These New England Restaurants Are Offering Deals to Workers Affected by the Shutdown

As the partial government shutdown continues into its second month, around 800,000 federal employees are either still working without pay or furloughed without pay. Restaurants around the country are offering free meals or discounts on food to affected government employees and their families.

Here’s a running list of deals available in the Boston area and elsewhere around New England; it will be updated periodically until the end of the shutdown. It’s likely more options will become available in the coming days as chef José Andrés’ #ChefsForFeds initiative spreads nationwide; stay tuned. (Note: We are making every attempt to keep this list as up-to-date as possible, but sometimes deals change with little notice; we encourage you to call or check the social media accounts of a particular restaurant for updates before heading over.)

Something missing from this list? Email boston@eater.com.

Boston Proper and Nearby Areas (Cambridge, Somerville, etc.)

Blue Dragon
324 A St., Fort Point, Boston

Check social media for updates, but Blue Dragon has been serving a free order of dumplings to furloughed government employees between 2 and 4 p.m. on weekdays, and starting the week of January 28, the restaurant is also planning to put together rice bowls with donated ingredients from T.F. Kinnealey & Co. and B&W Quality Growers.

Bon Me
441 Stuart St., Back Bay, Boston; Boston Public Market, 100 Hanover St., Downtown Boston; 313 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston; 431 Brookline Ave., Fenway, Boston; 201 Alewife Brook Pkwy., Fresh Pond, Cambridge; 1 Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge; Harvard’s Smith Campus Center, 1350 Massachusetts Ave., Kendall Square, Cambridge; 60 Binney St., East Cambridge

Starting on Monday, January 28, federal employees (with ID) can get a free sandwich, either the Namesake or the J.P., from 5 p.m. to close.

Boston Chops
52 Temple Pl., Downtown Crossing, Boston

At its downtown location, Boston Chops is offering complimentary lunch sandwiches to furloughed workers (with valid ID). One per person. Available between 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. until the shutdown ends.

Bottega Fiorentina
313 Harvard St., Coolidge Corner, Brookline

Offering free pasta for furloughed federal employees (with valid ID) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays.

Chicken & Rice Guys
85 Bedford St., Downtown Boston; 280 Washington St., Downtown Boston; 64 Salem St., Medford; various mobile locations

In conjunction with @OnlyInBos, Chicken & Rice Guys is offering a free plate to furloughed federal workers. Send a direct message to @OnlyInBos on Twitter to get one.

City Winery
1 Canal St., West End, Boston

City Winery is serving free margherita flatbreads to government employees (with valid ID) until the shutdown ends.

The Friendly Toast
35 Stanhope St., Back Bay, Boston; 1 Kendall Sq., Kendall Square, Cambridge

At all locations of the Friendly Toast (including those beyond Boston — see below), federal and government workers and a guest can get free entrees through the end of the shutdown. The deal is valid at breakfast, lunch, and dinner; proof of employment or a valid ID is required. The complimentary meal includes two entrees from the current menu or weekly specials and a soft drink. (Appetizers and alcohol are excluded.)

Mei Mei
506 Park Dr., Fenway, Boston

As part of the #ChefsForFeds initiative, Mei Mei is offering $15 off a meal with a federal ID. The deal is available between 2 and 7 p.m. every day.

Not Your Average Joe’s
645 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington; 1265 Main St., Waltham; 55 Main St., Watertown

Groups that include a federal furloughed employee or federal contract worker get 15% off their bill, dine-in or takeout (ID required). Alcohol and gift card purchases excluded. The deal is valid all day, every day, until the day after the shutdown ends. (There are locations elsewhere in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New Hampshire as well; see details in the “elsewhere in Massachusetts” and “elsewhere in New England” sections below.)

Pabu
3 Franklin St., Downtown Boston

Between 4 p.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, until the shutdown ends, government employees (with valid ID) can head to Pabu for a free helping of Japanese curry and Tokyo fried chicken karaage.

