Everywhere You Can Get Free & Cheap Food for Veterans Day (2024)

Wednesday, November 11 is Veterans Day—an opportunity to show some appreciation for service members who are too often are forgotten by their country. Theirs is service worth appreciationbecause American veterans don't always get their due. Those who have served are an at-risk group because of their service, and that can get lost in partisan bickering. Veterans Day is an opportunity to remember that there are many ways to show your thanks.

One of the many, small ways that appreciation will be shown on Veterans Day is through a free meal gifted to veterans, active-duty personnel, and, often, their families. Restaurants across the country will be offering free meals as a way to show their gratitude. The list of restaurants that will be offering up this edible thanks includes local restaurants as well as big chains like Buffalo Wild Wings, Famous Dave's, Starbucks,Little Caesars, and many others.

Below you'll find a regularly updated list of the restaurant that are offering free or low-cost food to veterans on Veterans Day this year.

Free Food for Veterans Day

Starbucks
The deal: Active service members and veterans can get a free cup of hot brewed coffee for Veterans Day.
When: November 11

Wendy's
The deal: Active military and veterans get a free small breakfast combo as a thank you.
When: November 11, 6:30 - 10:30 am

Dunkin'
The deal: Members of the military past and present can grab a free donut today. No purchase is required.
When: November 11

Buffalo Wild Wings
The deal: Get a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries if you're a veteran or active-duty military personnel. You have to show proof of service, but you can get the meal to-go.
When: November 11

Famous Dave's
The deal: Veterans get a free Lunch Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich with a side. You can get that with dine-in, to-go, and online orders. It is not valid on call-in orders.
When: November 11

Little Caesars
The deal: Military service members past and present can snag a free Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo. That'll come with four slices of the chain's Detroit-style Deep!Deep! Dish Pizza and a 20-ounce soda.
When: November 11

Red Lobster
The deal: Veterans, reservists, and active-duty membersof the military can get a free appetizer or dessert when they show proof of service.
When: November 11

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
The deal: Flash a military ID and you'll get a free entrée (up to $14.95) and a Dr. Pepper. No, Mr. Pibb for you, just a full-on Dr. Pepper.
When: November 11

Cotton Patch Cafe
The deal: The chain served more than 10,000 veterans on Veterans Day last year, and expects to do similar numbers this year. Stop in to get a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken if you're a veteran or active-duty member of the military.
When: November 11

Pilot Flying J
The deal: Veterans get a free breakfast combo any time they choose over the course of a full week.
When: November 9-15

Taco John's
The deal: Flash your military ID to get a free small Beef #1 Combo Meal.
When: November 11

Juice It Up!
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can get a free 20-ounce Classic Smoothie.
When: November 11

Qdoba
The deal: Active military members and veterans get 50% off an entrée for Veterans Day. You have to order in-store and show ID to get the deal.
When: November 11

Scooter's Coffee
The deal: Veterans can grab a free drink in any size.
When: November 11

Dickey's Barbecue Pit
The deal: Military service members can get a free Pulled Pork Classic Sandwich when they show their military ID.
When: November 11

Golden Corral
The deal: Veterans can snag a card for a free meal and beverage, which can be redeemed anytime from November 1 to May 31 during lunch or dinner, Monday through Thursday.
When: Pick it up from November 1-30

Logan's Roadhouse
The deal: All active-duty and retired military personnel can get a free meal off the American Roadhouse menu.
When: November 11, 3-6pm

Pie Five Pizza
The deal: Active or retired members of the military can get a free personal pizza with an ID.
When: November 11

Twin Peaks
The deal: Corporate-owned Twin Peaks locations are offering a free meal to Armed Forces members. You can choose between the Chicken Tenders, Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, Cheeseburger, and The Wedge.
When: November 11

The Rustic
The deal: All veterans and active-duty military members with a valid ID get a free Rustic Burger.
When: November 11

Bob Evans
The deal: Show proof of military service to get a free meal.
When: November 11

Sonny’s BBQ
The deal: Vets and current personnel can swing by for a free Pork Sandwich.
When: November 11

Abuelo's Mexican Restaurant
The deal: Some locations are offering veterans and active-duty military members a free entrée. Call ahead to ensure your local spot is participating.
When: November 11

Torchy's Tacos
The deal: There will be a special Veterans Day menu from whichvets can snag a free taco and non-alcoholic beverage. It's available for pickup.
When: November 11

Farmer Boys
The deal: Veterans can get a free Big Cheese at participating locations.
When: November 11

Bigby Coffee
The deal: Get a free hot brewed coffee if you're a veteran. You'll get up to a 24-ounce size if you want it all.
When: November 11

Hopdoddy Burger Bar
The deal: Veterans active personnel can grab a free Classic Burger. You're able to grab this to-go and by ordering over the phone.
When: November 11

Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can grab a card for a free combo meal. It will be good through November 30.
When: November 11

Beef 'O' Brady's
The deal: Veterans are eating free. You get a meal up to $10 in value and no purchase is required.
When: November 11

Maple Leaf Diner
The deal: Veterans and active-duty service members get a free slice of pie with their meal.
When: November 11

Kolache Factory
The deal: Veterans get a free breakfast today. That'll come with a free kolache and a beverage. You can get it in-store or for curbside pickup, but it won't be available for online orders.
When: November 11

