free food

Although we're only two months into the year, it looks like the Taco Bell beef scandal is shaping up to be one of the top stories of 2011. The latest in the ongoing saga that started with a woman suing the chain for falsely labeling its "seasoned beef"? Another deal! It seems that giving away 1 million free tacos isn't enough to convince consumers its beef is the real thing. Now it's also discounting the pricey crunchwrap supreme.

From today until March 5, Bell fans can enjoy a crunchy beef quesadilla for just 88 cents (originally they are $2.39). The campaign is supported by a series of ads that feature real Taco Bell employees promoting the beef. The crazy thing is all this Taco Bell news has got me craving my high-school order: a beef double decker taco. Will you take the Tex-Mex eatery up on its offer?

Source

There's no better way to cure a case of the midweek blues than to sidle up to a table at IHOP and enjoy a maple syrup-topped plate of griddle cakes on the house.

Tomorrow only, in celebration of National Pancake Day, the breakfast chain is offering a free short stack of pancakes from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. at participating stores nationwide. In return, IHOP hopes you'll be generous enough to consider a donation to its favorite charity, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

I'm willing to bet that the line at most IHOPs will run out the door. Do you consider it worth your time to wait for free flapjacks?

Taco Bell, it seems, is not done defending its beef tacos. After being sued by a woman who claimed the chain's beef tacos, which contain only 15 percent protein, were falsely advertised, the Tex-Mex eatery took out full page advertisements in major publications to explain the truth behind its seasoned beef. Today, Taco Bell has taken it one step further by announcing the world's largest taco giveaway.

The company plans to thank Facebook fans for their support throughout the ordeal by giving away 10 million free beef tacos. To get a free taco, all you have to do is "like" Taco Bell on Facebook, then you'll be granted access to print a coupon for the taco. Although I haven't had Taco Bell in years, all this taco talk has made me crave the fast food joint's crunchy, meaty tacos. Perhaps I will take them up on the offer. How about you? Will you get a free beef taco?

Source: Flickr User i_hate_u

What's better than a warm biscuit topped with spicy breaded chicken? Getting it totally gratis. In the New Year, drive-thru poultry king Chick-fil-A hopes to join in on the fast food breakfast wars with a biscuit sandwich filled with amped-up breaded chicken.

Starting today, you can make a reservation to try one for free by signing up on the event website. The $2.25 item won't be added to the Atlanta-based chain's menu until Monday, Jan. 10, 2011, but choose your preferred location and time, and you'll be given a chance to take an early look at the sandwich from Jan. 3 to Jan. 8.

It'll be interesting to how well this product fares against a rather similar one at Wendy's, and whether it helps Chick-fil-A gain a piece of the ever-competitive breakfast market. If you have a chance to preview the item, let us know what you think!

Source

To make sure you stay as warm and fuzzy as you're feeling on the inside this Christmas Eve, Peet's Coffee & Tea is serving complimentary coffee and tea all day today.

The promotion is part of the coffee chain's efforts to support local nonprofit organizations over the holidays, and to thank customers for supporting their communities. Drop in, grab a cup of joe or steeped tea, and make a donation; Peet's will match up to $1,000 of customer contributions in each store!

Source: Flickr User kana76

The holidays are coming early for the millions of customers who patronize Starbucks each day. Starting today through Sunday, the coffee chain is offering a buy-one-get-one-free deal on holiday drinks. From the hours of 2 to 5 p.m. on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, customers who buy a caramel brulée latte, peppermint mocha, peppermint white chocolate mocha, gingerbread latte, eggnog latte, caramel brulée Frappuccino, or peppermint mocha Frappuccino will get one of equal value gratis on the house. For those who shun caffeine, the deal includes the company's peppermint hot chocolate, too.

Now I have a legitimate excuse to order that peppermint mocha I've been denying myself this week. Will you do the same?

Source

Is there anything better out there than tacos? Not that we know of — except, well, maybe free tacos.

Today only, mosey over to your nearest Jack in the Box anytime after 2 p.m. and score dos tacos, gratis. Although there isn't much explanation in the promotion's advertisements, officials did say it's intended to highlight improvements made to the menu item.

Want to know if Jack's tacos are better? Find out for yourself and get to a participating location.

Source

Now that Burger King's gone after the breakfast market in a big way, it wants to make sure consumers know all about it. So, for every Friday this month, the chain will offer free 12-ounce coffees during breakfast hours — along with a free coupon for a 22-ounce iced vanilla or mocha coffee with the purchase of a value meal.

Coffee is good, and free coffee is even better. But exactly how palatable is Burger King's new Seattle's Best Coffee? To find out, I hopped into our nearest Burger King to sip it. To my surprise, the coffee tasted fresh, with a nice medium-bodied, roasted flavor and a sweet finish.
Coffee that's fast, free, and pretty darn tasty? I'd say that's a good deal.