How to Eat for Free in College

by Marek Chmielowiec

It was a Friday night in December. Me and my girlfriend looked at our bank accounts and noticed what we expected to see, we are BROKE! The other problem was that we were starving. Then I remembered, sitting at dinner a little while back at a Benihana, someone had presented a coupon for a $30 off their meal on their birthday! We had signed up for a similar offer a few days ago and we checked our emails. We had both received $30 off our meals (Our birthdays are right next to each other, in the same month).

Not believing that this offer is true, we quickly dialed the local Benihana number and a kind Asian women filled us in. She tells us that we, in fact, can eat for $30 off, as long as we bring ID! I just found a date idea for the evening!

We arrive at the Benihana and quickly get seated at a Hibachi table. I noticed our company at the table was not the norm, nine 10 year-old girls and 2 of their mothers- for a birthday fiesta!  We received dirty looks from the girls; my guess is because I might have “cooties” or “kissing is weird”. Disregarding that, we enjoyed our time; although one mother told us she hopes it is not our 1st date! Luckily, it was not.

For $13, my girlfriend had a Filet Mignon and Scallop Meal with Chicken Fried Rice and Ice Cream.  I had Jumbo Shrimp, Scallops, Calamari, and Mussels. Needless to say, it seems like we should have paid at least $80.

We enjoyed our meals and a “Happy Happy Birthday” song from the nice Benihana ladies.  Which didn’t go over well when they were singing to us instead of the little girl’s birthday sitting at our table.

So I figure, with my financial situation looking grim, HOW ELSE CAN I TAKE MY GIRLFRIEND OUT WITHOUT PAYING?! Here are some other ways you can take advantage of a birthday:

