Restaurant News and Freebies

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Let me give you a heads up on some restaurant finds and ways to obtain freebies, discounts and coupons if you decide to take your family out for dinner. First, I need to start from the beginning. I recently patroned a new restaurant chain that opened in my area, Red Robin, offering a selection of Gourmet Burgers including an A.1 Peppercorn Burger, a Pot Roast Burger, and a Whiskey River BBQ Chicken Burger.

On the lighter side, you can order a Garden Burger, a grilled Turkey Burger, or customize your burger by substituting a Boca Patty. I have to confess, I had a Fajita Fiesta Pollo Salad instead of a burger. It’s hard to go back to work and be productive after a heavy meal, all their burgers come with bottomless steak fries.

I knew Red Robin was getting close to opening and had noticed their parking lot was full, so I called. They weren’t open, but were doing trial runs, I was able to make a reservation for four the following day at lunch. Restaurants of this stature, family dining, will often do trial runs before they officially open to train their employees, and your meal is on the house! Don’t expect to see trial runs advertised though. This is the second one I have participated in. You usually just have to be up to speed on what’s opening up in your area, or learn by word of mouth.

After my lunch at Red Robin I filled out a comment card including my email address, which made me a member of their eCLUB. eCLUB members receive (via email) a $3 off coupon, (towards their next visit – to be used within two weeks) and a coupon for a free gourmet burger for their birthday. A number of other restaurant chains advertise similar offers when you join their eCLUB, from free appetizers and desserts to free meals your birthday month, and sometimes just for joining.

There’s usually a minimum purchase to redeem your coupon, and a limited time to use it, normally a two week window. Some of the other restaurants I’m aware of advertising eclub freebies are: TGI Fridays, Abuelos, Firebirds, Red Lobster, Texas Roadhouse, Texas de Brazil, and Dixie Café. Check out your favorite restaurant’s website for eclub information.

Bon Appetite
The Backseat Gourmet

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