Dining on a Dime: Free Dessert and Other Deals

photo: avlxyz

Cooking at home is the best way to save cash, but it’s nice to go out sometimes, too. Check out Frugal Foodie every Friday for a selection of the latest coupons for casual and fancy fare.

What tastes sweeter than dessert? Free dessert! This week, we feature offers for just that, in addition to discounted brunches and a selection of restaurant week promotions throughout the country, among other deals!

1. Top Chef Just Desserts: Free Dessert Day

On September 15, participating New York restaurants on OpenTable.com will offer a free dessert for every two dinners purchased at the table, in honor of the new show. Must book through OpenTable.com.

2. Del Taco

RestaurantCouponsandDeals.com found a print out coupon good for a free breakfast sandwich with any purchase. Participating locations only. Good through September 26.

3. Restaurant.com

There’s now added incentive to buy discount certificates from this site: they no longer expire. This week, coupon code “TOUCHDOWN” at checkout gets you an extra 80% off already discounted gift certificates to local venues. The code expires September. 13. Restaurant.com usually prices $25 certificates at $10. (Spend $20 to get $50; $30 for $75, etc.) With the discount, you’ll pay just $2, $4, or $6. Each restaurant sets conditions regarding the number of diners, days and menu items a certificate can be used for, so check the fine print before you buy.

4. Jack in the Box

Use a print out coupon to save 50% on the price of a pastrami grilled sandwich. Participating locations only. Not valid in Houston, Texas; Sacramento, Santa Barbara, Bakersfield, or Chico/Redding, Calif.; Seattle, Wash., or Hawaii. Deal ends September 13.

5. Mimi’s Cafe

Through a partnership with the American Red Cross, Tennesseans who donate blood at select locations will receive a 15% off coupon for Mimi’s Cafe. Offer ends September 30. (Coupon expiration date unknown.)

6. Charleston Restaurant Week

Through September 19, participating Charleston, S.C., restaurants are offering three-course meals for $20 or $30.

7. Bob Evans

Facebook fans of the chain get a print out coupon good for $2 off any complete “Family Meal to Go.” Must include family-size side and bread. Participating locations only. Offer expires November. 3.

8. Nashville Originals Restaurant Week

From September 13 through 19, participating Nashville restaurants will offer special three- and four-course dinners for $20.10 and $30.10, as well as other offers like free coffee and buy one, get one lunches.

9. Marie Callender’s

Try three print out coupons good through October 1. One gets you 20% off your bill. Another offers a half-priced entree with the purchase of another entree and two drinks. The third offers $4 off two Sunday brunch buffets (or $2 off one). Participating locations only.

10. Tria Restaurant

This month, the Golden Valley, Minn., restaurant is hosting two special dinners: a four-course Cigar Dinner on September 14 for $45, and on September 29, a $35-per-person Oktoberfest celebration.

11. Pick Up Stix

Buy one entree and a drink and get a second entree free with a print out coupon. Participating locations only. Deal expires September 15.

Frugal Foodie is a journalist based in New York City who spends her days writing about personal finance and obsessing about what she’ll have for dinner. Chat with her on Twitter through @MintFoodie.