Pagu
310 Massachusetts Ave., Central Square, Cambridge

As part of the #ChefsForFeds initiative, Pagu is offering federal employees a free meal up to $16 at the bar or for takeout. The deal is available between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m. daily.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
Logan Airport, 1 Harborside Dr., East Boston (two locations); 263 Washington St., Downtown Boston; 1 Federal St, Downtown Boston

From January 23 through January 27, all Potbelly locations nationwide are offering a buy-one-get-one-free sandwich deal to federal employees (with valid ID).

Puritan & Co.
1166 Cambridge St., Inman Square, Cambridge

Beginning on Monday, January 28, federal employees affected by the shutdown (with valid ID) are welcome to come in and eat for free between 5:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (Alcohol excluded.)

State Street Provisions
255 State St., Waterfront, Boston

During the shutdown, State Street Provisions is offering a discount — 50% off of food — for active members of the United States Coast Guard (with valid ID).

Tapestry
69 Kilmarnock St., Fenway, Boston

During the month of February, furloughed employees and their immediate families can come in for free dinner. Valid ID required, drinks excluded, and a limit of five people (one entree each). The deal is available Wednesday through Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill
731 Boylston St., Back Bay, Boston; 645 Beacon St., Kenmore Square, Boston

Furloughed federal workers can get any individual deep dish or Chicago thin crust pizza free during weekday lunch (until 3 p.m.) at all Uno locations in Boston and beyond (see below for more). Dine-in only; one per customer with valid federal government ID. No minimum purchase required. Can’t be combined with other discounts.

Violette Bakers
1786 Massachusetts Ave., Porter Square, Cambridge

Federal workers who are furloughed or working without pay are welcome to present their federal ID and purchase items on a tab that can be paid off after they receive their backpay.

Elsewhere in Massachusetts

Adelita
1200 Main St., Concord

The children of furloughed government employees eat free until the end of the shutdown.

British Beer Company
2294 State Rd., Plymouth; 6 Middle St., Plymouth; 412 Main St., Hyannis; 149 Littleton Rd., Westford; 263 Grand Ave., Falmouth Heights; 280 Franklin Village Dr., Franklin; 15 Columbia Rd., Pembroke; 46 Rt. 6a, Sandwich

Furloughed and unpaid federal government employees get a $25 credit toward their bill (alcohol not included); valid ID required.

Coffee Time Bake Shop
96 Bridge St., Salem

On Thursday mornings until noon, until the shutdown ends, federal employees and immediate family members affected by the shutdown are welcome to come in for free breakfast. (Valid ID required.)

Concord Market
77 Lowell Rd., Concord

Offering a free small coffee and muffin to federal employees Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Corner Stop Eatery
235 Hull St., Cohasset

The Corner Stop is participating in #ChefsForFeds by offering furloughed employees (with government ID) a free entree at lunch, Wednesday through Sunday.

Dos Amigos Burritos
24 Pleasant St., Newburyport

At all locations (including three in New Hampshire — see below), Dos Amigos Burritos is offering a free burrito to government workers (with valid ID) during the shutdown.

The Friendly Toast
Burlington Mall, 75 Middlesex Tpke., Burlington

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section).

Not Your Average Joe’s
305 Main St., Acton; 61 State Rd., Dartmouth; 111 Pond St., Norwell; 1125 Fall River Ave., Seekonk; 291 Turnpike Rd., Westborough; 793 Iyannough Rd., Hyannis; 210 Andover St., Unit P127, Peabody; 70 University Ave., Westwood; 4C Wayside Rd., Burlington; 90 Pleasant Valley St., Methuen; 14 Mazzeo Dr., Randolph

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section). There are also locations outside of Massachusetts; see below.

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
30 Forbes Rd., Braintree; 2 Wayside Rd., Burlington

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section).

Rockafellas
231 Essex St., Salem

Every Tuesday until the end of the shutdown, federal employees (with valid ID) and their families are invited to come for lunch or dinner. Select menu items will be free (alcohol excluded).

