Everywhere You Can Get Free & Cheap Food Today for Tax Day

Tax Day is objectively one of the worst days of the year. It's not just that you might have to pay a bunch of money. It's that it's a pain in the ass that's some combination of confusing, frustrating, and boring...

Tax Day Food Deals 2019
Courtesy of Grimaldi's
Courtesy of Grimaldi's

Tax Day -- today, April 15 -- is objectively one of the worst days of the year. It's not just that you might have to pay a bunch of money. It's that it's an annual pain in the ass that's some combination of confusing, frustrating, and boring. 

Fortunately, the day can be redeemed slightly through the bevy of free and cheap food being offered at places like Arby's, Hardee's, Bruegger's Bagels, Noodles & Company, and other popular restaurants all across the country. It doesn't wipe away the headache caused by trying to remember what a 1080C is. (That's a thing, right?)

Here are all the places offering free and cheap food in honor of Tax Day on Monday.

Free Food on Tax Day

Hardee's
The deal: Start off a potentially miserable day with a free Made From Scratch Sausage Biscuit. Stop by anytime between 7-10am and drop the phrase "Made From Scratch" at the counter. It'll feel awkward, but it's free. 
When: April 15

Schlotzsky's
The deal: Buy a medium drink and chips and you'll get a free small The Original sandwich. 
When: April 15

Pilot Flying J
The deal:
 To celebrate the launch of its new app, you can get a totally free drink every day in April through the app. The drink will change daily, and you can only redeem a drink once per day. The deal is redeemable at all of the chain's more than 750 locations.
When: Through May 2

Arby's
The deal:
 Sign up for the chain's email list, and you'll get a coupon that earns you a free signature sandwich (Arby's Reuben, Loaded Italian, Smokehouse Brisket, or any of its Gyros) with the purchase of a drink. The coupon lasts for just a week, though.
When: Ongoing

Dunkin'
The deal:
 Every Monday, DD Perks members can grab a free order of hashbrowns when they order a medium or large beverage through the company's On-The-Go Mobile Ordering. Add the hashbrowns to your cart before ordering. 
When: Every Monday in April

Wahoo's Fish Tacos
The deal: 
Order a bowl with carne asada, carnitas, or chicken and a beverage, and Wahoo's will set you up with a free order of chips and salsa. Wahoo.
When: Through April 30

Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt
The deal: 
Ease your tax-induced stress headache with a free small frozen yogurt. All you have to do is mention the offer when you order. 
When: April 15

California Tortilla
The deal: Get the day going with a free order of chips and queso if you say "1040" at the counter. (You should probably say something else, too. Don't just walk up and yell "1040!")
When: April 15

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
The deal:
BOGO sandwiches all day for ya tax troubles. If you're a Potbelly Perks member, the deal can be found in your account. If you're not a member, never fear! Just tell the cashier it's Tax Day at the counter, and they'll hook you up.
When: April 15

B.GOOD
The deal: Download the B.GOOD mobile app, and you get your choice for a free burger or a green or grain bowl. If you already have the app, you can get a free order of fries with any purchase over the same time span.
When: April 15-20

Firehouse Subs
The deal: You get a free sub if you buy any medium or large sub at full price with chips and a drink. As Chew Boom reports, you just have to show this coupon
When: April 15-17

Great American Cookies
The deal: You're in for a treat if you live near one of this chain's locations. All you have to do is stop in and they'll reward you with a free chocolate chip cookie. That's all you have to do.
When: April 15

Hot Dog on a Stick
The deal: Go get an original or veggie corn dog to ease your Tax Day woes/hunger. It'll be totally free. You can't beat that with a stick. 
When: April 15

The Pie Hole
The deal: Grab a free 16-ounce drip coffee with any purchase at all. So, stop in for a bite-sized Pie Hole ($1.50) and walk out with a coffee to power you through the last moments of Tax Day. 
When: April 15

tax day food deals 2019
Courtesy of Schlotzsky's

Food Deals for Tax Day

Dunkin'
The deal: DD Perks members can snag a medium hot or iced coffee for a buck through the Dunkin' mobile app. 
When: April 15

