Dining Deals: Best Restaurant Deals Near You (May 2026)

Updated May 04, 2026. Looking for dining deals, restaurant specials, and fast food deals near you? This roundup covers a mix of current national offers, app-only savings, and recurring restaurant promotions that can help you spend less when eating out.

Note: Deals may vary by location and can change quickly. Always check your local restaurant app or store page before ordering.

Cheap Meals Under $6 (Best Budget Dining Deals)

If you are trying to eat out on a budget, these cheap dining deals and value meals can help keep costs low. Availability and pricing may vary by location.

• McDonald’s: The $5 Meal Deal is the national budget king. You get a McDouble or McChicken, 4-pc McNuggets, small fries, and a small drink.

• Wendy’s: Look for the $5 Biggie Bag or the $6 Biggie Bag (for premium sandwiches). Every Wednesday in May, get Free 6-pc Nuggets with any $5 purchase in the app.

• Taco Bell: The Cravings Value Menu still features items like the Cheesy Bean and Rice Burrito and Spicy Potato Soft Taco for under $2.

• Burger King: Look for the $5 Your Way Meal (Double Cheeseburger, 4-pc Nuggets, small fries, and a small drink).

Best App Deals Right Now

Some of the best restaurant savings now live inside mobile apps. These are worth checking first before you order:

• Wendy’s: “Fryday” is back—get a Free Any Size Fry with any $5 purchase every Friday in May.

• Chipotle (May 5 Only): Use code CINCO26 in the app for Free Chips and Guac/Queso with any entrée.

• Whataburger: Teachers get Free Breakfast from May 4–8 in honor of Teacher Appreciation Week (verified via app/ID).

• Arby’s: Check for the “Free Sandwich with Purchase” reward currently hitting new and existing rewards accounts this week.

How to Find Dining Deals Near You

Many dining deals are available nationwide, but participation, pricing, and app offers can vary by location. To find the best restaurant deals near you:

• Download restaurant apps, since many of the best offers are app-exclusive
• Enable location services so you can see nearby store promotions
• Check your local restaurant page before ordering
• Watch for in-store-only, pickup-only, or drive-thru-only deals

Looking for family-friendly savings? Check out our full list of Kids Eat Free Deals to find restaurants where kids can eat free or at a discount near you.

What You’ll Find in This Post

This page focuses on current national dining deals, recurring app offers, and seasonal food promotions that are useful for saving money throughout May. Some deals are date-specific, while others are recurring offers that may continue beyond this month.

Want even more ways to save on food? Don’t miss our Birthday Freebies, Kids Eat Free Deals, and Restaurant Deals Hub.

Limited-Time May Dining Deals (by Type)

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🥐 Breakfast, Coffee & Bakery Dining Deals

 

• Dunkin’: Rewards members get a Free Medium Hot or Iced Coffee with any purchase every Monday in May.

• Krispy Kreme: Check the app for a Free Donut with any purchase offer, valid through the first week of May.

• Panera Bread: The Unlimited Sip Club is offering new members 3 months for $5.99/mo (or free through select carrier promos).

• Paris Baguette: On May 5, rewards members get a Free Pastry with any beverage purchase.

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🍔 Fast Food & Drive-Thru Dining Deals

• Sonic: Enjoy half-price drinks and slushes all day when you order in the app.

• Jack in the Box: Look for the $4, $5, $6 “Jack’s Fan Favs” menu for quick, low-cost combos.

• Bobby’s Burgers (by Bobby Flay): Celebrating “Burger Month.” From May 4–10, get Free Fries with any burger purchase.

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🥗 Fast Casual Dining Deals

🌯 The Cinco de Mayo “Digital” Specials (May 5 only)

If you are ordering Mexican fast-casual tomorrow, stay on the official apps to avoid full pricing.

• Chipotle: Use code CINCO26 in the app or on Chipotle.com tomorrow to get Free Chips and Guac or Free Chips and Queso Blanco with any entrée purchase.

• Qdoba: Rewards members get Free Queso & Chips with any entrée purchase. This is a “Full Moon” recurring reward that happens to align with the spring season.

