Dress up like a leprechaun, get a free meal.

Who could resist that on St. Patrick's Day? When I heard that a few downtown Houston Chick-fil-As were offering free meals to anyone who dressed up like a leprechaun, I quickly sprang into action. Sure, it's not as easy as Denny's now-annual free-breakfast day promotion, but in a way, the challenge made it more interesting.

After quickly talking fellow CultureMapper Sarah Rufca into joining the cause, the hunt started for accessories. Party City carries a surprising amount of leprechaun gear.

I wondered how many other leprechauns there would be at the chicken joint. I admit, I was a little excited about the prospects. We entered Chick-fil-A, I looked around and there was not a single other leprechaun in sight (at least not from my untrained, non-Chick-fil-A approved eye).

It was only about 11:30 a.m. though. I figured the leprechauns were just running a little late.

We walked up to the register and the employees were full of smiles. (Apparently, friendliness goes up a few notches when you’re a St. Paddy’s Day leprechaun.) The manager gave my cashier clerk a quick nod (Yes, leprechaun approval). I was in with a combo and green lemonade. All thanks to an outfit that included a green dress, a green hat, pot-o-gold, gold shoes and a black jacket.

Next came my co-hort in green. Sarah stepped up and declared, “I am also a leprechaun.” She seemed confident in her green argyle sweater, sparkley green hat, denim skirt and brown shoes.

The cashier clerk agreed ... but the manager looked her over and shook her head no. You need to have full leprechaun gear to qualify. Sarah grabbed my pot. She was still denied.

We think it was the missing jacket and last minute pot-o-gold addition that did her in.

OK, so I did spend around $25 at Party City to get my normally $7 Chick-fil-A lunch for free, while Sarah spent nothing at Party City to get nothing. But, in my defense, I do plan to go back to a different Chick-fil-A location for a free dinner and I got a hat that will last a lifetime.

Regardless, we took a seat and waited for more leprechauns to arrive. Lots of people came in with hints of green. A few green dresses showed. But I am sad (and somewhat proud) to say, I remained the only Chick-fil-A-approved leprechaun in the building.

Apparently, it's easier to get into Georgetown Law School (which Sarah has done), than receive the Chick-fil-A leprechaun approval. Who knew the examination process was this taxing?

The promotion lasts through the end of today and is being held at the Meyerland and 59/Kirby locations. If you’re already dressed as a leprechaun or have a costume laying around, you ought to head over (just don’t forget the jacket and pot-o-gold, or you too will be disappointed).

If dressing up isn’t your thing, they’re also providing green milkshakes and lemonade, and who knows?

Maybe you’ll be lucky enough to sight a leprechaun in the process. Even after I've left the building.