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14 Restaurants Offering Free Meals On Veterans Day, Because It's Well-Deserved
Veterans Day, a day to honor our veterans and active duty personnel, is one of our country's most important holidays. These unspeakably brave men and women have stepped up to serve in the United States Armed Forces, and restaurants around the country are finding a small way to say thank you. This Monday, November 11, various chain restaurants around the country will be doing the serving. These are 15 restaurants offering free meals on Veterans Day 2019, so our country's bravest can enjoy a complimentary and extremely well-deserved meal.
The following restaurants have announced special Veterans Day initiatives, and depending on the brand, veterans are eligible to eat a specific complimentary dish or choose from a special Veterans Day menu. However, because these are chains, it's important to call ahead to the exact location you plan on visiting to both a) confirm they are participating and b) get the specific details and requirements for your location. It's always best to double check, because no one wants to get excited for a free meal and discover they've missed a specific time window or misunderstood an offer.
Note that the restaurants on this list require proof of service in order to receive the complimentary meal. Depending on the restaurant, this could be a U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card, U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement, veterans organization card, photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing a uniform, or a DD214. When you call ahead to your local restaurant, make sure to ask them what proof of service they require.
1Applebee's
When: Monday, November 11
Details: Applebee's is serving up complimentary meals this November 11 and the restaurant has served up 9.8 million free meals to military heroes since 2008. Applebee's is offering free, full-sized entrees to all veterans and active duty military from a selection of seven fan favorites, including their Classic Bacon Cheeseburger, 6 oz. USDA Select Top Sirloin, and Fiesta Lime Chicken.
Dine-in only.
2BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
When: Sunday, November 11
Details: BJ's is serving complimentary entrees (up to $12.95 in value) and a Dr. Pepper to all veterans and active duty personnel.
Dine-in only.
3California Pizza Kitchen
When: Monday, November 11
Details: Military and veterans can get a free pizza, full-size salad, or pasta entree on November 11. All the available entrees are available on CPK's special Veteran's Day Menu, including fountain drinks and iced tea.
Dine-in only.
4Chili's
When: Monday, November 11
Details: This Veteran's Day, Chili's is thanking our country's veterans and active duty personnel with a complimentary entree "as a small way to honor your service and the sacrifices you’ve made for our country." Choose from some of their most popular entrees, from Chicken Crispers to the Just Bacon Burger.
5Denny's
When: Monday, November 11, 5 a.m. to noon
Details: Denny’s is offering all veterans and active service members a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam on Monday, November 11.. This meal includes a choice of four breakfast items: buttermilk pancakes, eggs, bacon or turkey bacon strips, and buttermilk biscuits, hash browns, or oatmeal.
Dine-in only.
6Country Kitchen
When: Monday, November 11
Details: Veterans and active duty military personnel can receive a free Country Scramble on Monday, November 11 at participating Country Kitchen locations. The scrambles are made with farm-fresh eggs and fresh ingredients.
7Cotton Patch Cafe
When: Monday, November 11
Details: On Veterans Day, every Cotton Patch Cafe offers free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken to all veterans and active duty military.
8Famous Dave's
When: Monday, November 11
Details: Famous Dave’s is honored to serve our vets and active duty personnel a free 2 Meat Salute in honor of Veterans Day. This lunch combo meal comes with your choice of two meats (from Georgia Chopped Pork, Country-Roasted Chicken, BBQ Chicken, Sweetwater Catfish Fingers, Southside Rib Tips, Texas Beef Brisket, or Hand Breaded Chicken Tenders), plus one side and a corn bread muffin.
Dine-in only.
9Hooters
When: Monday, November 11
Details: On Veterans Day, Hooter's is offering all veterans and active duty personnel a free entree from their Veterans Day Menu, with the purchase of any drink. This special menu includes 10-piece wings, the Hooters Burger, Buffalo Chicken Salad, and their Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.
Dine-in only.
10Red Lobster
When: Monday, November 11
Details: For Veteran’s Day, veterans and active duty personnel can head to Red Lobster for a free appetizer or dessert. Choose from a selection of appetizers, like Sweet Chili Shrimp, Mozzarella Sticks, or a Shrimp Cocktail, and desserts like Key Lime Pie and Brownie Overboard.
Dine-in only.
11Little Caesars Pizza
When: Monday, November 11, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Details: This Veteran's Day, Little Caesars Pizza is giving every veteran and active duty personnel a complimentary Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo, which includes four slices of deep dish pepperoni pizza and a 20 ounce Pepsi product.
Not redeemable via online, app, or delivery.
12On The Border
When: Sunday, Monday, November 11
Details: On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is giving veterans and active duty personnel a free meal, including two items served with rice and beans. The two entree options include chicken tortilla soup, seasoned ground beef enchilada with chile con carne, chicken tinga enchilada with green chile or sour cream sauce, and spinach and mushroom enchilada with sour cream sauce, among others. “It is our honor to have the opportunity to serve the military personnel that bravely serve us,” said Sr. Vice President of Marketing Edithann Ramey. “These men and women in uniform sacrifice their lives to give us freedom every day, and we want to give them our utmost respect on a day that is dedicated to them. We look forward to showing our gratitude as they come into On The Border on Nov. 11.”
Dine-in only.
13Red Robin
When: Monday, November 11
Details: All veterans and active duty personnel can get a free Red's Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries at participating Red Robin restaurants.
Dine-in only.
14Texas Roadhouse
When: Monday, November 11, 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Details: This Veterans Day, Texas Roadhouse is serving free lunch entrees to veterans and active duty service members.With plenty of steaks, burgers, and combo dinners on the menu, there’s something for everyone’s taste.
Dine-in only.
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