• Moe’s Southwest Grill: Through May 10, you can grab a $25 gift card for just $20 on their website—essentially giving you 20% off your next few visits.

🍔 “National Burger Month” (Shake Shack)

Shake Shack has officially launched a month-long “Free Burger” rotation for May 2026.

• The Deal: Every day this month, get a Free Single Burger with any $10 minimum purchase using code FREEBURGER in the Shack App or at a kiosk.

• The Schedule:

  • May 1–10: Free ShackBurger.

  • May 11–17: Free SmokeShack.

  • May 18–24: Free Bacon Cheeseburger.

🥗 Healthy & Green Deals

• Sweetgreen: Rewards members can access the “Craving of the Month”—the $12 Chicken Tostada Bowl (significant savings off the regular price) available through May 31.

• Noodles & Company:

  • $2.50 Protein Add-on: Through June 30, rewards members can add or double any protein for just $2.50 (minimum $15 purchase required).

  • Sign-up Bonus: New members get a Free Regular Entrée after their first $10 purchase.

👩‍🏫 Teacher & Nurse Appreciation Week (May 4–12)

These deals typically require showing a valid school or medical ID in-store:

• Potbelly: Get a Free Cookie or Regular Fountain Drink with the purchase of any entrée through May 12.

• McAlister’s Deli: Offering a Free Sweet or Unsweet Tea (no purchase necessary) for teachers and nurses from May 4–8.

• Chipotle: Healthcare workers and teachers can enter to win one of 100,000 Free Entrée e-gift cards through May 12 via their official “Burritos for Heroes” landing page.

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🥗 Value Verdict: May 2026 Fast Casual

• Best High-Volume Value: Sweetgreen’s $12 Bowl—it’s a rare price point for a premium salad chain.

• Best “Freebie”: Shake Shack’s FREEBURGER code. Since a single ShackBurger is usually $7+, this is a massive return on a $10 spend.

• Best Tomorrow Only: Chipotle’s CINCO26 code. It’s the easiest way to snag their most popular side for zero dollars.

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🍽️ Casual Dining & Bar & Grill Dining Deals

The “Cinco” & “May-garita” Specials (May 4–5)

Many of these deals are live today as a “warm-up” for tomorrow’s festivities:

• Chili’s: The $6 Margarita of the Month for May is the “Straw-Eddy Rita” (Deep Eddy Lemon Vodka, strawberry, and Lunazul Blanco Tequila).

  • Tomorrow (May 5): Look for $5 “Old 45” Margaritas all day.

• Applebee’s: The “Cerveza Rita” and “Breaking Rock Rita” (made with Teremana Tequila) are the featured $7–$9 Mucho Sips this month.

• TGI Fridays: Celebrating Cinco de Mayo tomorrow with $5 Classic Margaritas and Free Chips & Salsa for rewards members.

• Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: Get their signature Bad Ass Margarita for $5 on May 5.

🍔 Bar & Grill Daily Specials

• Chili’s “3 for Me”: The value king remains at $10.99. This month features the Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich or the Big Smasher Burger, plus bottomless chips/salsa, a side of fries, and an unlimited fountain drink.

• BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse:

  • Monday (Tonight!): $19.99 Large Deep Dish or $14.99 Tavern-Cut Pizza.

  • Tuesday: $5 Pizookies® (The absolute best dessert value in casual dining).

  • Wednesday: $5 Bone-In or Boneless Wings.

  • App Perk: Use the $13 Pizookie Meal Deal (weekday lunch) for an entrée + a mini Pizookie.

• Buffalo Wild Wings:

  • Tuesday: BOGO Traditional Wings (Blazin’ Rewards members).

  • Thursday: BOGO Free Boneless Wings.

  • All Month: Use code BOGOburger in the app to get a second burger free when you buy one at regular price.

🥩 Mother’s Day “Bonus” Deals (May 10 Prep)

If you’re taking Mom out next Sunday, buy your gift cards today to use them for the meal:

• Applebee’s: Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card.

