More Maps

13 Excellent Restaurants Around Golden Gate Park

18 Destination Restaurants in Napa Valley

15 Mighty Mexican Restaurants in San Francisco

More in San Francisco See more maps

Bay Area Deals for Federal Workers Affected by the Government Shutdown

Local restaurants are offering free burgers, tacos, and more

by Janelle Bitker@JanelleBitker Updated Jan 24, 2019, 3:15pm PST

View as Map

by Janelle Bitker@JanelleBitker Updated Jan 24, 2019, 3:15pm PST

Farm Burger Marin/Facebook

We’re officially in the midst of the longest government shutdown in United States history. Some Bay Area restaurateurs are hoping to provide a little relief to furloughed government workers, who haven’t seen a paycheck since the shutdown began last month. Read on for deals for federal workers affected by the shutdown, and let us know if you hear of more by email. (Note: Workers need to show proper federal government ID in order to snag these discounts.)

Read More

If you buy something or book a reservation from an Eater link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics policy.

Farm Burger

Every Friday is now Furlough Friday at Farm Burger, which will give away a free chicken burger, fries, and an iced tea to any federal government employees. This deal is available all day in-store only, with one meal per guest each day.

882 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Food

Flash your federal ID during the shutdown and this classic American breakfast spot will give you a free meal.

Open in Google Maps

817 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Visit Website

Jules Thin Crust

Swing by Jules for a free slice of crispy, gluten-y or gluten-free pizza — the offer lasts through Wednesday, January 23, but check Instagram to see if the mini chain extends it as the shutdown continues.

Open in Google Maps

5804 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Visit Website

Also featured in:

15 Places For Gluten-Free Pizza in the Bay Area

Lefty O'Doul's

Head over to Lefty’s for a free lunch or dinner at the Taste of SF Buffet with non-alcoholic beverages. The deal is available at lunch and dinner, and extends to furloughed employees and their families. It’s happening until the shutdown ends.

Open in Google Maps

145 Jefferson Street Suite #400C, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Causwells

The Americana Burger at Causwells comes with American cheese, classic fixings, and a side of crispy onions — and the restaurant is serving them at a 50 percent discount to affected workers.

2346 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

Also featured in:

PABU Izakaya

Drop into Pabu for a free pork belly donburi on Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Pabu

Also featured in:

Trailblazer Tavern

Federal workers can enjoy a free spicy tuna bowl at Michael Mina’s new Hawaiian restaurant on Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

350 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

The bar at Trailblazer Tavern

Also featured in:

International Smoke

Stop by the SoMa restaurant for a free half-rack of ribs with a side of barbecue sweet potato on Monday-Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with valid Federal identification.

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Also featured in:

Sweetgreen

On Saturday, January 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., federal workers can head to any Sweetgreen location for a free bowl, like the “shroomami” (wild rice, portobellos, sesame tofu, lots of veggies, and miso-sesame-ginger dressing) or curry chickpea bowl (roasted chicken, chickpeas, veggies, quinoa, and curry-yogurt dressing).

171 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Sweetgreen

Also featured in:

14 Ultra Fresh Salads in San Francisco

Museum of Ice Cream

Government employees affected by the shutdown can snag two free weekday tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream for a little light-hearted fun and some sweet treats. (Visit the website to book.)

Open in Google Maps

1 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Visit Website

Al Pastor Papi

Mexico City-style taco stand Al Pastor Papi is giving away two tacos and one agua fresca to federal workers every day until the shutdown ends.

Open in Google Maps

1379 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Visit Website

Tacos at Al Pastor Papi

Alba Ray's

Head to New Orleans-style restaurant Alba Ray’s for jambalaya during the government shutdown — the dish is half off for federal workers.

Open in Google Maps

2293 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Laundré

Ok fine, this isn’t food... but people still need to do their laundry. Laundré, which also has a cafe and wifi to accompany its sleek washers and dryers, is offering free laundry for federal workers with a valid id.

Open in Google Maps

2401 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

Calling all federal furloughed employees! Your paycheck + well being shouldn’t be a political debate. Bring your laundry + federal ID and enjoy Laundré for free Please pass along the message!

A post shared by Laundré (@laundre) on Jan 18, 2019 at 1:04pm PST

Also featured in:

16 San Francisco Coffee Shops with Free Wifi and Legit Food

San Francisco International Airport

Given so many federal employees work at SFO — air traffic controllers, TSA agents, customs officers, etc. — it makes sense for the airport to ask all of its restaurants and shops to give 50 percent off discounts to furloughed workers. According to SFO, about 90 percent of all restaurants and shops have done so.

Open in Google Maps

San Francisco, CA 94128

Visit Website

SFO

Wonderful

Federal workers and their families will receive 50 percent off of their bills at Millbrae’s popular Hunanese restaurant — its location near San Francisco International Airport is prime for TSA agents, customs workers, and air traffic controllers.

Open in Google Maps

270 Broadway, Millbrae, CA 94030

Visit Website

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s brewery also holds a full restaurant. When federal government workers show up during the shut down, they’ll receive a $25 gift card that can be redeemed immediately for food and non-alcoholic beverages. (Sorry — the brewery isn’t legally allowed to help you drink your sorrows away.)

