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Bay Area Deals for Federal Workers Affected by the Government Shutdown

Local restaurants are offering free burgers, tacos, and more

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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.)

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Farm Burger

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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.

Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Food

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

Jules Thin Crust

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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.

Lefty O'Doul's

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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.

Causwells

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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.

PABU Izakaya

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

Pabu
Pabu
Pabu

Trailblazer Tavern

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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.

International Smoke

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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.

 

Sweetgreen

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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).

Sweetgreen

Museum of Ice Cream

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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.)

Caleb Pershan

Al Pastor Papi

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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.

Alba Ray's

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

Laundré

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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.

San Francisco International Airport

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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.

SFO

Wonderful

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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.

Half Moon Bay Brewing Company

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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.)

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.

Theresa & Johnny's Comfort Food

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

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.

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.

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.

PABU Izakaya

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

Pabu
Pabu
Pabu

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.

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.

 

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).

Sweetgreen

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.)

Caleb Pershan

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.)

Related Maps