National Cheeseburger Day 2022: Where To Find The Best Food Freebies And Deals

It would be great if food holidays were recognized as three-day weekends by the federal government, but instead, they incite cravings that we look forward to indulging in after a long week of the same routine. It's not a road trip to the mountains, but all in all, it's not a bad trade. In case you're not up to speed on this month's lineup of food-centric occasions, September 18 is National Cheeseburger Day.

The exact origins of the cheeseburger are fuzzy, but it appears that the sandwich has been around since at least the 1920s and that a restaurant trademarked the term "cheeseburger" in 1935 (per the Carnegie Museum of Natural History). Delicious as it is, meat with cheese on it is not the most novel concept, so we wouldn't be surprised to discover that home cooks have been privately cheesing up their beef patties since the invention of the hamburger. One cheeseburger fact that doesn't require speculation is this: An array of fast-food establishments around the country will sling special freebies and deals on the dish this weekend.

The home of the famous Whopper is a sensible first stop on your National Cheeseburger Day journey. On September 18 only, Royal Perks members who spend $1 or more on Burger King's app or website will get a free cheeseburger (via QSR). 

If you just landed (on Earth), the brand's version is classic as classic gets. It features a signature "flame-grilled" beef patty topped with American cheese, pickles, yellow mustard, and ketchup between two sesame-speckled toasted buns (via Burger King).

McDonald's is another obvious participant in National Cheeseburger Day, but it's still worth mentioning. The chain will offer a very similar deal to the one at Burger King, but you don't need to be a rewards member to reap the cheesy benefits. Moreover, WSLS reports that app users were asked to cast their vote for the burger that would feature in the deal. Anyone who spends $1 or more on the app will be treated to a complimentary Double Cheeseburger. This one has two Canadian beef patties topped with American cheese, pickles, onions, and your favorite red and yellow condiments (per McDonald's).

The Burger Experience (the virtual brand of fast-casual franchise Smokey Bones) is treating customers to $5 cheeseburgers on September 18. According to a company release, fans can choose from The Classic, Classic with Cheese, Bacon Cheeseburger, Mushroom, and Swiss Burger, and Green Chile Burger, all of which are served on a grilled brioche bun. The burgers get an extra savory kick from the brand's "XTC" condiment, which combines mustard, soy, and hoisin sauce. A review by Daddy's Hangout described the sauce as having "a savory and complementary taste that harkens back to the days of the original burger joints."

Dog Haus, a German-inspired chain that opened in Pasadena in 2010, is known for its beefy hot dogs and sausages. But for National Cheeseburger Day, participating locations are offering a $5 coupon on their unique cheeseburgers, according to a statement. The sandwiches' smashed patties are topped with white American cheese, pickles, lettuce, tomato, onion, and a "secret sauce." To try to redeem the offer between September 19 to October 18, fans can text the word "cheeseburger" to (833)-440-1110.

Clearly, the stars are aligning on National Cheeseburger Day. New My Rewards members at Carl's Jr and Hardee's can score a free Famous Star or Western Bacon Cheeseburger with any in-app purchase upon registration on September 18, per a press release. App users who are also All My Rewards members will also get a BOGO $1 Famous Star offer.