It’s that time again — I have a new list of restaurant freebies and deals. Know of any others? Share them in the comments section below!

Now through Friday (May 17) you can use this printable coupon to get a $5 bottomless lunch bowl at O’Charley’s until 3 p.m. daily. This offer is valid on dine-in purchases only.

Outback Steakhouse also has a new printable coupon offering $8 off the purchase of two entrees or $4 off the purchase of one. This offer is valid on both dine-in and Curbside Take-Away purchases through May 21.

You can also get $5 off the purchase of two lunch entrees from Outback Steakhouse with this printable coupon. This offer is valid on both dine-in and Curbside Take-Away purchases through May 19.

Today and tomorrow you can use this printable coupon to get a free flavored waffle from Waffle House. You can choose from chocolate chip, peanut butter, blueberry or strawberry. This coupon is valid on dine-in visits only.

According to the Smokey Bones Facebook page, when you pick up a $25 gift card you’ll get an additional $5 credit for free.

As many of you know, Steak n Shake opens in Roanoke on Thursday. Here are a couple promotions to keep in mind:
*With the purchase of every $8 spent, kids can eat free on Saturday and Sunday. Kid plates exclude drinks and shakes.
*From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. and 2 a.m. to 4 a.m. customers can get drinks and shakes for half-price during happy hour. 
No coupon is necessary for either of these promotions.

Ruby Tuesday is offering a free $15 bonus coupon when you purchase a $50 gift card now through June 16. Gift card purchases can be digital or plastic.

Also, don’t forget about these gift card promotions that I posted about last week:

Outback Steakhouse : From now through June 16 with every purchase of a $50 gift card you’ll get a free $10 bonus card that’s valid May 13 through July 15. Give the free bonus card with the gift card or keep it as a special treat for yourself.

Applebee’s : With each $50 gift card purchase — digital or hard copy — you’ll receive a free $10 Applebee’s bonus card now through July 1.

Attention teachers! Chipotle will have a nice treat for you tomorrow. Here’s the message I got from the company:

“Chipotle is putting teachers at the head of the class this Teacher Appreciation Day with a special “buy-one-get-one-free” promotion. On Tuesday, May 7, 2013, teachers and educators who show a valid school ID identifying them as staff will receive a free burrito, salad, burrito bowl or order of tacos when they purchase another menu item at Chipotle Mexican Grill. This promotion is available from 4:00 p.m. to close in all U.S. Chipotle restaurants.

“We are changing the way people think about and eat fast food,” said Chris Arnold, communications director at Chipotle. “This means going beyond our commitment to better food from more sustainable ingredients and working hard to engrain our restaurants in the communities that they serve. Connecting with educators and other key community groups is part of who we are, and we’re always happy when our work makes an impact upon the communities where we operate.”

 Chipotle is celebrating teachers and educators and the work they do as part of the National Education Association’s Teacher Appreciation Day. This promotion is only open to teachers and educators who show a valid school ID identifying them as staff. This deal will only be honored for dine in or take out and excludes online orders, fax orders, mobile orders, “Burritos by the Box” and catering.

 For more information, please go to any Chipotle restaurant or visit Chipotle.com.”

Is it just me or do these look even more delicious knowing they’ll be free? Photo courtesy of Outback Steakhouse.

Today and May 9 you can get a free small order of cheese fries with any purchase at Outback Steakhouse. There’s no coupon necessary for this deal, just mention “Thursday FriesDay” to your server.

Enjoy! It’s almost the weekend.

Here are some new printable deals for local restaurants and retailers. Be sure to check the expiration dates — some expire soon.

Retail
*Old Navy: $15 off a $75 purchase (Expires April 24)
*JC Penney: 20% off purchases in store or online or 10% off furniture (Expires April 17)
*JoAnn Fabric: 50% off any regular priced item (Expires April 20)
*Michaels: 40% off any regular priced item, 50% off regular priced purchase of Jolee’s embellishments, or 50% off + 30% off custom framing (Expires April 20)
*AC Moore: 50% off any regular priced item and 60% off custom framing (Expires April 20)
*Kohl’s: 20% off everything in stores and online (Expires April 17)
*Belk: $20 off a purchase of $100 or more of Karen Kane products (Expires April 19)
*Belk: 20% off fine jewelry (Expires April 20)
*Ulta: $3.50 off a purchase of $10 or more (Expires April 20)

Dining
*Sbarro: Free skinny slice with the purchase of any pizza slice or stromboli at (Expires April 30)
*Bruster’s : 75 cents off a waffle cone and 99 cents for a kid’s dino or dirt sundae (Expires April 17)
*Olive Garden: $3 off two adult lunch entrees (Expires April 25)

Other dining promotions to remember:

Now through May 5 Olive Garden has brought back the “Buy One, Take One” offer. With this deal you can get one entree with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks in restaurants, plus you get a second entree to take home all for $12.95.  For more information, click here.

