All The Free Food Deals In June 2019
We're flipping the calendar again, and this time, we've made it into every schoolkid's favorite month: June. Sure, that usually means all kinds of tests and saying goodbye to friends for the summer, but it also means saying goodbye to teachers and homework for the summer. Let's not kid ourselves: it's the favorite month of countless teachers, too.
It doesn't matter whether your summer plans include hitting the road for a family vacation or just hanging out in the backyard, food is going to be a part of it. And there's going to be plenty of those hot, sultry, sunny afternoons where you just don't feel like cooking, so let's start the summer off on the right foot. Let's talk about where you can get some great deals on food whether you're in the mood for an easy lunch, dinner, or just a quick snack in the car while you're on the way to a graduation party.
TGI Fridays
We're going to say two words that are going to catch your interest right away: "whiskey" and "shrimp."
Now that we have your attention, here's the deal. Head to TGI Fridays and order one of their new Whiskey-Glazed entrees. That's the Bourbon Crusted Whiskey-Glazed Ribs, the Bourbon Crusted Whiskey-Glazed Chicken & Shrimp Duo, the Bourbon Crusted Whiskey-Glazed Chicken, Shrimp, & Ribs Trio, or the Bourbon Crusted Whiskey-Glazed 6 oz. Sirloin. Then you'll get another option: add either breaded or coconut shrimp onto the order — and even better, that's All-You-Can-Eat shrimp. According to Fridays, it's going to make you "Shrimp Rich," and the only thing better than that is that you can do it without breaking the bank.
Not a bad deal, right? Fridays notes that the promotion is only available to dine-in customers, and only at participating locations (so if this is why you're heading there, we'd recommend calling ahead to avoid potential shrimp-related disappointment). It's also only running until June 9, so get there quick!
Taco Bell
Love basketball? No? That's all right, because you don't have to be a fan to take advantage of Taco Bell's partnership with the NBA.
The 2019 NBA Finals are going to be running until June 16 at the latest, when there's a possible Game 7. The good stuff happens on June 18, though, and here's how their "Steal a Game, Steal a Taco" promotion works.
If any game is won by the road team, then any and all customers ordering through the website or app on June 18 will be able to add a free Doritos Locos Taco onto their order. It's that easy, and given that it's happened before, there's a good chance that this one is going to go. The very first time Taco Bell did this — in 2016 — the Golden State Warriors won in Game 4 and fans got their free tacos. It happened again in 2018. You'll just have to sign up for an account and make sure you place your order between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., but it's literally the easiest free taco you'll ever get. Suddenly, basketball just got more interesting!
Subway
This one isn't technically going to get you any free food, but it will get you some fun free stuff — and everyone loves free stuff.
Disney is introducing a whole new generation to Aladdin, and Subway is offering a chance to not just go see the film, but get your kid a healthy lunch. Sometimes, that's hard, but Subway has put together a package that includes things like lean proteins, veggies, a drink with no added sugar, and a fruit side. Even better, if you get in before June 27, you can purchase a Fresh Fit for Kids meal that includes one of four Aladdin-themed activities as well as a free child's movie ticket.
Will the new live-action Aladdin be anywhere near as good as the cartoon? Will Robin Williams remain the definitive genie, or did Will Smith do all right? You'll have to see it to find out for sure, and Subway's encouraging you to do exactly that.
Sonic
Hot summer days are great, but do you know what's even better? Hot summer nights, and they're getting even better for anyone who lives near a Sonic.
They've announced they're going to be bringing back their Sonic Nights promotions, and it'll be running all summer long. After 8 p.m., you'll be able to pick up milkshakes at half price, and you'll be able to try their new Real Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches. There's literally no word in the name of that sweet treat that doesn't sound delicious.
What is it? Sonic customers have two choices: they can layer some ice cream between a pair of three-inch Oreo Cookie wafers, or two Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chip cookies. That makes every other ice cream sandwich look like an amateur effort — and even better, they're only $1.49 while the promotion is running. At that price, you should probably get one for the ride home, too.
Olive Garden
Here's some good news for those nights when you just don't feel like turning on the stove and making the house hotter than it already is: Olive Garden's Buy One, Take One promotion is back.
Here's how it works: all you need to do is order one entree (and you can choose from the Creamy Garlic Tuscan Chicken, the Lasagna Classico, the Shrimp Scampi, Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, and the Cheese Ravioli), and you'll get a second entree for free.
