In anticipation of my birthday in August, I spent the earlier part of the month signing up for some restaurant clubs hoping to score some really great birthday deals :) And I reaped the benefits in free meal coupons for several weeks! Some are really lame (dessert the size of a dime) but some are really really great deals. Most do not require a purchase and can be used in the weeks before or after your birthday.
(note: I suggest using your "junk email" account because you may continue getting coupons and restaurant announcements after signing up. You can always unsubscribe too.) This is what I found ...
THE BEST BIRTHDAY CLUB DEALS:
CHEVYS FRESH MEX - free entree
A coupon emailed for a free entree! No purchase necessary and the coupon expires less than a month after it is sent. This is a great one to split - fill up on chips and salsa then split your entree with a friend. You will also receive an emailed coupon for a free appetizer (with entree purchase) just for joining.
CLAIM JUMPER - free entree
This is a really great freebie ... one free entree up to an $18 value! And they have HUGE portions! No purchase necessary and the coupon doesn't expire for two weeks. This is another great one to split with a friend or husband :) To clarify, they will not just take $18 off of your bill (we learned that the hard way after a miscommunication with our waitress). They just cover one entree.
EL TORITO - free entree
A coupon emailed for a free entree! No purchase necessary and the coupon expires less than a month after it is sent. This is another great one to split - fill up on chips and salsa then split your entree with a friend. You will also receive an emailed coupon for a free order of fresh guacamole (with entree purchase) just for joining.
IHOP - free birthday meal
Mine was a coupon emailed specifically for a free "Rooty Tooty Fresh N Fruity" (2 eggs, 2 strips of bacon, 2 sausage links, 2 pancakes with fruit & whipped cream topping). No purchase necessary and it expires about two weeks after it is sent. I believe you also receive a a free meal just for signing up.
RED ROBIN - free burger
First you get a $3 off your next meal coupon just for joining. Then an emailed coupon for a free gourmet burger (with fries). I think this is a great coupon...a delicious burger with unlimited fries AND they bring you a free dessert and sing Happy Birthday :) I love Red Robin! Always fast and friendly service.
RUBIO'S BAJA GRILL - free $7 meal
This was a great emailed coupon too! I think the coupon actually said a free burrito or taco meal up to $7.00 ... but my husband and I shared a burrito and taco and they took $7.00 off the entire bill. Not sure if this is standard but it was a good deal for us!
OTHERS WORTH MENTIONING:
AUNTIE ANNE'S PRETZELS - bogo pretzel for joining
BASKIN ROBBINS - free ice cream scoop
A coupon for a free 2.5oz scoop emailed just before your birthday. Coupon expires within ten days. No purchase necessary. I think they may also email a $3 off an ice cream cake coupon. Yum! I love ice cream.
CARROWS - free dessert
A coupon emailed for a free birthday dessert. I didn't actually try this one yet so I can't say whether the dessert was delicious or lame ... let me know if you find out!
DENNY'S - free grand slam
This coupon works only on the day of your birthday.
COLD STONE CREAMERY - free ice cream scoop
I misplaced this one so don't remember all the details (sorry) but it's similar to Baskin Robbins with an emailed coupon for a free scoop of ice cream. No purchase necessary and it does not have to be used on the day of your birthday.
THE LAMEST BIRTHDAY CLUB DEALS:
APPLEBEE'S - free birthday dessert
A coupon emailed on the day of your birthday for a free dessert shooter. No purchase necessary and the coupon doesn't expire for one month, which is really great. But, I'm pretty sure the dessert comes in a shot glass ... not even worth it.
BJ'S RESTAURANT - free (small) pizookie dessert
This one was a disappointment. They send an email telling you to come in for a free birthday pizookie. I printed out the email (assuming it was a coupon) and went in for a birthday pizookie to share with my husband. The waitress was rude and said "you don't need that paper" and "do you want to order more because it's only like three bites?" ... hmmm. She brought it out TWENTY minutes later and she was wrong - it was more like six bites :) And it was delicious. But definitely not worth the wait or her bad attitude.
