(Updated Nov. 8: This story will be updated in advance of Nov. 11 with more Veterans Day offerings.)
By Blair Drake, MOAA Contributing Editor
Many restaurants, businesses, and attractions are extending their thanks to veterans and active duty military personnel by offering freebies and discounts on Veterans Day and throughout the weekend.
Food and Dining
54th Street Grill: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free entree up to $12 on Nov. 11.
Ahipoki Bowl: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off poke bowls at all locations in Arizona and California.
Applebee’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers can choose a free meal from a special menu on Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.
Aspen Creek Grill: Active duty servicemembers and veterans receive a complimentary meal from a special menu from 11 a.m. to close Nov. 11.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: All servicemembers can enjoy a complimentary entree up to $14.95, plus a free Dr Pepper beverage. The offer is valid Nov. 11 for dine-in guests only and is limited to one entree and Dr Pepper beverage per person.
Black Angus Steakhouse: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a Veterans Day plate for $9.99 on Nov. 11.
[RELATED: Target Renews 10 Percent Military Discount for Veterans Day 2019]
Bob Evans: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get one free meal (breakfast, lunch, or dinner) from a select menu Nov. 11.
Bombshells Restaurant & Bar (Texas): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get free meals and soft drinks and a 20% discount for accompanying family members Nov. 11.
Burntwood Tavern: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a free lunch or dinner Nov. 11.
California Pizza Kitchen: On Nov. 11, U.S. military members past and present get a complimentary entrée from a special Veterans Day menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen locations nationwide. Participating guests also will receive a card to redeem for a buy-one, get-one free offer on pizza, pasta, or salad during a return visit Nov. 12-20.
Cattlemens Steakhouse: All active, inactive, and retired military personnel receive a complimentary 8 oz. sirloin steak dinner.
Chili’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11.
Chipotle: Active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, military spouses, and retired servicemembers with valid ID get one free entrée when they buy one entrée Nov. 11. The buy-one, get-one promo is valid on burritos, bowls, salads, and taco orders.
Coffee Beanery: Veterans and active duty military members get a free tall cup of fresh brewed coffee all day Nov. 11 at participating stores.
Cracker Barrel: On Nov. 11, Cracker Barrel will offer veterans a complimentary piece of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or a Pumpkin Pie Latte at all 660 locations.
Denny’s: All veterans and military personnel get a free build-your-own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon.
Dunkin’: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free donut of their choice, no purchase necessary, at participating restaurants nationwide.
Emmet’s Social Table (Waxhaw, N.C.): Veterans and servicemembers receive a free meal 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, and 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11.
Famous Dave’s: All former and current military personnel get a free Two Meat Salute (served with choice of one side and a corn bread muffin) on Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.
Friendly’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers, with a valid military ID or honorable discharge card, get a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner Nov. 11. The offer is valid at all Friendly’s locations for dine-in guests only and is limited to one breakfast or lunch/dinner entrée per person.
Golden Corral: Veterans, military retirees, and active duty servicemembers, including National Guard and Reserve members, can enjoy a free meal Nov. 11 from 5-9 p.m.
[RELATED: Early Veterans Day Deals]
Grub: All active, inactive and retired military personnel will receive a complimentary entrée Nov. 11 at all locations.
Hamburger Stand: Currently serving military personnel and veterans can receive a complimentary meal and drink Nov. 11.
Hooters: All active duty and retired military members who present a military ID or proof of service and purchase a beverage at any participating location will receive a free entrée from the Veterans Day menu (available for dine-in only) Nov. 11
Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar: Veterans and active duty servicemembers can receive a complimentary entree from a special menu on Nov. 11. The offer is available for dine-in only, and beverages and gratuity are not included.
Huddle House: All active duty and retired servicemembers and veterans will receive a free order of Sweet Cakes Nov. 8-11.
Joe’s Crab Shack: Veterans and servicemembers get 20% off Nov. 11. The offer applies to tables of four or less and for dine-in only.
Kings Family Restaurant: Nov. 11, Kings Family Restaurant will be celebrating Veterans Day with a free meal for all veterans and active military members.
Little Caesars: On Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans and active duty military members can receive their free lunch combo, which features four slices of Little Caesars popular Detroit-style DEEP!DEEP! Dish pizza, paired with a 20-ounce Pepsi product.
Logan’s Roadhouse: All active duty servicemembers and retired U.S. military personnel can enjoy a free meal from the American Roadhouse menu Nov. 11 from 3-6 p.m. at all Logan’s Roadhouse restaurants nationwide.
McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans and Gold Star honorees (parents and spouse) can receive a free entree from a special menu Nov. 10 at participating restaurants. The offer is for dine-in only.
Menchie’s: On Nov. 11, all veterans and active duty military will receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free.
Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free sandwich and piece of cake Nov. 11.
On the Border: Active duty and retired members of the military receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11.
Otter’s Chicken (Georgia): All active duty, Guard/Reserve, retirees, and former servicemembers get a free combo meal and drink Nov. 11.
