2019 Halloween Free Food Deals Restaurant Specials Costume Promotions And Spooky Savings

Halloween 2019 offered consumers numerous opportunities to enjoy free food and discounted items through special promotions. Many restaurants and food retailers provided deals requiring only a costume or minimal purchase, creating a valuable opportunity for trick-or-treaters and Halloween enthusiasts to enjoy festive treats without breaking the bank. This article details the comprehensive list of free food offers, promotional deals, and special events available during the 2019 Halloween season across the United States.

Restaurant Food Freebies by Category

Fast Food Chains

Fast food establishments were particularly generous with Halloween promotions in 2019. Several major chains offered deals that required only a costume visit or minimal purchase. Sonic stood out with their offer of 50-cent corn dogs on October 31, 2019, available at participating locations. This promotion was mentioned across multiple sources, indicating it was a widely available deal.

Krispy Kreme participated in the Halloween festivities by offering a free doughnut to anyone who arrived at their stores in costume. This offer was highlighted in several sources, including WRAL and SoCal Fun Family, confirming its availability nationwide. Similarly, Insomnia Cookies provided a free traditional cookie on October 31 to customers who wore a costume in their stores, with no purchase necessary. This promotion was explicitly stated in both the WRAL article and Insomnia Cookies' social media announcement.

McDonald's offered delivery convenience with a promotion through Uber Eats, providing $0 delivery fees for McDelivery orders on Halloween. This digital-focused deal allowed customers to enjoy their favorite meals without worrying about additional charges for home delivery.

Family Restaurants

Family-oriented restaurants provided numerous deals aimed at making Halloween dining more affordable for families with children. Applebee's offered two distinct promotions: children 12 and under could eat free all day, while adults could enjoy "Dollaritas" for $1 each. The restaurant also featured a special purple Vampire cocktail complete with vampire fangs as part of their October promotion.

IHOP catered to younger trick-or-treaters by offering free spooky pancakes for children 12 and under between 7am and 10pm on Halloween. These pancakes were topped with strawberries, Oreos, whipped cream, and candy corn, creating a festive Halloween-themed treat.

Several seafood restaurants provided special Halloween deals. Joe's Crab Shack allowed kids 13 and under to eat free when accompanied by a costume. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. offered a free kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entree. Rainforest Cafe provided a 99 cent kid's meal with the purchase of an adult entree, while Red Lobster offered free delivery on to-go orders of $30 or more placed on RedLobster.com on October 31 when using the code "LOBSTER62" at checkout.

Boston Market provided families with $5 off a family meal purchase on Halloween, helping to reduce the cost of feeding a group during the holiday.

Ice Cream and Dessert Shops

Ice cream shops embraced the Halloween spirit with special pricing and themed offerings. Baskin-Robbins celebrated their "31" heritage by offering scoops of ice cream for $1.70 on October 31. According to sources, this was part of their "Celebrate 31" promotion, which actually occurs on the 31st of every month. The chain also featured a Candy Mashup flavor (chocolate ice cream with Snickers, caramel cup pieces, and a salty caramel ribbon) and a Ghost Cake (a colorful striped cake with buttercream ghosts, Kit Kat pieces, and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups).

The Cheesecake Factory provided a special promotion through DoorDash, offering a free slice of either Reese's Peanut Butter Chocolate Cake Cheesecake or Hershey's Chocolate Bar Cheesecake with orders of $30 or more placed through the delivery service using the promo code "TREATORTREAT" through October 31, 2019. This deal was valid for both pick-up and delivery options.

Mrs. Fields offered Halloween-themed cookies, cookie cakes, cookie boxes, and bags of cookies suitable for handing out during trick-or-treating, though specific pricing details were not provided in the source materials.

Pizza Chains

Pizza chains provided several Halloween-themed promotions during October 2019. Papa John's featured their Jack-o-Lantern pizza for a special price of $11, creating a festive option for families celebrating at home. McAlister's Deli offered free kids meals with the purchase of an adult entree from October 26 to October 31, 2019, at participating locations. This promotion was valid for both dine-in and carry-out orders, with a limit of up to two free kids meals per adult entree purchase.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop combined delivery incentives with a sweet treat, offering free delivery plus a free cookie with every order placed via Grubhub between October 25 and October 31, 2019.

Casual Dining Establishments

Several casual dining restaurants provided Halloween promotions. Noodles & Co. offered free kids meals with the purchase of a regular entree for Rewards members, valid from October 30 to November 3, 2019. Mimi's Bistro and Bakery allowed up to two children per adult to eat free with the purchase of an adult entree.

Chuck E Cheese provided an incentive for children to dress up by offering 50 free tickets for kids who played in costume. Edible Arrangements offered free spooky pineapple "eyeball" treats, though specific details about availability and requirements were not included in the source materials.

Retail and Candy Deals

Beyond restaurant promotions, several retailers offered Halloween candy deals. Amazon provided coupons for 30% off REESE'S and KIT KAT Bulk Halloween Candy Variety Mix and HERSHEY'S Halloween Chocolate Candy Variety Mix through their platform. These deals allowed consumers to stock up on Halloween candy at reduced prices before the trick-or-treating festivities.

Several sources mentioned that Chipotle offered a "$4 Boorito" promotion for customers in costume, though details about the promotion varied. Some sources indicated it was a $3 "Boo-rito" deal, while others specified $4. Additionally, customers had the chance to win free food for a year with this promotion, though the specific method of entry was not detailed in the source materials.

Delivery App Promotions

Food delivery services capitalized on Halloween with special promotions. DoorDash offered $10 off food orders for customers who answered their door in costume, creating an incentive for both delivery recipients and participants in trick-or-treating activities. The Cheesecake Factory also partnered with DoorDash, offering free cheesecake with orders of $30 or more using the promo code "TREATORTREAT" through October 31.

Regional and Local Offers

Many Halloween offers varied by location, with some restaurants providing deals specific to certain regions. For example, while many of the national chains offered consistent promotions across their locations, some deals were only available at participating stores or in specific geographic areas.

Several sources mentioned free trick-or-treating events at malls, parks, and downtown locations, though specific details about these events were not provided in the source materials. Similarly, events at Cabela's and Bass Pro Shops were noted, but without specific details about the nature of these Halloween activities.

In Southern California specifically, several restaurants offered location-specific deals. The regional nature of these promotions highlights how Halloween freebies often varied based on geographic location and local marketing decisions.

Conclusion

The 2019 Halloween season provided numerous opportunities for consumers to enjoy free food and discounted items through special promotions. Restaurant chains ranging from fast food to casual dining offered deals that required only a costume visit or minimal purchase, making it an ideal time for families and individuals to enjoy festive treats without significant expense. Delivery services also got in on the action with special promotions, while retailers offered discounts on Halloween candy to help consumers stock up for trick-or-treaters. While specific offers varied by location and participating establishments, the overall trend was clear: Halloween 2019 was a prime opportunity for free food and savings across the United States.

Sources

1. Halloween Freebies, Deals & Trick-or-Treat Events 2019
2. 50 Halloween Freebies, Deals And Treats You Need To Know About
3. Halloween 2019: Free food, spooky specials at Chipotle, McDonald's, Krispy Kreme, and more
4. Halloween Food Deals & Freebies You Don't Have To Trick Or Treat For
5. 2019 Halloween Deals and Specials
6. Brooke's Bargains: Savings Take Scare Out of Halloween
7. 25 Halloween Freebies and Deals in Southern California