THE DISH: Boots on ground for Veterans Day deals

Nov. 8—It's that time again to honor those who have served their country by serving them a free or discounted meal.

A number of restaurants will recognize Veterans Day on Friday with special offers. Along with local specials, this list contains offers compiled by The Military Wallet, which is a personal finance website for military, veterans and their families.

Unless noted, these deals are for dine-in meals Friday for veterans and active-duty service members with military ID or proof of service. Always call ahead to confirm participation at specific locations.

7-Eleven (multiple locations): Free quarter-pound Big Bite hot dog for all in honor of Veterans Day. The offer must be redeemed through the 7NOW app.

Applebee's Grill + Bar (9000 Ming Ave., Suite M): Free dine-in meal from special menu, which includes options like a 6-ounce top sirloin, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, classic bacon cheeseburger and Oriental chicken salad.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse (10750 Stockdale Highway): A free Dr Pepper beverage and entree from a special menu including deep dish ziti, bacon-guacamole deluxe burger, jumbo spaghetti and meatballs, Mediterranean chicken pita tacos and BJ's classic crispy chicken sandwich.

Black Angus Steakhouse (3601 Rosedale Highway): All day, enjoy an all-American steak plate ($11.99), which includes an 8-ounce top sirloin, mashed potatoes, broccoli with garlic butter (other sides may be substituted) and nonalcoholic beverage. Offer good for dine-in or takeout orders (call 324-0814 to order).

The steakhouse also offers a "Heroes Discount" offering a 15 percent discount year-round for police officers, firefighters, paramedics, nurses and educators.

Buffalo Wild Wings (3316 Coffee Road, 5677 Gosford Road): Free 10-piece boneless wings and a side of fries. Good for dine-in or takeout orders.

Burger King: Veterans can receive a coupon for a free Whopper via the Royal Perks rewards app. To claim, users must enter their military ID number.

Cafe Smitten (909 18th St.): Free coffee for veterans.

California Pizza Kitchen (10150 Stockdale Highway): Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free pizza, full-size salad or pasta from a special menu along with a beverage. Options include Hawaiian, pepperoni, cheese and original barbecue chicken pizzas; Thai crunch, classic Caesar and Italian chopped salads; garlic cream fettuccine with chicken, kung pao spaghetti with chicken and bolognese spaghetti.

All veterans who dine at CPK on Veterans Day can pick up a buy-one-get-one-free voucher for any pizza, pasta or salad good between Nov. 12 and 21.

Chili's Grill & Bar (8950 Rosedale Highway, 5443 Gosford Road): Free entree from a special menu (oldtimer burger with cheese, six boneless wings, salad and bowl of chili or soup, or chicken bacon ranch quesadillas).

Cracker Barrel (3310 California Ave.): Veterans can receive a complimentary slice of double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola Cake with an in-store or online purchase. Use code VETSDAY22 to redeem online.

Denny's (multiple locations): All military personnel can enjoy a free build-your-own grand slam breakfast from 5 a.m. to noon on Veterans Day at participating locations.

Dickey's Barbecue Pit (3505 Coffee Road): Veterans can enjoy a free pulled pork sandwich for dine-in or online with code VETFREE at dickeys.com.

Dorner Family Vineyard (18274 Old Ranch Road, Tehachapi): The vineyard is keeping the celebration going over the weekend, offering 15 percent off all wine and beer for veterans and active military. There will also be live music (Jeff Davis on Saturday, Steve Hill on Sunday) and food (Italian sub sandwiches on Saturday, personal-size pizzas on Sunday, charcuterie both days) for sale.

Dunkin' (1800 23rd St., Suite D; 1211 Allen Road, Suite 300): Free doughnut of their choice for veterans and active military.

Eureka! (10520 Stockdale Highway): Veterans who dine in can receive a free Eureka! American cheeseburger with a purchase. Offer does not include burger add-ons or upgrades to sides.

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers (2649 Calloway Drive): Veterans and current military personnel can pick up a Freddy's original double combo meal card, good for a cheeseburger along with a choice of side and medium drink. No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer, which can be redeemed through Nov. 30.

Customers can also donate to Folds of Honor when dining at the restaurant. The fundraising partnership with the nonprofit, which provides scholarships to spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled service members and first responders, is running now through Nov. 30.

Golden Corral (5001 Ming Ave.): The restaurant will offer a free meal for veterans and active military starting at 5 p.m. Nov. 14 for its Military Appreciation Night. Visit goldencorral.com/military-appreciation for more information.

