50 Free Lunches + Cinco De Mayo Specials + Outdoor Dining: Deals

ARLINGTON, VA — May kicks off on Thursday, bringing warmer weather, which means more opportunities for outdoor dining.

A number Arlington restaurants with outdoor seating are planning special discounts, events and activities to attract diners in May.

To introduce its new lunch menu, Corso Italian at 4024 Campbell Ave. in Shirlington is offering a free lunch to the first 25 walk-in guests on Monday and Tuesday, starting at 11:30 a.m. After the first 25 meals are claimed, all other guests who arrive by 2 p.m. will receive a complementary side of Calabrian Meatballs with any purchase of $15 or more. The lunch giveaways are available from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days.

“The new lunch menu features a variety of fresh salads, hot and cold sandwiches starting at $16, and a selection of handmade pastas and other Corso favorites like focaccia with whipped ricotta, seared tuna crudo, and oxtail ravioli,” according to Corso Italian.

Guests at Thompson Restaurants’ Big Buns, matchbox and Makers Union locations in Arlington can enjoy their meals outdoors and earn rewards in the month of May.

• Big Buns has locations in Ballston (4401 Wilson Blvd.) and Shirlington (4251 Campbell Ave.), offering prime outdoor seating for burger + shake indulgence and pet-friendly dining.
• matchbox at 1100 S Hayes St, Suite H20, in Pentagon City offers outdoor seating where you can enjoy happy hour Monday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. That's when you'll find $8-$10 appetizers such as chicken wings, drunken meatballs, arancini, Maryland crab dip and more. As well as $10 specialty cocktails, $5 domestic beer and $8 wines.
• Makers Union at 450 South Eads St, Suite 65, has a pet-friendly patio with happy hour offerings Monday-Friday, from 3-6 p.m.

Thompsons Restaurants will be celebrating Cinco de Mayo at all of its Big Buns, Makers Union and matchbox locations.
All month long, guests at Big Buns can enjoy the Mexican Street Burger (Seasoned Angus beef, Mexican slaw, avocado cream sauce, Fritos chips, Mexican salsa and queso fresco on a brioche bun) and Mexican Churro Shake (premium vanilla ice cream, chocolate fudge, brown sugar, cinnamon.
Served in a cup rimmed with churro-mix and topped with whipped cream and a churro stick) in honor of Cinco de Mayo. From May 1-6, guests can also order Beltway Bandito Margs and Modelo Beers for $5.55 each.
Makers Union guests will be able to enjoy live music and irresistible food and drink specials Saturday-Monday. Saturday’s patio party features live music sets from 12–3 p.m. and 5–8 p.m., while Monday keeps the vibes going with tunes from 5-
From Friday-Monday, matchbox will be serving crispy shrimp tacos, chili lime corn, chicken and chorizo enchiladas, and classic margaritas to keep the party going.