16 Places Where Veterans Can Eat for Free on Veterans Day
Annually, Veterans Day is celebrated on November 11 to honor both our veterans and those who are actively serving in the military. In 2020, this federal holiday falls on a Wednesday. There are lots of restaurant chains that pay homage to these brave, selfless individuals by offering up Veterans Day free meals on either the actual holiday or the day it is largely being observed. Use this roundup of eateries to find out where you can order up a complimentary dish as a thank-you for your service. In most cases, all you need is some form of military ID. Plus, learn some facts about Veterans Day you probably didn’t know.
Famous Dave’s
Head over to this barbecue joint on November 11 for a free Famous Dave’s Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich + Side, available for dine-in and takeout. Check out 10 simple ways to support veterans that everyone can do.
Bob Evans
There’s plenty to look forward to if you’re near a Bob Evans location on Veterans Day. The chain is offering seven homestyle menu items for veterans for free on the 11th, including country fried steak and crispy fried chicken.
Applebee’s
Applebee’s has proudly served up 8.3 million Veterans Day free meals to vets and active-duty military since 2008! The chain is continuing the tradition this year by offering a free meal to these folks on Wednesday, November 11. Find out 45 things America’s troops wish you knew.
Chili’s
Head on over to Chili’s, which is saluting veterans and active military members on Wednesday, November 11, with a choice of meals from the special Veterans Day menu (dine-in only). Options include Chicken Crispers, Margarita Grilled Chicken, and Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas. Call ahead or check the website to make sure your local Chili’s is participating in the Veterans Day free meals promotion. If you are a military family, you’ll be overwhelmed by these triumphs and tragedies of your military peers.
Smoothie King
Head to a participating Smoothie King location on November 11 for a free 20-ounce smoothie with proof of service. This offer is good for current, veteran, or retired military service members, and is in-store only.
Cattlemens Steakhouse
If it’s steak you crave, on Veterans Day, Cattlemens is offering a free sirloin steak dinner to current or former service members. Yes, you read that right—you’ll get an eight-ounce steak, with sides, for free! Just check to be sure your Cattlemens is participating, and make sure you’ve got your military ID. (Finally, keep in mind that the restaurants don’t open until 4 p.m., so when they say dinner, they mean dinner!)
Red Lobster
Stop by Red Lobster on Wednesday the 11th to get a free appetizer or dessert off of a special menu. You’ll need your military ID or proof of service, and the offer is for dine-in only. Read up on the top 10 movies to watch on Veterans Day.
Golden Corral
In years past, Golden Corral has hosted Military Appreciation Night from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Veterans Day. This year, rather than holding a single night that threatens to pack their restaurant, they’re offering promotional cards for one free “Thank You” meal for veterans. They’re distributing the cards in November, and you can redeem them for lunch or dinner on Mondays through Thursdays, starting on November 1 and going all the way through May 2021, so that veterans can dine whenever they’re comfortable. As of last year, Golden Corral had served almost six million Veterans Day free meals to active-duty and retired military heroes, and the folks there are excited to serve up more complimentary dinners in 2020.
Red Robin
Grab a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries by showing your proof of service at the nearest Red Robin on Thursday, November 12, through Monday, November 30. The offer is available for dine-in and takeout. Yum! Red Robin has repeatedly offered Veterans Day free meals year after year. Check out 22 words or phrases you probably didn’t know originated in the military.
Texas Roadhouse
According to thespruce.com, Texas Roadhouse is having a pandemic-friendly Veterans Day deal this year. On November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., you can drive into the parking lot and pick up a meal voucher with a valid military ID or proof of service. Use it at your leisure, through June of 2021, for a free dinner in the restaurant. Supporting veterans is not only simple, but powerful.
O’Charley’s
You can get a free meal—a $10 value—at participating O’Charley’s locations if you come in on November 11 and show military ID, according to thespruce.com. They offer a special “Veterans Thank You Menu” that you can choose from. Just check beforehand to see if your nearby O’Charley’s is participating.
Menchie’s
Cool off with a free six ounces of frozen yogurt when you present your military ID on Wednesday, November 11, at any Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt location. Get as much as you want and the first six ounces are on the house! Give yourself a laugh with these 25 military cartoons that salute the armed forces.
White Castle
Veterans Advantage reports that White Castle has a smattering of options for Veterans Day free meals on November 11 for those with a military ID, including a Free Breakfast Combo or Castle Combo Nos. 1 to 6. By the way, this is why “Veterans Day” doesn’t have an apostrophe.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars has honored servicemen and servicewomen in the past, and 2020 will be no different. Qualifying customers can receive a free $5 Lunch Combo at participating stores nationwide on Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Test yourself with these 10 tricky U.S. war history questions.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Try the pregame offerings on Veterans Day at a participating Buffalo Wild Wings, where they will offer ten free boneless wings and fries for all veterans and active-duty service members. To take advantage of the offer, you can dine in or get takeout, and a military ID is required, according to Pennlive.com.
Friendly’s
If you’re a veteran or active military, allow Friendly’s to treat you to some grub, on the house and in the house. The chain is serving a free All-American Meal on Veterans Day; dine in for lunch or dinner you’ll get the All-American Burger, fries, and a drink. (You can even upgrade it to a cheeseburger for free, according to RetailMeNot!) Now read about these 10 inspiring things strangers did to say “thank you” to veterans.
Sources:
The Spruce: Texas Roadhouse Free Veterans Day Meal Vouchers 2020
The Spruce: O’Charley’s Free Veterans Day Food
Veterans Advantage: Veterans Day 2020: Food Freebies for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel – Part I
Penn Live: Military personnel can get free wings on Veterans Day at Buffalo Wild Wings
RetailMeNot: Where to Find Free Meals This Veterans Day
Things You Didn't Know About Arlington Cemetery
Famous People You Didn't Know Were Veterans
How Memorial Day and Veterans Day Are Different
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