Hooters (4208 Rosedale Highway, Suite 100): Free meal with choice of Buffalo chicken salad, Buffalo chicken sandwich, grilled chicken sandwich, Hooters burger, 10-piece boneless wings.

IHOP (multiple locations): A free order of red, white and blue pancakes will be available for active-duty service members and veterans dining in from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Some locations may offer a free breakfast combo instead so call ahead to confirm.

Kelcy's (110 W. Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi): The cafe will serve its veterans special, a biscuit with gravy served with one egg, two pieces of bacon and a cup of coffee.

Little Caesars Pizza (multiple locations): Free lunch combo (four slices of Detroit-style deep-dish pizza and 20-ounce beverage) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Maggie's Sunrise Cafe (3631 Rosedale Highway): The restaurant will say "thank you" to veterans and current military with a free veterans breakfast (two eggs, bacon and pancakes) and a Maggie's Thank You for Your Service T-shirt (while supplies last).

Mariscos La Marea (5101 Stine Road): Veterans and active duty military will receive 30% off their meal.

Menchie's Frozen Yogurt (4560-B Coffee Road): Veterans and active-duty military can receive their first 6 ounces of yogurt for free with proof of service.

New Vintage Grill (9901 Hageman Road and 3320 Truxtun Ave., Suite 150): A free order of biscuits and gravy for veterans and active military.

Ocha Thai (2501 White Lane, Suite D): Veterans will receive 15% off their meal.

Olive Garden (1701 New Stine Road): Veterans and active-duty military members who dine in can choose a free meal from among the chain's most popular dishes including cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo, chicken parmigiana, or never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks.

Original Roadhouse Grill (8490 Rosedale Highway): Veterans who stop by between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. (or while supplies last) will receive a "We appreciate you!" gift card ($15 toward meal) that can be redeemed between Nov. 14 and Dec. 12. The card offering $15 toward a meal is good for dine-in or takeout orders.

Outback Steakhouse (5051 Stockdale Highway): Free bloomin' onion and Coca-Cola beverage for veterans and active service members.

The Poke Express: The Asian-Hawaiian pop-up will offer a free dessert with every purchase when it sets up from 5 to 8 p.m. at Crusader Brewing, 5880 District Blvd., Suite 18.

PorkChop & Bubba's BBQ (1230 H St.): Free pulled pork or pit beef sandwich with fries. Family members receive a 10% discount on their meal.

Red House BBQ (426 E. Tehachapi Blvd., Tehachapi): The Tehachapi restaurant will serve "a hot plate of some good ole SOS," a dish with a colorful name (Google it) that will be familiar to many veterans and has become a Red House tradition. It will also come with a hot cup of "lifer juice" (coffee), or soft drink if the guest prefers, and cake. Veterans who would like a different meal can receive a 50 percent discount on an entree of their choice (after 11 a.m.). Other diners can order SOS as well for $5 starting at 9 a.m. until they run out. All proceeds from SOS sales will go to a local veterans charity.

Red Lobster (8180 Rosedale Highway): In honor of Veterans Day, and to thank veterans, active-duty military and reservists for their service, Red Lobster is offering guests a free Walt's favorite shrimp, fries and coleslaw, featuring six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried shrimp, served with cocktail sauce, as well as crispy french fries and coleslaw. The offer is available for dine-in and to-go orders placed in-restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Romano's Macaroni Grill (8850 Rosedale Highway): Veterans and active military can enjoy a free order of Mom's ricotta meatballs and spaghetti.

Sequoia Sandwich Co. (9160 Rosedale Highway, 1231 18th St., 9500 Ming Ave. and 4521 Buena Vista Road) and Sequoia On The Go (1219 18th St.): Veterans and active-duty military will receive 50% off their order.

Two Goats & The Goose (1514 Wall St.): Enjoy an Angelo burger (with cheese, onion, tomato, lettuce, pickles and mayo) with a soft drink for $6 or with a draft beer for $10.

Wake Up Cafe (2665 Fashion Plaza): Veterans and active military can receive 50% off their meal from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Wendy's (multiple locations): Free breakfast combo offer from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Do you know of other Veterans Day dining deals? Send the details to dish@bakersfield.com for possible inclusion in an upcoming article. Stefani Dias can be reached at 661-395-7488. Follow her on Twitter: @realstefanidias.