Remember that all month long at Subway you can get 6″ subs buy one, get one free before 9 a.m. Mix and match breakfast sandwiches and deli sandwiches at participating locations.

On April 26 Pretzelmaker will be celebrating National Pretzel Day by giving away free salted or unsalted pretzels. There’s no coupon necessary to get this deal, just mention National Pretzel Day when you visit.

Here are some new dining deals that don’t require a coupon:

First, don’t forget about Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s — which is happening today.

Also, today you can get a free order of coconut shrimp at Outback Steakhouse. Just mention TourneyTizer to your server to get the deal.

Now through May 5 Olive Garden has brought back the “Buy One, Take One” offer. With this deal you can get one entree with unlimited soup or salad and breadsticks in restaurants, plus you get a second entree to take home all for $12.95.  For more information, click here.

Remember that all month long at Subway you can get 6″ subs buy one, get one free before 9 a.m. Mix and match breakfast sandwiches and deli sandwiches at participating locations.

Now for some coupons:

*$5 off a $15 purchase at Smokey Bones (Expires April 14)
*Free skinny slice with the purchase of any pizza slice or stromboli at Sbarro (Expires April 30)
*Half-price Lobsterfest entree when you buy a full-price entree at Red Lobster (Expires April 14)
*$1 pretzel from Aunti Anne’s (Expires April 9)
*75 cents off a waffle cone and 99 cents for a kid’s dino or dirt sundae from Bruster’s (Expires April 17)
*Free curly fries or potato cakes in honor of Tax Day from Arby’s (April 15 only)
*Free 16 oz. shake with the purchase of a regular priced sandwich from Arby’s (Expires April 9) 
*$1 off any regular or large sub from Quiznos (Expires April 16)

Know of any other great foodie deals? Share them!

What flavor will you choose? Graphic courtesy of Ben & Jerry’s.

It’s that time of year again — Free Cone Day at Ben & Jerry’s is back!

Stop by the Ben & Jerry’s locations at Valley View or New River Valley Mall tomorrow during regular business hours (9 a.m. to 9 p.m. for Valley View or 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. for NRV) and you can get a free scoop in the flavor of your choice.

My sister and I have made this a little tradition each year. It’s a great way to perk up a weekday, and this warm, spring weather (finally) makes ice cream even better.

What flavor will you choose? It’s a three-way tie between Chunky Monkey, Strawberry Cheesecake and Oatmeal Cookie for me. I’ll have to make a game time decision.

For more information, click here.

How will you dress your subs? Photo by Kyle Green | The Roanoke Times

All month long you can get 6″ Subway sandwiches buy one, get one free when you stop in before 9 a.m.

This deal is good on all subs, so you can mix and match breakfast sandwiches with deli sandwiches.

For more information or to find the Subway closest to you, click here.

Note: This deal is valid only at participating locations. Ask your preferred restaurant if it’s participating before you order.

We’ve got a holiday weekend on the horizon, which for some might mean you’ll be busy, busy, busy visiting family, preparing meals and helping out the Easter Bunny.

If that’s the case, take advantage of these dining deals and treat yourself.

First, here are two deals that I posted before that are still available:

Waffle House has a new printable offering a free bowl of oatmeal. This offer is good Monday through Friday for dine-in only, but no other purchase is necessary. This coupon expires April 2.

Sbarro has a new printable Facebook offer for $1 off a slice of pizza. This coupon expires on April 7.
There’s also this printable coupon offering a free skinny slice with the purchase of any pizza slice or stromboli. This coupon expires April 30.

Now, here are some new deals to check out:

Visit Red Lobster’s Facebook page where you can find a coupon for a half-price Lobsterfest entree when you buy a full-price entree. The coupon will be emailed to you after you click the “claim offer” link. This coupon expires April 14.

Use this printable coupon from Olive Garden and you can get $5 off the purchase of two adult entrees. You can pair this coupon on the 2/$25 dining deal — a dinner for two for $20 is awesome! This coupon expires on April 4.

