Veterans Day 2023: Food Freebies for Veterans and Active Duty Personnel - Part I

Veterans Day is coming! And businesses across the country are announcing ways to honor and support active U.S. military, veterans, and their loved ones on Veterans Day. Publishing the Veterans Advantage Directory of “Veterans Day Deals, Discounts, & Freebies” has become a popular annual tradition.

We’ll be updating our list, so visit often!

Please note: You’ll need to present a military ID, such as the VetRewards Card, to take advantage of most of these special discounts. We encourage you to call ahead to ensure your location is participating in a Veterans Day discount or freebie. 

Have your VetRewards Card already? Then explore these great restaurant and retail discounts and freebies for Veterans Day 2023. And for year-round access to exclusive deals and even deeper discounts, discover the benefits of VetRewards in our Marketplace.

Restaurants

Applebee’s – On November 11, Veterans and active-duty military receive a free meal from a limited menu at participating Applebee’s locations. Dine-in only. Not only do veterans and active-duty eat free, you will also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card for a future visit within a 3-week redemption window. Visit Applebee's website or your local restaurant for details.

Bj’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: On November 11, veterans and active duty service members may dine-in at their local Bj’s and enjoy a complimentary Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with any $9.95+ purchase. Additionally, if you spend more than $14.95 for dine-in or takeout you will receive a free appetizer coupon for your use between November 12 - December 31. 

Bob Evans Restaurant: On November 11 veterans and active duty service members may receive a free meal from a select menu at their local Bob Evans restaurant. Please visit the Bob Evans website to view the special veterans day menu. 

Bruegger’s Bagels: On November 11, Veterans can get a free hot or iced coffee with the purchase of any food item. 

CentraArchy Restaurants: On November 11, veterans and active duty service members may visit their local CentraArchy Restaurant to enjoy 50% off of their entree. Participating CentraArchy Restaurants include California Dreaming, Carolina Roadhouse, Chophouse ’47, Chophouse New Orleans, Joey D’s Oak Room, and New York Prime. 

Chili’s Grill & Bar – On November 11, All veterans & active military members can get a free meal at all participating Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants. Available for dine-in only on select items. Please call ahead to your local Chili's restaurant if you have any questions about your Veterans Day meals.

Claim Jumper Steakhouse & Bar: On November 13, veterans and active duty service members can choose a free meal from a select menu. The menu includes: BBQ Chicken Salad, Classic Cheeseburger, Black Tie Chicken Pasta, Meatloaf & Mashed potatoes, Country Fried Steak, and Southern Fried Chicken. 

Denny’s: On November 11, Denny's will be offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast from 5 a.m. until noon. Available with a valid military ID. 

Farmer Boys: On November 11, Farmer Boys is offering a free Big Cheese Burger to all veterans and active duty military personnel. This deal is valid with proof of service and limited to one FREE Big Cheese® per service member. It is only valid at participating locations, while supplies last, and cannot be combined with any other discounts, coupons, or advertised specials. The deal is not valid on delivery or mobile ordering.

Firebirds: Visit your local Firebirds on Friday, November 10 and dine-in with a veteran or an active duty service member, and their lunch or dinner is free*! 
*Free entree equal to or less than your entree.

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is offering a free lunch or dinner to veterans or active duty service members you dine-in with on Friday November 10. (Free entree equal or less than your purchase.)

Freddy’s: On November 11, Freddy’s is giving all veterans and active duty service members a FREE Freddy’s Original Double with Cheese combo meal card. No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer. Cards may be redeemed through November 30, 2023.

Funky Chunky: As a veteran-owned company, Funky Chunky is proud to offer a 25% discount as a token of gratitude for those who have served our country!

Gold Star: On November 11, veterans and active duty service members may visit Gold Star to receive a complimentary meal of their choice (valued up to $12). 

Golden Corral: On November 13, Golden Corral is honoring veterans, active duty service members, reserve, and national guard members with Military Appreciation night. On this night veterans, active duty service members, reserve, and national guard members may dine-in and enjoy a complimentary meal. 

Hooters: On November 11, all military eat free from their special Veterans Day menu with a beverage purchase. Available at participating locations. The offer is dine-in only and limited to 1 per person. Visit their website for additional details. 

