Active and retired military members can enjoy free meals and more at select restaurants on Veterans Day as a way to thank them for their service.
The public holiday, which is celebrated on November 11, honors all veterans and those who served in wartime and peacetime, according to the US Department of Defense.
The holiday was originally known as Armistice Day, but it originally marked the end of World War I and its observance was enshrined in law.
Here’s where current and military members can eat for free on November 11:
Red lobster
As a thank you, Red Lobster will treat veterans to a complimentary favorite shrimp, fries and Walt’s coleslaw meal from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. local time, according to a press release. No purchase required.
The meal includes six fried butterfly shrimp served with cocktail sauce, fries and coleslaw. Offer applies to dine-in and takeout orders placed in the restaurant only and requires valid military ID.
Charlie’s Philly Steaks
Charleys Philly Steaks is honoring veterans and active duty military with a free order of gourmet fries “topped with cheese sauce, bacon crumbles and ranch dressing.”
Orders must be placed in-store, according to the press release. No purchase required.
Applebee’s
All veterans and active duty military who visit Applebee’s on November 11th will receive free entry of their choice, plus $5 for a future meal, the restaurant said.
The offer is valid for dinner orders only and guests can choose from a select menu which includes:
- 6 oz top sirloin
- Double Crisp Shrimp
- Fiesta lime chicken
- A plate with chicken
- A classic cheeseburger with bacon
- Oriental salad with chicken
- Chicken penne with three cheeses
Service members will also receive a $5 cashback card that can be used for dine-in, takeout and delivery between Nov. 12 and Dec. 2, according to a press release.
Veterans and military personnel must show proof of service to receive the freebie.
Danny
Denny’s is celebrating Veteran’s Day with free grand slam breakfast for military personnel on Nov. 11, according to a news release. Offer available to all active, inactive and retirees between 5am and noon at participating locations.
The classic dish consists of two buttermilk pancakes, two strips of bacon, two links of sausage and two eggs, cooked in any way.
Guests must present a military ID or proof of service to receive the freebie. No purchase required.
TGI on Fridays
From 11:00 am to 2:00 pm local time, veterans and military members can enjoy a free meal at participating TGI Fridays.
Guests of the restaurant can choose from the following dishes:
-
Cheeseburger with fries
-
Crispy chicken fingers with fries and coleslaw
-
6oz center cut sirloin with mashed potatoes and broccoli with garlic butter
-
Caesar salad with grilled chicken
A valid military ID or proof of service is required to receive the freebie. No purchase required.
The king of smoothies
Any active-duty or retired military member who visits Smoothie King on Veterans Day can receive a free 20-ounce smoothie of their choice at select locations. No purchase required.
Guests must show a valid military ID to receive the freebie.
Little Caesars
Little Caesars will treat all U.S. veterans and active military members to a free Hot-N-Ready lunch on Friday, Nov. 11, the pizza chain said.
The freebie is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and includes 4 slices of Little Caesar’s Detroit style pizza and a 20 oz. drink, according to the report. No purchase required, but proof of military service is required.
Wendy
Wendy’s thanks America’s military, active and retired, with a breakfast sandwich to the house.
According to a press release, on Nov. 11, military personnel will be able to get their choice of a butter chicken biscuit, a maple bacon chicken croissant, or a breakfast combo with a baconator from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Guests simply need to show a valid military ID at the store or auto dealership.
The meal includes coffee or a soft drink and mashed potatoes. No purchase required.
Customers are encouraged to check with their local Wendy’s in advance, as breakfast hours vary by location.
Red Robin
On Veterans Day, retired and active duty military members can get free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and bottomless steak frites at participating Red Robin’s restaurants.
According to a press release, the dish can only be enjoyed with a dinner order and includes “two tavern-sized patties topped with American cheese, lettuce, tomato and Red’s Secret Tavern sauce,” along with bottomless fries. No purchase required.
Proof of service required.
White castle
The White Castle will treat the military a selection of free combination meals or combo breakfast at restaurants across the country. Offer valid on dinner orders only and proof of service is required.
Circle K
Circle K thanks the military for their service free medium coffee on Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11.
The freebie is available at Circle K stores nationwide. You don’t have to buy one, but it’s unclear if a military ID is required.
Pilot/Flying J travel centers
The pilot honors American military personnel and their families with free meals at more than 750 Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network travel centers across the U.S., according to a news release.
Military members who are verified with ID.me, the digital identification network, will receive a free $12 food credit in the myRewards plus app. The offer is valid from November 11 to 13 and can be used on several food and beverage options, including Pilot Coffee and Hot Deli.
“This year, the $12 dining credit on Veterans Day meals will be a rollover balance, allowing guests to use any balance the next time they stay over Veterans Day weekend during the offer period,” the release said.
Shytz
On Veterans Day, Sheetz is offering retired and active-duty military members a free meal and car wash at participating locations, the convenience store chain announced in a news release.
The meal deal includes a free half ham and cheese or meatball — plus a regular drink to wash it down.
Veterans can also get free car washes at stores that offer them, according to a news release.
Offer can only be used on the $9 wash option and military ID is required.
O’Charlie
Veterans and active duty military may receive a free admission to O’Charley’s November 11. No need to buy
Guests can choose from the following options:
- O’Charley’s famous chicken tenders and fries
- Classic cheeseburger
- Honey Drizzled Fried Chicken
- Sante Fe Tilapia
- Tender Southern Fried Chicken Salad
California Pizza Kitchen
All veterans and active duty military who visit California Pizza Kitchen on Veterans Day will receive a free snack and a drink of their choice, the restaurant chain reports.
Customers can choose from special “Fixed Price Menu” with California pizza, pasta or first salads.