Outback Steakhouse has a couple different deals going on now.
*First of all, this Sunday (March 31) kids can eat free with the purchase of an adult entree. No coupon required!
*Another great deal that doesn’t require a coupon is the “TourneyTizer” promotion that’s going on now. Click here to go vote for your favorite appetizer, and then on April 2 you can visit Outback and get a free grilled shrimp or chicken artichoke flatbread appetizer (whichever wins the website contest) with any purchase. Just mention “TourneyTizer” to your server.

Another steakhouse deal comes from Long Horn Steakhouse. Use this printable coupon on your next visit and you can save $3 off the purchase of two adult lunch entrees. This coupon expires on April 13.

Fans of Smokey Bones will appreciate this coupon offering $10 off a purchase of $25 or more. This coupon expires March 31.

Next time you’re at the mall and need a snack make sure you have this printable coupon from Auntie Anne’s offering a pretzel for just $1. This coupon expires April 9.

Barnes & Noble has another special Starbucks coupon available here offering two-for-one espresso beverages from the time the store opens until noon. This coupon expires March 31.

Blimpie has a new Facebook offer for BOGO six-inch subs with the purchase of a 22-oz. drink. This coupon expires March 31.

Craving something sweet? Use this coupon from Baskin Robbins to receive $3 off any cake priced $15 or more. This coupon expires March 31.

Also, don’t forget about these offers from 7-Eleven I posted earlier this week.

Know of any other great dining deals out there? Share them!

If you need a daily chocolate boost, check out this offer from 7-Eleven.

Just click here to download the store’s app, and then you can access an exclusive coupon offering a free Snickers bar today only.

Some other goodies 7-Eleven is offering include $1 coffee on Wednesdays and a free 16-oz. Pepsi with the purchase of any fresh sandwich (both of these offers are good for the remainder of March).

Customers can also score a free MiO Liquid Water Enhancer in stores on April 23.

Spring is off to a chilly start, but don’t let it get you down if you’re not a snow lover (this girl). Here are some hot new printable coupons to get your week started off right.

Know of any others out there? Share them with me!

The Limited is offering $15 off original ticket prices with this printable Facebook coupon. You can also show the coupon on your smart phone at the register to receive this discount. No minimum purchase amount is required, so it’s very possible you could leave the store with a free — or nearly free — item. This coupon expires March 27 and can be used in stores only.

Old Navy has a new printable Facebook coupon offering $10 off of a $50 purchase in stores. You can also show the coupon on your smart phone at the register to receive this discount. This deal excludes clearance merchandise and cannot be combined with any other discounts. The coupon expires March 27.

Yankee Candle is offering all large jar candles, tumbler candles and Pure Radiance vase candles buy two, get one free with this printable coupon. You can take advantage of this coupon at any Yankee Candle store or participating Yankee Candle retailer (excludes Kohl’s and Target). This coupon expires April 14.

You still have time to use this printable Kohl’s coupon offering 20% off a purchase of at least $100 or 15% off all other purchases. You can also show the coupon on your smart phone at the register to receive this discount. This coupon expires on March 30.

Visit Express soon and you can use this printable coupon to earn $25 off every $100 spent in stores or online. The coupon is not valid on clearance merchandise and expires March 26.

Shoe Carnival had a coupon in yesterday’s paper, but if you missed it you can still print out this coupon offering $5 off a purchase of at least $39.98 or $15 off a purchase of at least $74.98 in stores or online. These coupons expire on March 30. 

It’s been a while since we’ve seen any Waffle House coupons, but here’s a new printable offering a free bowl of oatmeal. This offer is good Monday through Friday for dine-in only, but no other purchase is necessary. This coupon expires April 2.

Sbarro has a new printable Facebook offer for $1 off a slice of pizza. This coupon expires on April 7.

Photo courtesy of Starbucks.

I know there are tons of Starbucks fans out there that will be very excited about this deal.

Head over to Groupon today and you can pick up a $10 Starbucks eGift card for only $5. This gift card can be used at any participating Starbucks and must be redeemed by September 30. There is a limit of one eGift per person.

Groupon says: “Starbucks Card eGifts are digital gift cards that can be used for anything, such as a cup of the mellow Starbucks blonde roast coffee, a skinny mocha, or a hot or iced hazelnut macchiato. Use it all at once or across multiple visits, in participating stores.”

This deal is available for one day only, so grab your’s before it’s gone!

