By Contributing Editor Blair Drake

 

This story will be updated in advance of Nov. 11 with more 2021 Veterans Day offerings. (*-item added Nov. 10.)

 

Restaurants, businesses, and attractions are extending their thanks to veterans and active duty military personnel by offering freebies and discounts on Veterans Day.

 

Jump to: Retail/Services | Attractions/Lodging

 

Food and Dining

54th Street Grill: Veterans and active duty servicemembers eat free up to $14 on Nov. 11. The offer cannot be used in combination with a reward or other discount, including 54 Funds, and is available for dine-in only. Proof of service is appreciated. Discount code: Veterans Day.

 

Applebee's: Contact your local Applebee’s to learn about any Veterans Day offerings in your neighborhood. Offers may vary based on local mandates and guidelines.

 

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: All servicemembers can enjoy a complimentary entree from a select menu, plus a free Dr Pepper beverage. The offer is valid Thursday, Nov. 11, for dine-in guests.

 

*Black Rock Bar & Grill (Michigan): Veterans get a free steak dinner Nov. 11.

 

Bleu Bohème (San Diego): Active duty and retired servicemembers get half-priced drink specials at the bar from 5 to 7 p.m. on Nov. 11.

 

Bob Evans: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a free meal from a special menu of seven homestyle favorites at their local restaurant Nov. 11.

 

Cabo Wabo Cantina (Las Vegas): Sammy Hagar’s strip-side cantina located inside the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas offers a 10% discount on food and drinks every day to active duty and veterans and will increase it to 20% off food and drinks Nov. 11.

 

Cafe 222 (San Diego): All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a 25% discount on the entire menu Nov. 11.

 

California Dreaming: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11 at locations in Augusta, Ga.; Charleston, S.C.; Columbia, S.C.; Greenville, S.C.; Spanish Fort, Ala.; and Surfside Beach, S.C.

 

California Pizza Kitchen: On Thursday, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty servicemembers get a complimentary entrée from a special Veterans Day menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen locations nationwide.

 

Carolina Roadhouse (Myrtle Beach, S.C.): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11.

 

Casino Queen (Marquette, Iowa): Active duty and retired servicemembers get a complimentary all-you-can-eat buffet from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. for lunch and 4 to 8 p.m. for dinner Nov. 11.

 

Chili’s: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a free meal from a select menu Nov. 11 at participating Chili’s Grill and Bar restaurants.

 

Chophouse ’47 (Greenville, S.C.): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11.

 

Chophouse New Orleans, Gulfstream Café (Garden City, S.C.): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11.

 

Cicis Pizza: All veterans and active duty military personnel get this coupon for a free buffet Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only, and it does not include a drink.

 

Cotton Patch Café (New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas): All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken.

 

Country Kitchen: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Country Scramble Nov. 11.

 

Denny’s: Veterans and servicemembers get a free build-your-own Grand Slam Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to noon at participating locations.

 

DraftKings at Casino Queen (East St. Louis, Ill.): Servicemembers and veterans will receive a complimentary meal of pork steak, mashed potatoes, and vegetables between 9 a.m. and midnight Nov. 11. Servicemembers and veterans also receive a 15% discount on hotel reservations at DraftKings at Casino Queen year-round.

 

Dunkin': All veterans and servicemembers get a free donut of their choice on Nov. 11.

 

Golden Corral: Active duty servicemembers and veterans get a free dine-in meal Nov. 11 from 5 p.m. to close.

 

Hamburger Stand: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free hamburger, regular fries, and small Pepsi when they present their military identification or wear their military uniform to any participating location Nov. 11.

 

*Hard Rock Café: Servicemembers and veterans get a free original Legendary® Steak Burger with a side of fries Nov. 11. The offer can be combined with Hard Rock Cafe's year-round 15% military discount on food, non-alcoholic beverages, and retail purchases from the gift shop for veterans to enjoy with friends and family.

 

*IHOP: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancakes on Nov. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

 

Joey D’s Oak Room (Atlanta): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11.

 

Max & Erma’s: Veterans and servicemembers get a free Best Cheeseburger in America with endless seasoned fries, a fountain drink, and a chocolate chip cookie Nov. 11.

 

McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans and Gold Star parents and spouses can receive a half-priced entree from a special menu Sunday, Nov. 7, 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 Nov. 11.

 

New York Prime: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree Nov. 11 at locations in Atlanta, Boca Raton, Fla., and Myrtle Beach, S.C.

 

Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant (Summerlin, Nev.): Active duty servicemembers and veterans get a 25% discount on food all day Nov. 11.

 

Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network: Veterans authenticated with ID.me in the myRewards Plus app can save their exclusive offer for a $10 free meal credit. Veterans can choose from a variety of food and beverages, including Pilot coffee, fountain drinks, non-alcoholic cooler beverages, hot and cold food items, name-brand snacks, and purchases at over 680 participating restaurants.

 

Quaker Steak & Lube: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entrée Nov. 11 at participating locations.

 

Red Lobster: Veterans, active duty servicemembers, and reservists receive a free dine-in appetizer or dessert Nov. 11. Guests need to show a valid military ID or proof of service to redeem this offer.

 

Sheetz: Servicemembers and veterans get a free meal at all of Sheetz’s 633 locations, and a free car wash at locations with a car wash.  