There's a limited number of options for your second free entree, and it includes just the Spaghetti with Meat Sauce, Fettuccine Alfredo, the Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, and the Cheese Ravioli. But choose wisely, and you'll be able to get two meals for around $12.99, and that's pretty good. There's one word of warning here, though: there's no end date on this yet so you might want to call ahead to your local Olive Garden if you're planning on taking advantage of this deal.
Chipotle
Even if you're not a basketball fan, Chipotle is giving you a reason to tune in. Not only is there a ton of free stuff up for grabs, but they've also got a game of their own going. Here's how it works:
Whenever one of the announcers says the word "free," they're going to tweet a message and a code (from @ChipotleTweets). You'll have to text that code to 888222, and you'll have to do it quick. Each time it happens, there's a limited number of freebies up for grabs, and if you're fast enough, you'll get a response with a redemption code for free stuff that's good until July 14.
According to CNN, Chipotle is giving away up to 1,500 free burritos per game, for as many games as the series ends up lasting for. So listen (or watch their Twitter feed) closely, and remember, only "free" as a standalone word counts. Basketball was never so much fun!
Applebee's
There's a couple of deals on at Applebee's this month, and the first is their signature $1 cocktail. This time, it's something very appropriate for kicking off the summer: a vodka raspberry lemonade. Sounds delicious, right? (And here's where we remind everyone to drink responsibly, and whatever you do, don't drink and drive!)
They've also got a deal going on their gift cards, and if you're looking for an easy graduation present or gift for Father's Day, this one's for you. For every $50 gift card you buy, you'll get a $10 Bonus Card. You can pick it up any day all month long, and you'll have until August 11 to use the bonus card. It's super easy to get, too — you can even order digital gift cards for the dad- or grad-on-the-go, or have it sent to them by regular old mail... and everyone likes getting mail that's not a bill.
Krispy Kreme
There's a lot of holidays that are more trouble than they're worth, but National Doughnut Day? That's a brilliant idea.
To celebrate, Krispy Kreme is giving away a ton of free doughnuts: one to each and every customer who stops in to see them on June 7, and there's no additional purchase necessary. And there's more to it than that. According to Bake, Krispy Kreme has issued a challenge. They want to give away a million free donuts, and if they do, they're going to follow that up with more free doughnuts. If they meet their goal, they're going to be giving customers a free taste of a yet-to-be-released doughnut they only hint as being "out of this world." What is it? No idea, so get to Krispy Kreme, get your free doughnut, and help everyone find out later this month.
They also note that customers can pick any doughnut off the menu, and that even includes their new summer-inspired flavors like their Key Lime Kreme, and their strawberry and pineapple doughnuts.
Dunkin'
Dunkin' also has something going on for June 7 and National Doughnut Day, although they are — unsurprisingly — calling it National Donut Day. And first, a little bit of trivia. The day isn't just here to celebrate just doughnuts: according to Dunkin' (via Mental Floss), the day was originally designated by the Salvation Army in 1938, and they wanted to recognize World War I volunteers who were dispatched to the front lines in France to help prepare food for the soldiers. Why donuts? Because they found that helmets were perfect for using to fry doughnuts in, and when you're so far from home in the middle of battle, a doughnut — just like the ones from home — must have tasted incredible.
So that's why Dunkin' is going to be giving away a free donut, but you'll have to buy a beverage to take advantage of this one. They've also created a new emoji for the occasion, and according to their Twitter (@dunkindonuts), you can unlock the emoji by using #Dunkin, #DunkOut, or #DunkinCoffee.
McDonald's
There's always some awesome deals available through the McDonald's app, and they change frequently. What's some of the stuff going on this month?
If you get there early — by June 2 — you can get any size soft drink for just 50 cents with the purchase of a medium or large fry. (And honestly, who goes to McDonald's and doesn't get some fries?)
Then, there are some deals going all month long on their McCafe beverages. This one is good news if you want to be the hero of that end-of-the-school-year study group, and it's a deal that'll get you one free McCafe beverage when you buy five. If you're not keen on getting that many and you're only looking out for yourself (and we've all been there), you can get $1 off a large McCafe Frappe, Mocha, or Latte. As always, you'll have to order through the app, but really, it only makes it easier for you.