Photo courtesy of Starbucks.

Starbucks is always surprising us with fun freebies and today I’ve got two I’ll share with you.

Today through Saturday (March 9) you can get a free Tazo tea after 2 p.m. when you bring in your receipt from an earlier purchase. For more information, visit the Starbucks Facebook page.
*Note: This promotion is only available at participating Starbucks, so inquire about it on your next trip in.

And the next deal:
Today through March 14, new My Starbucks Rewards members can get a free $5 credit when they register a gift card. Registration is easy. You just go online and fill out a form with the number on your card, plus a few other details. After that the $5 credit will automatically be added to your card (though be patient, it may not happen immediately).
*Note: This deal is for new members only. For more information, click here.

It’s a good idea to keep money loaded on your card and make future purchases with it. For every purchase made with a card that’s registered with My Starbucks Rewards you’ll earn a point and those points can be redeemed for freebies.

Friend me on Facebook or follow me on Twitter for more updates.

On ThursdayKrispy Kreme will be giving customers who purchase one dozen Valentine doughnuts 12 cards that are good for a free doughnut of your choice.
Photo courtesy of Krispy Kreme.

Valentine’s Day is coming up on Thursday. What better way to celebrate than with some freebies?

First of all, there are tons of free printables available. Coloring pages, cards, activity sheets — you name it. With a quick Google search you can come up with endless results.

 Also, on Thursday Krispy Kreme will be offering customers who purchase a dozen Valentine doughnuts — which are  in delicious heart shapes — 12 Valentine cards, each of which are good for a free doughnut. Co-workers, friends and family members will love getting a special tasty treat and a coupon for a treat in the future.

Don’t want to wait for Thursday? Now through the 14th Starbucks is offering customers a sweet new BOGO deal. Print this coupon or show it to the barista on your phone and you can get the select featured drinks buy one, get one free after 2 p.m. The participating drinks include caffe mocha, vanilla spice latte and hot chocolate.

 Need some romantic tunes? Amazon is offering this download of “Valentine’s 2013 – A TuneCore Artist Hip-Hop / R&B Compilation” for free. If you’re interested in this deal download it soon, you never know when the price will change.
* Before downloading be sure that the price reads “FREE” in red print or else you will be charged.

Know of other holiday freebies or deals? Share them in the comments section below.

In celebration of National Pancake Day IHOP will be giving diners a complimentary stack of buttermilk pancakes tomorrow from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

National Pancake Day also kicks off the national fundraising campaign for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. After enjoying the freebie, diners will be encouraged to donate to the local Children’s Miracle Netowrk Hospital or other local charity. It’s a pretty sweet deal — 100% of donations will go to these charities.

Additionally, if you buy a $5 Miracle balloon to support Children’s Miracle Network you’ll receive a coupon for $5 off your next visit to IHOP.

For more information about this tasty freebie and fundraiser, click here.

Papa John’s always seems to have a free pizza deal connected to the Super Bowl and this year is no different.

This year, they’re asking you to vote on whether you think the coin toss will be heads or tails. If you guess correctly you’ll win a free large one-topping pizza.

Winners will receive a promotional code via email on Monday. This deal can only be redeemed online, so if you prefer to order by phone this deal may not be for you.

Even if you don’t win the free pizza, you’ll get a promo code offering you a discount on your next order just for voting. Everyone wins!

Voting ends tomorrow at midnight. Click here to try your luck.

Starbucks loves a BOGO deal. It seems like  you can always find some sort of buy one, get one offer that gives you the perfect excuse for a coffee date — and this deal is even better. It’s all free and there’s no expiration date!

The latest deal is offering a free cup of Starbucks Blonde Roast for you and a friend. Here’s how to get it:

Head over to the Starbucks Facebook page and click the green “Get Started” button.

From there, click “Go to App” on the pop-up window, which will take you to a screen where you can enter your email address (your coupon for a free cup of coffee will be emailed to you). Submit your email address, and then pick out an eCard to be sent to one of your Facebook friends offering them a free cup of coffee, too.

Pretty simple! And who wouldn’t love to open an email offering free coffee, especially on a Monday?

Here’s the fine print: Offer to be redeemed through eGift. Value of eGift equivalent to one tall cup of brewed [Starbucks ® Blonde Roast] coffee valued up to $2.60. Number of eGifts available are limited. Limited time offer.

These three holiday drinks are buy one, get one free now through Sunday. Photo by Starbucks.

