This App Will Pay YOU to Eat Out More Often 0 880

nevernotamazing.com seat app

It used to be that you had to know a guy, who knew a guy, whose cousin was friends with some dude who could maybe hook you up with a table at a super-hot restaurant. These days, though, apps like OpenTable or Resy make it stupidly easy to book a reservation last-minute at a ton of top-notch spots. But it turns out there’s an app that helps you do that and pays you for showing up for your reservation. 

Seated, which makes it easy to book tables at top restaurants in a number of cities, actually incentivizes you to eat out more by paying you back when you do. It helps you can earn up to 30% of what you pay for your meal (at participating restaurants) in gift cards and credits to a variety of stores, brands, and services. Essentially, it’s like using a great rewards credit card without having to sign up for one.

It works like this: Download the app, search for a restaurant, and book a table. Then, when you’ve finished your meal, snap a pic of the receipt, upload it to the app, and within 24 hours, your reward will be digitally deposited into your account.

Since Seated has been around for a couple years now, the rewards offerings are pretty robust, and include gift cards and redeemable credits to the likes of Amazon, Lyft, J. Crew, Apple, Starbucks, Lululemon, and more. So, for example, if you spend $100 on a meal out at a participating restaurant that’s offering a 30% reward, it could potentially earn you a $30 Amazon gift card or Lyft credit. 

The app currently lets you book a reservation for restaurants in New York, San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta, and has plans to launch in five other cities around the country soon. Also, it exclusively lists eateries with a four star or higher Yelp rating, and based on browsing its New York offerings, many are popular spots.

There is some fine print to consider, though. It’s worth noting that 30% is the maximum reward you can receive, and that the percentage fluctuates according to a number of factors related to how full or empty the restaurant expects to be on a particular day/time. Also, each establishment has a minimum that must be met in your total itemized bill in order to qualify for a reward (so double check that you’ve ordered enough to meet it). 

But, hey, if you’ve been looking for a reason to try out some hot new spot in town, this may be it.

H/T Thrillist and Esquire.

Previous ArticleNext Article

Leave a Reply

Want Free Food in March? Here’s Where to Look 0 1134

free food deals

We’re already 43 months into the winter of 2019. It started mild enough you almost didn’t notice it was getting to the holidays. Since the new year, it’s been an unrelenting deluge of record snowfalls and brutal cold. It feels like it’s been happening forever. Everyone deserves some tiny victories throughout March and into April, when we’ll finally see the light at the end of the cold, snowy tunnel. Tiny victories like, say, some free grub.

Many restaurants like IHOP, McDonald’s, Jersey Mike’s and Hardee’s are offering free and cheap food in celebration of actual holidays like St. Patrick’s Day, food holidays like National Pancake Day, and completely made-up days where we get cheap food because why the hell not. (For that last one: See Pi Day.) It makes for a good month to take advantage of deals until it’s suddenly almost spring.

Below, you’ll find all the free and cheap food deals worth your time throughout the month. We’ll be updating the post throughout the month (and every month) with new deals that are actually worth the effort. Check back often to know exactly which days you should offer to buy lunch for your coworkers without telling them there’s a buy-one-get-one-free (BOGO) deal down the street. Lunch is on them next time.

Ongoing Food & Drink Deals

Wendy’s
The deal: Wendy’s is bringing back the Giant Junior Bacon Cheeseburger for the holidays, and you can get it as a combo meal — with a four-piece chicken nuggets, small fries, and a drink — for $5. 
When: Ongoing, but for a limited time

Burger King
The deal: 
Grab a stack of three fluffy pancakes for 89 cents. You can also take advantage of the royal burger chain’s popular 10-piece nuggets for $1 offer, among other deals
When: Ongoing

Popeyes
The deal: Grab a three-piece of chicken tenders or bone-in chicken with a biscuit for just $3.99.
When: Ongoing

Buffalo Wild Wings
The deal:
 Every Thursday, B-Dubs unleashes deals on boneless chicken wings. The discounts will vary by location, but you can count on getting a deal any time of day on Thursdays.
When: Ongoing, every Thursday

On the Border
The deal:
 Dine-in to get endless soft or crunchy tacos for just $8.99. How endless is endless? There’s only one way to find out.
When: For a limited time

Village Inn
The deal: Make a dine-in purchase, and you’re getting a free slice of pie every Wednesday at Village Inn. Also, kids eat free every Monday and Tuesday with the purchase of an adult entrée. 
When: Select days of the week 

