Who doesn’t love free food? Chain restaurants across the country are currently offering complimentary appetizers to attract hungry customers. Whether you’re a rewards member or just walking in the door, these deals can save you money while satisfying your cravings. Check out these 15 restaurants where you can score free starters without spending extra cash.
1. Red Lobster’s Endless Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Those warm, buttery, garlic-cheese biscuits have a cult following for good reason! When dining in at Red Lobster, servers bring basket after basket of these addictive treats completely free with your meal.
The slightly crisp exterior gives way to a fluffy, cheesy center that practically melts in your mouth. Each biscuit comes brushed with a garlic-butter topping that makes them irresistible.
Ordering takeout? You’ll still get two complimentary biscuits per entrée ordered. Some locations even sell them by the dozen for special occasions, but why pay when you can enjoy them free with your meal?
2. Bonefish Grill’s Artisan Bread with Herb-Garlic Oil
Fresh from the oven, Bonefish Grill’s complimentary artisan bread arrives at your table shortly after you’re seated. The crusty exterior and soft interior make it the perfect vehicle for their signature herb-garlic olive oil dipping sauce.
Sprinkled with herbs and served with a small plate of the fragrant oil, this starter sets the tone for your seafood feast. The oil blend contains fresh herbs and garlic that infuse the olive oil with Mediterranean flavors.
Unlike some restaurants that charge for bread service, Bonefish includes this simple yet satisfying starter with every dine-in experience at no additional cost.
3. California Pizza Kitchen’s Unlimited Sourdough Bread
Nothing beats the tangy aroma of freshly baked sourdough bread arriving at your table. California Pizza Kitchen offers unlimited servings of their warm sourdough loaf accompanied by high-quality olive oil for dipping.
The bread features a rustic crust with that distinctive sourdough flavor and chewy texture that bread enthusiasts crave. Servers will happily bring additional loaves upon request, making this a truly unlimited offering.
While CPK is famous for their creative pizzas, starting your meal with this complimentary bread service adds value to your dining experience. Just be careful not to fill up before your main course arrives!
4. Moe’s Southwest Grill’s Chips and Salsa Bar
Walking into Moe’s, you’re greeted with their famous “Welcome to Moe’s!” call, followed by access to their complimentary chips and salsa bar. Every entrée or catering order comes with unlimited fresh tortilla chips and red salsa.
The chips are made in-house daily, resulting in that perfect light crispness you can’t get from bagged varieties. Their signature red salsa strikes an ideal balance between chunky vegetables, cilantro, and just enough heat to keep things interesting.
What makes Moe’s offer special is that you can visit their salsa bar as many times as you want during your meal, making this one of the most generous free appetizer deals around.
5. Chili’s Rewards Members Get Free Chips and Salsa
Joining My Chili’s Rewards unlocks one of the easiest free appetizers to score. Members receive complimentary chips and salsa on every visit with just a $5 minimum purchase – basically the cost of a drink!
The warm, thin tortilla chips arrive in their signature basket alongside a bowl of Chili’s house-made salsa. Their salsa features a smoky flavor profile with roasted tomatoes and just enough spice to complement their famous margaritas.
The beauty of this offer is its consistency – it’s not a one-time deal but an ongoing perk for rewards members. Simply show your rewards account on the Chili’s app when ordering to claim your free appetizer each visit.
6. TGI Friday’s Rewards Program Appetizer Perks
TGI Friday’s knows how to treat their loyal customers right! Members of their rewards program automatically receive free chips and salsa upon joining, but that’s just the beginning of their appetizer generosity.
As you earn points through regular visits, you can redeem them for discounts on or even completely free full-sized appetizers like their famous loaded potato skins or mozzarella sticks. The program uses a tiered system where regular diners earn rewards faster.
Signing up takes less than a minute on their website or app, making this one of the easiest ways to score free food. Birthday rewards add another opportunity to claim complimentary items during your celebration month.
7. Texas Roadhouse’s VIP Club Welcome Gift
Texas Roadhouse rolls out the red carpet for new VIP Club members with a completely free appetizer within 24-48 hours of signing up. Choose between their famous Cactus Blossom, Rattlesnake Bites, or a bowl of their hearty chili.
The Rattlesnake Bites – spicy rounds of jack cheese and jalapeños breaded and fried to golden perfection – are a fan favorite. Each appetizer normally costs around $8-10, making this a substantial welcome gift compared to other restaurant offers.
Membership in their VIP Club also brings additional perks like birthday rewards and advance notice of special promotions. Sign up online or through their mobile app to start enjoying these tasty benefits.
8. Outback Steakhouse’s Bloomin’ Onion Welcome Offer
Outback’s iconic Bloomin’ Onion – a hand-carved onion fried to golden perfection and served with their spicy signature sauce – normally costs around $10. New members of their Dine Rewards program receive this legendary appetizer completely free!
