Bargain Alert: FREE Papa Burger From A&W for Joining Their Text Club

Right now you can get a FREE Papa Burger (Single not Double) from A&W by texting BURGER to 70626.  There's no purchase necessary, and the coupon is valid May 4 - May 10, 2012. 

This automatically signs you up for their text club, but you can always opt out later, if you want to.  And, rumor is that only some restaurants are participating, so you'll need to make sure your local one is.

Yay for Free Stuff!

Bargain Alert: Tax Day Freebies and Deals

I'm sure you've seen the articles about all of the tax day freebies, but I thought I'd post some of the local deals here, as well.

Here's a few courtesy of MSN Money:

• Arby’s: Free curly fries at participating restaurants April 17. For the coupon "like" Arby’s Facebook page.
• Panda Express: You can get a free single serving of Shanghai Steak on April 17 with a coupon from the Facebook page.
• P.F. Chang's: 15% off dine-in and take-out orders April 17. The deal does not include happy hour or P.F. Chang's for Two.
• Sonic: Half-price drinks and slushes all April 17 at participating restaurants.
• Office Depot: The chain is offering up to 5 pounds of free paper shredding and 25 free photocopies (say, of your tax return) through April 16.

And some more that I found while looking around the web, courtesy of The Christian Science Monitor:

• Chevy's Fresh Mex: A tax-free deal. Chevy's will pay sales tax on all meals. 
• Chili’s: Free dessert or appetizer with an adult entrée purchase. Only one coupon is redeemable per table, so it looks like you’ll have to go alone.  You will have to use This coupon.
• IHOP: Kids eat free with a paying adult from 4 pm to 10 pm. Offer valid through  the month of April.
• McDonald’s: Free pie or small cone with purchase of $2.99 or more. Only available at participating locations.

Gluttony will surely make me feel better after writing that check to the IRS...

Bargain Alert: A Couple of Great Dining Deals from LocalGruv

There are a couple of good deals on food available today on LocalGruv.com.  You can get a $10 voucher for $5 to use at Carl's Jr. in Pleasanton, or at Wise Guys Philly Cheesesteaks n' Gyros in Livermore.

Carl's Jr. is always a decent bet in the fast food world, and I have been wanting to try their new Jalapeño Patty Melt.  Click here to get the half off deal for Carl's Jr.

And I'd seen Wise Guys a few times off of the Airway Blvd exit on 580, but I never knew that they served Philly Cheesesteaks.  I'm definitely going to have to give them a try.  Click here to get the half off deal for Wise Guys. (This one is only available today.)

Mi Pueblo Food Center is Now Open in Tracy!

I'm so excited to hear that Mi Pueblo Food Center is now open in Tracy.  I feel like I've been waiting forever, when in reality it was just a few months since I heard that the SaveMart on Tracy Blvd had closed and was going to become a Mi Pueblo. 

I was first introduced to Mi Pueblo stores a couple of years ago by my friend who is originally from Mexico.  She loved going there because she said it reminded her of being back in Mexico.  We went there together and ate at their in-store taqueria (each store has one, I believe).  It was really yummy, inexpensive food.  Plus they have really good prices on quality produce and each store has a great carniceria (meat department) and panaderia (bakery).

Now, I know some people may be reluctant to go there if they don't speak Spanish.  But let me reassure you.  Their staff is bilingual (Spanish/English) and I am always treated just like every other customer and have a great experience in their stores, despite the fact that I can barely remember any of my high school Spanish.  Plus, it's a great way to experience something out of the norm, and brush up a little on your Spanish vocabulary: lechuga = lettuce.  See?  It will be fun.

They're now open at:

3225 N. Tracy Blvd.
Tracy, CA 95376

Their Grand Opening Celebration will be on Saturday, March 31st.  I definitely plan on stopping by that day to see all of the festivities that they're bound to have.

Here's their new weekly flier.  It's also bilingual.  http://www.mipueblo.com//mipueblo/wp-content/uploads/especiales/TRACY.pdf

Or visit their website at: http://www.mipueblo.com/mipueblo/

Bargain Alert: Free French Fries from Burger King This Weekend

This Saturday, March 17th and Sunday, March 18th, Burger King is giving away a free value size french fry to every customer, with no purchase necessary.  And to celebrate St. Patty's Day, they're serving them with a special green sauce.  I'm not sure if that's gross or fun, but who can pass up some tasty, free french fries?

