In appreciation for military service, many restaurants across the nation are offering free meals to veterans and active-duty service members on Veterans Day 2015.
A long list of retail stores are also offering discounts to veterans, but this list contains only the free meals offered at national restaurant chains or establishments that are located in more than one state. It in no way claims to be all-inclusive and is only offered as a service to Soldiers.
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Most of the restaurants require proof of military service for their free offers. Requirements for proof vary from one establishment to another, but normally military ID cards suffice and so do Veterans Affairs Universal Access Cards or DD 214 discharge forms.
Some restaurants will accept membership cards from Veterans Service Organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Disabled American Veterans, or the American Legion. Some restaurants will serve free meals to service members, who arrive in uniform and some will even accept a picture of veterans in their uniform.
Restaurants can be contacted in advance for their specific requirements and more details are often available on company web pages. In addition, representatives advise checking to ensure that particular locations are participating in the free offers.
Following is a sampling of the free offers available to troops this year:
Applebee’s – Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free meal from a limited menu, at participating Applebee’s locations, Nov. 11. The meals are available to dine-in customers only.
Arooga’s – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal from a fixed menu at Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar, Nov. 11.
Bakers Square – Veterans and active-duty military can order a free breakfast from a set menu, Nov. 11. Bakers Square restaurants can be found in Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, Indiana, Illinois, and Ohio.
BJ’s Restaurant – Active-duty military and veterans can receive a complimentary entree under $12.95, Nov. 11.
Bob Evans – Veterans and active military can receive a free breakfast from a select menu, Nov. 11.
Bonanza Steakhouses – Active-duty and retired military can get a free buffet meal from 4 p.m. to close, Nov. 11. Participating restaurants will also donate a portion of proceeds for every Pepsi beverage sold during November to the Wounded Warrior Family Support program.
Burntwood Tavern – Veterans and active military are offered a free lunch or dinner Nov. 11 at seven Burntwood Tavern locations.
California Pizza Kitchen – Veterans and active military can receive a complimentary entrée from a special menu, Nov. 11.
Cheeseburger in Paradise – Active and retired military can receive a complimentary burger with fries, Nov. 11.
Chicken Salad Chick – On Nov. 11, veterans and active-duty military can receive one sandwich or scoop of their choice of chicken salad, one side, a pickle spear and a cookie.
Chili’s – Veterans and active military service members can get a free entrée from a limited menu, Nov. 11.
Country Cookin – Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free meal from 2 – 8 p.m. Nov. 10.
Denny’s – Active, inactive and retired military can get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon Nov. 11, at participating locations.
FATZ Café – Veterans and active military can get a free World Famous Calabash Chicken meal Nov. 11 at these restaurants located from Virginia to Georgia, including Tennessee and the Carolinas.
54th Street Grill – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal (up to $12), Nov. 11. This restaurant chain has locations in the Kansas City, St. Louis, San Antonio and Fort Worth areas.
Figaro’s Pizza – Veterans and active-duty service members can receive a complimentary medium one-topping pizza Nov. 11 at locations in California, Oregon, Washington state, Montana or Wisconsin.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill – Active-duty military and veterans can get a free lunch or dinner entrée, Nov. 11.
Friendly’s – Friendly’s is treating veterans and active military to a free breakfast, lunch or dinner from a limited menu, Nov. 11.
Golden Corral – Golden Corral Restaurants’ Military Appreciation Night free dinner will be available from 5 – 9 p.m. Nov. 11. Military retirees, veterans, active-duty, National Guard and Reserves are all welcome.
Green Mill Restaurant – Veterans and active-duty military will get a free lunch or dinner, Nov. 11.
Greene Turtle – Veterans and active-duty military will receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11 at participating locations.
Hooters – Veterans and active-duty military will get a free meal from a select menu at participating locations, Nov. 11.
Hy-Vee – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free breakfast buffet, Nov. 11.
IHOP – On Nov. 11, participating IHOP restaurants are offering veterans and active-duty military free Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
IKEA – Veterans can get a free entrée from Nov. 8 – 11.
Johnny Carino’s – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal with their choice of unlimited soup or salad from a Veterans Day menu, Nov. 11.
Krystal – Active and retired military will receive a free Krystal Chicken or Sausage Biscuit from 6 – 11 a.m. Nov. 11.
Little Caesars – Veterans and active military members will receive a free $5 Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
Max & Erma’s – On Nov. 11, participating Max & Erma’s locations are offering veterans and active military personnel a free “Best Cheeseburger in America” combo meal.
Mission BBQ – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free sandwich and a slice of cake, Nov. 11.
Old Country Buffet – Current and former service members can receive a free lunch at participating locations from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
Olive Garden – On Nov. 11, all veterans and current service members can get a free meal from a limited menu. Family members dining with them can also receive 10 percent off of their meals.
On the Border – Veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free meal from the “Create Your Own Combo menu,” Nov. 11.
Ponderosa Steakhouse – Active-duty and retired military can get a free buffet from 4 p.m. to close Nov. 11.
Red Hot & Blue — Veterans can receive a free entrée with the purchase of a second entrée on Nov. 9, 10 and 11. A coupon is required.
Red Robin – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries, Nov. 11.
Rock and Brews – Veterans and active military personnel can receive a complimentary pulled pork sandwich with a side choice throughout the day, Nov. 11.
Sheetz – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free six-inch turkey sub, regular-size fountain drink and a car wash at all Sheetz locations, Nov. 11.
Shoney’s – Shoney’s is offering a free All-American Burger to veterans and active-duty service members, Nov. 11.
Sizzler – Sizzler is offering active-duty military and veterans a free lunch and beverage from a limited menu until 4 p.m. Nov. 11.
Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal from a select menu, Nov. 11.
Sticky Fingers – Veterans, active, inactive or retired servicemen and servicewomen get a free entrée up to a $12.99 value, Nov. 11.
Texas Roadhouse – Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide will offer veterans a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Offer is good for active-duty, retired or former U.S. military.
TGI Fridays — Veterans and active-duty military can get a free lunch from a select menu from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
Tijuana Flats – Veterans and active-duty military can get a free entree, Nov. 11.
Tony Roma’s – Veterans and active military can receive a complimentary half rack of Baby Back ribs, Nov. 11.
Twin Peaks – Active-duty and veterans can get a free menu item from their Annual Veterans Day Appreciation Menu, Nov. 11.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill – Veterans and active military can get a free entrée or individual pizza with an entrée or pizza purchase of equal or greater value, Nov. 11.
Village Inn – Veterans and active military personnel can receive a free breakfast Nov. 11 from a select menu at participating locations.
Wienerschnitzel – Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free Chili Dog and a small Pepsi, Nov. 11.
Editor’s Note: Information compiled by the American Legion and other sources. This information is being provided for informational purposes only, and neither does nor intends to imply an endorsement of any of the businesses or their services cited.
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