Today (Dec. 13) through Sunday Starbucks is offering holiday beverages (caramel brulee lattes, peppermint mochas and gingerbread lattes) buy one, get one free from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

That sounds like a perfect excuse to make a coffee date. Plus, there’s no coupon necessary — which makes this deal even better.

If you stop in a Shoney’s today, be sure to take advantage of this deal!

The details are pretty simple. Drop in to any participating restaurant and you can get a free hot fudge cake.

There’s no purchase necessary, but this offer is only for dine-in customers.

Click here for more information.

[UPDATE: O'Charley's will be offering veterans and active duty military a free meal from the "$9.99er" menu with valid military ID or proof of service on Nov. 12.] 

Veterans Day is coming up on Sunday, Nov. 11, and in honor of the holiday many restaurants and retailers are offering special promotions for veterans.

Additionally, there’s a whole host of events available for veterans next weekend in the Roanoke area. The Blue Ridge Veterans Celebration is one of the biggest and spans three days.

By picking up a free button from any local Member One Federal Credit Union, veterans will gain free entry to various events, be treated to free meals and receive a discount at local businesses. The buttons are also available for $15
to the public.

Each button will earn participants entrance into the National D-Day Memorial for a tour Friday, a reception that night at 202 Market in downtown Roanoke (light refreshments included), a barbecue at Railside Stage in downtown Roanoke after the parade on Nov. 10 and a cookout at the Vinton-Roanoke County Veterans Monument on Nov. 11.

Discounts that can be received with the button from local businesses include:

The Gift Niche: 10 percent off purchases Nov. 9-11

202 Market: 10 percent off food Nov. 9-11

Orvis: 10 percent off regular-price items Nov. 9-11.

Flannery’s Irish Pub: 10 percent off regular-price food Nov. 9-11.

Davidson’s: 10 percent off regular-price items Nov. 9-11.

Benny Marconi’s: free can of soda with a slice of pizza Nov. 9-16.

Corned Beef & Co.: 10 percent off all food Nov. 9-16.

Cyclo & Ward: 10 percent off regular-price parts and accessories Nov. 9-16.

More businesses could be added to this list before the event, so check www.blueridgeveteranscelebration.com for more information.

National offerings

Here’s a roundup of other deals available throughout the Roanoke and New River valleys for those who served our country.

Applebee’s: A free meal from the Veterans Day Menu on Nov. 11 with proof of military service. Beverages and gratuity are not included; valid for dine-in only.

 Krispy Kreme: Veterans and active duty military members in uniform or with proof of service will receive a small coffee and a doughnut on
Nov. 11. No purchase necessary.

Hooters: With the purchase of a drink, veterans and active duty military members will receive 10 free boneless wings on Nov. 11. Military ID or proof of service is required.

Little Caesars: With a valid military ID customers will receive a free order of Crazy Bread.

Travel Centers of America: CDL (commercial driver’s license) drivers who are also military veterans can get a free meal at any full-service restaurant in Travel Centers of America, including Country Pride, up to a $15 value. Proof of military service plus a CDL license is required.

Lodging: Visit www.betterwaytostay.com to view a list of bed and breakfasts offering active duty military members and veterans plus one guest a free night’s stay. Rooms are offered on a space available basis and details can vary by location. There are participating locations in Roanoke and the surrounding area.

National parks: Nov. 10-12, the U.S. National Parks will waive entry fees. Additionally, active duty military members and their dependents can get an America the Beautiful National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass for free, an $80 value. According to www.nps.gov, the fee waiver includes: entrance fees, commercial tour fees and transportation entrance fees. Other fees such as reservation, camping, tours, concession and fees collected by third parties are not included unless stated otherwise.

Home Depot: The retailer offers a year-round military discount of 10 percent for active military members, but this is extended to veterans with ID on Nov. 11. There is a $500 maximum in savings.

Lowe’s: The year-round military members discount of 10 percent is extended to all veterans on Nov. 11 with a valid Form DD214 or other proof of service. This offer is valid in-store only and cannot be combined with any other promotions.

Golden Corral: On Nov. 12, the restaurant is offering veterans and active duty military members a free dinner buffet and beverage. No identification is necessary, and restaurants nationwide will be participating. This deal is valid for dine-in only.

Denny’s: Active duty military members and veterans can get free all-you-can-eat pancakes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 12. A military ID must be presented to receive the deal.