Pilot Flying J: All active duty and retired military veterans get free breakfast Nov. 8-11 at the more than 650 participating Pilot and Flying J travel centers across the U.S.
Quaker Steak & Lube: Veterans and active duty and reserve military members receive a complimentary or discounted meal Nov. 11. The offer varies by restaurant location and includes free meals up to $15 with non-alcoholic beverage or meal discounts.
Red Lobster: Veterans, active duty servicemembers, and reservists get a free appetizer or dessert from a special menu Nov. 11.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews: On Nov. 11, all veterans and active duty servicemembers can enjoy a free Red's Tavern Double Burger served with Bottomless Steak Fries at participating restaurants nationwide.
Shane’s Rib Shack: At participating locations, military personnel and veterans will receive a free sandwich, regular side, and 20-ounce beverage of their choice Nov. 11-13.
Shoney’s: Veterans and servicemembers can enjoy a free all-you-care-to-eat, freshly-prepared breakfast bar Nov. 11 from open to 11 a.m. local time.
[RELATED: More deals from Military.com]
TA Restaurant Group (Country Pride and Iron Skillet Restaurants): Active duty servicemembers, veterans, and reservists can enjoy a complimentary meal on Nov. 11 at participating Country Pride and Iron Skillet restaurants nationwide.
White Castle: Veterans and active duty military members receive a free Combo Meal or Breakfast Combo Meal when they dine Nov. 11 at any one of the nearly 400 White Castle restaurants nationwide.
Wienerschnitzel: The world’s largest hot dog chain will those who serve or have served in the armed forces with a complimentary meal and drink Nov. 11.
Yard House: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a complimentary appetizer Nov. 11.
Shopping, Products, and Services
Food Lion: Active duty and retired military personnel receive 10% off their entire grocery bill Nov. 11. The discount does not apply to the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery, postage stamps, or services.
Great Clips: Great Clips will honor veterans and servicemembers with free haircuts Nov. 11. General customers who visit a Great Clips salon on Veterans Day will also have an opportunity to pay it forward by receiving a “Free Haircut Card” that can be given to a veteran.
Kohl’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers and their families get 30% off — double the regular military discount — in stores nationwide Nov. 7-11.
Planet Fitness: Veterans and active military personnel can work out for free from Nov. 8-15. In addition to full access to club services, veterans and active military personnel are invited to bring a workout buddy with them at no additional charge and relax after they work out with free HydroMassage and chair massages.
Publix: Veterans and active military personnel and their families can save 10 percent on groceries Nov. 11.
Stargazer Cast Iron: All U.S. military personnel get 30% off Veterans Day weekend (beginning Friday at 5 p.m. eastern through Veterans Day.
Target: All veterans and their spouses and dependents can apply for a 10% off coupon that can be used on Target.com and in-store for your total purchase from Nov. 3 to Nov. 11, 2019.
Attractions and Lodging
MOAA gave you a head start with these deals for museums and accommodations. Check them out, and then see below for even more savings.
Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, Calif.): Veterans and active duty military personnel who show valid service ID will receive free admission Nov. 9-15.
Colonial Williamsburg: All active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and military retirees and their dependents receive free single-day admission Nov. 8-11.
Des Moines Botanical Center (Des Moines, Iowa): Veterans receive free admission to the center Nov. 11.
LEGOLAND Florida Resort: Active duty servicemembers and veterans will receive free admission Nov. 1-25. Veterans also can purchase theme park tickets for up to six guests at a 50% discount on the same dates. On Nov. 11, servicemembers can receive a free American flag wristband that entitles the wearer to a 10% discount on food, beverage, and retail purchases; a second 6x8 photo free with purchase of the first photo; and two plays of carnival-style games for the price of one, excluding prize-every-time games.
Main Event Entertainment: On Nov. 11, veterans and active duty servicemembers will receive 30 minutes of game play plus one entrée from a select menu. Valid military ID or proof of service required.
Mount Vernon (Mount Vernon, Va.): All active duty, former, or retired military personnel receive free admission Nov. 11.
National World War I Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, Mo.): During Veterans Day weekend (Nov. 8-11), veterans and active duty military personnel receive free admission, while the general public receives half-price admission.
New Mexico Museum of Space History (Alamogordo, N.M.): Veterans receive free admission to the museum all day Nov. 11.
Newseum (Washington, D.C.): Servicemembers and veterans, plus one guest, get free admission Nov. 9-11. Servicemembers should present military ID or another form of military service credential or wear their uniforms.
9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York City): From Nov. 8-14, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum will host a series of events and special programs for veterans and their families, as well as the visiting public. Throughout the tribute, veterans will receive free museum admission. Veterans also will receive half-price museum tickets for two family members during the tribute.
Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium (Tacoma, Wash.): Currently serving military personnel and veterans are admitted for free Nov. 9-11. Immediate family members will receive half-off general admission. Proof of military service is required.
Riverbanks Zoo (Columbia, S.C.): Active duty and retired servicemembers with a military ID card receive free admission Nov. 11.
