In the age of food delivery apps, it seems there’s always a new trick or hack making the rounds—and the latest one has Australians buzzing.
If you’ve ever wished your Uber Eats order came with a little something extra, you’re not alone.
One clever Australian has gone viral for sharing her simple, feel-good method for scoring free treats, and it’s got everyone talking.
The kindness hack that’s winning over restaurants
Meet Emma Kate Boyd, a Melbourne-based content creator who claims she’s ‘cracked the code’ to getting free food on Uber Eats.
Her secret? A dash of kindness. Instead of just placing her order and waiting hungrily by the door, Emma adds a heartfelt (and sometimes cheeky) note in the order instructions.
For example, when ordering from the popular Vietnamese eatery Miss Chu, Emma wrote, ‘I f**king love Miss Chu’ in the app’s notes section.
The result? Her meal arrived with a surprise bonus: a free chocolate pudding.
‘It really is that simple—spread a little love, get a little love,’ she shared with her followers, proudly showing off her sweet reward.
Does it really work? Australians weigh in
Emma’s video quickly went viral, racking up over 40,000 views and sparking a lively debate.
Some viewers shared their own success stories, with one saying, ‘I wrote a cute note once and they refunded my whole order.’
Another chimed in, ‘I did that and they just put hearts on my items.’
But not everyone’s had the same luck. ‘I’ve done this for every order for five years and never got anything free,’ lamented one commenter. ‘Most people just hate kindness, sadly.’
Others worried that the hack’s newfound fame might ruin it for everyone: ‘Don’t tell people this! Now restaurants will catch on.’
Other viral food delivery hacks
Emma’s hack isn’t the only one making waves.
Last month, another woman went viral for her ‘portion size’ trick: she claimed that using a man’s name when ordering led to bigger servings, as staff assumed men have heartier appetites.
She even weighed her meals to prove it, and every time, the ‘male’ order was slightly heavier.
Meanwhile, a delivery driver shared his own tips for scoring extras without bending the rules.
His advice? Join restaurant loyalty programs—many offer free food to first-time customers.
And don’t forget about birthday freebies! Plenty of places will treat you to a complimentary meal or dessert on your special day, and some savvy Australians make the most of this every year.
A word of caution—be kind, not cheeky
While these hacks are fun, it’s important to remember that restaurants and delivery drivers are working hard—especially during busy times.
A kind note is a lovely gesture, but demanding or expecting freebies isn’t the Australian way.
Video Credit: @emmakateboyd / TikTok
And of course, honesty is always the best policy—no need to fib or scam your way to a free meal.
Your turn: Have you tried this hack?
While some see these ordering tips as clever and harmless fun, others question whether they could place added pressure on businesses already doing it tough.
As online food delivery continues to grow, it’s clear that customer behaviour and small gestures can sometimes influence more than just the meal.
Have you ever received an unexpected freebie with your food order? Do you think leaving kind messages should be encouraged—or do you believe it could be taken advantage of? We’d love to hear your thoughts and personal experiences in the comments below.
Also read: Why top local restaurants are saying no to Menulog and Uber Eats