Carvel
The deal: Grab an ice cream sundae and they’ll throw in another one for free every Wednesday.
When: Ongoing, every Wednesday

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
The deal:
 Get $10 off any bottle of wine. You can also get any pizza for $9.99.
When: Ongoing, every Wednesday

IHOP
The deal: For a limited time, you can pick up all-you-can-eat pancakes with any breakfast combo. You can also just do the bottomless pancakes for $4.99. The deal is only good on buttermilk pancakes when dining in. 
When: Ongoing

McDonald’s
The deal: In late December, the Golden Arches brought back its 2 for $5 Mix and Match Deal where you can pick two items off the menu for five bucks. That now includes the Quarter Pounder with Cheese.
When: Ongoing

Dunkin’
The deal: Stop in for a 10-pack of Munchkins donut holes for just $2. The deal is only available for a limited time this month. 
When: For a limited time

Red Lobster
The deal
: Pair up the Ultimate Lobster Roll and the Lobster Bisque for just $15 every Tuesday until 6pm through the end of Lobsterfest. (There’s no end date for Lobsterfest at the moment, but a representative says is only around for a limited time.)
When: For a limited time

Hungry Howie’s
The deal:
 Take home a $1 medium one-topping pizza with the purchase of a large one-topping pizza at regular price. Use the code “MEDIUM1” to take advantage. 
When: Ongoing

Bojangles
The deal: 
The catch of the day is the return of the BojAngler fish sandwich. Participating locations are offering two fish sandwiches for $5. Though, a representative says that the pricing may vary some by location. 
When: Through April 21

Conrad’s Grill
The deal:
 Conrad’s wants you to believe it’s “the year of the tater tot.” With how 2018 went, why not? It’s as likely as anything else. To celebrate the best-ever year to be Napoleon Dynamite, they’re giving out free Tot Wraps for an entire year to anyone named Conrad, Tate, or Tot. All you have to do is show your ID. Though, the generous offer is only available at the Wicker Park location.
When: Through December 31, 2019

Dave & Busters
The deal: Not a food deal, but food adjacent. From 9pm to close on Sunday through Thursday, you can get half-priced games. 
When: Ongoing

Domino’s
The deal: The Domino’s app will give you free pizza for just eating pizza. It doesn’t have to be Domino’s pizza. Just take a picture of the pizza you’re eating and you get 10 points. You can get 10 points once per week and 60 points is a free medium pizza. There are six weeks from the start of the promo to the end. Boom. Free pizza. (More details here.)
When: Through April 28

Jack in the Box
The deal: Celebrating its tacos that have been around since the 50s, Jack in the Box is offering two tacos for $.99 when you buy via the restaurant’s mobile app. In the app, click on “Menu” and the “App Exclusives,” then enjoy some tacos. 
When: For a limited time

Friday, March 1

Kolache Factory
The deal: Of course the Kolache Factory is celebrating National Kolache Day. If they didn’t, who would? Stop in and you can get a free kolache, no questions asked. (Unless you need to ask what a kolache is.) All you have to do is say National Kolache Day when you order.
When: March 1, 6am-2pm

Hardee’s
The deal:
 If you’re already grabbing a quick breakfast, you’ll be able to skip the stop at a coffee shop. To launch its new Rise & Shine Cofee, Hardee’s is offering a free coffee with any purchase. 
When: Through March 10

Church’s Chicken
The deal:
 For a limited time, Church’s is bringing back its $5 pick-your-platter promotion. Get any one of three dishes for $5, including its new Garlic Butter Shrimp Platter.
When: For a limited time

Metro Diner
The deal:
 To help launch its new catering menu, Metro is offering $25 off a catering order of at least $100 with the promo code “WINTER2019.”
When: Through March 31

Drizly
The deal: The beer and liquor delivery service is offering new customers $5 off or free delivery with the code “stpaddys19.”
When: March 1-17

Sunday, March 3

Jersey Mike’s
The deal: 
Take $1 off any regular or giant sub with a code sent via email or grabbed off the chain’s social media. 
When: March 3-9

Monday, March 4

Jack in the Box
The deal: Get a pair of free tacos when you order Jack in the Box through Postmates (no minimum required). Also, get free delivery on orders of $10 or more with the code “TACOJACK.”
When: March 4-10

Tuesday, March 5

Yolk
The deal: All Chicago-area Yolk locations will be serving up its popular pancakes for a buck.
When: March 5

