Glenn enjoying a free birthday ice cream sundae at Benihana.
This is a guest post by longtime reader Glenn. His feat – paying $3.99 plus tips for 19 birthday freebies worth $199.65 – has left me wordless. His story shows his zeal for saving money by taking FULL advantage of freebies. To see his ranking of the 19 birthday freebies he received, scroll to the end. Here are excerpts of his story.
December is my birthday month. Many businesses offer people a free appetizer or entrée during your birthday month if you join their free e-clubs. And I’m not talking about finger sandwiches or a teaspoon of ice cream either. We’re talking complete meals up to $30 in value. All that’s required is a little basic information from you. This year, I managed to find 19 places that offer up birthday freebies. The challenge is to find a way to redeem them all before they expire.
12/15/10 – For lunch, I went to El Torito’s in Sherman Oaks to get my free birthday entrée. I got there shortly after 11am, so the place was nearly empty. They had a Christmas tree near the entrance and lights strung up that made it look very festive. My friendly server brought me a basket of chips and salsa right away. I love that part about authentic Mexican restaurants. I showed him my birthday certificate, and he told me that I could order anything on the menu. Typically, I order a burrito when I go to a Mexican restaurant, but with a free entrée offer on the line, I decided to try something different. I went with the Flaming Fajitas Supreme. A $17.99 value. While waiting for my entrée, my server brought me a second basket of chips and more ice water in a separate glass. The Fajitas Supreme arrived just as I polished off the second basket of chips. The skillet was sizzling and consisted of seven pieces of grilled shrimp, carne asada steak cut into 7 slices and grilled seasoned chicken cut into 9 slices. My server also brought me a third basket of chips. I was able to make four soft tacos with the flour tortillas they gave me, and I still had some meat leftover to pick at with my fork. I was stuffed. I asked for a box to take the chips home for later consumption. Had I left them there, they would have thrown them away.
12/17/2010 Another successful food run. Burger, tacos and ice cream. Total value estimated at $9.18. Satisfaction of smart planning, execution and a full belly – priceless.
12/21/10 – For my next birthday freebie adventure, I ventured through the morning rain and went up to Bakersfield to spend an early Christmas with my godson’s family. Before reaching my final destination, I stopped at Red Robin’s restaurant to claim my free birthday gourmet burger. My server was Sammy. When she saw my birthday certificate, she immediately said, “Happy Birthday!” cheerfully. I knew what I wanted their bacon cheeseburger – value $9.59, and she hustled off right away. My ice water arrived in a minute. I always get my burger made well done in order to guard against all forms of bacteria and other biological threats. I used this time to listen to my favorite Christmas tunes on my iPod and people watch. The burger looked picture perfect, and I love their steak fries. I actually started on the fries first because I hate cold fries. Halfway through my burger, Sammy asked me if I wanted a reload of fries. Huh? “I get more fries?” I asked. With a huge grin, young Sammy said, “Absolutely. Here at Red Robins, our fries are bottomless.” On the inside, I yelled, ‘Ha-la-la-shanda!’ I nodded for the go ahead of more fries. Then came the real surprise. In addition to another full basket of steak fries, Sammy—joined by three of her co-workers—surprised me with a free vanilla ice cream sundae. The embarrassing part was when they all loudly began to sing “Happy happy birthday to me. I was grateful, but being a newly minted 44 yr old, I also felt like an idiot with the kids watching me. This freebie rates among the top the list as far as the service, value and overall satisfaction goes. When it was time to go, I left a nice Christmas gift for Sammy.
12/28/2010 – At long last, the day came for me to redeem the highest valued birthday freebie. The $30 certificate from Benihana Restaurants. This was the very first birthday freebie I received, and one of the last ones to redeem. Benihana gives you the entire birthday month to redeem it. This one does have a restriction of redemption on Mondays-Thursdays only, so it’s important to read each offer carefully. I ended up meeting a very nice couple, Jim and Jennifer, at the restaurant and by the end of our meal, it seemed like we were old friends. grill from me. When our server arrived and introduced himself as Jonathan, he immediately acknowledged my certificate and wished me a ‘Happy Birthday.’ The lady, Jennifer, got Jonathan’s attention that she had a certificate as well. Not feeling particularly shy at the moment, I shouted out, “I’m the 18th.” To my disbelief, Jennifer replied, “I am too.” Jim said, “What are the odds?” Our shared birthdays opened the window for additional conversation.
