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All the Best Valentine's Day Restaurant Freebies, Deals, and Specials

By: Brad Tuttle
Brad Tuttle, expert in Personal finance, shopping, consumer trends, and Senior Editor at Money
Brad Tuttle
Senior Editor | Joined January 2014
Brad Tuttle is a former senior editor at Money with over 10 years’ experience covering a vast number of personal finance topics, including careers, cars, travel, budgeting, investing, insurance, credit cards, consumer psychology, real estate, banking, and shopping and deals.
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Published: Feb 11, 2016 4 min read
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Valentine's Day at White Castle
Tim Boyle—Getty Images

Every year, national restaurant chains roll out special offers to attract lovebirds—and lovers of deals—on Valentine's Day. Here are the best promotions we could find, including half-price bottles of wine, buy-one-get-one-free entrees and milkshakes, and fancy sit-down dinners at your favorite greasy spoons.

California Tortilla: On Friday, Feb. 12, California Tortilla locations are giving away free orders of "Love Chips" (tortilla chips sprinkled with cinnamon sugar) and a side of Nutella for dipping with any purchase, while supplies last.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: On Feb. 14 from 12 p.m. until closing time, customers get a free beverage with the purchase of one of equal or greater value.

Hooters: A #ShredYourEx promotion gives Hooters diners 10 free boneless wings with the purchase of 10 wings on Feb. 14. To earn your bonus wings, you must bring a photo of your ex into Hooters or take an online quiz and receive a digital coupon.

Mimi's Café: Post a message professing your love to a special someone on Mimi's Facebook page and you'll get a free entrée on your next visit to a participating location.

Peet's Coffee: Print out this coupon or show it on your mobile device, and you'll get any beverage free with the purchase of a beverage of equal or greater value.

Qdoba: Entrees are priced on a buy-one-get-one-free basis for customers who kiss someone when ordering at the counter on Feb. 14. The rules allow for "kissing your significant other, longtime crush, or the person next to you in line (with their permission of course)," Qdoba stipulates, at participating locations.

Shake Shack: Buy one milkshake, and your date gets a milkshake for free on Feb. 14.

Steak 'n Shake: Now through Feb. 14, buy $10 or more in gift cards and you'll get a free Valentine's milkshake, in Red Velvet or Chocolate Covered Strawberry flavors.

TGI Fridays: Bottles of wine are half price now through Feb. 14.

Waffle House: Once a year on this very special, very romantic day, diners are welcomed to candle-lit, reservation-only dinners at participating Waffle House locations. Each restaurant's set-up varies a bit, but all have special menus and decorations for Valentine's Day. "Besides the candles, romantic lighting and music, there will also be a photo booth set up so couples can document their date and a special menu that will include a steak dinner special, served by a staff dressed in white," at one Waffle House in North Carolina, for instance.

White Castle: This Sunday will mark the 25th anniversary of White Castle Valentine's Day dinners, which always include table cloths, table service, mood lighting, and heart-shaped balloons. Couples can share a meal, which comes with strawberry and cream waffles for dessert, for just $9.95.