The say the best things in life are free. This proves especially true when it comes to food. When it comes to the strict college budget and gross meal plan food that we are all too used to, real food that is also free comes as a blessing. Sound too good to be true? Check out this guide to all the upcoming free food days that you will want to know about this year.
April:
April 30: Free Chips and Guac at Chipotle:
BUT, there's a catch: this freebie requires the purchase of an entree as well as participation in a fairly easy game: Spot The Imposer. If you know your Chipotle, this should be a breeze. Plus free guac is huge because, yes, we all know that "guac is extra".
April 18: Free Cinnabon Bites at Cinnabon
Though solid confirmation was hard to find, rumor has it that each year on Tax Day (April 18), select Cinnabon locations will be giving out free Cinnabon bites, as they have been doing the past few years. Even though your bank account may be taking a hit on this day, at least this sweet deal will spare your wallet.
April 18: Free Curly Fries at Arby's
For the past few years Arby's has been gifting free value sized curly fries each Tax Day. What better way to spend your Tax Day related worries than to destress with greasy food. And what could be better than curly fries?? Free curly fries.
April 18: Free Shaved Ice at Kona Ice Trucks
This Tax Day, select Kona Ice Trucks will be parked outside of various businesses/city areas to cool down stressed tax payers. This way, you can still feel ~tropical vibes~ even when your 2017 taxes crush all hopes of a real getaway.
April 18: Free Small Popcorn at AMC Theaters
Nobody can actually go to the movies without buying popcorn. So if you are willing to fork out the 13 bucks for a movie ticket, consider yourself still saving money with this free popcorn. Plus the portion control with the fact that this freebie is size small only is extremely helpful because I know for a fact that it is very possible to devour a large popcorn on your own. But, if you are looking for something to supplement your popcorn that is also free, check out this article on 8 Foods You Need to Start Sneaking into Movies.
April 18: Free Sugar Cookie at Great American Cookie
Again, this company feels for those sad, tax paying Americans on Tax Day and hopes to brighten spirits with some sugar. Their sugar cookies are famous for their colorful sprinkles baked inside of them which make them 100 percent #instaworthy
April 18: Boston Market Discount
Although this is not completely free, this discount is definitely noteworthy. On Tax Day, you can get a half chicken individual meal, with two sides (including their legendary mac and cheese), cornbread and a fountain drink for a little over 10 bucks.
April 18: Half-Off Burgers at Sonic
Again, not completely free but definitely worth it. The money you save on your burger should definitely be put towards one of their milkshakes. Sonic milkshakes can't be beat. With flavors like Oreo Peanut Butter, Coconut Cream Pie, Brownie and Cookie Dough Madness, its definitely worth the trek.
April 22: Free Milkshake at Evos
If you are from the Florida area, this eco-friendly brand offers free shakes in celebration of Earth Day. These shakes are organic and lowfat, and their Fruitshakes are made with real fresh cut fruit and natural juices (and are also vegan).
May
May 8: Free Frozen Yogurt at TCBY
In celebration of Mother's Day, select TCBY locations will be giving away free cups of their frozen yogurt. Now's your chance to see if TCBY really lives up to its name: The Country's Best Yogurt. What better way to thank your mom for all she does for than a free cup of fro yo?! (Suggested: at least get her a card too). Keep your eyes out for free TCBY yogurt on Father's Day (June 18th) too!
June
June 2: Free Doughnut Day at Krispie Kreme
Celebrate National Doughnut Day the right way by heading to Krispy Kreme and grabbing a FREE doughnut in the original glazed flavor (in my humble opinion their best flavor). So what if this day falls in June aka peak bikini season? If you don't have your ideal beach-bod by now, you might as well just #treatyoself.
June 2: Free Donut with Coffee Purchase at Dunkin Donuts
For us New Englanders who are deprived of any Krispy Kremes, we still get our share on National Doughnut day, although at a slighter steeper cost: with a purchase of a coffee. However, if it's a June day in New England chances are you are already buying yourself a Dunkin's iced, so you might as well throw in a doughnut at this point, no added cost.
