I made it just in time.

If you’ve ever bought an AmazonLocal, Google Offers, Groupon, or Living Social deal, you’ll know what I mean. Each of these companies offer a unique daily deal, redeemable for a product or service in your area.

Say Whole Foods was the deal today, you would pay $10 for $20 worth of purchases. Kind of like 50% off a pre-purchase. Living in a bigger city and in the downtown I keep track of these, but only use them if it’s for something we already buy, visit, or like. Discounts can range from 35%-75% depending on the offer. In the past we’ve used them for restaurants, our Zipcar membership, Whole Foods, Yoga, Haircut/Highlights, and even historical landmarks.

The hardest part about buying the deal is remembering you did so and then using it before the expiration date. Seems easy enough to have a reminder on my Google Calendar but what happens when I don’t check my calendar?

One of life’s enigmas. So, what happens if your offer happens to expire? I know for a fact, through multiple tests, that Google Offers will refund you. Nothing erases guilt of an unused purchase better than a full refund. I’m not sure about the rest but let us know if you’ve had experience.

The offer taken advantage of today was for Irah’s Coffee and Yogurt Lounge and was featured on AmazonLocal a few months ago – a $10 for $20 type of deal. I didn’t read the fine print until today, but their deal acted as a voucher which is redeemed for a $20 gift card that can even be topped off – think Starbucks or Panera. If not redeemed by the expiration date you could still redeem but only the value paid for. A nice save.

Check them out to see what’s available in your area!

Onto the food…

I couldn’t remember the last time I was in a true frozen yogurt shop. I remember the TCBY’s of my youth during the early 90s but those were ripped out of the mid-west by the mid to late 90s.

At Irah’s there is a wall – literally – of rotating frozen yogurt taps. Offering unique flavors like Cheesecake, Cappuccino, and Thin Mint. Many are non-fat and based on information from their site they opt for local, sustainable, and organic when possible.

The price of your dish is determined by weight – usually $0.44/oz, if you opted for a premiere topping (chocolate covered bacon – eww)  the price goes up an additional $0.31.

I grabbed a bowl and opted for the most likely non-dairy option, a pomegranate raspberry sorbet and started filling my container. I thought about mixing it with their vanilla but decided to stay in sorbet land.

 

Now meet the ‘out of focus’ toppings. My teenage self would have me leaning towards butterfinger crumbles and sour patch kids but the older wiser more appreciative me loaded up with strawberries, kiwi, blackberries, blueberries, and a few chopped almonds. D-lish! If I had known the back right was mangos and not canned peaches, I would have added those too. Next time.

Transaction completed with $14.90 left on my gift card. Next time I’ll let Jeremy come with. 😉 Admittedly, I was worried that I would have to spend the entire $20 being that it was the last day. Hoping they’d have t-shirts or reusable cups. Much happier with the gift card solution.

 

Nom-ness!

Other Irah Notes:

• They also offer breakfast from 7am to 11am – think steel cut oats and greek yogurt – yum!
• They are unique to Portland (I think) and are located in the Southwest at 1755 SW Jefferson St, Portland, OR 97201 – perfect if you’re in the area for a Timber’s game, the zoo, or Washington Park.
• Business hours:
  • Mon-Thurs 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
  • Friday 7:00 am – 11:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am – 11:00 pm
  • Sunday 8:00 am – 9:00 pm
• Monthly, 5% of their profits are donated to a charity – if you would like to make them aware of your charity, contact them at info@irahscoffeeandyogurt.com
• Irah’s store was built with environmentally friendly materials
• Coffee and other specialty drinks are available
• free wi-fi

Enjoy…I did! xoxo