These Charlotte-area restaurants are offering free meals and other Veteran’s Day deals

Heidi Finley
·4 min read

Each Veterans Day, restaurants across the nation — and in Charlotte — celebrate our military members for their service to our country with free meals, discounts and special attention.

With Veterans Day 2023 landing on a weekend, some restaurants have moved their celebrations to other days, so make sure to check the dates on each offer. Not all events are taking place on Veterans Day, which lands on Saturday, Nov. 11.

“This is absolutely the best time of the year for restaurants and more importantly veterans,” said Derek Farley, president of derekPR, which represented Applebee’s when the industry took notice of its annual Veterans Day promotion and the practice grew more widespread.

“We never viewed it as a competition, rather a call to action. And to sit and know that all 16.2 million veterans can take their pick of multiple meals on their day of honor is tear-worthy,” he said.

Find free meals, discounts and more below, and keep a watch on this space for updates as the holiday approaches:

Bonefish Grill

Location: 8503 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027

Location: 8805 Townley Rd B, Huntersville, NC 28078

Location: 10430 E Independence Blvd, Matthews, NC 28105

When: Saturday, Nov. 11

All day, .Bonefish Grill is offering a free order of the restaurant’s Bang Bang Shrimp with a soft drink to service members, veterans and first responders with valid ID. No purchase is required. Year round, Bonefish Grill offers a 10% off Heroes Discount to service members, veterans and first responders.

Carolina Ale House

Location: 7404 Waverly Walk Avenue, Suite I-1, Charlotte, NC 28277

Location: 8695 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027

Location: 1342 Broadcloth Street, Fort Mill, SC 29715

When: Saturday, Nov. 11

Carolina Ale House will offer a free rib platter with coleslaw and french fries for all veterans and military members on Veterans Day.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Location: 7900 Lyles Lane, Concord, NC 28027

Location: 16408 North Cross Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078

Location: 10408 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105

When: Saturday, Nov. 11

All day on Veterans Day, Carrabba’s Italian Grill is offering a free dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a soft drink for veterans and active-duty military with show of ID. The restaurant also offers a year-round 10% off Heroes Discount to all service members, veterans and first responders.

Golden Corral

Location: 7701 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28262

Location: 1540 Us Highway 29 North, Concord, NC 28025

Location: 2300 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054

Location: 11025 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105

Location: 2507 West Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110

Location: 120 Gallery Center Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117

Location: 2370 Cherry Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732

When: Monday, Nov. 13

At Raleigh-based Golden Corral, all military members who dine in from 5 p.m. until closing will receive a free dinner and drink on Monday, Nov. 13. Disabled American Veterans members will also be onsite to seek donations from Golden Corral guests during its Military Appreciation Night.

Hickory Tavern

Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Huntersville, Fort Mill/Indian Land, Gastonia, Rock Hill and Mooresville

When: Friday, Nov. 10

Veteran and active-duty service members who dine in at Hickory Tavern the day before Veterans Day will get a free meal of equal or lesser value with purchase of another meal. Year-round, the Charlotte-based restaurant chain also donates $1 from every purchase of its Freedom Burger to The Independence Fund, which devotes funds to assist veterans and their families.

Hickory Tavern donates $1 year-round from every purchase of its Freedom Burger to The Independence Fund, which assists veterans and their families. It comes with two beef patties, American cheese, roasted onions, pickles, a house-made sauce and a sesame seed bun.
Hickory Tavern donates $1 year-round from every purchase of its Freedom Burger to The Independence Fund, which assists veterans and their families. It comes with two beef patties, American cheese, roasted onions, pickles, a house-made sauce and a sesame seed bun.

[Your guide to the Charlotte Pride Festival & Parade, parties and other LGBTQ+ events.]

IHOP

Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Gastonia, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Matthews and Mooresville

When: Saturday, Nov. 11, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Participating IHOP locations will be offering a free short stack of Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes for veterans and active-duty military who dine in.

Matthews Rotary Club

Location: Levine Senior Center, 1050 DeVore Lane Matthews, NC, 28105

When: Monday, Nov. 6 from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m

The Matthews Rotary Club is inviting veterans for a Veterans Day luncheon, featuring Gary Dolan, a Ranger who served in Vietnam in the 75th Infantry (Airbone) and author of “On Their Own Accord.” RSVP by Wednesday, Nov. 1 to Terry Fallatt at tlfallatt@gmail.com or at 980-298-3590.

Metro Diner

Location: 8334 Pineville-Matthews Rd Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28226

Location: 10412 E Independence Blvd #400, Matthews, NC 28105

When: Saturday, Nov. 11

Metro Diner is offering 50% off meals for active and retired military members with valid military ID on Veterans Day, and 10% off year-round.

Metro Diner’s Fried Chicken & Waffles are plated with half a fried chicken and a Belgian waffle and topped with powdered sugar and strawberry butter. Its signature sweet and spicy sauce is included.
Metro Diner’s Fried Chicken & Waffles are plated with half a fried chicken and a Belgian waffle and topped with powdered sugar and strawberry butter. Its signature sweet and spicy sauce is included.