Veterans Can Eat Free At These Restaurants On Veterans Day

Veterans, and in most cases active military personnel as well, get free Veterans Day

TAMPA BAY, FL -- Restaurants, coffeehouses and eateries across the nation have come up with all kinds of Veterans Day specials — free or discounted meals, drinks and treats — for veterans, retired and active-duty military personnel and, in some cases, first responders to thank them for their service.

Veterans Day is Sunday, Nov. 11, but the holiday is observed on Monday, Nov. 12. Some of the special deals are already in place. In most cases, proof of military service is required

Here are some of the deals:

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar, which has locations across the country, will offer a full-sized entree from an exclusive menu on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Back Yard Burgers is offering veterans and active-duty military members a free burger on Sunday, Nov. 11, with proof of military service.

Bar Louie is offering a free flatbread or burger (up to $15 value) to veterans with proof of service on Sunday, Nov 11.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse is offering a complimentary entree up to $12.95 and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Bob Evans restaurants are offering free breakfast, lunch or dinner items on Sunday Nov. 11 for active-duty military, retirees and veterans with ID or proof of service.

Bonefish Grill is giving active and retired service members a free Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer on Sunday, Nov. 11. A valid military ID is required.

Boston Market's deal is good at all U.S. locations on both Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. When customers buy one individual meal, they'll get a second one free. A military ID isn't required, but customers need to download a coupon at bostonmarket.com ahead of time.

Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries to veterans and current members of the military on Sunday Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

California Pizza Kitchen is offering a complimentary pizza from a special menu to veterans and active-duty military members on Sunday, Nov. 11. Those taking advantage of the offer will also receive a card for a buy one, get one free offer on pizza, pasta or salad Nov. 12-18.

CentraArchy Restaurants, which has New York Prime, California Dreaming, The Tavern at Phipps, Chophouse New Orleans, Carolina Roadhouse, Joey D's Oak Room, Chophouse '47 and Café restaurants, is offering a free meal for veterans on Sunday, Nov. 11. Call ahead to verify participation.

Chicken Salad Chick is offering a free "Chick special" and regular-size drink to any veteran or active-duty military member who visits on Monday, Nov. 12.

Chili's is offering a free meal for veterans at participating locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

Chipotle has a buy one, get one free deal on a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for veterans, retired and active-duty military personnel, and military spouses with proof of military service or a valid military ID on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Cicis Pizza will offer a free buffet with proof of active military service on Sunday, Nov. 11

Connors Steak & Seafood, which has restaurants in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee, is offering 50 percent off any dine-in lunch or dinner to veterans with a military ID or in uniform on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is giving veterans a choice between a slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or one of its crafted coffee beverages on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Dunkin' Donuts is offering a free doughnut to veterans and active duty military personnel at participating restaurants nationwide on Sunday, Nov. 11.

East Coast Wings + Grill, which has locations in Florida, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia, is offering veterans a free meal from a special menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. Call ahead to verify participation. Proof of military service is required.

Glory Days Grill will offer a free appetizer or regular-sized boneless or grilled wings on Nov. 11-12.

Golden Corral will serve free dinner buffets with a beverage from 5-9 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 12, to any person who is serving or has served in a United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves. Identification is not required.

Hooters is offering all veterans and active-duty military personnel with a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a beverage on Sunday, Nov. 11. Guests must present a military ID or proof of service.

Huddle House is offering a free order of its platter-sized pancakes, called Sweet Cakes, from Nov. 9-12 to all active duty military personnel and veterans with a proper ID.

Joe's Crab Shack, which has almost two dozen restaurants across the country, is offering 20 percent off to veterans and military members with a valid military ID or proof of service on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Little Caesars Pizza is offering a free pizza or $5 lunch combinations to all veterans and active military members from 11 a.m-2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. Call ahead to verify participation.

Margarita’s Mexican Restaurant will offer a free entree to vets and active-duty military on Nov. 11.

Menchie’s will offer military members a free 6-ounce yogurt on Nov. 11.

Mimi's Cafe is offering a free entree from a special menu to active duty military personnel and veterans all day on Sunday, Nov. 11.

O’Charley’s will offer a free meal Nov. 11-12 from the Veterans Thank-You Menu.

Olive Garden is offering veterans and active duty military personnel a free entree from a special menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

On the Border will offer veterans with a valid military ID a free create-your-own Combo 2 Meal served with Mexican rice and beans along with endless chips and salsa.

