Free Birthday Goodness

Birthdays are days of celebration.  A time of the year when we get to celebrate the continued life of friends and loved ones.  But, most importantly, birthdays are all about good food.  Cake, ice cream, your favorite dish made by a family member.  Or, if you're a college student with not a lot of money but a love of food like me, coupons from restaurants for free food.  Here', I've compiled a list of the restaurants I subscribe to that give free stuff for birthdays.

[image from Google]

1.)  Starbucks - For all you Starbucksians out there, you probably know what I'm talking about, so just skip to the next few items on the list.  For those of you who don't, if you happen to have a nifty registered Starbucks card that's been used within six months of your birthday, they will send you a card in the mail that is redeemable for any drink of your choice in any size.  How cool is that?  I don't drink Starbucks as often as some since I don't drink coffee, but I will gladly accept a free drink certificate to use for any of their other beverages.

2.)  BD's Mongolian Grill - If you've not heard of BD's you'd best learn now.  At BD's you get to choose any ingredients (meat, veggies, sauce, seasoning) you want for them to stir-fry on a large grill.  It's pretty cool to watch all your food get tossed around and cooked, but it comes at a hefty price of over $15 for one person.  But, if you subscribe to their Club Mongo, for your birthday they e-mail you a coupon for a free meal!  You get to keep your $15 and enjoy a meal of your own creation.  Happy Birthday indeed!

3.)  Au Bon Pain - Au Bon Pain is a cafe that I've never actually been in, but I would pass it every day on the way to my Japanese language class in DC and my sensei would always have a cup of their coffee on her desk.  So, I figured I would subscribe to them for the heck of it.  So what do I find at birthday time from them?  A coupon for a free sandwich or salad!  They've got a large variety of both, so I'm sure to find something I like.

4.)  Smoothie King - I love smoothies, so who wouldn't want to subscribe to a place that could give you free smoothies on your birthday?  For birthday time in the smoothie kingdom, Smoothie King sends out a buy one get one free coupon.  So, bring a friend and have them buy their smoothie so you can get yours or else you'll be stuck with two 20oz smoothies and nothing to do with them.

5.)  Noodles & Co. - "Don't you just hate it when the restaurant staff comes to your table and sings Happy Birthday?  Wouldn't you rather just have a free bowl of noodles?" said my e-mail to me.  That's right.  If you sign up for Noodles & Company's Noodlegram, for your birthday you get a free bowl of noodles!  Who doesn't want a free bowl of noodles?

Stay abso-foodie-licious!