ALFY’S PIZZA – free mini pizza
ALL-AMERICAN CAFÉ – free dessert
APPLEBEES – free dessert
AUSTIN GRILL – free meal (register first)
BAKERS SQUARE – free pie
BANDIDO’S [IN] – free entrée
BANJARA INDIAN CUISINE [SUNNYVALE, CA] – free meal
BASKIN ROBBINS – free ice cream treat
BEACHES RESTAURANT – free meal
BENIHANA’S JAPANESE RESTAURANT – free dinner
BENNIGANS – free dessert + song
BERN’S [TAMPA, FL] – free meal
BILL KNAPP’S [MI & OH] – gives adults a % discount equal to age; plus a free bday cake (w/purchase of a meal) during the week of your B-day
BLACK BRISKEE [BURLINGTON, MA] – free meal
BOB’S BIG BOY – free hot fudge ice cream
BUFFALO WILD WINGS (BW3) – free dozen hot wings
BURGER KING – free kids meal to all kids club members
CALIFORNIA PIZZA KITCHEN – free kids meal during the month of their birthday (register first)
CAPTAIN DIZZY’S CAR WASH – free car wash
CARROWS – free cake
CATTLEMEN’S – free dessert and cowboy hat
CHARLIE BROWNS RESTAURANTS [NJ] – free meal for “Handshake Club” members
CHARLIE’S SEAFOOD [NE] – free meal
CHEVY’S – free dessert and sombrero
CHILI’S – free song
CHIPS N GIGGLES – free meal
CLAIM JUMPER – Free Dessert
CRAZY BUFFET [WESTPALM & TAMPA, FL] – free meal
DENNY’S – free meal (said to be only kids under 10 now)
DESPARADOS MEXICAN RESTAURANT [GARLAND, TX] – free meal
DOCKSIDE RESTAURANT [MALDEN & SAUGUS, MA] – free meal
DUKE’S CHOWDER HOUSE [SEATTLE, WA] – b1g1 coupons (register first)
EINSTEIN’S – free meal
EL CHICOS – free dessert
ERNIE’S STEAKHOUSE – free meal
FAMOUS DAVE’S BARBEQUE – free meal (w/advance signup)
FUDDRUCKERS – free burger
FUNNY BONE COMEDY CLUB [PITTSBURGH, PA] – free cake (party of 5 min.; 2 drink min.)
GOLDEN CORRAL – free meal to Birthday Club members (not just kids!) during month of birthday
GRILLFISH – free meal
HANA JAPAN [DUBLIN, CA] – free meal
HARD ROCK CAFÉ – free dessert
HOMETOWN BUFFET – free birthday cake
HOOTERS – free song + tshirt
HOSS’S STEAK HOUSE AND RESTAURANT [GETTYSBURG, PA] – free cake + song
IHOP- free meal
JOE’S CRAB SHACK – free cake
JT WHEATFIELDS [BUFFALO, NY] – free coupon in phone book
KING BUFFET [CLINTON, NJ] – free meal
KRISPY KREME – free dozen donuts + travel mug of coffee (register first)
LADONNA [MANSFIELD, MA] – free meal
LOMBARDI’S IN BALLARD [SEATTLE, WA] – free meal w/another during month of birthday (register first)
LOTUS – free meal
LUTHERS BBQ – free stuff (varies) for “Great Rewards” members
MACARONI GRILL – free dessert + OPERA-style “Happy Birthday” song
MAGGIANOS – $10 Off purchase of $20 (sign up in advance)
MARIE CALENDERS – free dessert
MAX AND ERMA [OH] – free $5 dessert
MEXICAN VILLAGE – free meal
MOONIES DINER – free meal
MUCKLESHOOT CASINO [SEATTLE, WA] – free sushi dinner + player’s club points
NEWICK’S SEAFOOD RESTAURANTS [SO. NH / SO. ME] – free entrée
NITTY GRITTY [MADISON, WI] – free drink + souvenir glass
OKAYAMA RESTAURANT (in Japan Town) [SAN JOSE, CA] – free meal
OLD SPAGHETTI WAREHOUSE – free meal
OLIVE GARDEN – cake (some say free, most say $$)
ONAMI [WEST COVINA, CA] – free dinner WITH 3 other people paying
OUTBACK – free dessert + song
PANCAKE HOUSE [WINNIPEG, CAN] – free entrée Reported DEAD
PAPPA’S RESTAURANTS (PAPPADEAUX, PAPPASITO’S, ETC) – free dessert
PARADISO’S – free meal
PERKIN’S – free stack of pancakes
PF CHANGS – free cake or cheesecake
PIZZA EXPRESS [EUROPE] – free meal
PONCHO’S – free meal, dessert & picture
PROVINO’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT – free $10.99 meal and ice cream dessert
Radisson (on Portage Ave at Smith St) [WINNIPEG, CAN] – free entree in their 12th floor restaurant
REAL SEAFOOD COMPANY [ANN ARBOR] – free meal and dessert
RED LOBSTER – free slice of cake + song

RICE & COMPANY [PITTSBURGH, PA] – free meal for Robinson Rewards Club members
ROCK BOTTOM – free appetizer for Mug Club members
ROUND TABLE – free personal pizza
RUBIO’S MEXICAN – (many say invalid)
SCALINI’S ITALIAN RESTAURANT [ATLANTA, GA] – up to 10.95 off pasta specialties
SHEPARD’S BUFFET [CLEARWATER BEACH, FL] – free dinner buffet w/3 other paid customers
STEAK AND ALE – free mini choco cake
STEAK-N-SHAKE – free dinner for “birthday club” kids
TACO BELL – free combo meal of your choice
TGI FRIDAYS – Free Birthday Dessert
THE 99 [BOSTON, MA] – free meal
THE BARNSIDER’S/DEPOT RESTAURANTS [BOSTON / N.SHORE / PROVIDENCE, RI / ALBANY, NY] – 1/2 off meal + cake & song
THE LOFT [FL] – free meal
THE PALM – 3lb lobster (must be a member/register first)
THE PARADISO [GRAND FORKS, ND] – free entrée + sombrero & song
THE VINE TAVERN – free meal
TODAI SEAFOOD BUFFET – Free Meal or voucher for Meal Next Visit
TONY ROMA’S – free dessert
UP THE CREEK [MARYVILLE, TN] – free meal and dessert
VACCARO’S ITALIAN PASTRY SHOP [MD/DC AREA] – free dessert and drink
WENDY’S – free kids meal to all kids club members
Z’ TEJAS – $15 coupon for the month of your birthday (register first)
ZIO’S – free dessert