After signing up, the offer appears in your account within 24 hours and remains valid for approximately 90 days. The Bloomin’ Onion easily serves 4-6 people, making this one of the most generous welcome gifts in the chain restaurant world.
The crispy, seasoned petals pull apart easily for dipping into their tangy sauce. Beyond this initial offer, Dine Rewards members earn points toward future discounts and special promotions throughout the year.
9. 99 Restaurants’ Complimentary Popcorn
Walk into any 99 Restaurant & Pub location and you’ll immediately notice something different – instead of bread or chips, every table receives complimentary popcorn! This unique appetizer approach has become their signature welcome.
The popcorn arrives fresh and warm in a basket shortly after you’re seated, regardless of what you order. It’s lightly seasoned with a proprietary blend that keeps customers reaching for more throughout their meal.
This simple yet satisfying starter creates a casual, welcoming atmosphere perfect for their neighborhood pub concept. The unlimited popcorn policy means servers will happily bring refills if you finish your first basket before your main dishes arrive.
10. Buffalo Wild Wings’ Bottomless Apps Promotion
Buffalo Wild Wings has introduced a game-changing deal for appetizer lovers. Their Bottomless Apps promotion offers unlimited refills on select appetizers for just $9.99, available all day as a limited-time offer.
Choose between fan favorites like crispy fried pickles or gooey mozzarella sticks, and servers will keep them coming as long as you’re still hungry. While technically not free, the unlimited nature of this deal means your second, third, or fourth serving essentially costs nothing extra.
This dine-in only promotion has become incredibly popular for sports gatherings and casual get-togethers. The appetizers arrive freshly made with each order rather than as single large portions, ensuring hot, crispy perfection every time.
11. Applebee’s Rotating Appetizer Offers
Applebee’s keeps things interesting with their constantly rotating free appetizer promotions. Their rewards program frequently offers complimentary starters like mozzarella sticks or sliders with minimum purchase requirements.
The chain also runs weekly specials where appetizers are either heavily discounted or free with entrée purchases. Recent promotions have included free boneless wings or spinach artichoke dip for new app users or rewards members.
Following Applebee’s on social media is the best way to catch these limited-time offers as they appear. Their most consistent offer comes through their email club, which provides a free appetizer coupon upon signup that can be redeemed within 30 days at participating locations.
12. Olive Garden’s E-Club Member Perks
Olive Garden’s famous unlimited breadsticks are just the beginning of their appetizer generosity. Members of their e-club regularly receive promotional offers for free appetizers or desserts with qualifying purchases.
Recent promotions have included complimentary stuffed ziti fritta or their popular calamari for new members. The offers typically arrive via email shortly after signing up and have a redemption window of 2-4 weeks.
The e-club also sends special birthday rewards and exclusive promotions throughout the year. Signing up takes just a minute on their website, making this an easy way to score free Italian appetizers beyond their standard breadstick service that comes with every meal.
13. P.F. Chang’s Birthday Reward Program
P.F. Chang’s takes a slightly different approach to their rewards program by focusing on birthday celebrations. Members receive a complimentary dessert during their birthday month, which many diners consider an appetizing end to their meal.
While not technically an appetizer, their dessert options like the Great Wall of Chocolate or New York-style cheesecake would normally cost $8-10. The birthday reward is automatically loaded to your account at the beginning of your birthday month.
Beyond the birthday perk, their rewards program frequently offers special appetizer promotions throughout the year. Recent offers have included free dumplings or spring rolls with entrée purchases for loyal members who dine frequently.
14. Chick-fil-A’s Sweet Treat Birthday Rewards
Chick-fil-A may be famous for their chicken, but their rewards program offers sweet treats that make perfect appetizers or desserts. Members receive birthday rewards that include free cookies, brownies, or specialty drinks depending on their membership tier.
The chocolate chunk cookie makes a delightful pre-meal treat, with its crisp edges and soft center loaded with melty chocolate pieces. Higher-tier members can select from premium offerings like their frosted coffee or milkshakes.
Rewards are automatically loaded to your account during your birthday month and can be redeemed through the app. The beauty of Chick-fil-A’s program is its flexibility – redeem your treat before, during, or after your meal at any time during your birthday month.
15. Panera Bread’s Complimentary Baguette Side
Many diners don’t realize that Panera includes a free side baguette with most soup and salad entrées. This crusty, freshly baked French bread serves as the perfect complement to their signature soups and makes an excellent appetizer before diving into your main dish.
The baguette features that classic combination of crispy exterior and chewy interior that bread lovers crave. Each piece comes sliced and ready for dipping into soups or enjoying with a smear of their premium butter packets.
While some locations have modified this policy in recent years, most still honor the tradition upon request. Simply ask your cashier to include the baguette side when ordering your meal, and they’ll happily add it at no extra charge.