• Texas Roadhouse: Buy a $50 gift card, get a $10 bonus card (VIP Club members may see $20 bonus offers in their email).

• The Cheesecake Factory: Rewards members get 20% off (up to $10) on DoorDash through June 30 when they link their accounts.

• Outback Steakhouse: Look for the “Mum’s the Word” 3-course meal starting at $16.99 (available May 4–11).

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🍕 Pizza & Wings Dining Deals

• Domino’s: The $7.99 Weeklong Carryout Deal (all 1-topping medium pizzas or Dips & Twists) remains your most reliable pizza value.

• Little Caesars: Use code TOPPINGS for a $9.99 3-topping Large Pizza (carryout only).

• Buffalo Wild Wings: BOGO 50% Off wings every Tuesday and BOGO Free Boneless every Thursday for rewards members.

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🥖 Sandwiches & Subs Dining Deals

 Subway: The “FLBOGO” Returns

Subway has extended its high-value digital coupon to help with the “May mid-month slump.”

• The BOGO Deal: Use code FLBOGO in the Subway app or online to Buy One Footlong, Get One FREE.

• Alternative Codes: If your local store doesn’t participate in the BOGO, try these:

  • 699FL: $6.99 Any Footlong.

  • 999MEAL: $9.99 Footlong Meal (Sub, Chips, Drink).

  • FREEFOOTLONG: Buy any Footlong and a drink, get a second Footlong free (often works when FLBOGO fails).

🥪 Jersey Mike’s: Shore Points & “Mobile Surprises”

Jersey Mike’s is leaning heavily into its “MyMike’s” app users this month with “Surprise & Delight” offers.

• The Birthday Sub: If you’ve made at least one purchase in the last year, you’ll receive a coupon for a Free Regular Sub and 22oz Drink during your birthday month.

• Shore Points Boost: Look for “Double Points” notifications in the app (usually Tuesdays or Wednesdays), which allow you to reach a free sub in just 3–4 visits.

• New Member Bonus: Many new app downloads in May are receiving 72 Bonus Shore Points (enough for a free Regular sub) after their first mobile order.

🚒 Firehouse Subs: The “Appreciation” 30% Off

Firehouse is running a massive month-long promotion through the end of May.

• 30% Off Everything: Check your app’s “Offers” tab for a 30% off your entire order coupon (valid once per day for many rewards members).

• Birthday Reward: On your birthday, you get a Free Medium Sub with any purchase.

• Teacher/Nurse Week: From May 4–12, many locations are offering a Free Medium Sub with the purchase of an additional sub and drink for educators and healthcare workers (ID required).

💨 Jimmy John’s: “LITTLE TREAT” Savings

• $10 Off $10+: Use code LITTLETREAT for a staggering $10 off any order of $10 or more. (This makes a sub essentially free if you pick it up).

• Spring Promo: Use code SPRING25 for 10% off your order throughout May.

• Sign-up Reward: New Freaky Fast Rewards members get a Free Sandwich after their first purchase of $5+.

🥘 Potbelly: Educator & Nurse Perks

• Complimentary Treats: From May 4–12, teachers and nurses get a Free Cookie or Regular Fountain Drink with the purchase of any entrée.

• Potbelly Perks: “Boss Level” members (highest tier) currently have a Free Entrée reward loaded into their accounts for use this month.

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🦞 Seafood Dining Deals

• Red Lobster: The $15.99 Weekday Shrimp Trio (Garlic Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, and Popcorn Shrimp) is a massive value in 2026.

• Captain D’s: Look for the $5.99 “Full Meal Deals” which typically include 2-pc fish or shrimp, two sides, and hush puppies.

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🍨 Sweets, Treats & Desserts Dining Deals

• Dairy Queen: The BOGO for 99¢ Blizzard deal (app-only) is running through mid-May.

• Insomnia Cookies: Nurses and Teachers get one Free Classic Cookie with any $5 purchase from May 4–10.

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🏪 Convenience & C-Stores (Coffee, Snacks & Pizza)

• 7-Eleven / Speedway: Use the app for $5 Whole Pizzas on Fridays and Saturdays.

