Government Shutdown Freebies 2019: 35 Food Deals For Furloughed Employees

With the government shutdown now in its 28th day, furloughed employees are feeling the pinch of no paycheck. To help these employees get by a little easier, many restaurants are offering free or discounted food deals.

Here’s the all the food deals that furloughed employees can take advantage of during the 2019 shutdown.

1. Alba Ray’s: Receive half off the price of jambalaya as a furloughed government employee.
2. American Eats Tavern: Free sandwiches are available to furloughed employees from 2 to 5 p.m. daily at the Georgetown restaurant until the shutdown ends.
3. &pizza: Offering free pizza from 6 to 8 p.m. daily with a valid government-issued ID.
4. Baked by Yael: Free coffee for federal employees and contractors while supplies last as well as free bagel sandwiches or small soup each weekday while supplies last for essential zoo employees. (The bakery is across from the National Zoo.)
5. Beefsteak: Get a free Beefsteak Burger from 2 to 5 p.m. daily with a government ID until the end of the furlough.
6. Brickwall Tavern: Federal workers with valid IDs will receive 28 percent off their food bill, increasing by each day until the end of the shutdown.
7. Causwells: Get half-priced Americana burgers as a furloughed employee.
8. Chopt Creative Salad Co.: Free Warm Bowls to any federal worker that has a government ID from 6 to 8 p.m. through Friday at its DC Metro locations.
9. Condado Tacos: Free tacos for furloughed employees with a government ID through Jan. 23.
10. District Doughnut: Get a free cup of coffee, dubbed the Furlough Joe, with any purchase as a furloughed government employee.
11. Farm Burger: Free chicken burger, fries, and iced tea on #FurloughFridays for all government employees while supplies last at its 11 locations.
12. Fazoli’s: Participating locations offering furloughed government employees with ID free Pizza Baked Spaghetti with purchase of a regular size or larger drink. One meal per guest per day through Sunday.
13. Hudson Group: TSA and customs workers will receive 20 percent off food, beverages, and core store products through the end of the shutdown with a valid TSA or Transborder ID.
14. Jaleo by José Andrés: Receive a free Flauta de Jamon Serrano – a Spanish sandwich – from 2 to 5 p.m. daily at the restaurant’s D.C., Maryland, and Virginia locations for all furloughed workers.
15. Java Joe’s Cafe: Local Coast Guard, Homeland Security officers, and National Forest Service employees will get free breakfast.
16. Jules Thin Crust: Get a free slice of pizza as a furloughed government employee.
17. Kraft: The Kraft Now Pay Later pop-up grocery store provides a bag of Kraft Heinz products while supplies last to government workers with an ID. Kraft is asking that in return, furloughed employees pay it forward to a charity or someone in need when they are able to. The store is located at 1287 4^th Street NE by Union Market.
18. La Cô te d’Or Café: A discounted menu is offered for federal government employees with an ID.
19. Lefty O’Doul’s: Federal employees and their families will receive free all-you-can-eat lunch and dinner buffets every day until the shutdown ends.
20. Lucha Cantina: Adults with government IDs and their children will receive free meals from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day until the shutdown is over.
21. Mad Fox Brewing Company: Receive 20 percent off food as a federal worker with an ID. Members of Congress will be charged 20 percent more when eating at the business.
22. The Meatball Shop: All customers will get 50 cent Mini Buffalo Balls and half-priced draft beer, TMS wine, and well drinks at its DC location.
23. Modern Market Eatery: Free grain bowls to federal employees through Sunday from 5 p.m. until close with a government ID. Not available at airport and university locations.
24. Mondo Wood Fired Pizza: Through Feb. 14, get a free one-topping, 10-inch pizza for all employees affected by the government shutdown. An ID is required for the one-time offer.
25. Poke3: Free bowl with government ID every Saturday and Sunday at all restaurant locations until the shutdown ends.
26. Poor Richard’s Restaurant: Free meals to government employees and their families that are not receiving pay with a valid government ID.
27. Punch Bowl Social: Get a 25 percent discount on food, beverages, and games with a federal government ID at participating locations.
28. Pure Pizza: Federal workers with a government ID will receive food from the restaurants two locations.
29. Rocco’s Tacos: Receive a one-time $20 credit at any location in New York or Florida with a government ID through Jan. 20.
30. Romano’s Macaroni Grill: Free bowl of Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs and Spaghetti through Jan. 23 (or until the shutdown ends) from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at all 84 of its U.S. locations.
31. Ruby Slipper Café: Federal workers affected by the shutdown, and their families, will receive a free meal with a valid ID or business card.
32. Simple Venue: Free meals at the New York restaurant until the government opens or pay is reinstated under what it is calling the “Funbars Government Meal Plan.”
33. Smokin’ This and That BBQ: Get a free meal as a furloughed government worker until the end of the shutdown.
34. SweetWater Brewery: Two free beers for furloughed federal employees with a government ID.
35. Taco Cabana: Receive 20 percent off the entire menu with a maximum savings of $20 with a valid government ID from a department that is affected by the shutdown. Available for dine-in or drive-thru orders through the shutdown.