What a deal: Check out these special birthday bargains

With SheSays celebrating its birthday today, I’ve been on the look-out for ways to celebrate.

My criteria: Free. Food.

Last week, I called more than 150 restaurants in the Fargo-Moorhead metro area, searching out the best birthday promotions. It turns out lots offer a little something extra on the anniversary of your birth.

While this list includes only free restaurant promotions, there are other deals to be had. Some bars I called give a free drink or shot to birthday patrons. Several coffee shops have birthday specials. Toys R Us mails out small gift cards before your child’s birthday.

My new rule: If it’s your birthday, it doesn’t hurt to ask.

Here’s the fine print: Offers are subject to change. Some freebies, especially dessert, require a purchase. There may be a price limit on complimentary items. You’ll need to provide proof that it’s your birthday, so bring ID.

Did I miss your favorite restaurant’s birthday freebie? Know of a great deal outside Fargo-Moorhead? Email srichards@forumcomm.com, and I’ll update this guide.

The free meal

The gold standard of birthday freebies, several local restaurants comp your meal on your birthday. Bon appetit, birthday boy/girl!

Big D’s Bar and Grill: Free meal

Denny’s: Free Grand Slam breakfast (shown above).

Grand Junction: Free sub

Grazies Italian Grill: Free meal

Hooters: Free meal (up to $10)

IHOP: Free meal (up to $10)

Mexican Village: Free meal with purchase of entrée (equal or greater value)

Old Broadway Grill: Free meal with purchase of entrée (5 to 10 p.m. Mondays during birthday month)

Paradiso: Free meal

Valentino’s: Free buffet with purchase of buffet

Meal deal

These places offer a discount for birthday guests, or gift cards good for use at a later date.

101 Sushi: $15 gift card (with group of 5 or more adults). Otherwise, free deep-fried bananas.

Acapulco Mexican Restaurant: Half-price meal and free sopapillas

Broadway Classic Subs: Half-price sub

China Garden: $2 off buffet

Gallery Restaurant at Holiday Inn: $15 off fine dining entrée (after 5:30 p.m.)

Giant Panda: Half-price meal

Kobe Japanese Cuisine: $15 gift card and free dessert at end of meal (evening only)

Mango’s: Half-price meal

Speak Easy: $10 gift card (no purchase required)

Speedway: Half-price meal

Spitfire: $10 off any entree

Super Buffet: Half-price meal

Join the club

Lots of national chains and even some local establishments send birthday coupons to members of their loyalty or rewards clubs. They’re free to join and get you other deals throughout the year. Just visit the restaurant’s website or ask for a card in the store. An added bonus: Most of these coupons give you a week or more to redeem the free item, stretching out the celebration, though you must sign up in advance.

Arby’s: Free menu item (coupon varies)

Boppa’s Bagels: $8 toward sandwich and drink

Cold Stone Creamery: Buy one, get one free creation (right)

Culver’s: Free sundae (on birthday only)

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Free drink or barbecue

Divots at Edgewood: Buy one entrée and beverages, get one entrée free

Erbert and Gerbert’s: Free sandwich

Green Mill: Free menu item (otherwise free dessert on birthday)

HuHot Mongolian Grill: Free meal (if register on birthday, free cheesecake or sake bomb)

Moe’s Southwest Grill: Free burrito or entrée

Noodles and Co.: Free meal

Old Chicago: Free pizza (otherwise free dessert on birthday)

Pizza Ranch: $5 off, plus $5 in reward points (kids get free meal on birthday)

Qdoba: Buy one burrito, get one free

Ruby Tuesday: Free burger (otherwise free cupcake on birthday)

Schlotzsky’s: Free sandwich

Smashburger: Free shake

Smiling Moose Deli: Free sandwich or salad (automatically deducted when swipe rewards card)

Spicy Pie: Free slice of pizza and soda (Facebook coupon)

Texas Roadhouse: Free appetizer

The Pita Pit: Free pita

Sweet deals

Forty-one restaurants not already mentioned said they offer birthday guests a free dessert, with some giving the option of a free drink to guests 21 and older. Most required purchase of an entrée. Some places were specific about which dessert you get. Here are some other “sweet” deals.

Cherry Berry: Free yogurt up to 12 ounces

Goodfellas: Free dessert pizza (or personal pan)

Perkins Family Restaurant: Free strawberry pancakes (or slice of pie)

Sandy’s Donuts: Free donut

Tutti Frutti: Free yogurt up to 12 ounces

Worth mentioning

Chuck E Cheese: 12 free tokens

Godfather’s Pizza: Free mini pizza

Pizza Hut (sit-down): Free personal one-topping pizza (children only, call ahead)

Tags: money, food, shesays