• Pilot Flying J: For Military Appreciation Month, active duty and veterans get three free offers each week in May (Coffee, Pizza, Breakfast Sandwiches) via the myRewards Plus app.

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🥪 Family/Value, Kids & School-Night Helpers

Want more family dining deals? Browse our Kids Eat Free Deals list for even more restaurants offering free or discounted kids meals.

Kids Eat Free (By Day of the Week)

• Monday (Tonight!):

  • Village Inn / Perkins: Kids eat free all day with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Fuddruckers: Many locations offer $1.99 Kids Meals (including a drink and cookie) with adult entrée purchase on Mondays.

• Tuesday:

  • Ruby Tuesday: Kids eat free after 5 PM with the purchase of an adult entrée.

  • Bob Evans: Get one free kids’ meal for every adult entrée purchased via the app on Tuesdays.

  • Denny’s: Kids eat free from 4 PM to 10 PM at participating locations (check your local diner, as some have moved this to Saturdays).

• Wednesday:

  • Smashburger: This remains the most reliable midweek deal—Kids Eat Free with any adult meal (entrée, side, drink) purchase.

  • Logan’s Roadhouse: Kids 12 and under eat free all day on Wednesdays (one kids’ meal per adult entrée).

• Sunday:

  • Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: This is a weekend staple. Get one Free Kids Meal per $15 adult purchase (Dine-in, carryout, or online).

  • Freebirds World Burrito: Free kids’ meal with an adult entrée purchase on Sundays.

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🥤 Smoothies & Shakes Dining Deals

• Smoothie King:

  • Free Upsize Fridays: Healthy Rewards members can upgrade any 20-oz smoothie to a 32-oz for Free every Friday in May.

  • Champion Status: If you reach “Champion” status this month, you’ll earn 25% more points on every purchase and get a free smoothie for your birthday.

• Tropical Smoothie Cafe:

  • New Member Perk: Sign up for Tropic Rewards this month and get a Free Smoothie (usually after your first $5 purchase).

  • Referral Hack: Use a friend’s referral code in the app (like RAJR1C444) to instantly unlock a free smoothie reward upon signing up.

• Jamba Juice:

  • Daily Happy Hour: From 3 PM to 6 PM at participating locations, get medium “Classic” smoothies (like Mango-A-Go-Go or Razzmatazz) for just $5.00–$6.00.

  • App Coupon: Check your rewards tab for “50% off” or “BOGO” offers that rotate weekly for members.

• Planet Smoothie:

  • Birthday Reward: Members get a Free Smoothie during their birthday month (valid all month long).

  • Military Discount: Use code NICEDAY online or show ID in-store for 15% off.

🍦 Shakes & Indulgent Treats

• Sonic Drive-In:

  • Half-Price Shakes: Starting late May, Sonic traditionally begins its “Late Night” promotion where all Classic and Master Shakes are 50% off after 7 PM or 8 PM. Check the app for the official 2026 start date in your region.

  • Half-Price Drinks/Slushes: Always available all day when you order through the Sonic App.

• Dairy Queen:

  • The Breakfast Break (May 4–31): An interactive game in the DQ App where members can win instant-win prizes and exclusive coupons like $1.99 Any Size Blizzard (with purchase) or $3 off DQ Cakes.

  • Fruity Pebbles™ Shake: This is the featured seasonal shake for May 2026—check the app for “Double Points” when you try the new Breakfast Collection.

• Rita’s Italian Ice:

  • Italian Ice Day (Sunday, May 3): Though the main event was yesterday, many locations are extending Free Ice with Purchase coupons in their app through the end of this week.

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🍝 Italian & Bakery-Café Dining Deals

• Olive Garden:

  • $6 Take Home Entrées: This remains their strongest consistent value. Purchase any entrée (dine-in or online) and add up to five chilled classic pastas (Fettuccine Alfredo, Five Cheese Ziti al Forno, etc.) for $6 each to eat later.

  • The “Wine Pour” Special: Select locations are offering $5 wine pours on weekdays in May to celebrate the spring season.

