Forget The Kids Menu: This Cheesecake Factory Appetizer May Give You More Bang For Your Buck

Here at Tasting Table, we think kids' menu options are highly underrated, especially if you are on a budget and don't want a full-size entree. But sometimes a kid-sized portion just won't cut it. That's where The Cheesecake Factory's Roadside Sliders appetizer comes in. You get four sliders for $16.50, compared with two sliders for $10.50 on the kids' menu. We're already fans of this starter, which ranked a respectable number six in our ranking of 18 Cheesecake Factory appetizers.

There is a catch, though. The kids' meal includes fries or fresh fruit, while the appetizer doesn't come with a side. However, you can add fries to the appetizer for just $1.95, bringing the total to $18.45. That's still $2.55 less than ordering two kids' meals ($21), which would give you the same four sliders. According to the menu, the extra fries contain 530 calories, compared with approximately 560 calories for two kids' portions combined. So, if you've got a bigger appetite, the Roadside Sliders appetizer may be the better way to go, especially if you're trying to save a few bucks.

If your child is perfectly happy with the kids' slider meal, or you're just not that hungry, there's no reason to spend an extra $6 just to get a better price per slider. However, if you're ordering for two kids who want sliders, sharing the appetizer may make more sense. On the other hand, if each child wants their own side of fries or would prefer fresh fruit, ordering the kids' meals may be worth the extra cost.

And sliders aren't the only thing worth ordering from the kids' menu. With options ranging from pasta and pizza to quesadillas, it's no surprise the chain ranked number four on our list of the best chain restaurant kids' menus. One of the better items on the kids' menu is the grilled cheese, which we've even called one of The Cheesecake Factory's best hidden gems. 

If you're set on the sliders, though, you can save even more during happy hour. The Cheesecake Factory offers several appetizers, including the Roadside Sliders, for $10.95 at participating locations, one reason The Cheesecake Factory made our list of the best chain restaurant happy hour menus. Happy hour typically runs weekdays from 4 to 6 p.m. in the bar, although hours may vary by location.