Happy Election Day!

I am SO glad that November 4th is finally here. It's an important election year, and it seems like there is a lot more passion this year than in the last few presidential elections. Everyone I know is talking politics & wearing their blue or red affiliations on their sleeves! I was glad to do my civic duty this morning ... & even more glad that the political ads and robo-calls are over!

The other cool thing this year is all the freebies that restaurants are giving for voting! Here's a list I got from this website:

Starbucks: Starbucks said it would give voters a free Tall coffee on Nov. 4. The freebie was announced during a national TV ad last night (Nov. 1) on Saturday Night Live. All you have to do is say you voted, the commercial said. Limit one per customer. To view the ad go to, http://www.youtube.com/starbucks. (Nov. 4 update: Now, Starbucks is stating that EVERYONE gets a free coffee)

Anaheim White House: Diners ages 21 and over will receive a complimentary bottle of champagne for voting. The restaurant will offer a $44, four-course dinner that night. In an unusual twist, the award-winning fine dining establishment will also have plasma TVs in the restaurant so diners can watch live election coverage. More info: Address: 887 South Anaheim Blvd. Phone: (714) 772-1381. The free bottle of bubbly is valid, per couple.

Krispy Kreme: The doughnut chain, which has two locations in Orange County, is giving a free “star-shaped” doughnut to voters.

Pizza Hut: The chain expects orders to surge on Election Day. To encourage diners to plan ahead, Pizza Hut is will give a 20 percent discount to all online orders scheduled for delivery or pick-up on Nov. 4. (One catch: The deal is valid for new online customers only.) To order, go to PizzaHut.com.

Ben & Jerry’s: All ice cream stores will give one free scoop of ice cream to customers from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Election Day. This deal is good for “everyone” not just voters, says spokesman Sean Greenwood. I can only imagine the lines.

Pat & Oscar’s: Voters get 20% off on Nov. 4. Dine in only.

Zov’s (Tustin, Irvine, Newport Beach): Voters can get a free slice of Apple Pie with purchase.

Daily Grill (all locations): From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., Daily Grill will give a free appetizer to voters. Happy Hour will also be expanded with prices ranging from $2.95 to $3.95 throughout the evening. (Bar only).

Salt Creek Grille (Dana Point): A few cool things going on at this Dana Point restaurant. First up: free money. In the bar, the customer who comes closest to guessing the correct “percentage of total votes” for the winning presidential candidate will win a $200 restaurant gift card. During happy hour, the restaurant will offer $3 beers. Servers will also pass out free Brandt beef sliders and house-made chips twice during happy hour. That night, the chef is offering an “All-American” Prime Rib dinner — three courses for $27.95.

Scott’s Seafood (Costa Mesa near South Coast Plaza): Show your “vote” sticker, and you get $10 off your lunch or dinner check.

Morton’s The Steakhouse: Presidential Martinis will cost $11, a $1.50 off regular price. (Tell me: Is this really a deal?)

Michael’s on Naples (Long Beach): The Long Beach dining establishment will televise election coverage on a large-screen plasma TV, and offer a “bailout recovery” prix fixe dinner for $35. It will also serve complimentary gourmet pizzettes to voters. Phone: (562) 439-7080.

I'm off to Starbucks for my free cup! =)