Let’s Be Honest, Who Doesn’t Love Free Stuff?!
This past weekend, I got to celebrate my 27th birthday with my husband, Kaleb, my daughter, and my mom. I’ve been a lover of birthdays since I can remember, especially mine.
Not to sound like I crave the spotlight, but I just love the celebration of it! Most importantly though, I love all the freebies from restaurants to other establishments. Sure, it may be the Asian blood running through my veins that loves a great deal, but come on, free treats on your big day is the cherry on top. Don’t worry, you’ll thank me later!
I’ve done the very important research (aka eating my way through birthday perks) and rounded up my top favorites. A couple of them, we didn’t get to this weekend but keep ’em in your jar for later. So here’s a wonderfully compiled list of the fun we had this weekend (You’re welcome):
- The coffee chains you know and love/hate – Black Rock, Dutch Bros, Starbucks ☕
Since I knew I had 3 guaranteed drinks for the day, I knew I would only make one of them coffee. We made our first pit stop at Black Rock Coffee in the early AM and got myself my signature coffee I typically get anywhere: An iced vanilla matcha latte with oat milk and a shot of espresso (Matcha usually doesn’t have too much caffeine so momma now needs a lil extra umph). In the afternoon, I opted for a large iced passionfruit and peach black tea (Soooo good and not too sweet, highly recommended). However, I did not realize black tea in fact DOES have caffeine.. I was wired (sorry, not sorry Kaleb). By early evening, I got a large blended dragonfruit lemonade cup of magic. It was tart (which I like), probably a 6/10, but let’s be real—I got it because the picture looked pretty.
For all three, you have to download the apps prior for each and have them scanned to redeem your birthday drink (and plus I think you get a coupon for downloading the app itself too, don’t quote me on that though).
- La Provence Patisserie 🥐
Alright, y’all, if you haven’t been to La Provence yet, let me put you on—it’s a must. It’s probably the top breakfast spot that Kaleb and I frequent. The atmosphere is super cute with its French styled bakery and café feel. You get to see the yummy treats in the front from macaroons to croissants to glorious tiny Pinterest perfect cakes and custards (I’m not a sweets person compared to my husband but I sure do love a good macaroon). I typically get the eggs benedict (my fav breakfast) because it COMES ON A WHOLE CROISSANT (move over english muffin!). I also usually get a warm London fog or cappuccino too but alas, my 3 drinks at the other coffee places already had me set for caffeine for the day..
Here you get a free dessert on your big day called a Pavlova (pictured above). I will describe it as best I can: A fluffy baked meringue whipped into a cone shape with light cookie-like crust on the bottom, and raspberry filling in the middle (yuuuum). Great start to the day if I do say so myself!
- Fathom presents: Roboto Octopado – an immersive art experience
This is definitely local to Portland and is very much a cool art experience if you’re into that kind of stuff. A bunch of local artists came together and made this epic underwater themed warehouse using all kinds of elements for the art like toys, egg cartons for barnacles, and even a giant animatronic whale! (Think Alice and Wonderland but make it Finding Nemo 🐠). We were there for hours and they even gave us these distorted glasses so we could see the art even better. Kaleb and I definitely gave up on the scavenger hunt they had us go on, but we had a great time. After 7pm is for adults only which I’m sure gets wild, but we went at 2pm so there were little kiddos running around. I’d go back again for more wild adventures!
If you show your ID on your big day, you actually get to go in for FREE! (Just pick a time slot ahead of time online and get your tix). They also have tickets for only $5 if you show an EBT card which is awesome too.
- Waffle Window 🧇
By the afternoon, we stopped at another breakfast fav of mine: The Waffle Window (another staple in Portland). There’s a couple locations (we like the one off Hawthorne), and their menu consists of either sweet or savory (if you want to learn something about me, I’m into savory and Kaleb’s into sweets). I decided to try a new waffle and not my go-to (The Whole Farm: a belgian waffle with mushrooms, onions, roasted red peppers, spinach, tomatoes, thick-cut bacon and some type of butter sauce with chives that is to die for) this time!
For the first time ever, I tried… chicken and waffles! (With a side of homemade gravy—ugh, so good!). It was delish and hearty! You just present them with your ID on the day of your birthday for any waffle of your choosing for FREE! Hot diggity dog!
- Pips Doughnuts & Chai
We sadly didn’t make it here since it was across town. BUT you get a FREE dozen of mini doughnuts on the day of your birthday when you show ID. It’s like a Portland staple!
- The Everett House in Portland
This one sounded like a hidden gem, but I ended up cancelling my appointment due to other plans. It’s a FREE hour at their spa (sauna and steam room too) for the day (you just have to book in advance and be the day of your birthday). But a free spa day, um sign me up!
- Mamma Mia Restaurant 🍝
We ended the night at this popular restaurant right at the heart of downtown Portland. I’d only ever been there years ago and let me tell you, it was absolute delish! I ordered the fried calamari of course (light breading and a good sized portion) and the fresh pesto pasta with shrimp and scallops added (both seafoods were cooked to perfection ugh).
For your birthday, you get to pick a FREE dessert from their list and I got the tiramisu (so light, so fluffy, think of a pillow from Heaven in your mouth). I’d definitely come back again (the prices weren’t bad at all either!). It was a cute romantic atmosphere, and I’m grateful I got to be there with my best friend (You can read all about the night we met here)
- Red Robin
We didn’t end up going here, but if you sign up for their loyalty program, they’ll give you a FREE birthday burger! 🍔
- Black Bear Diner
Now we came here the day after my birthday and didn’t get to use any rewards since I didn’t sign up in time. HOWEVER, I believe you get a FREE birthday breakfast of some sort when you sign up for their loyalty program.
I ordered the deluxe tri-tip sandwich with au jus sauce and let me tell you.. BOMB! (along with a huckleberry lemonade too). Will definitely be getting that next time. My mom ordered the chicken fried steak, a classic.
- Burgerville
Still actually need to redeem this one! It’s nice cause it doesn’t have to be the day of your birthday. Just sign up for their rewards a couple days before the big day and you get a coupon for a FREE shake (Don’t worry my lactose intolerant friends we will prevail! They have dairy free shakes made with Cosmic Bliss coconut ice cream!) It expires mid-month which is nice.
- Krispy Kreme 🍩
We ended up grabbing our FREE doughnuts after getting out of church the next day which was awesome. I felt like I couldn’t eat anymore sweets after all the sugar and caffeine I had the day before but I couldn’t pass it up! I’m a strawberry icing kinda gal and it was light, fluffy, and oh so satisfying.
You just need to download the app and they’ll give you a reward of a box of 3 FREE glazed doughnuts when you make a purchase. (Annnd, when you first download the app you’ll get a coupon for buy one, get one free for any doughnut). Naturally, I used both coupons—6 doughnuts for the price of 2. Mic drop.
So there you go! That’s the full birthday freebie lineup—now it’s your turn! Save this for later, plan your route, and enjoy every sweet and treat your heart desires. And remember: the best things in life are free (especially when they come with dessert). Happy celebrating! 🎈🎂
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