THE DISH: Deep discounts

Although a number of fast-casual pizza chains have set up in Bakersfield, we'll give credit to locally owned Boss Pizza Co. for being first on the draw. Another way the chain has stood out is with its summer deal that allows kids to eat for free.

Now through Aug. 31, children 12 and under receive a free one-topping personal pizza for each pizza or entree salad purchased at regular price. The offer is valid from 2 to 5 p.m. daily at either location (1525 18th St. or 5440 California Ave.). 

We tracked down a few other deals for children (and some for adults). If you know of any others, send them to thedish@bakersfield.com.

Chick-fil-A: Every Wednesday in June, an adult or child can redeem a free breakfast item from 6:30-10:30 a.m. No purchase necessary.

Denny's: Kids eat free on Tuesdays and Saturdays from 4-10 p.m. Two children may eat for free with purchase of an adult meal. And anyone who comes in on their birthday will receive a grand slam (with proof of date of birth).

Dickey's BBQ Pit: Kids eat free on Sundays, with purchase of an adult meal. No drinks are included.

Famous Dave's: On Tuesdays, children can select a $1.99 entree when an adult purchases a meal. Adults can also enjoy a special Tuesday with the Feast for Two for $29 (normally $44). It comes with a half-slab of St. Louis-style spareribs, half a roasted chicken, quarter-pound of either Texas beef brisket or Georgia chopped pork, along with coleslaw, fries, beans, sweet corn and four corn bread muffins. Kids can also eat for $1.99 with that deal.

Firehouse Subs: On Tuesdays, children can receive a free kids combo if an adult purchases a combo at regular price. A daily dining deal for two offers two sandwiches, two bags of chips and two drinks for $16.50. Customers need only mention the special before ordering.

Celebrate Father's Day

If the dad in your life is a whiskey drinker, Eureka! has got a treat for him. The California chain is celebrating Father's Day by offering a complimentary engraved whiskey glass (while supplies last) to dads dining out on June 18.

The treat is in line with the beverage program at Eureka!, which revolves around the commitment to serve all-American premium products, including more than 40 small batch whiskeys. Toast Dad with signature cocktails like the house old fashioned, made with Old Overholt Rye Whiskey, bitters, fresh orange zest and a block of ice or contemporary creations like the Holy Smokes! with Buffalo Trace Bourbon, tart cherry liqueur, maple syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, then smoked in house with hickory chips.

Eureka! is located at 10520 Stockdale Highway.

Marie Callender's is also encouraging dining with Dad, offering a Father’s Day Brunch for $16.99. The brunch will feature a carving station, create your own omelets, Belgian waffle bar, fresh fruit, soup and salad bar and fresh bakery treats. It costs $16.99.

The two Bakersfield locations are at 2631 Oswell St. and 3801 California Ave.

Do you know of other Father's Day dining deals? Let us know at thedish@bakersfield.com for inclusion in an upcoming article.

Meatless menu options

It can be tough for vegetarians dining in Bakersfield. Ordering the same quesadilla or salad can get you down. So here are a couple of new options at local spots worth a try for anyone who wants a meat-free meal.

Locale Farm to Table (1723 18th St., Suite A) already serves a grilled cheese featuring three cheeses and a side of tomato bisque. But what's really exciting is a veggie-packed sandwich, which is a secret menu item. Featuring many of the ingredients of the popular tri-tip melt, the sandwich features caramelized onions, sauteed portobello mushrooms, cheddar and provolone cheese and a house-made chimichurri and aioli spread served on grilled Pyrenees sourdough. Delicious, a bit decadent and OK for vegetarians and cheese-lovers alike.

An option I'm eager to try is the latest offering at the Poke Express. The fairly new business has been making a splash outside the Hen's Roost downtown on Saturdays and on Sundays at the farmers market outside the Kaiser Permanente near The Marketplace. It serves poke bowls, with brown or white rice or mixed greens as the base, topped with ahi tuna — with your choice of sesame shoyu or sriracha or wasabi aioli — toppings and sides like red onion, cucumber, edamame, avocado and seaweed salad. Now not all vegetarians eat fish but this is where it gets interesting since the business now offers tofu as a protein. All the great poke bowl flavors with an option that vegetarians (and vegans) can enjoy.

The Poke Express is at 1916 G St. from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and the market near 8800 Ming Ave. from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesdays and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays. Learn more at thepokeexpress.com.

New and different

Bakersfield Pizza Co. & Bar pulled a game changer on its Wednesday steak night special. For $25, diners can get the steak calzone style, in which a rib-eye is piled with garlic alfredo pasta, cheese and garlic butter then wrapped in dough and baked. The finished calzone is topped with marinara, garlic butter and parmesan. Those who want to keep it simpler can opt for the steak and pasta for $20. ... Long John Silver’s is throwing back to meals like Mom used to make with a hand-breaded homestyle buttermilk cod. Available through Aug. 27, the Southern-inspired comfort food is served with fries and the chain's signature hushpuppies for $5.99. ... Arby’s tossed up a pizza slider, stacking pepperoni, provolone cheese, genoa salami and roasted garlic marinara on a mini bun. ... Yogurtland has a sweet summer promotion with five flavors rolling out now through July 17. Available now are homegrown watermelon sorbet and sun kissed strawberry shortcake; sweet 'n’ smooth peaches and cream gelato will be out June 19; larger than life mud pie starts July 3; and picnic favorite apricot mango tart will be released July 17. The chain is also offering gummy butterflies as a new topping and collectible spoons, one featuring a red watermelon wedge and the other a slice of mud pie

Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter at @realstefanidias.