I often get e-mails or phone calls from parents looking for places to eat with their children.

The chains — Applebee’s, Ruby Tuesday, Chili’s, etc. — are great for kids.  So is, for obvious reasons, Chuck E. Cheese.

But for my money, the best spots are buffets, where the most finnicky of young diners are bound to find something they like.

One such restaurant is USA Steak Buffet on Cornhusker Highway, which goes out of its way to cater to families.

How so?

For one, kids 12 and under eat free on Monday’s Italian nights (one child per dining adult).

On my recent visit, there were several little mouths filling up on lasagna and meatballs as well as the buffet’s typical fare of corn dogs, chicken strips, french fries and, of course, soft-serve ice cream.

Other days of the week, the children’s prices are reasonable. Kids up to 3 years old always eat free, while those between 4 and 12 cost 59 cents times their age for lunch or dinner.

It’s a tough deal to beat.

USA Steak Buffet is owned by Bob and Cindy Parks and managed by their nephew Ty Peet. The Parkses built the restaurant in 1987 as a Bonanza and switched over in 1997.

USA Steak Buffet is a small chain with origins in Nebraska. The first one opened in Norfolk in 1996. There are 10 others in Nebraska, Iowa, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Ohio.

Remodeled about a year ago, the Lincoln restaurant can seat around 300. Cindy Parks gets credit for its country decor, which gives the buffet a home-like feel.

Peet said the restaurant’s clientele is made up primarily of families, but the eatery also is popular with senior citizens (60 and older) and construction workers who like hearty lunches on weekdays.

It’s easy to see why seniors like it. They are discounted daily, but more so on Tuesdays. Senior dinners cost $8.41, but only $7.01 on Tuesdays. Lunch (11 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday) for seniors is $6.31, and $5.14 on Tuesdays.

Adult meals are $9.58 on weeknights and Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Lunch, Monday through Friday, is $7.29. All prices include a drink.

“The one crowd we would like to see more of is women,” Peet said. “We have a great salad bar with fruit and things like that, and our grilled chicken is fabulous.”

The chicken — a 4-ounce skinless breast — along with the 5-ounce choice sirloins are the big draws. The chicken is grilled plain or marinated with either a teriyaki or Monterey sauce. Peet said the Monterey is comparable to a light French dressing.

In addition to steak and chicken, the restaurant features several other entrees depending on the day of the week. Other theme days are: Wednesday (Mexican), Thursday (Chinese), Friday (seafood) and Saturday (BBQ).

On my Monday visit, I found a lot of comfort food such as fried chicken, fried cod, mashed potatoes and gravy (brown and country), macaroni and cheese and assorted steamed veggies. Peet said that’s par for the course.

The salad bar has a variety of typical salads — cole slaw, potato, macaroni, tossed. The dessert bar is big on pies (peanut butter, apple, chocolate cream, etc.). The cherry cheesecake also is popular.

USA Steak Buffet also boasts a Sunday brunch, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and has breakfast goodies, including made-to-order eggs. The cost for Sunday’s “early birds” (9 to 11 a.m.) is $7.94.

Reach Jeff Korbelik at 473-7213 or jkorbelik@journalstar.com.

Dining out

USA Steak Buffet

2800 Cornhusker Highway

Atmosphere: Casual

Specialty: Buffet; theme days (Monday, Italian; Wednesday, Mexican; Thursday, Chinese; Friday, seafood; Saturday, BBQ)

Payment: Cash, checks, major credit cards

Hours: 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday

Phone: (402) 464-2888

Web site: www.usasteakbuffet.net

Notes: Parking, no alcohol, children 12 and under eat free on Mondays (one per dining adult)