Labor Day 2022: Where To Get The Best Food Freebies And Deals

Thanks in part to the 10,000 New York City workers who marched from City Hall to Union Square in 1882, demanding less grueling schedules for the average worker, the 12-hour workday is no longer par for the course (via History). As workers at Starbucks, Trader Joe's, and elsewhere continue to rally around union representation in hopes of higher wages and safer working conditions, this Labor Day (Monday, September 5) is bound to come with a particularly strong air of celebration. 

Backstory aside, Labor Day is also the last three-day weekend of the summer, making it an ideal time for last-call backyard barbecues, beach trips, and — in some sartorially traditional circles — all-white outfits. It's also a great time to dig in to the last of the season's bounties as fall comes into view. If you're looking to celebrate the holiday with some tasty treats without breaking the bank, read on for a few notable freebies and deals at national eateries. 

On a recent episode of his YouTube cooking show, J. Kenji Lopez-Alt blessed us with the info that White Castle may be responsible for the modern hamburger as we know it. As he fried up an Oklahoma onion burger, he explained that the chain was the first to serve its patties on "soft, round burger buns that were specially baked for the burgers," adding that the dish had previously been served on "either hard rolls or toast." The more you know! 

For Labor Day, White Castle is appealing to app-based customers by offering $3 off orders of $20 or more on Grubhub from September 1-7. If you're partial to DoorDash, the chain is offering the same deal on the app from September 2-5.

This deal isn't related to Labor Day, specifically, but the Mississippi-based, fast-casual restaurant chain McAlister's Deli is waiving delivery and convenience fees every Saturday and Sunday through October 30 for those who place their orders online or through its app. Taxes and service fees may apply, and the promotion does not apply to third-party delivery services. 

If you're craving potatoes on your day off, consider an order of the restaurant's Giant Spuds: big, juicy, baked potatoes stuffed with tasty toppings. McAlister's is also known for its sweet tea, which is made with orange pekoe black tea leaves over ice.

Need a cold jolt of caffeine with your taco order? Every Monday, the Mexican-inspired fast-food chain Taco John's offers free cold brew with any purchase for Bigger Bolder Rewards members who order through the Taco John's mobile app. If you're new to the program, the chain's popular offerings include its Potato Olés (crunchy potato rounds sprinkled in a signature spice blend), crispy tacos, and meat and potato burritos (to which you can add Olés for extra crunch). 

If you place an order of $40 or more from September 2-5 at the Houston-based, wood-fired beef emporium that is Logan's Roadhouse, you'll get $10 off. If you wish, you can use the chain's app to earn rewards on your purchase.