It’s important to note at this point that Benihana’s is the only establishment that checks I.D. in order to validate the certificates so make sure to have it with you when you go. When it came time to order, I chose a dish called Rocky’s Choice. It consisted of Hibachi steak and grilled chicken to my specification – $24.60 value. Since we were the birthday guests, Jennifer and I received an ice cream sundae for dessert with lots of whipped cream and a chocolate pocky stick. And we both got our pictures taken. I also gave them the bargainbabe’s website so they can learn how to stretch the almighty dollar on a regular basis. They said they were looking forward to reading my report when Julia posts it on her blog. It was also cool not getting a bill at the end. To summarize, the meal was excellent, but meeting Jim and Jennifer was the real treat. The lesson I learned to wake up with a positive mental attitude and seizing the moment years ago really paid off this time. You just never know who you’re gonna meet that day.
To summarize my entire birthday adventures, I’d have to give it 4.5 out of 5 stars. I had some incredible meals, reconnected with some old friends and made some new contacts. Overall, the experience was tremendous success. However, I did fail to redeem every single freebie like I had originally planned to do. Among those that I did not redeem for one reason or another were a second offer from Chevy’s Fresh Mex (Free appetizer with entrée purchase), Marie Callender’s (management refusal of home printed coupon), Medieval Times (Free dinner and show with purchase at regular price), Ruby Tuesdays (no local locations anymore), Schlotsky’s (Free Junior Cone & Free small original sandwich) and Tony Romas (Free dessert). It’s okay though. It gives me incentive to try harder for 2011. One thing’s certain, I will have even more birthday freebies to redeem because I signed up at more places on New Year’s Day. Had I signed up when it was still December, who knows how many more freebies I would have scored in 2010.
FREEBIE RANKINGS
#1 BENIHANA (Encino)
FREE $30 Certificate – Rocky’s Choice – ($24.60 value)
#2 BLACK ANGUS (Santa Ana)
FREE entree up to $19.99 with purchase of entrée – 11oz top sirloin center cut – ($19.99
value)
#3 CLAIM JUMPERS (Northridge)
FREE Entrée up to $18 – Beef Rib Supper – (Value $18.95). Bill was $1.04
#4 RED ROBIN (Bakersfield) – Ming Ave
FREE Bacon Cheeseburger + Bottomless Fries + Free Ice Cream Sundae – ($9.59 value)
#5 EL TORITO (Ventura Blvd / Van Nuys Blvd)
FREE Entrée – Flaming Fajitas Supreme – ($17.99 value)
#6 CHEVY’S FRESH MEX (Burbank)
FREE Entrée – Mix Grill – Value $16.99
#7 ACAPULCO (Sun Valley)
FREE Entrée – Gigante Fajitas – ($17.99 value)
#8 DAPHNE’S GREEK CAFÉ (Burbank)
FREE Half Chicken Plate – ($8.59 value)
#9 CLAIM JUMPERS (Northridge)
FREE Appetizer up to $14 – 12pc Chicken Wings – ($12.95 value)
#10 IHOP (North Hollywood)
FREE Rooty Tooty Fresh N’’ Fruity or entrée of equal value – ($7.49 value)
#11 FUDDRUCKERS (Burbank)
FREE 1/3 LB Burger – ($5.19 value)
#12 HOOTERS (Burbank)
FREE Entrée up to $7.99 – Grilled chicken burger – ($7.99 value)
#13 MOUNTASIA (Valencia)
FREE 1hr access to gas powered go-karts – (estimated value between $6.66 – $27.96)
#14 DAVE & BUSTERS (Arcadia)
FREE $10 GAME PLAY – Redeemed
#15 COLD STONE
FREE Create Your Own Creation in a cup – ($3.35 value)
FREE Create Your Own Creation in a cup (2011) – ($3.35 value)
#17 DEL TACO
FREE Premium Shake – ($2.69 value)
#18 WING STOP (Sepulveda / Van Owen)
FREE 5 Wings with any soft drink purchase – Estimated value $3.30
#19 ARBY’S (Van Owen / Van Nuys Blvd)
FREE 12oz Shake with any purchase – ($1.89 value)
Additional Sign-Up Locations
Applebees
Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurant
Carrows
Chilis
Coco’s
Macaroni Grill
Maggiano’s Little Italy
Mimi’s Cafe
Shakey’s Pizza
Sizzler
January 7th, 2011 at 5:35 pm
I tried doing this, and had a plan too, but most of the freebies came from food places, and it was just too tempting to go over my weight lol
January 7th, 2011 at 5:50 pm
Wow – hadn’t thought about Shakey’s pizza in years! (I just checked the Shakey’s website and the nearest one is 570 miles away – road trip!)
