Friday is Veterans Day, and to honor the men and women who have served our country, or currently serve, dozens of restaurants are offering free meals and other treats.
My advice: In most cases you will need some sort of military ID, or at least a photo of you in uniform, to get a free meal. Help your hard working servers by not just showing up and saying your old ID is "somewhere at home."
Also note that in many cases, a spouse does not get a free meal. You can ask, but if they say "no," don't make a fuss.
Veterans Day deals
Here are some of the best restaurant deals, courtesy the websiteMlitary.com.
We have filtered their very extensive list down to places most people have access to. You can see the full list on their website.
Applebee’s -- Veterans and active duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu, on November 11.
Arooga’s -- Veterans and active duty military get a free meal from a fixed menu on November 11.
Bar Louie – On November 11, veterans and active military personnel get a free appetizer or entree.
Bob Evans -- Veterans and active military personnel receive a free meal from a select menu on November 11.
Bonanza Steakhouses -- Active duty and retired military get a free buffet on November 11.
Boston Market -- Active duty or retired military personnel and their families can receive one free brownie or cookie with any purchase on November 11.
Bruegger's Bagels -- Veterans and active duty military members get a free small drip coffee on November 11 at participating locations.
Bubba's 33 -- Veterans and active members of the military get a free lunch on November 11.
Buffalo Wild Wings -- Veterans and active duty military personnel receive one small order of wings and a side of fries for free on November 11 all day.
California Pizza Kitchen – Veterans and active military receive a complimentary entrée from a special menu on November 11.
Cheeseburger in Paradise -- Veterans receive a free burger with fries on November 11.
Chili’s -- Veterans and active military service members get a free meal from a limited menu on November 11.
Chipotle-- Active duty military, Reserves, National Guard, veterans and spouses get a buy-one-get-one (BOGO) deal from 3:00 p.m. to close on November 11.
Chuck E. Cheese’s -- Active and retired military members can enjoy a free individual 1-topping pizza on November 11.
City Barbecue -- Veterans and troops get a free sandwich platter on November 11.
Country Cookin -- Veterans receive a free meal from 2 pm – 8 pm on Tuesday, November 15.
Cracker Barrel -- Veterans get a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake on November 11.
Denny’s -- Active, inactive and retired military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on November 11, from 5 a.m. to noon.
Eli's Sports Bar -- Free lunch for veterans at Ross Township, Liberty Township, and Mason Ohio locations
Famous Dave’s -- On November 11, former and current military personnel will receive a free Two Meat Combo.
Fazoli's -- Veterans get a free Build Your Own Pasta Bowl on November 11.
Golden Corral -- Golden Corral Restaurants' Military Appreciation Night free dinner will be available on November 14, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.
Hooters -- Veterans and active duty military get a free meal from a select menu at participating locations on November 11..
IHOP-- On November 11, participating IHOP Restaurants offer veterans and active duty military free Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
IKEA -- Veterans get a free entrée from November 7 through 11.
Krispy Kreme -- All veterans get a free doughnut and small coffee on November 11 at participating locations.
Little Caesars -- Veterans and active military members receive a free $5 Lunch Combo from 11:00a.m. to 2:00p.m. on November 11.
Logan’s Roadhouse -- Veterans get a free entree from a special menu on November 11.
LongHorn Steakhouse -- Active duty military, veterans and their families get a complimentary appetizer or dessert on November 11. Guests that dine with a veteran will also receive 10 percent off their meal.
Max & Erma's – On November 11, participating Max & Erma’s locations are offering veterans and active military personnel a free Best Cheeseburger in America.
McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants -- On November 6, participating McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants will offer a complimentary entree to veterans and Gold Star Families from a special menu.
O’Charley’s – Veterans and active duty service members get a free meal on November 11.
Old Country Buffet -- Veterans and active duty military get a free buffet and drink on November 11.
Olive Garden – Active duty military and veterans get a free entrée from a special menu on November 11.
On the Border -- Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free meal from the “Create Your Own Combo menu” on November 11.
Outback Steakhouse – All active and retired service members receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage on November 11. Outback is also offering active and former service members 15% off their meals Nov. 12 through Dec. 31.
Perkins -- Active duty military and veterans get a free Magnificent Seven meal on November 11.
Ponderosa Steakhouse -- Active duty and retired military get a free buffet on November 11.
Red Lobster -- Veterans, reserve and active-duty military personnel receive a free appetizer or dessert from a limited menu on November 10 and 11.
Red Robin – Veterans and active duty military get a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11.
Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery -- Veterans and active military get a free appetizer on November 11.
Ruby Tuesday -- Veterans, active duty and reserve service members get a free appetizer on November 11.
Ryan’s -- Veterans and active duty military get a free buffet and drink on November 11.
Shoney's -- Shoney's will offer a free All-American Burger to veterans and active duty service members on November 11.
Starbucks -- Veterans, reservists, active duty service members and spouses get a free tall coffee on November 11 at participating locations.
Texas Roadhouse -- Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch on November 11 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Offer is good for active duty, retired or former U.S. military.
TGIFridays -- Veterans and active duty military get a free lunch on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Travel Centers of America -- Military veterans who are CDL holders receive a free meal with beverage on November 11.
White Castle -- Veterans and all members of the military receive a free combo meal on November 11.
Not a veteran? Be sure to thank one for their service to our country.
As always, don't waste your money
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