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These Philly restaurants are cutting deals for unpaid government workers

Eat now, pay later for check-less government workers.

Lobster pho from Ardiente in Old City.
Lobster pho from Ardiente in Old City.Read moreCOURTESY ARDIENTE

Update: With the government returning, at least temporarily, check with individual restaurants. Some are extending the offer as a courtesy.

With the partial federal government shutdown affecting the wallets of workers and their families, restaurants are getting into the act, offering credits and comps to those who produce valid ID.

Among the deals:

Misconduct Tavern’s locations (1511 Locust St. and 1801 JFK Blvd.) are offering free meals (eat-in only) to furloughed federal workers from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays. Valid ID is required.

Tiffin’s locations are offering free lunch entrees with rice from 12 to 2 p.m. through Jan. 24.

Trolley Car Diner in Mount Airy, Trolley Car Cafe in East Falls, and Trolley Car Station in University City says it will extend credit to affected workers. “We’ll take down your information and look for payment when this crisis is over and you receive back pay,” owner Ken Weinstein said.

Rotten Ralph’s at Second and Chestnut Streets in Old City is extending a “pay back later” lunch offer good for an appetizer or sandwich for the next week. Patrons are expected to repay after the shutdown.

House at 110-114 S. Jackson St. in Media says on its Facebook that the government shutdown is no joke: “If you and your family are affected, show up to house restaurant with your valid government ID for a free meal on us.”

Nick’s Bar & Grille at 16 S. Second St. in Old City will take 20 percent off any food at lunch or dinner with a valid government worker ID. It’s not valid on special pricing like lunch specials and happy hour.

Jane G’s at 20th and Chestnut and Dim Sum House at 3939 Chestnut St. are offering 20 percent off for federal workers with gov’t ID, at dine-on. Children in the immediate family are no charge.

&Pizza is offering free pizzas (with ID) from 3 to 5 p.m. daily. Government contractors pay a discount ($5 a pie).

Vanilya Bakery (1611 E. Passyunk Ave.) is expanding its federal employee bagel day until government is back in session. There’s a free bagel with any spread (butter or cream cheese) ID, while supplies last.

The Palace of Indian (1533 S. 11th St.) offers a 15% discount for federal employees during the shutdown.

Le Virtu (1927 E. Passyunk Ave.) The regular $35 3-course deal (with complimentary cookies) is offered for $30 Sunday to Thursday; it comes with a complimentary amaro or tap beer or wine.

In the Valley (1615 E. Passyunk Ave.). Offering one complimentary cocktail and one snack to any government worker with valid ID/pay stub until the end of the shutdown.

Brigantessa (1520 E. Passyunk Ave.) offers a free margherita or marinara pizza and half-price domestic craft tap beers (the first beer is free) from 5-7 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. A three-course deal (antipasto, pizza or pasta, dessert) is $15.

Sedition (727 Walnut St.) is offering free House Burgers (with Stilton bleu, caramelized onion, and bacon on brioche) and one beer (any draft, bottle or can) at lunch or dinner, dine-in only.

Federal Donuts (all locations). A doughnut and cup of coffee, on the house, until the shutdown ends. Limit one order per day with a valid federal government ID.

Pineville Tavern and Pineville Fishtown are offering federal workers affected by the shutdown free fried chicken meals to the federal worker and their immediate family. Those affected can take advantage as many times as they’d like during the shutdown.

Mike’s BBQ in South Philadelphia will run free smoked chicken salad sandwiches for federal workers and their families with ID from 3 p.m. to closing Wednesday to Sunday starting Jan. 23. Also, Mike’s will allow guests to prepurchase food for federal workers as well. For example: Buy a gift certificate for $10, and Mike’s will put it on the wall. A federal worker with ID can take off the wall and use it.

Brickwall Tavern (1213 Sansom St.) and Porta (1216 Chestnut St.) are also giving discounts to government workers based on the day of the shutdown. Day 35 would mean 35 percent off the bill, with ID.

Ardiente in Old City has introduced lobster pho, and federal employees affected by the shutdown will receive a complimentary bowl ($22) during the shutdown.

Brü Craft & Wurst (1316 Chestnut St.) offers 15 percent off the entire bill with valid government employee ID, for dine-in.

Revolution Taco (2015 Walnut St.) offers 15 percent off the entire bill with valid government employee ID for dine-in or take-out, not delivery.

SliCE Pizza (431 E. Girard Ave. and 1180 S. 10th St. in Philadelphia and 137 Egg Harbor Rd. in Washington Township) offers a free entree specialty salad with purchase of any large pie, a free side salad with any small pie purchase, and a free drink with any slice purchase. One per order. Valid government employee ID. Dine-in or take-out, no delivery.

P’unk Burger (1823 E. Passyunk Ave.) offers buy one/get one any build-your-own or specialty burger. Offered for dine-in or take-out, no delivery.

Romano’s Macaroni Grill (all locations) offers a free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti. Valid through 1/23/19 or until the shutdown ends, with valid federal ID from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.

Giuseppe & Sons at 1523 Sansom St. is offering a choice of sandwich, with ID, from 2-5 p.m. weekdays.

The following Starr restaurants are offering food:

El Vez, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Tortilla soup and chicken/cheese quesadilla

El Rey, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Tortilla soup and pork pastor quesadilla

Jones, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Grilled cheese and tomato soup

Frankford Hall, 5-6:30 p.m. weekdays: Frankfurter and sauerkraut

The Dandelion, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled chicken sandwich

Continental Midtown, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled cheese

Parc, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Mushroom soup and roast beef sandwich

Continental Old City, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Soup and grilled cheese

Pizzeria Stella, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Large soup

Pod, 2-5 p.m. weekdays: Miso soup and bahn mi

Hear of others? Let me know: mklein@philly.com