One birthday freebie on the east coast is Moe’s Southwest Grill – free birthday burrito.
January 7th, 2011 at 6:06 pm
This story is truly amazing. I am full just reading it.
January 8th, 2011 at 6:16 pm
Hee Hee–I have one additional trick for you—when you sign up, enter for one freebie a month. Just use different date, always the 15th or whatever. But the Benihana tip is a good one, I guess use your real bday for that one! Good luck!
January 10th, 2011 at 6:03 am
[...] check out a pretty definitive free birthday food list that a guest poster on Bargain Babe [...]
January 10th, 2011 at 10:20 am
I LOVE this!!! It is truly amazing!! I had no idea all these restaurants had all these freebies!! Thank You so much for this blog Glenn!
You have a lot of places on your list that are close to me!! I better start signing up now for my birthday in August!!
January 10th, 2011 at 10:45 am
My lady friend signs up for every free birthday offer…and then wants to visit them all…but she never gets around to them all…she always gets the free offer..and buys others things e.g. Baskin Robin…takes home a quart of ice cream…she always leaves a nice tip for the server…and if they were especially nice, like some of Glenn’s servers…leaves an extra $2…she loves her birthday day…not me…i don’t want any reminders of my age…I always go with her to the dinner places…but I’m happy for her and Glenn
January 10th, 2011 at 10:50 am
I thought that most of these required you to do a buy one get one deal.
January 10th, 2011 at 1:43 pm
Glenn great way to save and enjoy lots of freebies!!! Congrats and Happy Birthday sorry I dont have anything free for you lol but good job
January 10th, 2011 at 1:59 pm
i also do the one freebie a month trick. I enter a different month with the same date as my birthday like JenY does, to spread out the rewards. As long as they don’t check your id this works. To be clear, this is not multiple months at the same places, it is once a year at one place at a time, but not necessarily your birthday month. I usually do the month before and the month after to kind of keep it in the same time of year.
January 10th, 2011 at 2:13 pm
souplantaton is another one to add to the list
January 10th, 2011 at 4:09 pm
Thanks for all the extra suggestions for Glenn to check out. I’m sure he’ll get even more freebies next year.
January 10th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
This past August when I celebrated my birthday I received all Glen did and more. I also received and used.
El Torito – Free meal
Denny’s – Free grand slam
Ben & Jerrys – Free ice cream cone
I didn’t use the Dave & Busters, Buca di Beppo, Daphne’s or Montasia.
Since I live in the SFV I went to most of the same restaurants Glen went to.
January 11th, 2011 at 12:33 am
“One freebie a month trick?” How about “one freebie a month dishonesty”? Sorry, folks, but that’s just plain greedy.
January 11th, 2011 at 5:56 am
@Diane Is it greedy to take advantage of freebies and deals restaurants offer on your birthday? Where do you draw the line? In your mind, if it ok to take advantage of 3 birthday freebies? 5? 15?
January 11th, 2011 at 5:58 am
I think that this is exciting and everyone should blog when their birthday came and what bargains came with it. I also would not do the “one trick a month trick” It is dishonest and I do not buy into that.
January 11th, 2011 at 6:10 am
@Julia,
I think you should take all the bargains you can get on your birthday, but also leave a nice tip.
As for faking your birthday just to get a freebie, well, that is dishonest and NOT something I would do like Diane does. On your Birthday and only your birthday!!!
January 11th, 2011 at 6:11 am
Also some places give you freebies on your Anniversary, like El Toros, this year I had a choice between a Margarita or a dessert!
January 11th, 2011 at 9:01 am
Hope you tipped the waitstaff!
January 11th, 2011 at 1:47 pm
This was the hot topic at our dinner table last night with my three adult kids. We all could not believe that people would actually lie to get free food when we all assumed that since you have a computer you are not without. What about those who are truly without? I was really upset to read of those who think this is ok…..and our kids obviously are not the only ones with the entitlement attitude. Just pushed my button…….
