The annual Mother’s Day brunch is a tradition. But with so many restaurant deals up for grabs, why not make a meal with mom a habit?

“The discounts are even more enticing to parents,” said Albert Ko, 24, a Boston resident who runs the bargain-hunting blog CheapCheap Cheap.com. “My parents don’t usually go out to eat, but now we go about once a week.”

Value menus and two-for-one deals are part of the regular rotation.

A few of the strategies Ko employs are scouring coupon Web sites and calling ahead to ask restaurant managers about unadvertised deals.

His prospects look good, with restaurants struggling to fill empty tables. Here are some tips for finding the savings:

>>Sniff out deals online.For starters, check whether your favorite restaurants offer any deals.

At Restaurant.com, you can get steeply discounted gift certificates to thousands of eateries. “Restaurant participation is bigger than it has ever been. We know there are more empty tables now than ever,” said Cary Chessick, the site’s president and chief executive.

The conditions for the certificates are generally reasonable but vary depending on the restaurant — so read the terms carefully.

Point reward programs are another strategy. At OpenTable.com, members can get 100 points or more for making a reservation. A $20 certificate is awarded for every 2,000 points earned. DinnerBroker.com gives users discounts ranging from 10 percent to 30 percent for booking reservations during off-peak hours.

If you’re taking the kids, check out MyKidsEatFree.com. It’s maintained with the help of visitors, so call restaurants to confirm the deals.

>>Make your credit cards pay.Pick your credit card carefully when reaching for the bill. Most rewards cards let you accumulate points for eating out, but smart timing can bolster the benefits.

Some rewards cards periodically boost cash-back rewards for spending at restaurants, said Ben Woolsey, a spokesman for CreditCards.com. Notifications for such deals are usually included with billing statements or online, so keep an eye out.

Airline rewards cards usually have options to let people earn miles by eating at most major chains, too.

>>Work the system.Deals during off-peak hours are becoming more popular in the downturn, said Hudson Riehle, head researcher for the National Restaurant Association. Major chains usually advertise such deals. Otherwise, it can’t hurt to give a restaurant you like a call and ask.

Offers might be for a free meal, dessert or appetizer with a purchase of a certain dish.

“The promotional activities can be really diverse, depending on the type of restaurant and who they’re going after,” he said.