Click here for more info: http://www.bk.com/en/us/company-info/press/press-release2536.html

Something Fun: Discover Chocolate Making With a Free Class Today or Sunday

Yelp is having an event called, Yelp's Field Trip and they're offering free classes and experiences throughout the Bay Area.  Unfortunately it's mostly over, but I found this one that sounds really fun: A World of Chocolate at Nuubia Chocolat.  Nuubia Chocolate is located in Pleasanton, and in this free class you'll learn about how Chef du Chocolat, Lionel Clement creates beautiful and delicious chocolate confections with environmentally sensitive ingredients.  And hopefully you'll get to taste some of the delicious treats.

Classes are:

Friday, March 16th at 4:00 PM: click here to RSVP for this class.

Sunday, March 18th at 3:00 PM: click here to RSVP for this class.

Have fun!

Bargain Alert: Kids Eat Free at Chili's March 5-7th (Plus Free Chips and Queso)

For the next two days, kids 12 and under eat free at Chili's with the purchase of a regular entree.  I rarely need an excuse to go to Chili's, so this is a bonus. 

Click here for the coupon you'll need to bring.

Plus! If you sign up for their email club, you get free chips and queso. Double Bonus!  Go here to sign up. 

Bargain Alert: Saturday Brunch Buffet for Two at the First Street Ale House for $13

This deal from Living Social is especially timely, considering First Street Ale House was just voted the best restaurant in Livermore by Mountain Housers, in a poll conducted by MountainHouseLiving.com.

For the next two days, you can purchase a voucher for $13, good for two Saturday brunch buffets, including $6 toward drinks, at the First Street Ale House.

Get yours here!

Bargain Alert: Free Frozen Yogurt (and Toppings) at Yogurtland Today 2/6/12

I love froyo and I especially love free stuff.  And today is the best Monday ever, because you can get Free Frozen Yogurt (plus toppings!) at Yogurtland from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM (valid at participating locations only).  Unfortunately, our nearest location is in Dublin, but I'll probably stop on my way home!

Here's their website, to find locations, etc., but it was running pretty slowly when I tried to access it: www.yogurt-land.com

Something Fun: Valentines Day

This February 14th will be our third Valentines Day in Mountain House.  I honestly can't remember the first, and I only remember last year because of a really bad dining experience.  I won't mention the restaurant here, but it was a place in downtown Tracy, and I'm sure if you're really keen, you can find my Yelp review of the place.

So, because of that, I wanted this year to be nice.  Nothing too over the top, but still a great time.  We've decided to try out a new "gourmet Mexican" restaurant in Livermore, El Sacromonte.  It's gotten good reviews on Yelp.  So, even though I'm a food wimp and a little scared of trying something so different (check out their menu - this is no taqueria), I'm going to have an open mind. 

What are your favorite places nearby for a nice dinner out?  Please post your responses in the comments below.  Thanks!

Good Cause: Mountain House and Tracy Fire Department Crab Feed - Feb 17

Don't tell my significant other, but I love firefighters.  Not just because they're brave and handsome... well, yeah, basically because they're brave and handsome.  (I know that there are female firefighters, who are equally brave and beautiful - you go girls!) And we need them in our community to protect us from all sorts of bad things.  So, if you can, please attend the Mountain House Fire and Tracy Fire Crab Feed on February 17th, 2012 from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM at the Portuguese Hall in Tracy. Tickets are $40, with all the proceeds going back to the community.  And they'll also have Tri Tip if, like me, you have an aversion to all things from the ocean.

You can get tickets by calling Fire Station 91 at (209) 831-4710, or Oscar Sharp on his cell at (209) 321-1977, or Jeff Brown on his cell at (209) 914-0377. I hear they're going fast!

Thanks to the post by Oscar on the Mountain House Forum for this info.  There's also a Facebook event page here.

