Start the morning off with a free cup of coffee Thursday when National Coffee Day rolls around.
Whether you like the drink cold or hot, light or dark, decaf or not, many celebrate coffee every day — and the nation annually treats the drink to its own special day Sept. 29.
Given the occasion, there will be plenty of freshly-brewed deals and freebies to enjoy.
Here's where you can score the perfect blend in the Chicago area:
Dunkin'
Dunkin' is offering a free medium hot or iced coffee with any purchase through their DD Perks loyalty program Thursday.
Fairgrounds Craft Coffee & Tea
Local
On National Coffee Day, customers can get a free 12-oz. cup of a specialty craft coffee from the Fairgrounds Brew Bar with the purchase of a breakfast sandwich.
Smoothie King
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Smoothie King is pulling out all the stops for National Coffee Day with its "King of Coffee" pop-up experience. The pop-up will serve free espresso and coffee smoothies from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Union Station.
Stan’s Donuts and Coffee
Customers can get a free small coffee or cold brew when they order through the shop's app Saturday.
Intelligentsia
Slow & Low will have tasting pop ups Friday and Saturday around the Chicago area. Visitors can the chance to try the brand's Coffee Old-Fashioned, a drink made in partnership with the city's own Intelligentsia Coffee.
Krispy Kreme
It’s not just free coffee customers can walk home with at Krispy Kreme — the chain is also offering a free doughnut for its reward members. Non-members can still grab a free iced or hot brewed coffee Thursday with no purchase necessary.
Panera
Panera is offering new Unlimited Sip Club subscribers two months of free membership, while existing Sip Club members can receive $2 off select barista beverages and smoothies Thursday.
Barnes & Noble
Customers can snag a free tall hot or iced coffee with a purchase of any baked item Thursday.
Peet’s
Peet's will serve a free small drip coffee with any purchase Thursday. On top of that, the shop will run 20%-off promotions on beans, K-cup pods and capsules Thursday through Sunday in stores and online.
McDonald’s
McDonald’s doesn’t have a deal particular to National Coffee Day, but the fast-food franchise is offering $1 hot or iced coffee through the end of the year when customers order through their app.
