Everywhere Healthcare Workers Can Get Free Food Right Now

Chains across the country are showing their appreciation to those on the frontline of the pandemic.

free food of healthcare workers
Photo courtesy of Zaxby's

Editor’s Note: Information listed here may be subject to change depending on the developing situation with COVID-19's Omicron variant. Please check for the latest updates available or contact each establishment directly for more info.

There are few people doing more to protect us than healthcare workers on the frontline of the COVID-19, or novel coronavirus, pandemic. They deserve our thanks and admiration in the best of times, and a whole lot more than that right now.

Hopefully, the healthcare workers and first responders in your life have been getting many thanks for their sacrifices and help during the outbreak. In addition to that, restaurants and companies around the country are showing their appreciation with a little food (and coffee!) to help them power through long, exhausting days. To help them know where they can grab a free bite to eat, we've pulled together some of the best and most readily available deals for both healthcare workers and first responders.

We're updating the list as deals come and go, so stop back regularly.

Free Food for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

Hooters
The deal:
First responders can get ten free boneless wings when they buy ten wings for First Responders Day. 
When: October 28

Nando's PERi-PERi
The deal:
Any "nurse, doctor, or healthcare worker" who stops into a Nando's with an ID or wearing a uniform gets free takeout. 
When: Ongoing

Bonefish Grill
The deal:
Starting September 11, Bonefish Grill will rename its Military Discount to the "Heroes" Discount. Members of the military can still get it, but it's also an ongoing offer for first responders now as well. 
When: Ongoing

Delta Sonic
The deal: Each Delta Sonic location with a brick oven will offer a free meal to "all doctors, nurses, EMTs, firefighters, and police officers with a valid ID."
When: Ongoing

first responder food deals
Photo courtesy of Panda Express

Food Deals for Healthcare Workers and First Responders

Naf Naf Middle Eastern Grill
The deal:
 Naf Naf is offering first responders and active or retired military personnel a 15% discount on their order. You have to flash a valid ID and order in-store. (The deal isn't good on catering orders.)
When: Ongoing

Taco Cabana
The deal:
If you work in a restaurant, hotel, grocery store, big-box store, drugstore, or food service industry location, you can get 50% off your order when you purchase while wearing a uniform or showing an ID. The discount does not apply to alcohol, unfortunately.
When: Ongoing

Meso Maya
The deal:
The small Texas-based chain is offering healthcare workers and first responders 20% off their order. 
When: Ongoing

Snuffer's Restaurant & Bar
The deal:
Trim 20% off your meal if you're a healthcare worker or first responder. 
When: Ongoing

Taqueria La Ventana
The deal:
Though it only has a few locations, it's still slinging a deal for healthcare workers and first responders. You'll get 20% off your order. 
When: Ongoing

Village Burger Bar
The deal:
Healthcare workers and first responders can stop by to get 20% off any order. 
When: Ongoing

Fire Dept. Coffee
The deal:
There's a 15% lifetime discount for active military, veterans, first responders, and emergency dispatchers. 
When: Ongoing

Kind
The deal:
Order Kind bars through the company's site to get 15% off everything on the site. That offer is available to military veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, nurses, and doctors.
When: Ongoing

Sales for Healthcare Workers

Getaway
The deal: The company that offers "mindful escapes" to small cabins. It offers healthcare workers 15% off any Getaway stay all year long. 
When: Ongoing

Other Food Deals Available Right Now

Wendy's
The deal:
The Boo Book is back. For a dollar, you can get a coupon book that gives you five free junior Frostys. Plus, you'll be supporting the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption
When: Through October 31

Wendy's
The deal:
Grab a premium sandwich for $1 when you buy another. Grab that weekly through the end of the month. 
When: Through September 30

Wendy's
The deal:
Place an order that hits the $10 minimum in the Wendy's app and you'll get a free large order of fries. 
When: Through September 30

Wendy's
The deal: 
Take advantage of a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the Sausage, Egg and Cheese or Bacon, Egg and Cheese Biscuit. You can get that discount in the mobile app once per week until the deal expires. 
When: Through September 25

Moe's Southwest Grill
The deal:
The burrito chain's new "Kids Eat Free" program offers a free meal to kids 12 and under every Sunday at participating locations. No purchase is required.
When: Ongoing

Boston Market
The deal:
The rotisserie chain is offering free kid meals. No purchase is required at all. Kids 12 and under can just grab a free one. 
When: For just a little while

Bertucci's
The deal:
You can grab a free Brick Oven Pizza with the purchase of another one. 
When: Every Tuesday

More Deals for Healthcare Workers?

Did we miss some offers? Let us know about them at news@thrillist.com with "Healthcare Worker Deals" in the subject line,  and we might include it here. 

Want More Free Food?

Here's our huuuuuuuge running list of all the free food you can get right now, as well as the best reward programs, birthday freebiesgift card offersdeals on food for kids, food delivery, and alcohol delivery deals you'll find. If you want a little more than, say a free taco, we also have you covered with a long list of meals you can get at fast food chains under $5. You're welcome.

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Dustin Nelson is a Senior Staff Writer at Thrillist. Follow him @dlukenelson.