Pilot Flying J is offering veterans and active duty military members a free breakfast sandwich, packaged pastry item or Cinnabon Center of the Roll item, along with a free coffee, from Nov. 10-12. To claim the offer, they need to download the myPilot app. The offer is good at the 750 Pilot

Red Lobster Seafood Restaurants is offering a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, active-duty military and reservists with a valid military ID on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12.

Red Robin is offering its Red's Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak fries for veterans and active military personnel who show a valid military ID or provide proof of military service on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is offering free meals to veterans from Nov. 10-12 at its restaurants. The restaurant is also brewing a limited edition Veterans Day IPA and will donate 25 cents of each pint sold from Nov. 10-17 to a local veterans charity.

Romano's Macaroni Grill is offering free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs and spaghetti entree at all of its U.S. locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. All veterans and active military must present a military ID or proof of service.

Ruby Tuesday's is offering a free appetizer to veterans and active duty military personnel (up to $10) at participating locations on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Sheetz is offering a free-6-inch turkey sub and fountain drink plus a free car wash for veterans and active-duty Nov. 11. You must present an ID.

Sizzler is offering veterans a free lunch from opening hours to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. Veterans must provide proof of military service.

Sonny's BBQ is offering veterans and active duty military personnel a free pulled or sliced pork combo on Monday, Nov. 12.

Starbucks is offering veterans and a free 12-ounce coffee to veterans, active-duty military personnel and their spouses on Sunday, Nov. 11, with proof of military service.

SweetFrog Frozen Yogurt is offering one of its 12-ounce premium frozen yogurt treats to veterans and active-duty military personnel who show a valid military ID or proof of service on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Texas Roadhouse will offer a free lunch for veterans and active-duty personnel on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Tijuana Flats is offering a free entree and fountain drinks to veterans with a valid military ID on Sunday, Nov. 11. The deal includes both dine-in and carry-out meals, but isn't valid on online orders or those placed through Uber Eats.

World of Beer will offer a free select draught or $5 off your check for veterans and active-duty service members.

Retail Deals

  • Goodyear Auto Service/Just Tires: Free tire, brake and battery checks for vets Nov. 9 to 11. Appointments can be booked starting Nov. 9 and redeemed through Nov. 16. Plus, military and first responders get 10% off tires.

  • Great Clips: Veterans and current military members who visit a Great Clips salon on Nov. 11 will get a free cut that day or a free haircut card to use later. Not a military member? Purchase a haircut on Nov. 11 and receive a free haircut card to give to a veteran in your life.

  • Lowe’s: Veterans and active military get 10 percent off purchases Veterans Day and every day at Lowe’s.

  • Mattress Firm: Nov. 9 through Nov. 12, veterans, their families and first responders get 20 percent off.

  • Sears Garage Services: Anyone with a valid military ID can get 10 percent off any product or service Nov. 9 to 12.

  • SmileDirectClub: During Veterans Day weekend (Nov. 9 to Nov. 12), SmileDirectClub will give active military and veterans $200 off an invisible aligner purchase. To get this deal, visit one of the brand’s 150 locations with military ID. Plus, the company will donate 10% off sales from this promo to the Fisher House Foundation.

  • Tractor Supply Company: Veterans, active duty military and their dependents get 15 percent off at Tractor Supply Company stores on Nov. 11. Present valid military ID to get the deal.

  • TOMS: 20% discount on all full-priced styles for vets and active military through Nov. 18. Follow these instructions for verifying your status while shopping online.

Entertainment And Travel Deals

  • CheapOair: Use this promo code to get Veterans Day travel discounts through Nov. 12.

  • Disney World: Book by Dec. 19 (for stays Jan. 1 through March 24 and April 6 through Dec. 19) and get special military rates.

  • Globus: Through Nov. 16, active and retired military can get 10 percent off and save an additional $100 per person on North America tours. Follow the instructions here to verify your status.

  • LEGOLAND Florida Resorts: Active-duty military and vets get free admission, free parking and hotel discounts through November.

  • Main Event Entertainment: Free entree (from a special menu) and $10 Arcade Play for Veterans and Active Duty on Nov. 11.

  • Red Roof Inn: From Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, all active duty military and veterans get 20% off the best available rate for stays that occur Nov. 1 to Feb. 28. You must use the coupon code on this page.

  • Super 8: Military members (current and retired) and their families get 20 percent off through Dec. 11 at Super 8. Plus, if you book using this offer through a Wyndham direct booking channel, you’ll automatically be enrolled into a Wyndham Rewards account and get 500 bonus points.

Image via Shutterstock

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