Tomorrow is Teacher Appreciation Day! Here’s Where Educators Can Get Free Lunch (or Dessert)...

May 7th is Teacher Appreciation Day! And restaurants everywhere are celebrating by giving teachers free meals and sweet treats.

I love it! I have no doubt that being a teacher is a tough and under appreciated job. But our teachers are so important. They help shape who we are. I can’t tell you how big a role my eleventh grade English teacher played in my life (besides introducing me to my favorite author of all time - F. Scott Fitzgerald in case you're wondering).

I’ve been out of high school for over ten years and every so often I still think about the crazy man with wild hair who invented the game of turkey bowling (which was really just throwing frozen turkeys into his neighbor’s garbage pail much to said neighbor's chagrin) and made me appreciate the classics.

So in honor of all the educators who have made us who we are, all the educators who still have an impact on our lives, here’s a list of restaurants that will be giving out free food in your honor:

1. Arby's - Participating Arby's restaurants are celebrating by giving teachers and school administrators with ID a free sandwich. Side note here - I haven't been to an Arby's in years - but I kind of want to try their new gyros! I wonder how their tzatziki sauce is?

2. Chick-fil-A - Select Chick-fil-A locations are offering teachers with valid ID a free sandwich between 11 AM and 8 PM.


3. Chipotle Mexican Grill - It's no secret - I love Chipotle and they regularly participate in appreciation promotions. For Teacher Appreciation Day Chipotle is offering buy-one/get-one free entrees (burritos, bowls, salads & tacos) from 3 PM to close. All you have to do is show your school ID.

4. McDonald's - Select McDonald's locations are offering teachers with valid ID a free six piece chicken McNuggets meal.



5. Roy Rodgers Restaurants - Roy Rodgers is celebrating all week long (it’s also Teacher Appreciation Week afterall)! Teachers can stop in anytime from today, Monday May 6th, to Friday May 10th and show your ID for a free milkshake or dessert with purchase.

6. Sonic Drive-In - Sonic is one-upping Roy Rodgers by celebrating almost all month long. And expanding the offer to not only teachers, but "those who appreciate them as much as Sonic does." Awww. Starting on Teacher Appreciation Day and ending on May 31st, order using the Sonic app using the promo code TEACHERS for a free Route 44 drink or slush with purchase.

I cut this list short, including only places that are near me. If you're not in love with these options, check out USA Today's comprehensive list of all restaurants participating in Teacher Appreciation Week.

Who said there’s no such thing as free lunch! Well, um, every economics professor I've ever had. But, semantics!

Now I'm just going to hold out for Accountant Appreciation Day (seriously, it's a thing - November 10th is celebrated as International Accountants Day!) Unfortunately, I don't think it's become a Chipotle promotion just yet.

That just leaves me with one final question... tacos or burritos?!?

My vote is burrito all the way. With extra guac please! You know what, you’re right, I have plenty of time until November 10th to think about it. Hint, hint, Chipotle!

All joking aside, thank you to all the teachers out there. You’re doing a kick butt job and we ALL appreciate it.