Outback Steakhouse: With a valid ID or proof of service veterans and active duty military members can receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca-Cola product on Nov. 11 and Nov. 12.
From Nov. 13 through Dec. 31, a military discount of 10 percent off the entire check will be given.

Olive Garden: Veterans and active duty military members with proof of service will receive a free entree from a special menu, which includes breadsticks and a choice of soup or salad.

Red Lobster: Veterans and active duty military members with proof of service will receive a free entree appetizer from nine available options.

LongHorn Steakhouse: Veterans and active duty military members with proof of service will receive a free Texas Tonion and non-alcoholic beverage.

Subway: With proof of service or ID, veterans can receive a free 6-inch sub or flatbread on Nov. 12.

Dollar General: Active duty military members, veterans and all immediate family will receive a discount of 11 percent off of their entire purchase on Nov. 11.

Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores: From Nov. 8 through Nov. 12, present proof of military service, past or present, or a Military Dependent ID to receive 20 percent off your total purchase, including regular, sale-priced and clearance items. There are some exclusions, and the offer cannot be combined with other discounts of coupons.

TGI Fridays: With proof of service, veterans can get a free lunch between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. from a set lunch menu.

Big Lots: On Nov. 10 veterans with a valid military ID will receive 10 percent off their entire purchase. Some exclusions apply.

Walgreens: Veterans and active duty military members will receive 15 percent off eligible store purchases and 20 percent off Walgreens and W brand products on Nov. 11 with military ID or proof of service.

All of these deals are valid at participating locations only, so you might consider calling ahead to be sure your favorite location will honor the deal.

For a nice list of year-round military discounts, click here.

Outback Steakhouse has a few money saving promotions coming your way this week.

On Wednesday, you can get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Who needs candy?

Additionally, if you find the “The Treat” in the beverage book on your table Wednesday, tell your server and you’ll get a coupon for a free steak dinner to use on your next visit. The graphic to the left is what you should search for.

Know of any other sweet deals on Halloween? Share them below.

Which doughnut will you choose? They all look wicked delicious.

Visit Krispy Kreme on Halloween (this Wednesday) in costume and you can get a free Halloween or pumpkin spice doughnut.

There’s no purchase necessary, and only one doughnut per customer.

Take a break from all that candy and enjoy this sweet deal!

Looking to brighten your weekday evenings? You might check out the new specials at Penny Deux Lounge in The Patrick Henry.

Each Wednesday the Lounge offers complementary hors d’oevres from 5 to 6:30 p.m., as well as other happy hour specials from 4 to 7 p.m.

Each Thursday the Lounge offers complementary pizza slices from 5 to 6:30 p.m.

Haven’t tried The Penny Deux Lounge yet? Now might be your opportunity!

Click the map below for directions.

View Larger Map

It’s time for another round of foodie coupons! Check out these offers and print yours soon:

Burger King has posted this printable coupon offering Original Chicken Sandwiches buy one, get one free. This coupon doesn’t expire until Nov. 4.

Click here for a sweet deal from Maggie Moo’s: Buy two quarts of ice cream, get one free. You’ve got a while to take advantage of this offer, it doesn’t expire until Dec. 31.

Outback Steakhouse has a couple new deals on its Facebook page.
*Buy one lunch entree, get one free
* $5 off two entrees
These coupons expire on Nov. 8.
There are two locations you can use these coupons at locally: Franklin Road in Roanoke or Pepper’s Ferry Road in Christiansburg.

Quiznos has a new printable coupon available offering $1 off any regular or large sub. This coupon expires soon: Oct. 9.

Is there a better way to start your day, or end a late night, than with free breakfast? Not that I’m aware of. With this printable coupon from Waffle House you can get a free waffle when dining in. This coupon expires Oct. 31.

National Coffee Day is this Saturday (Sept. 29). What better way is there to celebrate than grabbing up some bargains?

Check out these locations for free or cheap coffee this weekend.

Select McDonald’s locations across the East Coast (including the Roanoke Valley) have declared it National Coffee Week and are offering customers a free small Premium Roast McCafe coffee all day from now through Saturday.

7-Eleven stores are  have deemed Friday (Sept. 28) CofFree Day. Between 6 and 10 a.m. participating stores will be offering customers a free large coffee, cappuccino, latte or tea. For more information, click here.

Select Kangaroo Express locations are offering 12 oz. cups of Bean Street coffee for one cent on National Coffee Day (Saturday)  from 8 a.m. to noon. For more information, click here.