Tijuana Flats
The deal:
 Though it sounds like a pot-infused dinner, that’s not what you’re getting. You can land a free Megajuana upgrade on your order in honor of Fat Tuesday. That means double meat and cheese on any burrito, bowl, or chimichanga.
When: March 5

Friday, March 8

SAJJ Mediterranean
The deal: Grab BOGO entrées all day for International Women’s Day.
When: March 8

Daphne’s
The deal: Get a $5 Athena Salad through the Pita Points program. You can also get the coupon via the restaurant’s Twitter account or email newsletter. 
When: March 8

Saturday, March 9

Noodles & Company
The deal:
 Sign up for NoodlesREWARDS by March 8 and you’ll get 20% off online orders of $10 or more. 
When: Discount active March 9-11

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
The deal: We’re deep down the rabbit hole now. It’s National Meatball Day. You won’t find many offers honoring the mighty meatball, but you will at Carrabba’s. Order two entrées and you’re getting a free order of Meatballs & Ricotta. 
When: March 9

Sunday, March 10

Jersey Mike’s
The deal:
 Buy one sub and get the second for just $3.99 all week. The offer is valid for email club members and anyone who digs up the offer off the chain’s Twitter account that week. 
When: March 10-16

Monday, March 11

Hungry Howie’s
The deal:
 Get a medium one-topping pizza for just $3.14 with the purchase of any bread at regular price. The deal is only good on carryout orders with the code “19PI.”
When: March 11-14

Tuesday, March 12 – National Pancake Day

IHOP
The deal: For the holiday it started, IHOP is offering a free short stack of pancakes to anyone who drops by. At the same time, it will be collecting donations for its three charity partners: Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals (CMNH), The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, and Shriners Hospitals for Children.
When: March 12

Metro Diner
The deal:
 In honor of National Pancake Day, you can get a free stack of six silver dollar pancakes for any kid under the age of 12. No other purchase is required. 
When: March 12

Farmer Boys
The deal: If you’re a VIF (Very Important Farmer) member, you’ll get a free hot cakes combo with the purchase of another. You’ll have to present your code at the time of purchase. Get ahold of it at all 92 locations. 
When: March 12

Thursday, March 14 – Pi Day

White Castle
The deal:
 Grab a coupon through the chain’s email list or social media for a breakfast slider combo (with a hash brown and small coffee) for $3.14.
When: March 14

Fresh Brothers
The deal:
 Grab a personal pizza with as many toppings as you can handle for just $3.14. You can use the code “PIDAY” to redeem the offer via pick-up, dine-in, or delivery as long as the delivery isn’t through GrubHub, Postmates, Uber Eats, or DoorDash.
When: March 14

Davanni’s
The deal:
 Take $3.14 off a large online pizza order with the code “PiDay19.”
When: March 14

Sauce Pizza & Wine
The deal: Dine-in and one of Sauce’s Texas locations and get a cheese pizza for $3.14. Before you start day-dreaming about how many pizzas you can eat, know that there’s a limit of one per guest. 
When: March 14

Friday, March 15

Noodles & Company
The deal: 
Order through the NoodlesREWARDS app and get $2 off the chain’s new Zucchini Shrimp Scampi or Penne Rosa and Shrimp.
When: Fridays from March 15-April 19

Moe’s Southwest Grill
The deal: Ol’ Moe is offering a free side with an entrée over $5 if you sign up for Moe’s Rockin’ Rewards.
When: March 15-17

Sunday, March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

Freebirds World Burrito
The deal:
 In honor of the nation’s second greenest holiday, Freebirds will set you up with free guac when you purchase any entrée.
When: March 17

Bruegger’s Bagels
The deal:
 Bruegger’s has been doing green bagels for St. Patrick’s Day for more than 20 years. The streak does not go down in 2019. Though they’re not available until March 15, you can preorder yours starting on March 7. Additionally, once they arrive, you can get a coupon for $2 off a Big Bagel Bundle — 13 bagels of any color with two tubs of cream cheese — on the shop’s website.
When: March 15-17

Jersey Mike’s
The deal:
 Grab a sub after 4pm, and you’ll get free chips and a drink if you’re a member of the Jersey Mike’s email club. The offer will also be shared via Twitter on March 17. 
When: March 17-22

