Achievement unlocked: Receive a free cup of Blanchard's "Dark As Dark" blend, plus a slew of other great giveaways, with your "I Voted" sticker. (Photo by Stephanie Breijo)
There's nothing quite like the taste of democracy in action, but if you can savor that while also chowing down on some free or discounted treats because of it — well, now we're really talking. After you hit the polls today, be sure to save your "I Voted" sticker; the city is packed with election-day specials and food freebies to reward you for being the upstanding citizen you are.
- 7-Eleven: Grab your phone and get those fingers tapping; once you download the free 7-Eleven app and show the clerk the coupon on your phone, you're entitled to one free cup of coffee in any size.
- 7 Hills Seafood & Brewing Co.: Want 45 percent off growler fills? Then get thee to 7 Hills (115 S. 15th St.) and wear that sticker proudly.
- Alero: New Mexican spot Alero (417 W. Grace St.) — formerly and fairly recently Venezuelan restaurant Kanoa — is offering 15 percent off all entrées today when you flash your "I Voted" sticker.
- Blanchard's Coffee Roasting Co.: Show up to either the Blanchard's Roast Lab (1903 Westwood Ave.) OR Roaring Pines (2025 Venable St.) and proudly display your "I Voted" sticker, and you'll receive one free cup of Blanchard's coffee! The Roast Lab is serving up a few blends until close at 4 p.m., while you'll find a free cup at Roaring Pines until 6 p.m.
- Continental Divide: To ease your nerves as the counts come in, Continental Divide (2501 W. Main St.) is extending its happy hour until 9 p.m. tonight and offering $2 tacos, while supplies last.
- Crunch Dynasty: Add texture, heat and flavor to your dishes thanks to Crunch Dynasty, and do it at a discount. The local food company is offering 30 percent off all orders today when you use the code "ivoted" in its online store.
- Greenbriar Cafe & Coffeehouse: Thirsty? Find 10 percent off all drinks at Greenbriar (1211 W. Main St.) today when you show up with your sticker.
- India K' Raja: Tonight, head to this popular Indian restaurant (9051 W. Broad St.), show your sticker and get a whopping 45 percent off your dine-in dinner order in honor of our incoming 45th president. Check out the menu here.
- Krispy Kreme: Show up with your sticker at the West End (4910 W. Broad St.), Midlothian (7130 Tim Price Way) or Ashland (801 England St.) locations, and you'll get a free doughnut of your choosing — including the apple fritters.
- Perk! Coffee + Lunchbox: You've voted! Your job is done! Get some sweetness to go with that sweet relief and head to Perk! (2620 Buford Road) for a free, adorable "I Voted" cookie. Once these babies run out, the Bon Air bakery and café will give away 12-ounce cups of coffee.
- Southern Railway Taphouse: This Shockoe Slip gastropub (100 S. 14th St.) is serving up food with a side of 10 percent off tonight, provided you've got proof you voted.
- Stir Crazy Cafe: Keep your buzz going with a free small coffee, which you'll receive when you provide sticker-proof of fulfilling your civic duty at this Bellevue café (4015 MacArthur Ave.).
- Stroops: Hot dog! Stop by this gourmet hot dog and sausage spot (2709 E. Marshall St.) today sporting your sticker, and when you purchase a seasonal dog, you'll get a free container of delicious stroopwafel cookie scraps.
- Tom Leonard's Farmers Market: Looking for a red treat for a red-blooded American? Show up to this Short Pump food store (4150 Tom Leonard Drive) and receive a free candy apple when you walk in wearing your "I Voted" sticker.
BONUS FREEBIE: Participating locations of Gold's Gym are offering free workouts for those donning "I Voted" stickers, so you can eat and drink all of the aforementioned treats and not feel too bad about it, yeah? Here in Richmond, get your sweat on at locations in The Fan (8 S. Harvie St.), Mechanicsville (7368 Bell Creek Road), Colonial Heights (1823 Southpark Blvd.), Willow Lawn (1601 Willow Lawn Drive), Swift Creek/Midlothian (13606 Hull Street Road) and Laburnum (4346 S. Laburnum Ave).