July
July 11: Free Chicken at Chick-fil-A
True celebration of National Cow Day: #eatmorechicken. However big catch on this one... you have to dress up like a cow. The more all out you go, the more free food you get. Wear something somewhat cow related: a shirt, hat, etc: you will be granted free entrée chicken. Dress head to toe as a cow and you get a entire free meal.
July 11: Free Slurpees at 7-11
July 7th- 7/11, was MADE for free Slurpee day. These will be offered from the hours of 11am-7pm. Having a hard time picking from their array of flavors? Check out this handy article.
September
September 29: Free Medium Coffee at Peet's Coffee
What better way to ring in National Coffee Day than with free coffee?? The best part is that Peet's offers free medium sized coffees, which is a refreshing change from the other companies that offer free only in their smallest size available.
October
October 31: Free Donut at Krispie Kreme
TWO free days of doughnuts at Krispie Kreme a year? This is NOT a drill. Show up to your local Krispie Kreme location dressed in your halloween costume and get granted a doughnut in return.
October 31: Discounted Burrito at Chipotle
Granted this is not free- it's still a complete STEAL. Show up to Chipotle dressed in a costume after 3pm on Halloween a receive a $3 Boo-rito. Need costume inspiration? Here are 8 Food Inspired Halloween Costumes - my favorite being the baby dressed as a chipotle burrito. If this doesn't score you a totally free burrito, you'll definitely earn some bonus points with the workers.
November
November 3: Buy One-Get One Subs at Subway
Spend National Sandwich Day the right way and bring a friend to Subway for a buy one get one sub and fountain drinks. Thats 2 sandwiches and a drink for a little over 6 bucks, which is the next best thing to free if you ask me.
December
December 4: Free Cookies at Quiznos
In honor of National Cookie Day, Quiznos is giving a free toasted cookie with any purchase. Customers can chose from Chocolate Chunk, Cinnamon Sugar, or Oatmeal Raisin. Dessert lovers rejoice!
December 4: Free Cookie at Insomnia Cookies
In another form of celebration of National Cookie Day, Insomnia is offering their legendary warm cookies for free. Choose from Chocolate Chunk, M&M's, Sugar, Double Chocolate Chunk, Oatmeal Raisin, White Chocolate Macadamia, Snickerdoodle, Double Chocolate Mint and Peanut Butter Chip. And although December 4th is a Monday, don't let this stop you from enjoying Insomnia as a drunk-eat #youdoyou.
February
February 14: Free Dessert at Boston Market
Again, this is not completely free as it does require the purchase of a meal, but who wouldn't want Mac and Cheese and Mashed potatoes then a FREE dinner. Take your special someone here this Valentines day and share a free slice of apple pie, pecan pie, chocolate cake, chocolate chunk cookie, chocolate brownie or a carrot cake. Or eat away your sorrows of being alone on this day. Either way- free dessert.
February 14: Buy One-Get One Free at Starbucks
Take the one you love, a friend, or yourself into Starbucks this Valentines day for a buy one-get one drink. What better way to expressive your love than through coffee. Or, for those of us who are single- we get to double fist coffee for the price of one aka a win-win. And if you're trying to cut back on some of the unnecessary calories that often come with Starbucks drinks, check out this article on how to order healthy at Starbucks.
March
March 7: Free Short Stack of Pancakes at I-Hop
If you spend National Pancake Day anywhere else besides I-Hop, you are definitely doing it wrong. Come in and enjoy a short stack of pancakes absolutely for free. (Pro-tip: stay away from the flavored syrups those freak me out.)
March 20: Free Italian Ice at Rita's
Ring in the first official day of Spring 2018 with a refreshing Rita's Italian Ice. The best part- it's absolutely FREE, no purchase necessary. Pick from Banana, Blue Raspberry, Blueberry, Cantaloupe, Cherry, Choc Choc Chip, Choc Peanut Butter, Chocolate, Cotton Candy, Florida Orange, Georgia Peach, Green Apple, Guava, or Honeydew.
If you've made it this far, congrats — you're definitely dedicated about your food. Now, who's ready to get some free food? Just think of all the money you will be saving to put towards... well, probably more food.