toddler age children, and cringing every time my child throws a sugar packet on the floor or is crying because they want out of their chair. Many of the Carino’s restaurants that I have been in to have seating areas that are in a somewhat separate area, and I take full advantage of those when I go to eat there because I don’t feel like my kids are going to cause an annoyance to anyone. Also, since it is a family restaurant the servers are used to trying to get food out quickly for the children so they aren’t bored or hungry while they are waiting. I say you should definitely try it so you can take advantage of all the great offers they have!
I don’t have a Carino’s and after this post, I really want one. Our favorite go-to Italian restaurant is Carrabba’s. We go there a LOT. So much so, that the hostess, Amanda, knows our name and hugs us when we come in. So much so, that it doesn’t matter the wait, we get hustled into the bar so that we don’t have to wait for too long, only when our favorite waiter Frankie has a table ready. So much so, that the last time we were there, we were waiting at the bar for our table, both bartenders and most of the wait staff came over to say hello. That’s when the lady sitting next to me said, “Who ARE you guys?” And I answered, “A homemaker who doesn’t cook and her poor husband who has to find his meals elsewhere.”
I am an asshole.
I only wish Carrabas had such wonderful specials.
joann mannix´s last [type] ..A Valentines Story Mostly About People I Hate
I have a confession: I came to your blog to see if other people had answered your question about favorite/family friendly places.
I’m a bitch like that.
We did have a place where the waiter would entertain my toddler while I got my drunk on. But he left, and we were heartbroken, and sober.
I agree! I have to say they have the best italian pot roast I have ever had!! We frequent the one on 620 in Austin and always have a great meal and fast service. I am a big fan!!
kludgymom,
WOW! Thanks for this great review! We’re so glad you’ve discovered what a value Carino’s can be for families, and we appreciate that you’ve shared this with your followers. Thanks for your loyal business and we look forward to serving you and your family again soon!
Sincerely,
Marcia Oakes
Marketing Department
Carino’s Italian
That sounds too good to be true. Wow! Not in the midwest I don’t think so. We love Macaroni Grill. I wish they had great deals like this.
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