Pizza Hut
The deal:
Get any large two-topping pizza for just $5.99 if you order online or for carry-out. It's not a deal specifically for Tax Day, but you do what you want on Tax Day.
When: Through April 15

BurgerFi
The deal: Grab a cheeseburger for $4.15 through the BurgerFi app. Happy Tax Day. 
When: April 15

Cicis
The deal: Adult buffets are just $4.15 with the purchase of a large drink when you drop this coupon on the table like it's 1999.
When: April 15

Bruegger's Bagels
The deal: While you're filing 1040s, you can be chomping down on 13 bagels and two tubs of cream cheese for just $10.40.
When: April 15

Bruegger's Bagels
The deal:
 Yes, not one, but two Bruegger's deals today. Get 20% off a catering order with the code "TWENTYOFF."
When:  Through April 15

Tijuana Flats
The deal: Grab and burrito and chips for $5. Upgrade to a steak burrito for a buck. 
When: April 15

Grimaldi's
The deal: A 16-inch traditional cheese pizza will run you just $10.40. At least, it will if you don't live in Connecticut, New Jersey, or New York.
When: April 15

White Castle
The deal: Check White Castle's social media pages for a coupon that will get you 15% off any in-store order. (Email subscribers will get the coupon in their inbox as well.)
When: April 15

Noodles & Company
The deal:
 Take $4 off online and mobile orders of at least $10 for Tax Day. Though, you'll have to sign up for the NoodlesREWARDS program by April 9 to take advantage of the deal. If you missed out, you can preemptively sign up so you don't miss out on the next one. 
When: April 10-15

Fresh Brothers
The deal: 
A two-topping cauliflower crust pizza will be just $10 in honor of your taxes. 
When: April 15-16

Sauce Pizza & Wine
The deal: 
Ease you're way out of Tax Day 2019 with $4.15 glasses of and beer when you dine-in at Sauce. 
When: April 15

Mountain Mike's Pizza
The deal: Get $3 off a large pizza with the code "481658" or $8 off any two large pizzas with the code "883457."
When: April 15

Smoothie King
The deal: Take $2 off any 20-ounce smoothie using the Healthy Rewards app. 
When: April 15-18

Melt Shop
The deal:
 In honor of National Grilled Cheese Month -- because it's always something -- Melt shop has made the Notorious CHZ. It's a triple-decker grilled cheese with cheddar, Muenster, and pepper jack with a brick cheddar cheese spread, truffle mayo, and three slices of parmesan-crusted bread. It's on sale all month starting at $6.99. 
When: Through April 30

Slim Chickens
The deal: Pick up a Chick's Meal for just $5.99. It comes with three tenders, two pieces of Texas Toast, a side, and a medium drink.
When: April 15

Tax Day food deals 2019
Courtesy of Pizza Hut

Dairy Queen
The deal:
DQ is loading up its app with a pile of new deals today. Those offers include buy-one-get-one for $.99 Treatzza Pizza, $2 cake shakes, BOGO kids meals, free medium soft drinks with any burger purchase, and buy-one-get-one for $.99 Cupfections. 
When: April 15-21

Farmer Boys
The deal: Order up two breakfast burritos or two Double Big Cheese burgers and it'll only run you $10.40.
When: April 15

Ike's Love & Sandwiches
The deal:
 Order a drink and chips and you'll get your choice of three different sandwiches for $4.20 as long as you flash the coupon that will be posted on the Ike's Facebook page
When: April 15-20

Sonny's BBQ
The deal:
Those relieved to be done with their taxes can get half-priced Sweet and Smokey or House Dry-Rubbed St. Louis Rib dinners with two sides and bread. 
When: April 15