Participating Krispy Kreme  locations will also be celebrating on Saturday (Sept. 29). Stop by the doughnut shop for a free 12 oz. cup of coffee any time of day. Read up on the details here.

Dunkin’ Donuts  had great timing when they released this printable coupon offering a 10 oz. hot latte or 16 0z. ice latte for 99 cents. This coupon expires on Sunday (Sept. 30).

In celebration of Talk Like a Pirate Day, Krispy Kreme will be giving a way a free original glazed doughnut to anyone who comes in the shop and talks like a pirate. Anyone who dares to dress up like a pirate will receive one dozen original glazed doughnuts for free.

If you need to brush up on your pirate lingo, check out the poster below for some suggestions.

There’s no coupon or purchase necessary for this deal, you just have to be willing to have a little fun. This offer is valid Wednesday, Sept. 19 only, and the Roanoke shop is the only local shop on the list of participating locations.

For more information, click here or call the Roanoke location at 366-8868.

Happy hour specials are a great way to blow off some steam after work without spending an arm and a leg — and this is a really good happy hour special.

Each Thursday, 202 Market in downtown Roanoke is offering a free unlimited buffet when you purchase a $6 drink from 5 to 7 p.m.

If you’re feeling thirsty this Thursday, consider checking out this deal and report back!

We’re on a roll with the restaurant and food coupons lately. But no complaints there, right?

Good news: I have more! Check out these deals and share any that you have found.

Be aware of the expiration dates — some of these have a short shelf life!

Running to get everyone coffee? Reap the reward. Photo by Starbucks.com.

If you’re in the mood to treat your office or household, consider bringing everyone a fresh cup of coffee and utilizing the Starbucks Runner Reward. Now through Sept. 30 Starbucks is offering a free cup of coffee when you buy four. To get the deal, download this handy order form and hand it in when you pick up your drinks.
This offer excludes chilled beverages, cannot be combined with any other offers or discounts, and is only valid at participating locations, so you may want to check with your favorite before you make a coffee run.

Papa John’s has a new 50% off deal for online orders. Use the code SPORTS50 and you’ll get half-off any regular priced menu items. This deal can’t be combined with any other offers or discounts.
The promotion code expires on Sept. 4.

Arby’s is offering a free hot turkey roaster sandwich from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sept. 6 at participating locations (check before you show up). Choose from three different sandwiches: Turkey Classic, Turkey ‘n Cheddar Classic, or Grand Turkey Club.
Best of all — there’s no coupon or purchase necessary! Enjoy your free lunch.

Outback Steakhouse is offering $5 off online orders of at least $20 with the code SCHOOL$5OFF. This offer expires Sept. 6.

 Firehouse Subs just released this printable coupon offering a free medium sub when you buy a sub, chips and a drink on Labor Day. It’s important to note you can only use this coupon on Monday.

Quiznos has five new printable coupons available:
* Buy one sub at regular price and get a small sub for $1, a medium sub for $2 or a large sub for $3
* 20% off a catering order of $50 or more
* A $5 small combo
* Two meals for $9.99
* Free kids meal with the purchase of a sub or salad combo
These coupons all expire Sept. 3.

Denny’s is offering customers free ‘Nana Bread Pancake Puppies with the purchase of an entree and this printable coupon. This coupon expires on Sept. 8.

Red Robin has a new coupon on its Facebook page offering $5 off a $20 purchase. This offer expires Sept. 3.

Support education and get rewarded with a freebie. Photo by Chipotle.com.

Purchase a kid’s meal at Chipotle now through Friday (Aug. 31) and you’ll not only be supporting Veggie U (a program that supplies classroom gardens), but you’ll earn a freebie. Just bring back your receipt any time in September and you’ll get a free kid’s meal. Click here for more details.

Carrabba’s has three new printable coupons available here:
* $10 off an entree with the purchase of another entree (there are two of these)
* $5 off an entree with the purchase of another entree
These coupons expire on Sept. 30.

Denny’s is offering 20% off your entire check with this printable coupon. This coupon expires on Sept. 5.

TGI Friday’s is offering a similar deal with this coupon. Print it out or show the server the deal on your phone and you’ll get 20% off your entire table’s food purchase. This coupon expires Aug. 29.

Regal Cinemas is offering movie-goers a free small drink with the purchase of a small popcorn with this printable coupon. This coupon expires Aug. 31.

I'm suddenly craving pizza...

