Consumer Facebook Attack

D-Holes: Dunkin Donuts snubs Houston on free iced coffee day

Today is Free Iced Coffee day at Dunkin Donuts.

Only, not if you live in Houston. Or anywhere else in Texas. Or many of the other parts of the country that Dunkin Donuts calls home.

For, in one of the lamest "free" promotions in recent corporate history, Dunkin Donuts decided to give out free iced coffee in only 14 cities in six states — including one city (New York), where it's free iced coffee evening (only available from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.) rather than day. This after the chain held a national Free Iced Coffee Day that was actually national for the last several years.

So what happens when you mess with the consumer's free day in the year 2010?

Your corporate Facebook page gets bombarded with angry messages from people who act like they're Elin Woods and your company is Tiger, screeching down the driveway.

"WHAT A JOKE!!!! DD needs to get it together and not send out false posts that it's free coffee day!!" Danielle Gagnon posted.

"Thanks Dunkin for being a gigantic peice of shit. Take a page from Google and "don't be evil," Nick Snow wrote on Dunkin's wall.

Or how about this from Allison Orie: "um hi pretty disappointed in your false advertising. i know its just a free iced coffee, but im pissed. i should make a group saying im pissed i didn't get my free iced coffee. im sure id get a bunch of fans or "likes."

You get the idea. And those are all Facebook posts made in the last 20 minutes. The comments of disappointment and disgust go on and on for page after page after page.

It's not like Houston has a lot of Dunkin Donuts' love or locations — there are only three Dunkin Donuts within 20 miles of downtown, a far cry from the East Coast where they're on almost every corner. Dunkin Donuts' parent company — which also owns Baskin Robbins — is trying to expand into the Bayou City more.

You'd think that would earn a measly free iced coffee. And I know at least two people who'd drive 20 miles to get it.

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street food inspired

Veteran chef opens affordable new Thai restaurant in West Houston

A new restaurant serving Thai street food is opening in the Westchase District. Osha Thai Kitchen will begin serving customers on Tuesday, December 10.

Located in the West on West development (12230 Westheimer Rd.), Osha Thai Kitchen is the latest project from Saranya Danvetnukroh, who owns Nua Thai in downtown Houston. Named for the Thai word that means “delicious,” the restaurant takes inspiration from dishes served in street markets in different regions of Thailand as well as some items for those seeking more familiar flavors.

Meals at Osha could start with items such as crispy spring rolls, crab rangoon, or Thai chicken wings. Three papaya salads — traditional Thai, one with salted egg, and another that’s Lao style with salted crab — join chicken larb in the salads section.

Notably, Osha makes all of its noodles in-house. They’re utilized in dishes such as pad Thai, pad see ew, and pad woo sen. The restaurant also makes its curries in-house. They include red curry, green curry, and panang curry.

Part of Osha’s appeal will be its affordable prices. Only two entrees, crab fried rice and whole fried red snapper, cost more than $20.

Danvetnukroh has recruited sous chef Afridi Zama to lead the kitchen. His resume includes time with Pappas restaurant and at The Nicolette, a restaurant in Lubbock that earned a James Beard Award semifinalist nomination in 2022.

“This project is a culmination of dedication to our craft and creativity to elevate Thai cuisine,”

Danvetnukroh said in a statement. “It’s an homage to our roots and a celebration of our heritage in the modern age.”

West on West is home to number of food-related business. Its anchored by a 99 Ranch grocery store and includes restaurants such as cake bakery Lady M and Tokyo-based ramen shop Tsujita Artisan Noodle.

Photo by Becca Wright

Osha Thai Kitchen opens December 10.

openings news-you-can-eat osha thai kitchen