Hoss’s Family Steak and Sea House: On November 11, Hoss’s Family Steak and Sea House provides Veterans and active duty military a 20% discount on their meal and beverage. 

IHOP: On November 11, IHOP is offering veterans and active duty service members a free red, white, and blue pancake meal. A stack of pancakes include glazed strawberries, blueberry compote, and whipped topping. Please call your local IHOP as this offer and discount may vary by location. 

Insomnia Cookies: Insomnia Cookies is honoring Veterans all week long by offering a free 6-pack of classic cookies with any purchase to Veterans and Active Duty Service Members in-store, from November 6 to November 12.

Lion’s Choice: On November 11, Lion's Choice is honoring veterans and active duty military with a free original roast beef sandwich to show their appreciation for your service. Lion’s Choice also has a standing 20% heroes discount offered all year long for veterans and active-duty military.

Joe’s Crab Shack: On November 11, veterans receive 20% off from 11 am - 3 pm at participating Joe's Crab Shack locations.

O'Charley's: O’ Charley’s is offering free meals (a $10 value) to active-duty and retired military from their special “Veterans Thank You Menu” with valid ID, as well as a 10 percent military discount all year long. Check individual locations for participation. This offer is dine-in only. Show your VetRewards card at check out.

Olive Garden: On November 11, veterans and active duty service members may dine-in and receive a free entree from a special veterans day menu. 

Outback Steakhouse: The 10% OFF Heroes discount is open to veterans and active duty service members year round. 

Perry’s Steakhouses: On November 10, visit your local Perry’s Steakhouse for Free Pork Chop Friday. Dine-in only from 10:30 am-5:00 pm. Offer available when accompanied by a guest purchasing one lunch or dinner entree. *Reservations required. 

On November 11, veterans and active duty service members may enjoy a 3-course menu for only $39.00. Dine-in only from 4 pm-6 pm. *Reservations required. 

Red Lobster: On November 11,  Red Lobster is giving away FREE printed meal vouchers* for veterans, active duty service members, and reservists—featuring six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried shrimp, served with cocktail sauce, as well as crispy French Fries and Coleslaw—from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm local time on Saturday, November 11, 2023.
*The voucher can be redeemed beginning Monday, November 13 through Sunday, December 10 for dine-in only.

Shane's Rib Shack: November 9-11, veterans, active duty, and reserve service members can get one free BBQ Pork or Chopped BBQ Chicken Plate. Valid in-store only. 

Starbucks: November 11, veterans, active duty service members, and military spouses may visit a participating Starbucks store for a free tall (12-ounce) hot or cold brewed coffee.

Tijuana Flats: Now until December 31, Tijuana Flats is offering 20% off your entire purchase to veterans, active duty service members, teachers, nurses, EMT’s, firefighters, and law enforcement officers. *Not valid on catering orders or in combination with other discounts. 

Tucanos Brazilian Grill: November 9-11, veterans and active duty service members can enjoy a free Churrasco meal with the purchase of another adult Churrasco meal. Veterans or service members appearing by themselves will receive half off of their meal. 

Tuscan Kitchen: November 10, veterans will eat for free from 11 am-4 pm at all Tuscan Brand locations. *Reservations Required.

Wendy's: In honor of Veterans Day, Wendy’s ® is thanking those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. Military with a FREE breakfast combo, valid with a military ID or a Veterans Advantage card between 6:30 am and 10:30 am. Whether you’re a fan of the Maple Bacon Chicken Croissant, Honey Butter Chicken Biscuit, or crowd favorite Breakfast Baconator ® combo, the offer is a small gesture of gratitude for the men and women who work tirelessly to protect our country. More details here.

Click here for part II of our Veterans Day 2023 coverage: retail shopping discounts.

*Please note: Veterans Advantage publishes Military Community Deals as a resource for our members. These deals are with companies that are not part of the Veterans Advantage Partner Coalition. We cannot guarantee the company's military discount availability. This information is from public sources and is subject to change without notice. Veterans Advantage's VIP Member Support is not available for handling questions or customer service for any Military Community Deal. Please contact the company's customer service directly. 

• In order to be eligible for the discount, customers must present proof of military service, past or present or military dependent ID. Some exclusions do apply.
• Your VetRewards Card ID from Veterans Advantage may qualify as valid proof of eligibility. Simply ask the participating locations.