Restaurants and other businesses want to thank our veterans and active military members on Veterans Day with FREE or discounted food or services on November 11 (unless another date is noted). Some deals are available for veterans only, while others are valid for both veterans and active military personnel. Offers don’t usually cover gratuity and tax. In addition, proof of military status is required for most offers, so be prepared to show ID verifying your service. As always, more deals will be added as they’re announced, so make sure you check back. If you know of any deals we left out, please comment below. (Living on the Cheap will only include the deals we are able to independently verify.) And always make sure to check out the single deals listed in the Dining category of Living on the Cheap!
Participation may vary, so be sure to check with your local restaurant to confirm that they’ll be offering the Veterans Day special.
Free food and drink
Applebee’s : Every year on Veteran’s Day, Applebee’s serves a free meal to active duty and veteran military service members. Although the majority of Applebee’s restaurants participate, call your local franchise and ask about details and requirements.
California Pizza Kitchen: This Veterans Day, enjoy a complimentary meal from the Veterans Day menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen locations. Guests can choose from complimentary pizza, pasta or full size salad and beverage by showing proof of service. They will also receive a card for a BOGO free pizza, pasta, or salad redeemable from November 12 to November 20.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill: From Friday, November 8 – Monday, November 11, firefighters, police officers, veterans and active military will receive a free order of Calamari with any purchase. You must present valid ID. Carraba’s also offers a 10 percent discount to active military and veterans throughout the year. Visit Carrabbas.com to find a location near you.
Chili’s Restaurants : Chili’s founder, Norman Brinker, proudly served in the U.S. Navy. On November 11, Chili’s offers a special menu for veterans to eat for free at the restaurant’s many locations across the United States. Valid ID is required. Call your local Chili’s for more information.
Cracker Barrel: All military veterans will receive a free Pumpkin Pie Latte or a slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake on Veteran’s Day, November 11. Dine in only. And from Oct. 28 through Nov. 11, you can receive $25 off all U.S. military branch-themed rocking chairs and 25 percent off all other military licensed products. Ten percent of the retail sales price of those eligible rocking chair purchases, either online or in-store, will be donated to Operation Homefront.
Golden Corral: On Monday, November 11, 2019, military veterans, retires and active duty personnel are invited to a free sit-in “thank you” dinner. The deal is from 5 pm to 9 pm, and is available at all Golden Corral restaurants nationwide. For more information, visit militaryappreciationnight.com.
Little Caesar’s: Veterans and active military can get a FREE lunch combo from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm on Veteran’s Day. Present ID or proof of service, but no coupon is necessary for this offer.
Menchies: Veterans and servicemen and women receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt FREE on Veterans Day, Monday, November 11. You must present a valid military ID or proof of service at the time of purchase.
Publix: Veterans and active military receive 10% off their grocery bill on Nov. 11. You must present a valid military ID, veteran ID, honorable discharge card or driver’s license with veteran designation. Offer is good only on groceries.
Quiznos: This deal is not just for Veteran’s Day, but since it runs through November we are including it here. Quiznos celebrates the multiplayer online role-playing game Guild Wars 2 with special reward codes available in-store. Guests will receive a card containing a unique code for in-game items in Guild Wars 2 with every order that includes at least one sub. The deal runs from November 1 through November 30, but only at participating restaurants while supplies last.
Red Lobster: All active duty military personnel receive a 10% discount on purchases every Monday.
Other Discounts & Freebies
Artechouse Miami: Active duty military personnel, first responders and veterans receive a 20% discount off admission to the exhibition “Infinity Room” by Refik Anadol, exploring memories and dreams through the mind of a machine in the immersive installation. Tickets can be purchased online using code VET19 and offer is good Nov. 8-11.
B&Bs for Vets: Veterans are eligible for one free night at participating B&Bs in the US and Canada. The offer i:good for one night on Sunday, November 10. Visit the link for lodging near you or your destination. You must book directly with the business, and valid ID is required.
Grace for Vets : Active duty or veteran military service members are entitled to a free car wash on November 11. Use the search tool to find a participating car wash near you. All veterans and service personnel get a free car wash at participating locations. Grace For Vets is a non-profit organization that unites the car wash industry in U.S., Canada, New Zealand, Australia with this program.
National Parks: FREE entry for everyone — even if you’re not a veteran or active military member — at all its parks on Veteran’s Day, November 11.
Planet Fitness: Free club access to military personnel during Military Appreciation Week from Nov. 8-15. Open to all active and veteran military personnel. Access to their state-of-the-art equipment, spa-like locker rooms, and HydroMassage.
Seaworld: Military veterans and active duty military get free entrance into SeaWorld theme parks for free or at lower cost when they access the theme park website through Waves of Honor. You must get the tickets through the Waves of Honor site – this offer is not available at the gate.
More food deals:
