Gimme (A Tax) Shelter

Even if Uncle Sam took a great big bite out of your wallet this year, there are still ways to enjoy a good meal today -- several, in fact -- thanks to local restaurants taking advantage of your newfound poverty to offer free or reduced-price goodies today. It's like a crack dealer giving you your first hit for free, only much more delicious and (hopefully) less addictive.

Start off with a healthy treat from Robek's. The smoothie kings are taking 50 percent off the price of your entire order if you mention the word "Twitter." See? You didn't even have to succumb to the microblogging service to get that deal.

Those of you with a sweet tooth can get your sugar fix at several places. Cinnabon is offering samples of their new cupcakes from 6 to 8 p.m. at participating locations. Suzybees is offering 8.25 percent off your entire cupcake order all day. And the Sugar Land location of Maggie Moo's is offering samples of their newest product -- ice cream pizza (trust us, it's better than it sounds) -- from 3 to 7 p.m.

Need something a bit stiffer than a cupcake? Anvil Bar & Refuge is offering a tax day special from 5 to 9 p.m., when our own spirits blogger Bobby Heugel will be crafting $6 cocktails from a special menu that includes old classics like the Hemingway Daiquiri and the Bee's Knees. Even better? There's no tax on any of the drinks. Cru Wine Bar in The Woodlands will also be offering a tax day discount of 50 percent on their entrees, sharing plates and pizzas. And Sambuca will be having happy hour all day today, with 50 percent off all drinks and appetizers.

But the deals don't stop there... Go by your local Starbucks with a reusable tumbler and get your coffee for free (yes, free!). And once you've got your caffeine fix and are ready to stand in line at the post office, look out for Arby's -- they'll be giving away free samples of their new $1 value menu items at select post office locations.

For even more listings, including specials at P.F. Chang, McCormick & Schmick, Boston Market, Downing Street Pub and much more, check out our good friends at Cheap Eats Houston (or follow them on Twitter) for an ever-growing list of tax day deals.