We seem to be making our way out of the recession, as recent Labor Department stats indicate, but even the more financially secure wouldn't dismiss the appeal of free food. There are two giveaways in town this week — and they're not going to be Costco-sized fun bites.

First up, the Fatburger/Buffalo Café joint restaurant on the corner of Sepulveda and Santa Monica Boulevards will be ringing in its grand opening with free samples. Any customer visiting between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. will receive a small Fatburger and two Buffalo wings.

This Friday, March 15, Nekter Juice Bar will give a 16-ounce juice or smoothie to each customer from 7 to 11 a.m. in honor of its grand opening. If you're one of the first 50 to stop by Nekter, you'll get a $25 gift card.

Fatburger/Buffalo Café: 11090 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles; (310) 445-3334.

Nekter Juice Bar: 8951 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood; (800) 385-1650.

And in related news:

– 5 Best Chicken Wings in Los Angeles

– The Underrated Burger Smackdown: Brick + Mortar Vs. The Original Tops

– FTC Orders POM Wonderful to Stop Making Health Claims

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