Yes, the best things in life do happen to be free—especially when celebrating your birthday in Chicago. From sumptuous chocolate cake to a whole pizza pie, Chicago offers an overwhelming number of birthday freebies, so we are breaking down the best ones.
1. Au Bon Pain
Start your morning at the fast-casual bakery Au Bon Pain, which means “from good bread.” The spot offers a selection of handcrafted sandwiches and sweet dainties, and for your birthday, you’ll get a free cookie on their birthday for Customers who join Au Bon Pain’s email club. Plus, you’ll receive a free coffee and pastry just for joining.
2. Epic Burger
Epic Burger has been on the Chicago scene since 2008—providing quick yet juicy burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and shakes. And while it might not have the same hype as In-N-Out Burger, they do offer a free milkshake on your birthday if you’re in their rewards program.
3. Flacos Tacos
If you’re looking for mouth-watering chicken or steak tacos paired with salsa made with fresh tomatillos, jalapeños, and habaneros, head to Flacos Tacos. On your birthday, you’ll get a free dessert with a $5 purchase. It’s one of the Mexican restaurants where you’ll get birthday freebies in Chicago.
4. Giordano’s
You may know the story of Giordano—you may not. The story goes that Mama Giordano created the beloved “Italian Easter Pie,” a double-crusted, cheese-stuffed masterpiece. Years later, her sons immigrated to Chicago, and in 1974 opened the first Giordano in the world. Five decades later, while you won’t get your own Italian Easter, you will get a free tiramisu or mini-cannoli for your birthday.
5. Home Run Inn
The official pizza of Wrigley Field, you may have tried Home Run Inn while battling for a foul ball at a Cubs game. However, Home Run Inn has deep roots in Chicago, opening a small tavern in the early 1920s. More than a hundred years later, it’s one of the most discussed pizzas in the city—and you can get a free personal pizza on your birthday.
6. Landry’s
If you’re looking for an elegant steak dinner for your birthday—it’s even sweeter when it’s free (or $25 dollars off your meal). Laundry’s is the hospitality group behind worship restaurants such as Mastro’s Steakhouse, Morton Steakhouse, The Palm, and McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks. Sign up for their reward program for a birthday discount on your birthday meal.
7. Lettuce Entertain You
The list goes on RPM, Happy Camper, Summer House, Sushi San, Ramen San, and recently hailed the best new restaurant, Tre Dita. Lettuce has some of the best restaurants in Chicago, which is why many people host their birthday dinners with them. And to make things more enticing, if you join Lettuce Entertain You’s Frequent Diner Club, you’ll receive $15 on your birthday—making it a must when it comes to birthday freebies.
8. Levy Restaurants
Another notable hospitality group, Levy Restaurants, has treasured spots like River Roast and Jake Melnick’s Corners Tap. While they don’t provide specific food or birthday freebies in Chicago, preferred members receive $25 toward a birthday dinner.
9. Lou Malnati’s
If you love pizza and you love your birthday, chances are you’re heading to Lou Malnait’s. The cult pizza spot is known for its sumptuous deep-dish pizza, which will convert any tomato critic into an aficionado. However, on your birthday, Lou Malnati’s will provide a free dessert with a purchase of $10 or more.
If you have kids, they have a Kid Birthday Club, where members get a free personal pizza on their birthday.
10. Portillo’s
The iconic hotdog chain is known for its Chicago-style dog, Italian beef sandwich, and crispy-crinkle fries. It’s the place to go if you want birthday freebies in chicago because they will cut a slice of their mouth-melting chocolate cake for free.
11. Jiang Niu BBQ
One of our favorite birthday freebies in Chicago is an all-you-can-eat barbecue. Bring your ID to Jiang Niu BBQ and dive into Korean–Chinese cuisine.
12. Cold Stone Creamery
Free ice cream on your birthday—how can you say no? Join My Cold Stone Club Rewards to receive a buy-one-get-one-free creation coupon for your birthday freebie.
13. Nothing Bundt Cakes
Craving cake on your birthday? If you want fancy without a lot of fuss, you can never go wrong with a Bundt cake. These cakes are denser than light and airy sponge cakes and melt in your mouth when drizzled with frosting. If you sign up for their email, you will receive a free bundt on your birthday at Nothing Bundt Cakes.
14. Crumbl Cookies
One of our birthday freebies involves our dessert favorite–cookies. Join the Crumbl Loyalty program to get a free cookie on your birthday.