 

Shoney’s: Veterans and servicemembers can enjoy a free all-you-care-to-eat, freshly prepared breakfast bar Nov. 11, until 11 a.m. local time.

 

Starbucks: Veterans, servicemembers, and military spouses get a free tall (12-ounce) hot brewed coffee at participating U.S. stores Nov. 11.

 

Wendy’s: Veterans and servicemembers get a free breakfast combo offer with valid military ID or a Veterans Advantage card Nov. 11.

 

White Castle: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Combo Meal #1-#6 or Breakfast Combo Meal at participating restaurants. The special offer is valid Nov. 11 for dine-in only. Proof of service is required.

 

Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free chili Dog, small fries, and a small Pepsi when they present their military identification or wear their uniform to any participating location Nov. 11.

 

Yard House: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive a complimentary appetizer Nov. 11.

 

Shopping, Products, and Services 

Academy Sports: Servicemembers and first responders get 10% off in store and online through Nov. 14.

 

Army & Air Force Exchange Service: The Army & Air Force Exchange Service is saluting those who serve with deals, discounts, and giveaways in honor of Veterans Day. Veterans Day savings are available in store and at ShopMyExchange.com. From Nov. 11 through Nov. 18, the retailer will offer military-exclusive deals, including: $400 off select 4K TVs; $100 off select computers; $800 off select appliances; and 35% savings on select toys. The Exchange is also featuring exclusive deals on Veterans Day, including: 10% savings on fine jewelry, fashion jewelry, and watches when using a MILITARY STAR® card; 30% off Ray-Ban sunglasses; up to 25% on select skincare products; savings on select children’s Columbia jackets; and complimentary brewed coffee at Express stores and participating restaurants.

 

Aspen Dental: Nearly 600 locations will open their doors Saturday, Nov. 6, to provide free care to military veterans across the country. Veterans can call 1-844-277-3646 (1-844-ASPENHMM) to find a participating Aspen Dental office in their community and schedule an appointment. Advance appointments are required.

 

Bed Bath & Beyond: Veterans and servicemembers, and their spouses, get 25% off their entire in-store purchase Nov. 11.

 

*Console Vault: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 20% off Nov. 11-13.

 

Crunch Fitness: Veterans and active duty servicemembers, and their families, get a free week of gym membership from Nov. 8-14 at 187 participating gyms across the country. Guests also will have the opportunity to join Crunch with a specially reduced $1 enrollment fee and receive their first month free.

 

*Duane Reade: Veterans, servicemembers, and their families will receive 20% off regular price eligible store items Nov. 11-14.

 

*Golden Nozzle Car Wash (New England): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free Golden Nozzle "The Best" exterior car wash Nov. 11.

 

Great Clips: Veterans and active duty servicemembers can visit a salon Nov. 11 and receive either a free haircut that day or a free haircut card to use before Dec. 10.

 

*Hair Cuttery: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 10% off any single service through Nov. 11. Military ID is required.

 

Office Depot and OfficeMax: From Nov. 11-13, all veterans, active duty servicemembers, reservists, and their dependents can get 25% off qualifying purchases, both regular and sale-priced. This discount is only valid in-store and not online

 

Publix: Veterans and active military personnel and their families can save 10% on groceries Nov. 11.

 

Rack Room Shoes: Servicemembers and their families get 20% off their entire in-store purchase Nov. 11 with valid ID.

 

Sport Clips: On Veterans Day, participating stores will offer free haircuts for veterans and servicemembers with a military ID.

 

Target: Military personnel and veterans and their families get a discount of 10% off a storewide purchase – in stores or online – through Nov. 13. To receive the offer, guests must first demonstrate eligibility by registering here. After eligibility has been verified, guests can use the exclusive Target Circle offer in-store or online, available for two-time use. 

 

*Walgreens: Veterans and servicemembers and their families will receive 20% off regular price eligible store items Nov. 11-14.

 

ZIPS Car Wash: All veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free car wash Nov. 11 at all 220 ZIPS Car Wash locations with wash code 1112.

 

Attractions and Lodging

9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York City): From Nov. 11-14, veterans will receive free museum admission and half-price tickets for three guests.

 

Akron Zoo (Ohio): All veterans and servicemembers receive free admission with valid military ID, and immediate family members receive 50% off admission Nov. 11-14. To receive Veterans Appreciation Days discount, come to the ticket counter to purchase tickets.

 

Aquarium of the Pacific (Long Beach, Calif.): Veterans and active duty military personnel who show valid service ID will receive free admission Nov. 11. Advance reservation is required.

 

B&Bs for Vets: Veterans and active duty servicemembers receive one free room night Nov. 10-11 at participating inns.

 

Colonial Williamsburg: All active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and military retirees and their dependents receive free admission Nov. 11-14.

 

Des Moines Botanical Center (Des Moines, Iowa): Veterans receive free admission Nov. 11.

 

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.): Veterans and active duty military personnel receive free admission Nov. 11-14. The general public receives half-price admission.

 

World of Coca-Cola (Atlanta): Military members (active duty, Reserves, and retirees) can enjoy a visit to World of Coca-Cola free of charge year-round, but from Nov. 5-14, members of the armed forces can purchase up to four general admission tickets at half-price. Tickets can be purchased online here, and members will be asked to present their valid military ID when they arrive.

 

Blair Drake is a contributing editor for MOAA and lives in Souderton, Pa. She previously served on the editorial team of Military Officer magazine for nine years.