SAJJ Mediterranean
The deal: Order through the SAJJ Street Eats mobile app and you'll get $5 off your order. 
When: April 10-15

Smoothie King
The deal: Use the Healthy Rewards app to find an offer for $2 off any 20-ounce smoothie. 
When: April 15-18

P.F. Chang's
The deal:
 Order online or in-restaurant and you'll get $10 off an order of $50 or more. 
When: April 13-21

Waitr and Bite Squad
The deal: Skip the delivery fees from both services with the promo code "TAXDAY19." (Also, consider tipping in cash.)
When: April 15

Boston Market
The deal:
This coupon will get you the chain's "Tax Day 1040 Special," which includes a half chicken individual meal and a drink for, you guessed it, $10.40. 
When: April 15

ezCater
The deal: The catering company for businesses is offering a big tax day discount on catering from the more than 60,000 restaurants available through its service. Orders for weekday catering from new customers are eligible for $50 off with the code "ezTaxes2019."
When: Through April 17

Hungry Howie's
The deal:
 Take home a $1 medium one-topping pizza with the purchase of a large one-topping pizza at regular price. Use the code "MEDIUM1" to take advantage. 
When: Ongoing

Bojangles
The deal
: The catch of the day is the return of the BojAngler fish sandwich. Participating locations are offering two fish sandwiches for $5. Though, a representative says that the pricing may vary some by location. 
When: Through April 21

Domino's
The deal:
The Domino's app will give you free pizza for just eating pizza. It doesn't have to be Domino's pizza. Just take a picture of the pizza you're eating and you get 10 points. You can get 10 points once per week and 60 points is a free medium pizza. There are six weeks from the start of the promo to the end. Boom. Free pizza. (More details here.)
When: Through April 28

Jack in the Box
The deal:
 Celebrating its tacos that have been around since the 50s, Jack in the Box is offering two tacos for $.99 when you buy via the restaurant's mobile app. In the app, click on "Menu" and the "App Exclusives," then enjoy some tacos. 
When: For a limited time

UNO Pizzeria
The deal: 
Get a pizza to go, and the second pizza is just $6. (Prices may vary a bit by location.)
When: Ongoing

Church's Chicken
The deal:
 For a limited time, Church's is bringing back its $5 pick-your-platter promotion. Get any one of three dishes for $5, including its new Garlic Butter Shrimp Platter.
When: For a limited time

Local Food Deals for Tax Day

Casa Sensei - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The deal: For Tax Day, you can get cocktails and appetizers for $4.15 each. 
When: April 15

District - Los Angeles, California
The deal: To encourage diners to spend their refund locally, District is offering half-off all California wine bottles on Tax Day. 
When: April 15

Flour & Barley - Las Vegas, Nevada
The deal: Get a whole cheese or pepperoni pizza for $10.40. Or you can take advantage of BOGO slices of cheese or pepperoni pizza. 
When: April 15

Jane Q - Los Angeles, California
The deal: Pizza and a draft beer will run you just $10.40 on Tax Day. 
When: April 15

Lulu’s Bait Shack - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The deal:
If you swing in for dinner, be sure to take them up on a free appetizer when you buy at least two entrées. 
When: April 15

Royal Pig Pub - Fort Lauderdale, Florida
The deal: BOGO Tito's Handmade Vodka cocktails for your tax stress. 
When: April 15

More Food Deals on Tax Day

Carl's Jr.
The deal:
 Sign up for the Carl's Jr. promo club, and you're going to get a free small order of fries and a small beverage.
When: Ongoing

PintPass
The deal:
This app asks you to answer a couple questions about brewery taprooms when you stop by for a beer. In exchange for your time, they're buying you a round. Get all the details on grabbing free beers through PintPass here.
When: Ongoing

Arby's
The deal: Sign up for Arby's email newsletter and start with a coupon for a free roast beef sandwich.
When: Ongoing

Baskin-Robbins
The deal: When you download the Baskin-Robbins app for the first time, you get a free regular-sized scoop as an in-app offer.
When: Ongoing

