Way back when I was in college at the University of Florida, the local troupe of Hare Krishna devotees would set up in the Plaza offering free food to all who were hungry (which was basically all of us students!). There was definitely something to be desired about the quality of their curried offerings, though -- you can get a bit tired of ghee-soaked potatoes day in day out.

When you're craving sugar and coming off the 24 bus at Castro and Market, you needn't beg from crumbs. Stop at Hot Cookie and chow down on their day old cookies - just $.85 each or three for $2.50, about a third of the price of a regular "hot" cookie. Trust me, these babies aren't like stale bread - they are totally still sinful and choco-nutty the next day.

My current job has taken me into the belly of San Francisco's Corporate Beast (so to speak), and I now find myself, during my 30-minute lunch breaks, wondering, "Where can a Cheap Bastard like myself find a good place to eat?"

New England-style fish joint Woodhouse Fish, Market at 14th, has dollar oysters and $3 pints (mmm...$3 pints) every Tuesday from 4:00 on - usually until about 9:00. That's many, many hours in which to imbibe the cheapness. Split a clam roll with a pal and you're in business.

The Chowhounds know everything about food. Here's a great link on some amazing eatin' bargains Bay Area-wide. And thank you, Kungful, for your kind mention of CBGSF...

http://www.chowhound.com/topics/465237

OK, Lucca's Italian Deli on Valencia and 21st (or is that 22nd?) is the widely-known go-to place for your ravioli, your tortellini, your salumi, your grissini.... Their regular sandwiches are not outrageously priced - most are six bucks for a hard or soft roll packed with aged asiago and spicy copa (our personal fave combination).

Come hungry, and don't feel like you have to stuff yourself with bread or chips like all other inferior happy hours...all soju cocktails and all eats - including serious stuff, like Korean short ribs, spicy prawns, and fried calamari - are half price all night. Yum it up doubletime...

Thanks to the watchful eye of foodie pal, Marcia over at Tablehopper (http://www.tablehopper.com), you big ol' birthday boys and gals can get that present that you've been itching for - free eats and booze! Check out this link (http://www.chowhound.com/topics/442231) on Chowhound for tips on free birthday meal specials around the Bay Area.