Not every country celebrates birthdays with presents and cake.
In China, birthday tradition dictates that you slurp down long noodles to represent longevity.
In Jamaica, your friends and family might chase you down and cover you in flour on your birthday.
With perhaps the strangest tradition of all, Swiss parents may hire a creepy clown to follow you around on your birthday. At the end of the ritual, the clown pies you in the face.
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Of course, the U.S. is not without its share of unique customs. For instance, it’s become increasingly common for restaurants to treat you to free meals and other goodies on your special day. Track these awesome eateries down, and you can spend your birthday feasting on overstuffed burritos, towering stacks of pancakes and steak dinners.
To start off your search for the sweet and savory, check out these 10 restaurants where you can eat for free on your birthday. Keep in mind that many restaurants require that you sign up for their e-clubs in exchange for your natal day nosh.
1. Einstein Bros. Bagels: Free egg sandwich. On your birthday, Einstein Bros. Bagels will hook you up with one of their egg sandwiches. Stack your birthday bagel with a choice of bacon, turkey-sausage or ham and Swiss cheese. Go for a plain bagel or spice it up with a gourmet variety, like pretzel or pumpernickel. To qualify for this treat, join Einstein Bros. Bagels’ loyalty club, called Shmear Society.
2. IHOP: Free pancakes. Sign up for the IHOP Pancake Revolution email, and you’ll score a coupon for a free Rooty Tooty Fresh ‘N Fruity. This hearty breakfast pairs fruit-topped pancakes with bacon, sausage and eggs.
3. Hooters: Free wings. Hooters promises a “free birthday gift” to members of the Hooters eClub. Legend has it that this free birthday gift includes 10 of their wings. You may be able to commemorate your special day with a platter of Hooters’ wings, choosing from a selection, such as bacon-wrapped or boneless.
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4. Baja Fresh: Free burrito. If you are a member of their loyalty club, Baja Fresh will help you celebrate your special day with a birthday burrito. Feast on a warm tortilla stuffed with handmade guacamole, zesty pico de gallo and your choice of protein. Choose from meats like fire-grilled chicken or pork carnitas.
5. Black Angus Steakhouse: Free steak dinner. Black Angus Steakhouse rewards Prime Club members with a free dessert — but the restaurant doesn’t stop there. The steakhouse also gifts birthday diners with entire steak dinners. Visit the restaurant on your special day to get your fill of bone-in ribeye certified Angus beef. Top your steak with toppers, such as fresh baby portobello mushrooms, roasted garlic and fresh herbs.
6. Jersey Mike’s: Free sub and drink. On your birthday, you can wash back one of Jersey Mike’s hot or cold subs with a drink. Take your pick from the menu’s array of ingredients, such as chipotle chicken, 99 percent fat-free turkey breast or their signature Philly cheesesteak.
7. Johnny Rockets: Free burger. This burger joint will whip you up a free, freshly made hamburger on your birthday. Sign up for the Rocket eClub, and you can land a toasted bun loaded with all-natural seasoned beef, bacon and other tasty toppings.
8. Spaghetti Warehouse: Free meal. Pull up a chair at a Spaghetti Warehouse table, and you might score a free birthday meal. If you’re a member of the Warehouse Club, you can dive your fork into a bowl of spaghetti topped with hand-rolled meatballs, baked pepperoni or Italian pork sausage.
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9. Texas de Brazil: Buy one, get one free dinner. Texas de Brazil hints at a “great birthday gift” for its email club members. In the past, the birthday gift has included a coupon for a buy one, get one free dinner. When a fellow diner orders one of their Brazilian-inspired meals, you can have partake in a dinner of your own, with your pick of meats, like lamb chops, flank steak and chicken sausage.
10. Buca di Beppo: Free cake. To honor your natal day, Buca di Beppo might spoil you with a whole cake. To take advantage of this offer, make a reservation online for a party of four or more. Once you’ve booked your birthday table, you’ll receive an email voucher you can exchange for your free cake.
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10 Restaurants That Offer Free Birthday Meals originally appeared on usnews.com