Bruegger's Bagels
The deal: You get how this goes now. Sign up for their Inner Circle club, and new members get a coupon for a free bagel with cream cheese.
When: Ongoing

Einstein Bros. Bagels
The deal: Find a similar deal here. Sign up for the Shmear Society and grab a free bagel.
When: Ongoing

Baja Fresh
The deal: 
Join the restaurant's Club Baja membership program, and you'll get an offer for a totally free taco, valid for one chicken, carnitas Baja, or Americano taco.
When: Ongoing

Quiznos
The deal: Sign up for the Toasty Points loyalty app and get rewarded with a free 4-inch sub with any purchase.
When: Ongoing

Del Taco
The deal:
 Sign up for Del Taco's Raving Fan eClub and get two free grilled chicken tacos or Del Tacos for signing up. If you download the Del App, you can also land another pair of free Del Tacos. 
When: Ongoing

Wingstop
The deal: Get a free order of fries when you sign up for "The Club."
When: Ongoing

Bojangles 
The deal: Sign up for the E-Club, and you'll get a coupon for a half-gallon of Legendary Iced Tea with any purchase. You'll also get a coupon for a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with any purchase on your birthday. 
When: Ongoing

MOOYAH
The deal: A free order of personal fries are headed your way if you sign up for MOOYAH Rewards.
When: Ongoing

Cold Stone Creamery
The deal: If you're new to My Cold Stone Club Rewards you'll get a buy-one-get-one-free coupon on Creations. 
When: Ongoing

Mimi's Cafe
The deal:
 Sign up for the e-club, and you get a free two-pack of croissants or muffins because breakfast is the most important meal of the day.
When: Ongoing

El Pollo Loco
The deal: If you sign up for Loco Rewards you'll bag a free pollo bowl.
When: Ongoing

Red Cow
The deal:
Join the Minneapolis-based chain's e-club and you'll get a coupon in your inbox for $10 your bill next time you dine-in. 
When: Ongoing

Rubio's Coastal Grill
The deal: Sign up for the Beach Club and you're getting a free taco to say cheers to your new friendship. 
When: Ongoing

Wetzel's Pretzels
The deal: Download the Wetzel's Pretzels app, and you'll be gifted a free pretzel item from the pretzel shop. You'll also get a freebie on your birthday. Happy early birthday!
When: Ongoing

BJ's Brewhouse
The deal: 
Join the Premier Rewards Plus program, and they'll hook you up with a free Pizookie. (That's a deep-dish-inspired cookie if it wasn't immediately clear from the weird portmanteau.) Bonus: You'll get another free Pizookie on your birthday. 
When: Ongoing

Black Angus Steakhouse
The deal: 
Join the restaurant's Prime Club, and you'll automatically get a free dessert. (You also get a free steak dinner on your first birthday after joining the club.)
When: Ongoing

Maggie Moo's and Marble Slab Creamery
The deal:
 Sign up for the rewards program -- Slab Happy Rewards -- and a free ice cream is headed straight for your mouth.
When: Ongoing

Corner Bakery
The deal: 
Get a free sweet when you sign up for Corner Bakery's e-club, which is basically just the email newsletter. 
When: Ongoing

Papa Murphy's
The deal: Sign up for the take-and-bake chain's email offers, and you'll get a code for 25% off your next online order of $20 or more. 
When: Ongoing

Bonefish Grill
The deal: Become a Bonefish Grill Insider (that's their rewards program), and you'll get 50% off your meal on every fourth visit. 
When: Ongoing

More Tax Day Deals?

If you know of any Tax Day deals we missed, shoot us an email to news@thrillist.com and we'll add 'em here. 

Want more free food and food discounts? Here's our running list of all the free food you can get right now and through the rest of the month of April. You're welcome.

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Dustin Nelson is a Senior Writer on the news team at Thrillist. Follow him @dlukenelson.