Veterans Day 2021: Where To Find Free Meals and Discounts
People wave flags during the Louisville Veterans Day Parade Nov. 11, 2018, in Louisville, Kentucky. US Army photo by Renee Rhodes.
Businesses around the country are showing their gratitude for their customers’ military service with free meals and discounts on Veterans Day. We’ve rounded up a selection of Veterans Day deals here, but if your favorite local chain or other establishment isn’t on this list, it doesn’t hurt to call them and ask if they offer a military discount.
Be prepared to show proof of service such as military ID, VA benefits photo ID card, DD-214, or another document for all of the deals below. And check the fine print. For example, some free meals don’t include a beverage. Taxes and tip are also not always included. Most offers are limited to one person and don’t apply to the entire party.
Restaurants
Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar — Veterans and active-duty military get a free entree from a special menu Thursday. Additionally, all veterans and service members who visit on Nov. 11 will get a $5 card to redeem for dine-in, to-go meals, or delivery within three weeks.
Bob Evans — Veterans and active-duty military get a free meal from a special menu of seven homestyle favorites. Dine-in only, beverage not included.
Buffalo Wild Wings — Offering 10 free boneless wings and fries for all veterans and active-duty military. Dine-in and takeout only. Online ordering is excluded.
California Pizza Kitchen — Veterans and active military get a free entree and beverage when dining in on Nov. 11. Veterans will also get a “buy one get one” card, redeemable through Nov. 20.
Chili’s — Veterans and active-duty service members get a free meal from a select menu. Available for dine-in only.
Denny’s — Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon on Nov. 11 for all veterans as well as active and non-active military personnel. Dine-in only.
Golden Corral — Active duty and veterans get a free “thank you” dinner when dining in from 5 p.m. to close on Nov. 11.
IHOP — Veterans and active-duty military get free red, white, and blueberry pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11.
Little Caesars — Veterans and active-duty military get a free Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo at participating stores from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
Logan’s Roadhouse — Veterans and active-duty military get a free American Roadhouse Meal from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Nov. 11.
Mission BBQ — Active-duty service members and veterans get a free sandwich on Veterans Day.
Olive Garden — A free entree from a special menu for veterans and active-duty military. Dine-in only.
Red Lobster — Veterans and active-duty military can choose a free appetizer or dessert from a special menu.
Sheetz — Veterans can choose a free lunch of half a turkey or ham sub, plus a regular fountain drink. The offer also comes with a free $9 car wash.
Shoney’s — Veterans and active-duty service members get a free “all you care to eat” breakfast bar until 11 a.m. on Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
Starbucks — The chain is offering a free tall (12 ounce) hot coffee for veterans, active-duty military, and military spouses on Nov. 11.
Texas Roadhouse — Restaurants will hand out meal vouchers in the parking lot between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Vouchers can be redeemed when the restaurants open for dinner and are good for one of 10 entrees, plus a choice of certain drinks. Valid through May 30, 2022.
Activities
AmericanForcesTravel.com — The Defense Department offers year-round discounts on airfare, hotels, car rentals, cruises, and event tickets. For active-duty military, veterans, and DOD civilians.
National Parks — All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission Nov. 11. Many state parks are also offering free admission on Veterans Day, but be sure to verify that your state is participating before you go.
Retail and Services
Bed Bath & Beyond — Active-duty military, veterans, and military spouses get 25% off any in-store purchase on Nov. 11.
Great Clips — Active duty and veterans can receive either a free haircut on Nov. 11 or a free haircut card for a future visit. Non-military customers who get a haircut on Veterans Day will receive a free haircut card they can give to a veteran. Cards are redeemable Nov. 12 through Dec. 10.
Publix — Veterans and their families can save 10% on groceries on Nov. 11. The offer excludes prescriptions, alcohol, gift cards, lottery, stamps, and money services.
Sports Clips — Some locations will offer free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members on Nov. 11. Visit their website to find participating locations.
Target — Active-duty military personnel, veterans, and their families can get 10% off their full basket now through Nov. 13. Guests must first register online to verify eligibility and receive a one-time discount to use in store or online.
Walgreens — Military personnel, veterans, and their families receive 20% off eligible, regular-price purchases when using a myWalgreens membership. Offer good Nov. 11 through Nov. 14.
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Hannah Ray Lambert is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die who previously covered everything from murder trials to high school trap shooting teams. She spent several months getting tear gassed during the 2020-2021 civil unrest in Portland, Oregon. When she’s not working, Hannah enjoys hiking, reading, and talking about authors and books on her podcast Between Lewis and Lovecraft.
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