Open in Google Maps

390 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Visit Website

© 2023 Vox Media, Inc. All rights reserved.

Link copied to the clipboard.

Farm Burger

882 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960

Every Friday is now Furlough Friday at Farm Burger, which will give away a free chicken burger, fries, and an iced tea to any federal government employees. This deal is available all day in-store only, with one meal per guest each day.

882 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo, CA 94960

Visit Website

Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Food

817 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Flash your federal ID during the shutdown and this classic American breakfast spot will give you a free meal.

Open in Google Maps

817 4th St, San Rafael, CA 94901

Visit Website

Jules Thin Crust

5804 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Swing by Jules for a free slice of crispy, gluten-y or gluten-free pizza — the offer lasts through Wednesday, January 23, but check Instagram to see if the mini chain extends it as the shutdown continues.

Open in Google Maps

5804 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618

Visit Website

Lefty O'Doul's

145 Jefferson Street Suite #400C, San Francisco, CA 94133

Head over to Lefty’s for a free lunch or dinner at the Taste of SF Buffet with non-alcoholic beverages. The deal is available at lunch and dinner, and extends to furloughed employees and their families. It’s happening until the shutdown ends.

Open in Google Maps

145 Jefferson Street Suite #400C, San Francisco, CA 94133

Visit Website

Causwells

2346 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

The Americana Burger at Causwells comes with American cheese, classic fixings, and a side of crispy onions — and the restaurant is serving them at a 50 percent discount to affected workers.

2346 Chestnut St, San Francisco, CA 94123

Visit Website

PABU Izakaya

101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Drop into Pabu for a free pork belly donburi on Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

101 California St, San Francisco, CA 94111

Visit Website

Pabu

Trailblazer Tavern

350 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Federal workers can enjoy a free spicy tuna bowl at Michael Mina’s new Hawaiian restaurant on Monday – Friday from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

350 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

The bar at Trailblazer Tavern

International Smoke

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Stop by the SoMa restaurant for a free half-rack of ribs with a side of barbecue sweet potato on Monday-Friday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with valid Federal identification.

301 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Sweetgreen

171 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

On Saturday, January 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., federal workers can head to any Sweetgreen location for a free bowl, like the “shroomami” (wild rice, portobellos, sesame tofu, lots of veggies, and miso-sesame-ginger dressing) or curry chickpea bowl (roasted chicken, chickpeas, veggies, quinoa, and curry-yogurt dressing).

171 2nd St, San Francisco, CA 94105

Visit Website

Sweetgreen

Museum of Ice Cream

1 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Government employees affected by the shutdown can snag two free weekday tickets to the Museum of Ice Cream for a little light-hearted fun and some sweet treats. (Visit the website to book.)

Open in Google Maps

1 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA 94108

Visit Website

Al Pastor Papi

1379 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Mexico City-style taco stand Al Pastor Papi is giving away two tacos and one agua fresca to federal workers every day until the shutdown ends.

Open in Google Maps

1379 4th St, San Francisco, CA 94158

Visit Website

Tacos at Al Pastor Papi

Alba Ray's

2293 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Head to New Orleans-style restaurant Alba Ray’s for jambalaya during the government shutdown — the dish is half off for federal workers.

Open in Google Maps

2293 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

Laundré

2401 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Ok fine, this isn’t food... but people still need to do their laundry. Laundré, which also has a cafe and wifi to accompany its sleek washers and dryers, is offering free laundry for federal workers with a valid id.

Open in Google Maps

2401 Mission St, San Francisco, CA 94110

Visit Website

View this post on Instagram

Calling all federal furloughed employees! Your paycheck + well being shouldn’t be a political debate. Bring your laundry + federal ID and enjoy Laundré for free Please pass along the message!

A post shared by Laundré (@laundre) on Jan 18, 2019 at 1:04pm PST

San Francisco International Airport

San Francisco, CA 94128

Given so many federal employees work at SFO — air traffic controllers, TSA agents, customs officers, etc. — it makes sense for the airport to ask all of its restaurants and shops to give 50 percent off discounts to furloughed workers. According to SFO, about 90 percent of all restaurants and shops have done so.

Open in Google Maps

San Francisco, CA 94128

Visit Website

SFO

Wonderful

270 Broadway, Millbrae, CA 94030

Federal workers and their families will receive 50 percent off of their bills at Millbrae’s popular Hunanese restaurant — its location near San Francisco International Airport is prime for TSA agents, customs workers, and air traffic controllers.

Open in Google Maps

270 Broadway, Millbrae, CA 94030

Visit Website

Related Maps

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

390 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s brewery also holds a full restaurant. When federal government workers show up during the shut down, they’ll receive a $25 gift card that can be redeemed immediately for food and non-alcoholic beverages. (Sorry — the brewery isn’t legally allowed to help you drink your sorrows away.)

Open in Google Maps

390 Capistrano Rd, Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

Visit Website

Related Maps