Trail’s End
97 Lowell Rd., Concord

Offering a free breakfast sandwich and small coffee to federal employees Tuesday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill
221 Washington St., Attleboro; 205 Hartford Ave., Bellingham; 250 Granite St., Braintree; 270 Providence Hwy., Dedham; 70 Worcester Rd., Framingham; 30 Cushing Ave., Haverhill; 50 Holyoke St., Holyoke; 905 Merriam Ave., Leominster; 70 Worcester Providence Hwy., Suite 447, Millbury; 339 Squire Rd., Revere; 820 Hall of Fame Ave., Springfield; 1722 Boston Rd., Springfield; 100 Charlton Rd., Sturbridge; 970 Paradise Rd., Swampscott; 904 County St., Taunton; 225 Turnpike Rd., Westborough; 25 Major Taylor Blvd., Worcester; 1048 South St., Suite 30, Wrentham

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section), and see below for addresses elsewhere in New England.

Elsewhere in New England

Boston Billiard Club & Casino
55 Northeastern Blvd., Nashua, NH

Offering 50% off all food and drink to anyone with a federal employee ID.

British Beer Company
1071 South Willow St., Manchester, NH; 103 Hanover St., Portsmouth, NH

See information above (in the “elsewhere in Massachusetts” section).

Dos Amigos Burritos
107 State St., Portsmouth, NH; 26 North Main St., Concord, NH; 286 Central Ave., Dover, NH

See information above (in the “elsewhere in Massachusetts” section).

The Friendly Toast
113 Congress St., Portsmouth, NH; 86 St. Paul St., Burlington, VT

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section).

Little Giant
211 Danforth St., Portland, ME

Offering free meals (brunch or dinner) for unpaid federal employees and their immediate families until the shutdown ends. (The deal excludes alcohol and dishes from the “giants” section of the menu.)

Los Charros Cantina
30 Main St., Centerbrook, CT

Offering a limited menu of free hot food to furloughed federal workers (with ID) and their families until the shutdown ends.

Nina June
24 Central St., Rockport, ME

Feeding furloughed workers (with ID) between 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

Not Your Average Joe’s
400 Bald Hill Rd., Warwick, Rhode Island; 221 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, NH

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section).

Potbelly Sandwich Shop
51 Memorial Rd., West Hartford, CT

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section).

Row 34
5 Portwalk Pl., Portsmouth, NH

At the Portsmouth location of Row 34, government employees with a valid ID can get a free meal until the shutdown ends. The deal is valid during lunch and brunch service and includes a choice of a crispy fish sandwich with chips and slaw or a bacon cheddar burger with caramelized onions (one per person).

Tilly’s Cheesesteaks
3711 Kingstown Rd., West Kingston, RI

Those with a federal ID can get 25% off their bill every day from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Uno Pizzeria & Grill
725 Stillwater Ave., Bangor, ME; 280 Maine Mall Rd., Portland, ME; 15 Fort Eddy Rd., Concord, NH; 304 Daniel Webster Hwy., Nashua, NH; 593 Amherst St., Nashua, NH; 122 Laconia Rd., Tilton, NH; 82 Providence Pl., Providence, RI; 371 Putnam Pke., Suite 200, Smithfield, RI; 399 Bald Hill Rd., Warwick, RI; 1330 Shelburne Rd., S. Burlington, VT

See information above (in the “Boston proper” section) and additional addresses in the “elsewhere in Massachusetts” section.

Miscellaneous Deals and One-Time Events

• On Monday, January 28, several Barbara Lynch Collective restaurants are offering a complimentary hot dish to federal workers (with ID) and their families between 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.: fish and chips at B&G Oysters (550 Tremont St., South End, Boston), tagliatelle Bolognese at the Butcher Shop (552 Tremont St., South End, Boston), and potato gnocchi with lobster, mushrooms, and peas at Sportello (348 Congress St., Fort Point, Boston). Party size limited to four diners per ID.
• On Tuesday, February 5, Suddenly Simple Events is throwing a “VIP Community Dinner” at 91 Sohier St. in Cohasset to honor the community’s government employees who are impacted by the shutdown.
• Avery’s Soda in New Britain, Connecticut, has launched a limited-edition soda, Shutdown Swill. “We knew we wanted a green colored soda,” the company wrote, “because it’s all about the money, so we concocted a tasty combination of Blue Raspberry and Orange, with a little extra citric acid for some bitterness.” Federal employees who stop by the bottling plant (520 Corbin Ave.) can get a free bottle.