Vote… And Then Flash Your "I Voted" Sticker All Day Long

Free stuff? Good. Free stuff after voting in the most important election of our lifetimes? Even better.

Yep, I’ll be in line for a free 12 oz. (“tall”) coffee tomorrow at Starbucks. Perhaps at several locations.

And maybe, I’ll also head to Krispy Kreme for a free star-shaped donut. And Ben & Jerry’s for a free scoop.

Meanwhile, Thrillist has put together a list of other freebies or discounts tomorrow. Just flash your “I Voted” sticker:

“Healthy” Vote: O!Burger (8593 Santa Monica Blvd, West Hollywood; 310.854.0234)
Buy a burger at this all-natural hole-in-the-wall and get a free order of fries or organic cookies — whose organic crumbs will be telltale evidence that you voted for Nader.

Drinky Vote #1: Colorado Wine Co (2114 Colorado Blvd, Pasadena; 323.478.1985)
Take 50% off any of the 6-7 whites and reds this small shop’ll be pouring — perfect if you recently took 50% off your bank account.

Rockin’ Vote: Amoeba Music (6400 Sunset Blvd, Hollywood; 323.245.6400)
The leviathan music store’s handing out coupons good for $2 off anything — a new cd, used vinyl, a poster from the Milli Vanilli show you hit on election night ’88… Use your discount on Orrin Hatch’s How His Glory Shines, and $2 will be taken off your soul.

Dessert Vote: Tart (115 S Fairfax, Mid-Wilshire; 323.556.2608
Tart’s offering a free dessert to compliment discounted drinks and a special election menu that includes the likes of a caramelized onion, roasted red pepper & aioli “Bailout Burger”. No purchase necessary for the dessert, but cheapskates run the risk of the waiter giving them “Bailout Eyes.”

Lookin’ Good Vote: Cristophe Salon (348 N Beverly Dr, Beverly Hills; 310.274.0851)
This Beverly Hills salon’ll give you 50%-off gift certificates, and on-the-spot services you need (haircut), services you don’t (coloring), and services you claim you don’t (waxing).

Drinky Vote #2: Pitfire
At all the Pitfire pizzeria (in Downtown and North Hollywood)
The Downtown and North Hollywood outposts of this pizzeria mini-chain are offering your choice of either Edison Ale or an “Obama/McCain” limited-edition soda — so basically, vote for Edison.

Lunchy Vote: Pink Taco (At Westfield Century City: 10250 Santa Monica Blvd, Century City; 310.789.1000)
Get a shot of well tequila and 3 free pink tacos — a Clintonian deal hearkening back to the freewheeling days of Election ’96.

The Orange County Register’s Fast Food Maven has more Election Day promotions here.

Dunkin’ Donuts Moves Closer to Los Angeles

Three years ago, we wrote that new Dunkin’ Donuts owners Bain Capital planned a massive expansion of the chain — which hasn’t been seen in Los Angeles in at least 13 years.

We’re still waiting to see if Dunkin’ makes its way back to L.A. — but if this NPR report is any indication, the chain plans a massive push into the American Southwest over the next few years.

According to NPR, the “nine new stores in Phoenix is just a start. Dunkin’ Donuts has plans for 150 in this (Arizona) area. And 10,000 new stores in the next decade, starting in the Southwest, and then moving toward Starbucks’ home territory in the Northwest.”

(Thanks to SeanYoda for the link!)

Los Angeles Gets Exclusive New Starbucks Drink

Los Angeles will be the test market next month for a new line of Italian-style drinks at Starbucks. Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz hinted at the news in an L.A. Times interview:

In July we will introduce a fantastic new summer product in Los Angeles. . . . We found a fantastic new cold-beverage platform in Italy, and as a result of that we are bringing it to the market. It is a product that is both indulgent and refreshing. . . . It is steeped in Italian heritage. I can’t tell you more than that.

That got the commenters at Starbucks Gossip guessing. The consensus is that it will be some sort of sorbet-based drink, perhaps with yogurt.

L.A. Times Pays For Itself Today

Before it’s too late, pick up today’s paper and make sure you grab both the Starbucks and McDonald’s ads. McDonald’s is offering a free medium ice coffee, while the Starbucks insert — promoting the chain’s new “Pike Place Roast” — offers free tall coffees every Wednesday through the end of May.

There you go — plenty of free caffeine for ya.

I Know, I Know, It’s McDonalds — But Hey, Free Ice Coffee

Thanks to the O.C. Register’s Fast Food Maven for spreading the word on this freebie:

According to the Maven, McDonald’s is offering up its new Iced Coffee — well, 8 oz. versions, at least — for free through Sunday. The flavors include hazelnut, vanilla, caramel, sugar-free vanilla and regular. Not sure which McDonald’s are participating, but the blog believes that most in Southern California are game.

I love free stuff, but I’m also annoyed with McDonald’s obnoxious radio ads. In the spots, a group of women decide to take a coffee break at McDonald’s. They marvel at their purchase, noting that they could actually pronounce what they were ordering — and didn’t have to drink their beverages with their noses in the air. OK, I get it — a dig at the supposed upper-class elitism of coffee chains like Starbucks. But puhleeze. Starbucks long ago became mainstream; you can even find packed locations in small, middle America towns. Is ordering a latte really still considered something only snobby elitists order?!