Chicken Salad Chick
The deal: Veterans get honored with a free Chick Special and drink if you've got a military ID to flash.
When: November 11

Chili's
The deal:Veterans and active-duty personnel get a free entrée.
When: November 11

Outback Steakhouse
The deal: The perk for vets at Outback is a free Bloomin' Onion and co*ke. Every other day of the year, service members, firefighters, and first responders get 10% off their entire check.
When: November 11

Smoothie King
The deal: Get a free 20-ounce smoothie at any participating location across the country if you’re a veteran or active-duty service member.
When: November 11

The Greene Turtle
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can grab a free and beverage for carryout on Veterans Day.
When: November 11

Smashburger
The deal: Veterans who swing by a participating location get a free Classic Double Smashburger with any other purchase they make.
When: November 11

Romano's Macaroni Grill
The deal: Grab a free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs+ Spaghetti entrée at each and every US location if you're a veteran. This offer is not valid for delivery, though.
When: November 11

Hooters
The deal: Vets and active service members are gettingten free wings when they purchase ten wings.
When: November 11

TGI Fridays
The deal: Vets and active-duty personnel get a free Cheeseburger and Fries, Crispy Chicken Fingers and Fries, or Half-Rack Big Ribs and Fries. Your choice. You can even sub in a Beyond Burger for the Cheeseburger, but there's a charge for the substitution.
When: November 11, 11 am - 2 pm

Cousins Sub
The deal: Present proof of your service to get a free regular side with the purchase of a 7.5-inch sub. The offer is only valid in-store at select locations.
When: November 11

Food Deals for Veterans Day

Outback Steakhouse
The deal: Military service members, firefighters, and first responders get 10% off their entire check every day of the year. That's no different on Veterans Day.
When: Ongoing

Mountain Mike's Pizza
The deal: To celebrate Veterans Day, Mountain Mike's is offering 15% off all large pizzas with the code "378130."
When: November 11-25

Grimaldi's
The deal: The pizza shop offers active-duty personnel and veterans 15% off their meals year-round, but that gets bumped up to 25% for Veterans Day.
When: November 11

Carrabba's Italian Grill
The deal: All service members and first responders get 10% off their visit on Veterans Day (and every day of the year).
When: Ongoing

Fogo de Chão
The deal: The Brazilian steakhouse will offer 50% off a meal to veterans and active-duty personnel at locations across the US, including Puerto Rico. You can also get 10% off the meal of up to three guests who are dining with a veteran. The offer, however, is not valid on to-go orders and the discount will not apply to any boozy drinks.
When: November 11

Yoshinoya
The deal: Order through the app or website to get double loyalty points and free delivery on Veterans Day.
When: November 11

Local Food Deals for Veterans Day

The Boardwalk at Granite Park - Plano, Texas
The deal: There are a few restaurants offering deals for Veterans Day. At Chip's Old Fashioned Hamburgers the whole family gets 20% off their meal. Fork and Fire is offering 15% off a meal and The BiscuitBar will take 10% off.
When: November 11

Davanni's - Minneapolis & St. Paul, Minnesota
The deal: Active service members and veterans get a free solo-size one-item pizza and regular soda.
When: November 11

Meno - New York City, New York
The deal:Military veterans get 50% off at the tea and coffee house.
When:November 11

Other Deals on Veterans Day

Dunkin'
The deal: Get a free Bacon, Egg & Cheese Sandwich and a $0 delivery fee when you order Dunkin' through DoorDash and hit the $12 order minimum.
When: Through November 16

Chili's
The deal: The chain's $5 Marg of the Month is Hennessy's Harvest, which comes with Hennessy Cognac, Lunazul Blanco Tequila, triple sec, and fresh sour. It's available to-go where that's legal.
When: Through November 30

Cousins Subs
The deal: Buy a $25 gift card and you'll get a gift certificate for a free 7.5-inch sub in a bowl.
When: Through December 31

Cousins Subs
The deal: Buy one 7.5-inch sub and you'll get one for free when you sign up for the Cousins Club loyalty program.
When: Through November 30

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
The deal: Treat others how you'd like to be treated yourself. Buy a $50 gift card for a loved one and BJ's will give you a free $10 gift card. Make it $100, and your freebie is worth $25 and you'll also get a 20% off VIP card. The bonus cards are valid from January 1 to February 13, 2021.
When: November 5 - January 1

Juice It Up!
The deal: Buy a $25 gift card and you'll get two free smoothies for yourself.
When: Through December 31

TKK Fried Chicken
The deal: The Taiwanese fast-food hub is offering its Original or Spicy Chicken sandwich for free with the purchase of another.
When: November 3-16, 3-6pm

Want More Food Deals?

Here's our huuuuuuuge running list of all the free food you can get right now, as well as the best pizza deals,reward programs, birthday freebies,gift card offers,deals on food for kids, food delivery offers,andalcohol delivery dealsyou'll find. If you want a little more than, say a free taco, we also have you covered with a long list of meals you can get at fast food chains under $5. You're welcome.

Additionally, we've put together a list of places offering free food to healthcare workers and first responders during the COVID-19 outbreak.

Dustin Nelson is a Senior Staff Writer at Thrillist. Follow Dustin Nelson on Twitter.