• Maggiano’s Little Italy:

  • Double Portions for Carryout: When ordering to-go, you can now “double your portion” of classics like Chicken Parmesan or Mom’s Lasagna for a small fraction of the original price.

  • Family Style (4+ People): They have added 15 new shared dishes to the Famous Family Style menu, which remains the best value for graduation or Mother’s Day groups.

• Carrabba’s Italian Grill:

  • Spring Features: The May menu features the Honey Goat Cheese Sacchetti and Calabrian Shrimp Skewers.

  • Aperitivo Hour: Many locations have launched a $7–$9 “Sorrento Spritz” and small-plate menu available from 4–6 PM.

• Fazoli’s:

  • App Specials: Check your “Offers” tab for the $10.99 Ultimate Sampler (Pizza slice, baked spaghetti, and ravioli).

  • Family Meal (Serves 4): Their Fresh-Tossed Family Meals remain a budget staple at approximately $24.99 (depending on location).

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🚚 Delivery Apps & Aggregators

🥡Grubhub (The “Gold Days” Event)

From May 1 through May 31, Grubhub+ members (including those who get it free via Amazon Prime) have access to “Gold Days” deals.

• Starbucks: $10 off any order of $20 or more.

• Wingstop (Starts May 4): Free 10-piece wings with a $25+ order.

• Taco Bell (Starts May 4): Free Crunchwrap Supreme with a $20+ order.

• Wendy’s: Free Baconator with any $20+ order.

• Jersey Mike’s: BOGO Turkey and Provolone sub on orders of $25 or more.

• Grocery Hack: Grubhub+ members save $50 on $100+ grocery orders (powered by Instacart) every Saturday and Sunday in May.

🚗 DoorDash

DoorDash is focusing on regional “Staycation” deals and Mother’s Day bundles.

• Mother’s Day BOGO (May 10): Starbucks is running a BOGO Drink promotion exclusively on DoorDash for Mother’s Day.

• DashPass Rewards: Use code GO30X or 50X2DASH for up to 30-50% off select restaurant orders (capped at $10–$15).

• Student Perk: The DashPass for Students remains the cheapest way to get $0 delivery fees, often bundled with a 10-15% discount on digital gift cards.

🚲 Uber Eats

• New User Codes: Use affeats10us526 for $10 off your first order of $20+ throughout May 2026.

• Uber One Perks: Members get $0 Delivery Fees and up to 10% off eligible orders. Look for the “Buy 1, Get 1 Free” category in the app—it’s currently loaded with local Mother’s Day brunch specials.

• Referral Bonus: Sharing your invite code typically nets you $15–$20 in credits when a friend places their first order.

🛒 Instacart

• Mother’s Day Gift Guide: Instacart has a dedicated “Mother’s Day” shop with $0 delivery fees on flowers and chocolates from stores like Costco and local florists.

• Student Discount: Verified students can get 2 weeks of Instacart+ for free and 50% off the annual subscription (bringing it down to roughly $49/year).

• Chase Cardholders: Check your Chase app—many Sapphire and Freedom cardholders have $10–$15 monthly Instacart credits that expire if not used by the end of the month.

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Dining Deals FAQ

What are some of the best dining deals this month?

Popular May dining deals include McDonald’s Free Fries Fridays, Dairy Queen Free Cone Day, Olive Garden Buy One, Take One, Applebee’s 50¢ Boneless Wings, and Domino’s $7.99 carryout deal.

Do I need an app to get restaurant deals?

Often, yes. Many dining deals are now app-exclusive, and restaurants frequently reserve their best coupons and freebies for app users.

Are these dining deals available everywhere?

Not always. Most are national promotions, but pricing and participation can vary by location. It is always smart to check your local store or app before ordering.

What day usually has the best restaurant deals?

Tuesdays and Wednesdays often bring the most food deals, especially for tacos, nuggets, wings, and app-based promotions.

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Pro Tip: May is a great month to stack app rewards with Pi Day, Free Cone Day, and basketball-season promos. Also check our 🎂 Birthday Freebies roundup to plan your free treats.

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