Everywhere You Can Get Free & Cheap Food for Tax Day

Tax Day might be frustrating, but food deals are not.

tax day food deals bj's restaurant
Photo courtesy of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Photo courtesy of BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse

Tax Day is an intentionally frustrating time. Though most people are probably done with their taxes and the frustration by the time Tax Day rolls around, it is nonetheless the day when taxes are due and when we celebrate the headaches caused by the process.

As part of the routine we go through annually, restaurants around the country offer little perks to ease your way through the day. Chain restaurants offer discounts on meals, free coffee, and even perks on beer or cocktails to help you forget about the whole process until your start to panic about it again next year. On Tax Day this year, you’ll find deals from places like Hooters, Pollo Campero, Mountain Mike's Pizza, and many other restaurants.

Here are all the best food deals you’ll find on Tax Day.

Free Food on Tax Day

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
The deal:
If you're a rewards member, you can get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on Original sandwiches
When: April 18

KFC
The deal: 
Get a free KFC Chicken Sandwich with a purchase of at least $12 through the KFC mobile app. 
When: Through June 5

Carl's Jr. & Hardee's
The deal:
Join the newly-launched rewards program to get your choice of a free Western Bacon Cheeseburger, Famous Star, or Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich
When: Ongoing

Moe's Southwest Grill
The deal:
If you're a rewards member, you can get a buy-one-get-one-free deal on the new Spicy Chicken at Moe's. 
When: Through May 29

Firehouse Subs
The deal:
Get a free medium sub when you buy a medium or large sub, chips, and a drink.
When: April 18

Hooters
The deal:
Kids under 12 get a free meal dining in and hitting the $15 minimum. 
When: April 18

Corner Bakery
The deal:
Reward members can get a free Hazelnut Cold Brew with any purchase on Tax Day. If it's your first time signing up for the reward program, you'll also get $5 off your first purchase.
When: April 18

Friendly's
The deal:
Try any of the 12 new items on the menu and you'll get a free medium sundae. That new slate includes the Jammed-Up Burger, Doritos Cool Ranched Chopped Cheese Burger (!?), Tex-Mex Alfredo Pasta, and more. 
When: Through April 30

Pollo Campero
The deal: To celebrate its 51st birthday, Pollo Campero is dropping new deals weekly this month. This week, you can get a free side with your meal by using the code "HUNGRY."
When: Through April 18

The Pie Hole
The deal: Make a purchase and get a free Pie Hole Blend drip or iced coffee. The free cup of morning brown is running from Tax Day to Earth Day, but you'll need to bring your own tumbler or mug. Waste not, want not.
When: April 18-22

I Heart Mac & Cheese
The deal: Kids eat free on Mondays with the purchase of an adult entrée. 
When: Every Monday

Más Veggies Vegan Taqueria
The deal:
The ghost kitchen offers free chips and salsa on any order of at least $10 when you order for pick-up. Though, that's not valid when ordering through third-party delivery services. 
When: Ongoing

food deals tax day smokey bones
Photo courtesy of Smokey Bones

Food Deals on Tax Day

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's
The deal:
The newly-launched rewards program will offer double points (the chains call them "Stars") when you sign up (and take advantage of a free sandwich in there while you're at it). 
When: Through May 17

Mountain Mike's Pizza
The deal:
Get a 20-inch, Mountain-sized Pizza for $10.40 through the app. 
When: April 18

7-Eleven
The deal
: Get any whole pizza -- that includes 7-Meat, Cheese, and Pepperoni -- for $5 through the 7NOW delivery app. Though, you can only get one per order.
When: April 17-18

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse
The deal:
BJ is playing with the 1040 Tax Day theme, offering $10 off any purchase of at least $40 for takeout or delivery. 
When: April 18

PDQ
The deal:
Every location is offering a dollar off any purchase made through the PDQ website or app.  Just use the code "$1off."
When: April 18