Now through Sunday you can get half-off online Papa John’s orders with the code TAYLOR50.

This promo code only works on regular priced menu options, so you won’t get an additional discount off online specials.

Just go here to place your order for delivery or pick-up.

Dining out doesn't have to cost a fortune. Share your favorite money saving tips below. File photo.

Working as a waitress on and off since high school has taught me a few things about saving money at restaurants. It’s easy to rack up an expensive tab without even realizing you’re doing so. But there are some simple ways to avoid a pricey bill without depriving yourself.

Before you dine

Doing some research on local restaurants can lead to big savings. Pay attention to the specials each night, various discounts available (such as military, AAA, or student discounts) and kids-eat-free nights.

Have an idea of how much you want to spend before heading out. It’s easy to add on a few small items here and there that can be a shocker when the bill comes (more on that later). Keeping a budget in mind will make you more conscious of your choices.

Consider what time you want to dine as well. Restaurants often have specials during off-hours in the afternoon or early evening. If your schedule allows, opt to eat during those times.

The newspaper isn’t the only place to find restaurant coupons. Even though they’re not always advertised, individual restaurant websites and Facebook pages often have printable coupons. I’ve recently posted coupons on the Shoptimist blog for Carrabba’s, T.G.I. Friday’s, Quiznos and MaggieMoo’s — all of which I found on the individual company websites.

Daily deals and Restaurant.com gift certificates are two other options.

Daily deal vouchers will usually save you at least 50 percent. Additionally, Restaurant.com often runs promotions where you can pick up a gift certificate for as low as $2. Currently, there are 15 restaurants in the Roanoke and New River valleys that are featured on Restaurant.com.

When using daily deals and gift certificates, the most important thing to do is pay attention to the fine print. It also never hurts to call the participating restaurant before you buy and confirm the details.

Once you arrive

As tempting as it is to get a cold soda or adult beverage with dinner, opting for water can save a bundle. Restaurants generally charge $1.50 and up for various drinks. Don’t assume a drink comes with your child’s meal; you could be paying the same amount for a child who will only drink half.

Appetizers vary in price but can add up quickly. If you need something to take the edge off, opt for a side salad, which is often cheaper.

When it comes time to order your entrée, be aware of add-ons. Asking for extra sauces, cheeses, meat or vegetables will often cost you each time. Look for these prices on the menu or consult your server before loading up on the extras.

If you’re not extremely hungry, check the menu for half-plates or ask your server if the restaurant charges extra to split plates. This is especially convenient if what you’re eating isn’t the best re-heated.

Remember to have fun

Saving money doesn’t have to suck the fun out of a night out. My family often opts to enjoy appetizers and happy hour before going out to dinner. This gives everyone an excuse to relax together, which has its own value.

There are also times when it’s fun to splurge and order exactly what you want, no matter the cost. When you try to save a few bucks on weekly dinners, you can feel better about these splurges.

How do you save money when dining out?

Wanna score a free Blimpie sub? Check out the printable coupon.

There have been a ton of foodie deals around lately, and luckily for us they’re not stopping! Check out these new deals, and click here to see the foodie deals that I posted last week.

“Like” Blimpie on Facebook and you can get a printable coupon good for a free 6″ sub with the purchase of a 6″ sub and 22 oz. drink.

Shoney’s has a new coupon available offering the All-Star Breakfast Combo for only $5.

I love Waffle House coupons — they’re great to keep in the car to use during road trips. The restaurant has a new printable coupon offering a free waffle when you dine-in. This coupon is good through Oct. 31.

Now through August 31 you can get 1/2 off any Bruster’s freeze with the purchase of another freeze by using this printable coupon.

Hardee’s is offering customers a free small coffee and free hash rounds when they purchase the new bacon bacon biscuit and use this printable coupon. This coupon expires Sept. 15.

Ryan’s has a great coupon for parents. With this printable coupon kids eat free with the purchase of an adult buffet. This coupon is good through Sept. 30.

Starbucks is offering customers who reload an existing Starbucks card an extra $5 for free.

You must reload your card with $20 or more to get this deal, and you  must complete the purchase with the shop’s mobile app and by using your Visa card. Those are quite a few stipulations, I’ll give you that, but if you’re a tech savvy customer it shouldn’t be a problem.

This offer expires on Friday, Aug. 24.

If you haven’t done so yet, be sure to register your gift card for Starbucks My Rewards. They’re great about sending out special promotions and freebies.