Veterans Day 2023 deals: Military veterans get free food, coffee, other discounts Nov. 11
Escambia and Santa Rosa counties are flooded with military veterans who quietly frequent our favorite restaurants, markets and sporting events.
Each year on Nov. 11, Veterans Day draws these heroes into the spotlight to allow the community to celebrate their acts of service. As a way of saying thank you, over 25 restaurants in our coverage area are offering free or discounted meals to those who have served or are currently serving.
Be prepared to show proof of service, such as a military ID and/or discharge papers, to ensure you are eligible for the promotion. Most deals are dine-in only unless otherwise noted.
Escambia and Santa Rosa County small businesses offering a Veterans Day deal
Bar 515
Where: 4495 Chumuckla Highway, Pace
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: Bar515 will have live music by a veteran and is offering a free tapa with any purchase on Veterans Day for active duty and retired military.
Cafe Nola
Where: 400 Quietwater Beach Road
When: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: Cafe Nola is offering a 50% discount off entrees for veterans and active military with a military ID.
Fin & Fork
Where: 601 E. Gregory St.
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: All entrees will be half-priced for veterans.
Maynards Donuts & Coffee
Where: 875 East Nine Mile Road, Unit 9; 2155 W. Nine Mile Road
When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: Veterans and active military personnel can enjoy a complimentary classic or glazed donut and small coffee at both Maynard’s locations. Maynard’s offers 10% off for active-duty military, veterans and first responders year-round as well.
Pensacola Smokehouse
Where: 232 E. Main St.
When: Entire month of November
What is the offer: Free appetizer with any purchase of an entrée for active duty or retired military.
Red Fish Blue Fish Pensacola Beach
Where: 5 Via De Luna Drive
When: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: Veterans Day special of a pork tenderloin po’boy with slaw, barbecue cheddar cheese and a side of barbecue seasoned waffle fries that is $10 for veterans and $17 regularly priced.
Restaurant NOLA
Where: 523 E. Gregory St.
When: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: Cafe Nola is offering a 50% discount off entrees for veterans and active military with a military ID.
SaBai Thai on Jefferson
Where: 130 S. Jefferson St.
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer: All veterans, active duty and retired military members get 15% off of food menu items, not including drinks or alcohol.
South Market
Where: 905 E. Gregory St.
When: Entire month of November
What is the offer: Free appetizer with any purchase of an entrée for active duty or retired military.
Tacos Mexicanos
Where: 3000 N.12. Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free chips and queso to all veterans and active-duty military. No purchase necessary.
The Lobster Cage
Where: 9218 N. Palafox St.
When: Every day
What is the offer? 10% off orders for all veterans, miltary and first responders.
Escambia and Santa Rosa franchises, chains offering a Veterans Day deal
Another Broken Egg Café
Where: 721 E. Gregory St., 1590 East N. Mile Road
When: 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? All veterans, active-duty military and retired service members are invited to enjoy a free Patriot French Toast Combo and house barista blend coffee. Limit to one per person. No purchase is necessary.
Applebee's
Where: 165 E. Nine Mile Road
When: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free entree from a special menu on Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
Bad Ass Coffee
Where: 5 Via De Luna Drive; 10447 Sorrento Road, Suite 101
When: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Bad Ass is offering a free small, brewed coffee on the day of for any and all Veterans and a 10% discount on all bagged coffee and merchandise for that Saturday and Sunday for everyone.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse:
Where: 5108 N. Ninth Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to midnight, Nov. 11
What is the offer? Veterans with a valid military ID can dine in and enjoy a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with any $9.95+ purchase. In addition, veterans who spend more than $14.95 for dine in or takeout will receive a bounce back coupon for a free appetizer to redeem between Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, 2023.
Bonefish Grill
Where: 5025 N. 12 Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., Nov.11
What is the offer? Bonefish Grill is offering a free order of its Bang Bang Shrimp, no purchase necessary. Along with the crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce, the deal includes a free soft drink and is available all day. Veterans, service members and first responders are all eligible for this deal. Bonefish Grill also maintains a 10% Heroes Discount all year for this group. Must present ID to qualify.
Bubba’s 33
Where: 7001 North Davis Highway
When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11. Veterans who cannot attend can get raincheck vouchers good through May 30, 2024.
What is the offer? Veterans and active-duty military can get a free lunch among six choices: Bubba’s Bacon Cheeseburger, Bacon Chicken Mac-N-Cheese, Grilled Chicken Salad, Chicken Tender Salad or any 12-inch pizza plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea or coffee during lunch.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Where: 5153 Bayou Blvd.
When: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for all past and present armed services members (with valid ID). Only available for dine-in.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Where: 311 N. Ninth Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
What is the offer? Carrabba’s Italian Grill is giving veterans and active-duty military a free dine-in appetizer or dessert and a beverage with a show of ID (available all day, no purchase required). Also, Carrabba’s offers a Heroes Discount of 10% off to all service members, veterans and first responders year-round.
Chili's
Where: Multiple locations
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free meal from a select menu of four entrees on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Choose from Soup & Salad, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, Oldtimer with Cheese, Boneless Wings (six count).