January 11th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Ok, it seems people are upset. Let me clarify my post above further. You may still not agree with me. Again, this is NOT one freebie at the same place every month. It is one freebie a year. These places offer you a freebie on your birthday, which is a random date to them, so what does it matter if you move it? I personally only go to places (to get the freebie) that I patronize the rest of the year. I also make sure to leave a generous tip, and if I bring someone else that person is paying regular price (usually my husband). Most likely I am also paying for drinks and extras (appy, dessert). If you still think that is terrible, I truly am sorry, but the way I use it, it is really not any cheaper than using Restaurant.com or the Entertainment book.
January 11th, 2011 at 2:53 pm
@Laura Thanks for clarifying your comment.
When I read @Diane’s question, I did not realize she was responding to your comment. I thought she was responding to Glenn’s post.
I think it is OK to take advantage of birthday freebies, even in the great quantity that Glenn did, but I myself would not lie about my birthdate. I think part of the challenge is to squeeze them into a few days. But spreading your freebies out as you do is your prerogative.
January 11th, 2011 at 3:35 pm
@ I am with Julia on this one.
January 12th, 2011 at 12:46 am
@Bargain Babe: Sorry I did not clarify to whom I was responding, which actually was to two people. I first had a negative response to JenY’s comment: “Hee Hee-I have an additional trick for you . . .” Hee hee? Trick? What does that tell you? Then Laura stated that she also used the “one freebie a month trick.” Susie A.’s comments expressed how I feel. I have no problem if people use as many freebies as they can get HONESTLY as Glenn did. But to spread them out over a year or several months to get more . . . Back to my original comment.
January 12th, 2011 at 8:28 am
If you are lying about your birthday it is unethical. There really isn’t a gray area here. There is nothing wrong with getting a freebie if you are complying with the rules of the offer, but if you’re being dishonest to get it you’re stealing.
January 12th, 2011 at 9:48 pm
@bargainbabe: Re your response to Laura, you wrote: “But spreading your freebies out as you do is your prerogative.” I looked up the word “prerogative” (“a right, privilege”). Is it a right or privilege to be dishonest, BB?
January 12th, 2011 at 10:02 pm
Marie Callender’s acknowledges birthdays and anniversaries. I can’t recall at this moment whether you buy an entree and get the second free or half off. Also, everyone in your party gets a free slice of pie. If you go to MC’s Sunday brunch, which includes dessert, then you can take your pie slice home.
January 12th, 2011 at 10:06 pm
I agree with Susie A., Lisa, and Melissa.
January 17th, 2011 at 11:15 pm
Upon reading these comments, a friend added the following:
Honesty is important. Lying to abuse freebies is BAD KARMA. One more BDay Freebie: If you join Disney’s club, you get in FREE but it must be ON your Birthday.
January 18th, 2011 at 6:16 am
@Diane, I couldnt agree more. Karma will turn around and bite you in the butt.
January 18th, 2011 at 10:10 pm
@Diane The get in free on your birthday was in 2009. In 2010, to get in free you had to volunteer. I’m not sure what it is for 2011 – or if Disneyland is repeating the promotino. Anyone know?
January 18th, 2011 at 11:32 pm
@BB: Oops! I will let my friend know. I don’t like giving out inaccurate information. To that end, I have been trying to remember what Marie Callender’s actually does for birthdays and anniversaries (see my earlier comment). Now I think it’s a slice of pie and $5 off the birthday person’s (or couple’s) meal. I like my previous, albeit mistaken, attempt at remembering better.
January 31st, 2011 at 11:38 pm
My friend Anne just shared this with me about the birthday dinner she and her husband enjoyed at Black Angus because of the info provided in this particular BB topic:
Jim and I went to Black Agnes last night. I got steak and prawns for $21.99 and they took $19.99 off the bill as the coupon stated. In addition because it was my birthday (or only a few days after) they gave me a warm chocolate chip cookie with ice cream and a candle for free. To top off the “score” as my friend and I call it . . . I used a gift card I got thru Discover – it cost me $20 of the bonus dollars they give me for using their card for a $25 gift certificate – we used that for Jim’s portion of the meal (the coupon required a purchase to use my birthday coupon) – we had a wonderful meal and only paid the tip in cash (which we based on the total bill excluding the coupon)
February 1st, 2011 at 8:37 am
@Diane What a score!!!
February 4th, 2011 at 7:43 am
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