On a serious note, I really appreciate firefighters for all that they do.  It's a rare person who will risk his or her life to save another, and they do it without hesitation, just because it's their job and the right thing to do.  My grandfather was a member of his volunteer fire company for over 50 years. He was very proud of that, as we still are.  Please support our local firefighters in any way that you can.

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Casa Flores in Tracy

I'm loving all of the Groupons that are available in our area lately (with the exception of the Jamba Juice Groupon - see the updated post about that).  And here's another one I just learned about (and bought!)

For $10, you get $20 to spend on food and drinks at Casa Flores Mexican Restaurant.  It's valid at 8 locations, including the one on Tracy Blvd in Tracy (but not the ones in Manteca or Modesto, in case you're planning to go there).  I haven't been to Casa Flores before, but with a 50% discount, I'm definitely going to give it a try.

Go here to get all the details and to purchase the Groupon.

Good Cause: Eating at Baja Fresh Today Benefits the Bethany School Foundation

Thanks to the Mountain House Wiki Community Events Page for letting me know about this event just in time.

If you eat at the Baja Fresh at 1875 W. 11th Street in Tracy today, Thursday, Jan 19th, between 2:00 and 9:00 PM, and you present this flier, a portion of the proceeds will go to the Bethany School Foundation.

Bethany School is an Elementary through Middle School in Mountain House.  It's currently the only middle school in Mountain House, and because of this, the Foundation benefits many of the school-aged kids in Mountain House. 

Here's a link to the Bethany School Foundation: http://www.bethanyschoolfoundation.org/

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Qdoba Mexican Grill is Back Up!

In case you missed it last time, I just noticed that the Groupon for Qdoba Mexican Grill in Tracy is back up: $7 for a $14 voucher.  You can purchase it through tomorrow.  

I still haven't used mine, but let me know if you've been there and how you liked it.

You can get the Groupon here.

Bargain Alert: Groupon for 2 Medium Whirl'ns Frozen Yogurts with 2 Toppings Each for $5 (Update: Not Available in our Area)

Here's another Groupon that we can use close to home!  I just received an email from Groupon apologizing because this isn't available at Jamba Juices in our area and they'll be issuing refunds to those who purchased it.  Sorry about that!


For $5 you can get two Medium Whirl'ns Frozen Yogurts with two toppings each from Jamba Juice.  I didn't know that Jamba Juice had started selling froyo.  But since my step-daughter and I love frozen yogurt, we'll definitely be getting this one.

Get the Groupon here.

Taste of Tri-Valley - January 21-29, 2012

The Taste of Tri-Valley is returning soon and the list of the restaurants participating is now available.  This is a great chance to try a restaurant that may have been a little too expensive to go to before, since during this "Restaurant Week," each of the restaurants participating are offering special meals at discounted prices. 

I wanted to try The Restaurant at Wente Vineyards last year during Restaurant Week, but didn't get to. Luckily, they're participating again this year, and I think the lunch they're offering is new, and at a great price ($15).

Here's the event website, which includes the list of all restaurants participating and their prices: http://www.trivalleycvb.com/tasteoftrivalley/

Taco Night!

Fridays are often taco night in our household.  That's because our favorite taqueria in Tracy, Taqueria Maguey, sells $0.75 tacos on Fridays (and Wednesdays).  Their tacos are on the smaller side, but deliciously filled with quality ingredients.  About 4 will fill me up, and I like to eat a lot of food. They also have other deals the rest of the week, but I love ending my work week with tacos and maybe a chile relleno, if they have any left.

Taqueria Maguey
2242 W. Grant Line Rd.
Tracy, CA 95377http://www.yelp.com/biz/taqueria-maguey-tracy

Bargain Alert: Groupon for Qdoba in Tracy - One Day Left

On Groupon right now, you can get a $14 voucher to Qdoba in Tracy for $7.  It's rare for Groupon or any of the other deal sites to have deals so close to home, so I had to post about it.  I bought this one since it's a new restaurant that I'd been wanting to try, and I'll definitely try it if I get a 50% discount.

Here's the link.  You won't be able to purchase it after tomorrow: http://www.groupon.com/deals/qdoba-stockton?c=dnb&p=5