Chicken Salad Chick
Where: 5050 Bayou Boulevard
When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What is the offer: Chicken Salad Chick on Saturday will give all veterans and active-duty military a free Chick Special meal, which includes any scoop or sandwich, plus one scoop, side item, or cup of soup & regular fountain drink.
Cracker Barrel
Where: 800 Lavelle Way
When: 4 a.m. to 10 p.m.
What is the offer:Veterans get a free slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake with an in-store purchase on Saturday at Cracker Barrel. Also, customers can get 25% off U.S. military-themed products, in stores and online.
Dunkin'
Where: Multiple locations
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? All veterans and active duty military members will receive a free donut on Veterans Day, no purchase necessary.
Freddy’s
Where: 9002 Pensacola Boulevard, 2670 Creighton Road
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free Freddy’s Original Double with Cheese combo meal card. No purchase is necessary. Cards may be redeemed through Nov. 30.
Golden Corral
Where: 2260 Langley Ave.
When: 5 p.m. to close on Nov. 13
What is the offer? Every year, Golden Corral honors active duty and retired military heroes with a complimentary meal. They have served 6 million free meals and have raised over $17.5 million dollars for Disabled American Veterans so far. There are no take-out meals or rain checks. Family members are welcome to attend, but the free meal only applies to those who have served.
Hooters
Where: 400 Quietwater Beach Road
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free meal from Veterans Day menu with purchase of beverage. Dine-in only. Choices include 10-piece Boneless Wings, Hooters Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich or Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
Krispy Kreme Doughnuts
Where: 980 N. Ninth Ave., 1730 E. Nine Mile Road
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? At Krispy Kreme locations on Saturday, veterans and active military personnel can get a free doughnut of their choice and a free small hot or iced coffee (no purchase necessary; one per guest, in-shop and drive-through only).
Olive Garden
Where: 5037 Bayou Blvd.
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free entree from a selection of five of Olive Garden's most popular menu items for veterans and active-duty military. Entree comes with unlimited homemade soup or garden salad, and breadsticks.
Outback Steakhouse
Where: 903 Aiport Blvd.
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free Bloomin' Onion and beverage with the purchase of an adult entree when you dine in. The restaurant is also offering an additional free $10 bonus (valid from Nov. 12 to Dec. 17) for all active duty and retired military personnel who visit on Nov. 11.
PJ's Coffee
Where: 85 W. Airport Boulevard
When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What's the offer? PJ’s Coffee will give veterans and active-duty military a free 12-ounce hot coffee or cold brew iced coffee.
Red Robin
Where: 5100 N. Ninth Ave.
When: Nov. 11
What’s the offer? Free Red's Tavern Double Burger with bottomless steak fries. Dine-in only.
Red Lobster
Where: 5110 N. Ninth Ave.
When: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Nov. 11
What's the offer? Free Shrimp & Chips entrée voucher which can be redeemed Nov. 13 through Dec. 10. Tax and gratuity not included. Dine-In only.
Scooter's Coffee
Where: 122 Gulf Breeze Parkway
When: 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
What's the offer? Scooter’s Coffee is giving veterans and military members a free handcrafted drink of any size on Veterans Day. (One per veteran, while supplies last, not available for order ahead in the Scooter’s Coffee Mobile App).
Shrimp Basket
Where: Multiple locations
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Veterans, active-duty military and Reserves get a free popcorn shrimp basket from any Shrimp Basket location. Dine-in only.
Smoothie King
Where: 1630 Airport Boulevard; 1791 E. Nine Mile Road; 4952 U.S. Highway 90, Pace
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Active-duty military and veterans get a free smoothie from one of three red, white, and blue smoothies at participating locations.
Sonic
Where: Multiple locations
When: Nov. 11
What’s the offer? All guests can celebrate Veterans Day with a 99 cent Fritos Chili Cheese Jr. Wrap.
Starbucks
Where: Multiple locations
When: Nov. 11
What is the offer? Free tall (12-ounce) hot or cold brewed coffee for veterans, active-duty military service members and military spouses who visit participating U.S. Starbucks stores on Nov. 11, 2023.
Texas Roadhouse
Where: 7177 North Davis Highway; 6645 U.S. Highway 90, Milton
When: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Veterans and active military can choose from one of 10 meals, including a 6-ounce sirloin with two made-from-scratch sides, plus all meals include a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea, or coffee.
Tijuana Flats
Where: 4970 Bayou Boulevard
When: 11 am. to 9:30 p.m. on Nov. 11
What is the offer? Tijuana Flats will offer active military and veterans with valid military ID a free entrée with the purchase of a medium drink (or minimum purchase of $2.79.) The offer is for in-store and to-go orders only. For online orders, use the code VETSFREE to redeem. Limit one per check, per person. One-time use. Not valid with any other offer or promotion. Offer not available for delivery.
Wendy's
Where: Multiple locations
When: Breakfast hours on Nov. 11
What is the offer? At Wendy's, those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military can get a free breakfast combo – breakfast sandwich, seasoned potatoes and coffee or carbonated soft drink – during breakfast hours on Saturday. (Show military ID or a Veterans Advantage card; not valid for digital or delivery orders.)
Cherri Pitzer of the Jacksonville Florida Times-Union and Mike Snider of USA TODAY contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Veterans Day 2023: Pensacola restaurant deals offer free meals
