MoneySmart

Applebee's will let you fill your babies' bellies for free this Independence Day.

The restaurant is giving out two free kids' meals per adult entree purchased July 4. Kids must be 10 years old or under and dining in the restaurant (no takeout).

Meal choices include chicken fingers, mini cheeseburger, grilled cheese, Kraft macaroni and cheese, fried shrimp and hot dog. Each child's meal comes with choice of a side dish and drink.

Find your nearest location here.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Starbucks is pouring out rewards for making it to Tax Day.

Several Starbucks stores are offering free coffee all day today to customers who provide their own cup or purchase one in the store.

Not all locations are participating, though, so find your closest locations here and call ahead to see if they're taking part.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

I'm not sure if you want to spend your Easter at Applebee's, but if you do, the restaurant chain is offering free entrees to children ages 10 and under on Easter Sunday, April 4.

As long as they are accompanied by a parent paying for an entree, kids can choose from a menu of six meals, including macaroni and cheese, chicken fingers and fried shrimp. A drink and side dish are also included.

To find your nearest location, click here. Applebee's restaurants in New York State and Connecticut are participating.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

IHOP is once again hosting its National Pancake Day Celebration, giving away one free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to every customer from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Tuesday Feb. 23.

No purchase is necessary, but IHOP hopes you'll make a donation to Children's Miracle Network or another local charity to return the flavor. I mean favor.

Mmm, now I'm hungry. Click here to find your closest location.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann 

If you watched the Super Bowl Sunday night, you might have seen Denny's is gearing up for another day of freebies.

 Tuesday (Feb. 9), Denny's will give out free Original Grand Slam breakfasts from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. No purchase is necessary.

Click here to find your nearest Denny's restaurant. You may want to dress warm--last year, folks waited their turn in lines out the door.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

In today's Discount Diva column, MoneySmart reader Bronwen Battaglia shared an idea for saving time and money when it comes to feeding her three hungry sons.

Instead of buying pre-packaged mixes, such as Bisquick and Swiss Miss, Battaglia takes time to measure out batches of her own scratch recipes and stores them in labeled containers. When it's time for pancakes or hot cocoa, she merely takes the dry mixes off the shelf and adds the wet ingredients as she would with any store-bought box mix.

Not only does this bit of advanced planning save money and add convenience, it allows Battaglia to control the amount of sugar and preservatives her kids eat, and lets her incorporate more healthful whole-wheat flour.

Here are two of the recipes she has perfected for her family:

Hot Cocoa:

4 cups nonfat dry milk
1 cup granulated sugar
¾ cup cocoa powder
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp cinnamon

Blend ingredients in a food processor until it resembles a fine powder. Store in air-tight container.

To prepare: Stir three tablespoons of mix with six ounces of hot water.

Pancakes:

2 cups whole wheat flour (or a combination of part wheat, part oatmeal flour)
4 cups unbleached white all-purpose flour
½ cup sugar
¼ cup baking powder
1 tablespoons salt

To prepare a big batch (approximately 20 pancakes): In a medium bowl, combine: 2 ½ cups mix, 2 cups milk (or more), 2 eggs, 2 tablespoons oil (vegetable, canola, or mild olive). Gently stir ingredients together. Do not over mix. Let batter stand for at least 5 minutes. It will thicken up. Add more milk if necessary. Ladle 1/2 cup or so of batter on to hot griddle. Flip once bubbles are visible and edges appear dry.

Variations:

Substitute buttermilk or sour milk* for milk and add 1 tsp Baking Soda to mix.

Mash a banana in bowl before adding other ingredients.

Add a dash of cinnamon or diced pear and grated fresh ginger.

While first side is cooking, drop a few fresh or frozen blueberries on to the pancake.

Add a few tablespoons of ground flax seed to the batter.

Enjoy!

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Uno Chicago Grill, which closed in Amherst this week, promised to fully refund gift cards bought at the pizza chain during a holiday sales push. Since then, The News has received several complaints from customers met by constant busy signals when calling for refunds.

It turns out, the number given by store representatives was incorrect. The customer service hotline number is 1-866-600-8667.

Representatives will ask for the account number at the bottom of the card and issue a check by mail, which should arrive within 30 days.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Chipotle Mexican Grill is opening its first Western New York restaurant in Boulevard Consumer Square this week. To celebrate, the Mexican-style fast-food chain is giving residents a sneak preview of its fare.

Thursday Dec. 10, the day before the store's grand opening, Chipotle will give out one free burrito and one free soft drink to every visitor from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 1643 Niagara Falls Boulevard in Amherst.

The store will then open for regular business Friday, Dec. 11.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

Current and former members of the military will eat free at Applebee's Wednesday Nov. 11 in honor of Veteran's Day.

Veterans can choose from a specific menu of free entrees, which includes the seven-ounce house sirloin, three cheese chicken penne, fire pit bacon burger, fiesta lime chicken, chicken tenders platter and oriental chicken salad.

Proof of military service is required, such as military-issued identification or a veterans organization membership card. Showing up in military uniform or bringing a photograph of the service member in uniform also qualify as proof.

Click here to find an Applebee's near you.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann

 
Don't forget--if you stop by any participating KFC restaurant today (Oct. 26), you will get one free piece of grilled chicken.

A previous promotion in May turned into a national debacle when KFC restaurants were unable to meet the overwhelming demand for the sample. A free coupon for the chicken was announced on an episode of the Oprah Winfrey Show.

---Samantha Maziarz Christmann