Veterans Day 2021: Free meals, discounts and special menus across the Des Moines metro

Elle Wignall, Des Moines Register
·4 min read

Veterans Day on Thursday, Nov. 11, brings offers of special discounts and freebies from several local and national eateries as a thank you.

We recommend calling your local restaurant ahead to make sure they are offering a discount at their location. And don't forget your valid military ID or honorable discharge card for proof of service.

Here are some of the restaurants and stores where veterans and active-duty military members can grab a bite:

  • Applebee's Neighborhood Bar & Grill: Veterans and active-duty military eat for free from a limited Veterans Day menu.

  • Bar Louie: Active military members, retired veterans, reserves and National Guard members can enjoy any craft burger for free when dining in.

  • The Breakfast Club: Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a Basic B or Plain Jane entrée for free, or 50% off any other entrée.

  • Bruegger's Bagels: Veterans get a free medium hot or iced coffee.

  • Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free order of boneless wings and fries for dine in or takeout.

  • Casey's General Store: Enjoy a free coffee from participating Casey's stores.

  • Chili's Grill & Bar: Veterans and active-duty military eat for free from a limited Veterans Day menu.

  • Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Veterans can satisfy their sweet tooth with a complimentary slice of double fudge Coca-Cola cake with their meal.

  • Denny's: From 5 a.m. to noon, active, non-active and retired military personnel can get a free build-your-own Grand Slam breakfast.

  • Dough Crazy: Veterans and active-duty military can stop by for a free scoop of cookie dough or ice cream, and military family members can enjoy 15% off their order.

  • Dunkin': Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free doughnut with no purchase necessary.

  • Einstein Bros. Bagels: Veterans and active-duty military get a free hot or iced medium coffee.

  • Famous Dave's: All former and current military personnel can enjoy a free Georgia chopped pork sandwich with a side for dine in or takeout.

  • Fareway: Veterans, active-duty, reserve or guard military receive a 15% discount on their in-store purchases, excluding tobacco, lottery tickets and gift cards.

  • Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Active-duty military and veterans eat for free.

  • Home Sweet Cone: Veterans can enjoy a free scoop of ice cream in a cup, sugar or cake cone.

  • Hy-Vee: From 6 to 10 a.m., veterans and active-duty military can pick up a free breakfast curbside. Hy-Vee also offers a 15% discount off groceries when shopping in stores or with Aisles Online.

  • IHOP: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., all active-duty military and veterans get red, white and blue pancakes on the house.

  • Insomnia Cookies: Veterans and active-duty military will get a free six-pack of cookies with any in-store purchase.

  • Joe's Crab Shack: Veterans' meals are 20% off.

  • Krispy Kreme: Stop in for a free coffee and doughnut.

  • Little Caesars Pizza: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free lunch combo meal with four slices of Detroit-style pizza and a 20-ounce soft drink.

  • Lola's Fine Kitchen: Veterans and active-duty military can get a bowl meal for free.

  • Mullets: Veterans receive 50% off their meal.

  • On the Border: Veterans, retired military and active-duty military can enjoy a free pick-two combo meal.

  • Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Veterans and active-duty get half-priced froyo.

  • Peace Tree Brewing Co.: Veterans and active-duty military receive a free beer or root beer.

  • Pie Five Pizza: When dining in, veterans and active-duty military enjoy a free personal pizza.

  • QuikTrip: Current and former military can get a free Big Q or coffee.

  • Red Lobster: Veterans, active-duty military and reservists get a free appetizer or dessert from a limited Veterans Day menu.

  • Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military who sign up for Red Robin Royalty accounts can enjoy a free tavern double burger with steak fries.

  • Scooter's Coffee: Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free drink.

  • Smashburger: Veterans and active-duty military are eligible for a free double classic smash.

  • Smokey D's BBQ: Active and retired military members can enjoy a free lunch platter.

  • Starbucks: Active-duty military, reservists, veterans and military spouses can get a free 12-ounce hot coffee.

  • Taco John's: Active, reserve, retired and honorably discharged military members who use the Taco John's app get a free small beer #1 combo meal.

  • Texas Roadhouse: From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Texas Roadhouse locations will distribute meal vouchers in their parking lots that are valid through May 30, 2022. Vouchers are good for one of 10 entrees, two sides and a drink.

  • Twisted Vine Brewery: Veterans can stop in for a "pay it forward beer," from another customer who is thankful for your service.

  • Village Inn: Veterans and active-duty military get a free VIB breakfast available for dine-in or takeout.

  • Wendy's: Enjoy a free small breakfast combo with valid ID.

  • Ziggi's Coffee: Veterans get a free 16-ounce drink.

Elle Wignall covers dining for the Register. Reach her at ewignall@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ElleWignallDMR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Veterans Day free, discounted deals at Des Moines restaurants, stores