Kona Grill
The deal:
Stock up with a pair of Kona margaritas for $10.40. 
When: April 18

STK Steakhouse
The deal:
Grab a specialty cocktail for $10.40 all day. 
When: April 18

Steak 'n Shake
The deal:
Every weekday features a happy hour where you can snag half-price drinks and shakes. 
When: Monday through Friday, 2-5 pm

Fatburger
The deal:
Get free delivery on any order of at least $20 through the Fatburger site. 
When: Through April 30

Red Lobster
The deal:
On weekdays, you can get a lunch for under $10 with Red Lobster's new 10 Under $10 menu. 
When: Monday through Friday until 3 pm

STK Steakhouse
The deal:
Happy hour at STK can land you specialty cocktails and apps for $3, $6, and $9. 
When: Monday to Friday, 3-6:30 pm

Smokey Bones
The deal:
Sign up for the loyalty program by Tax Day, and you'll get a coupon for $10 off a $25 dine-in or online order. 
When: Through April 18

Chuck E. Cheese
The deal:
Grab a Spring Family Fun Pack, which comes with two large one-topping pizzas, one Unicorn Cotton Candy, a good bag, an activity sheet, and 250 E-Ticket vouchers for $35. It's only available for takeout or delivery.
When: Through April 24

Denny's
The deal:
The Endless Breakfast promo is around for a couple of months with a plate that includes pancakes, scrambled eggs, and hashbrowns for $7. 
When: Through June 21

Cousins Maine Lobster
The deal:
The Tax Day Pack with two lobster tails, tenderloin filets, and more can be mailed right to your house. You can take 15% off through Tax Day with the code "TAXDAY15."
When: Through April 18

Somos
The deal:
All of its meal kits, including the Cinco de Mayo Kit, will be half-off through Cinco de Mayo. 
When: Through May 5

Wolferman's Bakery
The deal:
Order some English muffins online on National English Muffin Day (in America!) and get 20% off anything on the site. 
When: Through April 25

Jimmy John's
The deal: The sandwich shop's Freaky Fast Rewards program will set you up with a free eight-inch sandwich after your first order through the app. 
When: Ongoing

Domino's Pizza
The deal: The Mix & Match Deal will get you and two or more items on its Mix & Match menu for $5.99. That includes some sticks and medium pizzas options. 
When: Ongoing

Domino's Pizza
The deal: Any combo with three-topping pizzas and Dips & Twists will run you $8. 
When: Ongoing

Friendly's
The deal:
Join the Friendly's Sweet Rewards Club, and you'll get a free medium sundae.
When: Ongoing

Popeyes
The deal: You can get your craving for that chicken sandwich fulfilled. Popeyes is offering free contactless delivery through its app with a minimum $20 order.
When: Ongoing

Rusty Bucket Restaurant & Tavern
The deal: Kids can grab a book tracker to participate in the restaurant's Bucketeer Bookworms program. After every five books they read, they'll get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. 
When: Ongoing

tax day food deals stk steakhouse
Photo courtesy of STK Steakhouse

Alcohol Deals on Tax Day

STK Steakhouse
The deal:
All of its signature cocktails, like the Strawberry Cobbler Martini, can be snagged for $10.40. That's not low-cost necessarily, but those cocktails are usually upwards of $20. 
When: April 18

Chili's
The deal:
The Marg of the Month at Chili's is the Straw-Eddy 'Rita. For $5, you can grab one with Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, Lunazul Blanco Tequila, strawberry puree, and sour. 
When: Through April 30

Other Tax Day Perks

Planet Fitness
The deal:
Everyone can enjoy a free workout and access to the HydroMassage. Just use this coupon.
When: April 15-18

Want more food deals?

Here's our huuuuuuuge running list of all the free food you can get right now, as well as the best pizza dealsreward programs, birthday freebiesgift card offersfood delivery offersalcohol delivery deals, and perks for getting your vaccination against COVID-19. 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 Dustin Nelson on Twitter.