Sunday, March 24

Jersey Mike’s 
The deal:
 Sign up for the email club in advance of the date and get $1 off any large or giant sub with a coupon sent to your email. This offer ends the day before the sub shop’s annual Day of Giving. 
When: March 24-26

Wednesday, March 27

Jersey Mike’s
The deal:
 No actual deal today, but it’s the sub shop’s annual Day of Giving. 100% of sales on March 27 — not just profits, but every dollar you spend — will be donated to local charities. 
When: March 27

Reward Program Freebies

Carl’s Jr.
The deal:
 Sign up for the Carl’s Jr. promo club, and you’re going to get a free small order of fries and a small beverage.
When: Ongoing

PintPass
The deal:
 This app asks you to answer a couple questions about brewery taprooms when you stop by for a beer. In exchange for your time, they’re buying you a round. Get all the details on grabbing free beers through PintPass here.
When: Ongoing

Arby’s
The deal: Sign up for Arby’s email newsletter and start with a coupon for a free roast beef sandwich.
When: Ongoing

Baskin-Robbins
The deal: When you download the Baskin-Robbins app for the first time, you get a free regular-sized scoop as an in-app offer.
When: Ongoing

Bruegger’s Bagels
The deal: You get how this goes now. Sign up for their Inner Circle club, and new members get a coupon for a free bagel with cream cheese.
When: Ongoing

Einstein Bros. Bagels
The deal: Find a similar deal here. Sign up for the Shmear Society and grab a free bagel.
When: Ongoing

Baja Fresh
The deal: 
Join the restaurant’s Club Baja membership program, and you’ll get an offer for a totally free taco, valid for one chicken, carnitas Baja, or Americano taco.
When: Ongoing

Quiznos
The deal: Sign up for the Toasty Points loyalty app and get rewarded with a free 4-inch sub with any purchase.
When: Ongoing

Del Taco
The deal:
 Sign up for Del Taco’s Raving Fan eClub and get two free grilled chicken tacos or Del Tacos for signing up. If you download the Del App, you can also land another pair of free Del Tacos. 
When: Ongoing

Wingstop
The deal: Get a free order of fries when you sign up for “The Club.”
When: Ongoing

Bojangles 
The deal: Sign up for the E-Club, and you’ll get a coupon for a half-gallon of Legendary Iced Tea with any purchase. You’ll also get a coupon for a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with any purchase on your birthday. 
When: Ongoing

MOOYAH
The deal: A free order of personal fries are headed your way if you sign up for MOOYAH Rewards.
When: Ongoing

Cold Stone Creamery
The deal: If you’re new to My Cold Stone Club Rewards you’ll get a buy-one-get-one-free coupon on Creations. 
When: Ongoing

El Pollo Loco
The deal: If you sign up for Loco Rewards you’ll bag a free pollo bowl.
When: Ongoing

Red Cow
The deal:
 Join the Minneapolis-based chain’s e-club and you’ll get a coupon in your inbox for $10 your bill next time you dine-in. 
When: Ongoing

Wetzel’s Pretzels
The deal:Download the Wetzel’s Pretzels app, and you’ll be gifted a free pretzel item from the pretzel shop. You’ll also get a freebie on your birthday. Happy early bithday!
When: Ongoing

Mimi’s Cafe
The deal:
 Sign up for the e-club, and you get a free two-pack of croissants or muffins. 
When: Ongoing

BJ’s Brewhouse
The deal: 
Join the Premier Rewards Plus program, and they’ll hook you up with a free Pizookie. (That’s a deep-dish-inspired cookie if it wasn’t immediately clear from the weird portmanteau.) Bonus: You’ll get another free Pizookie on your birthday. 
When: Ongoing

Black Angus Steakhouse
The deal: 
Join the restaurant’s Prime Club, and you’ll automatically get a free dessert. (You also get a free steak dinner on your first birthday after joining the club.)
When: Ongoing

Maggie Moo’s and Marble Slab Creamery
The deal:
 Sign up for the rewards program — Slab Happy Rewards — and a free ice cream is headed straight for your mouth.
When: Ongoing

Corner Bakery
The deal: 
Get a free sweet when you sign up for Corner Bakery’s e-club, which is basically just the email newsletter. 
When: Ongoing

Papa Murphy’s
The deal: Sign up for the take-and-bake chain’s email offers, and you’ll get a code for 25% off your next online order of $20 or more. 
When: Ongoing

Huge thank you to Thrillist for compiling this amazing like. Give them a follow too!

Editor Picks