It’s birthday season in my family. Over the next three months, my husband, my daughter, both my parents, my grandmother, and mytwo best friends will all celebrate a birthday. In our family – where social events center around food – this often means going out to eat more frequently than we do during other times of the year; it also means paying for the birthday boy’s (or girl’s) dinner.
But this year, I’ve got a plan to defray the costs of eating out during birthday season.
It’s a website called Eat Free on Your Birthday. The site catalogs more than a hundred restaurants that offer free meals, birthday discounts, and other freebies on your big day. There are options for just about every price range or dining palette, too, as well as ways to eat free for your entire meal, or to simply grab a free dessert, appetizer, drink, or souvenir. Here are some of my favorites:
Free Drinks
One of my favorite places to go for birthday discounts is Starbucks. Last year, I was able to score a free drink – any size, any style – just by registering my existing Starbucks card. This year, I bought a Starbucks card for my mother – Chai Tea Latte is her drink of choice – ahead of time so I could register it; then, I was able to give her the gift card and the voucher for the free drink on her actual birthday! Here are some other places where the birthday star receives a freebie:
- Caribou Coffee (must register for eclub)
- Jersey Mike’s
- Bakers Square
Free Appetizers
Buca di Beppo has one of the most generous rewards programs around. Not only will they reward you with a coupon for a free appetizer on your birthday, you can also score more than $150 in rewards year round, including a free dessert when you sign up for their eclub and voucher on your wedding anniversary. Texas Roadhouse also gives the birthday star a coupon for a free appetizer, as long as that individual has signed up for the restaurant’s eclub.
Free Entrees
This is the granddaddy of them all – free meals on your birthday! Because this is a higher-priced freebie, many restaurants have implemented more restrictions on these free meals. Still, they’re a better value than paying full price!
- Damon’s Grill & Sports Bar
- Denny’s (applies to Grand Slam breakfast only)
- Houlihan’s
- The Fox and Hound
- Bob Evans (kids only)
- Provino’s Italian Restaurant (no prior enrollment necessary!)
- Black Angus Steakhouse (with purchase of 2nd entree of greater or equal value)
- Firehouse Subs (just show your ID when you order!)
Free Desserts
What’s better than cake on your birthday? Getting to eat free dessert on your birthday!
- Isaac’s Restaurant & Deli
- Ted’s Montana Grill
- TGI Friday’s (must purchase an entree to receive the dessert)
- Abuelos
- Boston Market (with purchase of Create Your Own Plate meal)
- Cold Stone Creamery
Other Birthday Freebies
The list of birthday specials doesn’t end with free meals, drinks, desserts, and appetizers. Don Pablos, for example, gives you a $10 coupon to use on your birthday, as do Maggianos and Z’Tejas.
This, of course, isn’t the complete list – so head over to the site and check out all the freebies you can snag!
**DISCLAIMER: This is not a sponsored post – I just wanted to share one of my favorite new websites for dining out on a budget with ya’ll!**