veterans-dayBusinesses around the nation are saluting those who have served with a wide array of free meals this Veteran’s Day, which is Friday, Nov. 11, 2016. There are so many offers you could literally eat your fill going from one location to the next if you dare.

A variety of businesses are participating in one way or another to recognize veterans. (We’ll cover the additional discounts and programs that you might want to access in another post.)

Before you check out the list of businesses that are participating, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Take your military id to show proof of service.
  • Most of the free meals are only available on Friday, Nov. 11, 2016.
  • Not all franchises participate in a national chain’s program. Call the location you’ll be visiting before you go to ensure they are participating.
  • Families, while encouraged to enjoy a meal with you, will be charged for their meal.
  • While some Veterans Day meals are free, some require a purchase.

Here is an alphabetical listing of restaurants offering free meals in your honor, as well as some providing a free meal with purchase. (Look at the dates carefully as some offers are available on dates other than Nov. 11.)

  1. 54th Street Grill: Dine-in to get a free meal valued up to $12.
  2. Applebee’s: Since 2008, Applebee’s restaurants have been thanking military veterans with a free meal on Veteran’s Day. The offer to select one item from the special Veteran’s Day menu is valid from open to close on Nov. 11 only.
  3. Arooga’s: All Pennsylvania locations are giving away free, dine-in only, meals that you can select from a special menu on Nov. 11.
  4. Bar Louie: Participating locations are providing a free meal up to $12 value for dine-in only on Nov. 11.
  5. Ben’s Soft Pretzels: Participating locations are providing a free Jumbo Soft Pretzel on Nov. 11.
  6. Bob Evans: Bob Evans was a veteran, too. Stop by the Bob Evans near you to get your free breakfast by choosing from a special menu designed to honor you on Nov. 11. (You can also get a 10 percent discount from Nov. 12-Dec.31.)
  7. Bonefish Grill: Who doesn’t like bang bang shrimp? Get this appetizer for free on Nov. 11 but call your location to verify participation in the offer before you go.
  8. Carraba’s Italian Grill: Veterans can stop in to get a free appetizer Nov. 7-Nov. 13.
  9. Carrows Restaurants: Dine-in to get your free slice of pie at participating locations on Nov. 11.
  10. CentraArchy Restaurants: This parent company has nine concepts that will provide you with a dine-in only free meal on Nov. 11. They will also give your guests 25 percent off their entrée. Restaurant concepts to select from include: Burro Loco, California Dreaming, Carolina Roadhouse, Chophouse ’47, Chophouse New Orleans, Gulfstream Café, Joey D’s Oak Room, New York Prime, and The Tavern at Phipps.
  11. Chevy’s Fresh Mex: Pick a free entrée item off a special menu at participating Chevy’s. In addition, you can receive 20 percent off your check year round.
  12. Chicken Salad Chick: All locations are giving veterans a free meal and drink.
  13. Charlie Brown’s: Veterans can get a free lunch on Nov. 11 between 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. by choosing from a select menu.
  14. Chuck E. Cheese: Participating locations will give one free personal pizza to veterans on Nov. 11.
  15. City Barbeque: On Nov. 11, participating locations are offering a free sandwich platter to veterans.
  16. Coffee Beanery: Participating locations will provide veterans with a free tall cup of coffee on Nov. 11.
  17. Coco’s Bakery: Feed your sweet tooth by claiming your free slice of pie at participating locations on Nov. 11.
  18. Country Cooking: Get a free meal and beverage from the special Troop Appreciate menu on Tuesday, Nov. 15.
  19. Cotton Patch: Get your free full size chicken fried steak or chicken fried chicken at your local Cotton Patch on Nov. 11.
  20. Cracker Barrel: Get a free double chocolate fudge coca-cola cake dessert at your local Cracker Barrel.
  21. Craftworks Restaurants and Breweries: Pick up a free appetizer at any location on Nov. 11.
  22. Famous Dave’s: Participating locations will give you a two meat salute and sides on Nov. 11. (Your beverage is not included.)
  23. Fatz Café: Get your free World Famous Calabash Chicken meal on Nov. 11.
  24. Fire+Ice: Stop by participating locations on Nov. 11 to get a free meal for veterans.
  25. Friendly’s: Dine-in at Friendly’s for breakfast, lunch or dinner on Nov. 11 and choose from among some preselected options.
  26. Green Mill Restaurant & Bar: Dine-in only to pick one menu item at participating locations, including other participating brand locations: Crooked Pint Ale House, Harriet’s Inn, and Sweet Pea’s Public House.
  27. Glory Days Grill: Choose an appetizer or wings on Nov. 11 at all locations.
  28. Golden Corral: To ensure you get to stop by, Golden Corral if offering veterans a free buffet and beverage on Monday, Nov. 14 from 5-9 p.m.
  29. Hy-Vee Grocery Store: Participating locations are offering free breakfast foods on a buffet on Nov. 11.
  30. Krystal: Get a free sausage biscuit at participating locations.
  31. LaMar’s Donuts: Get a free donut and coffee at participating locations from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Nov. 11.
  32. Max & Erma’s: Participating locations are providing a free ½ Cheeseburger, endless seasoned fries and fountain drink for dine-in only on Nov. 11.
  33. McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood & Steaks: Sunday, Nov. 6 dine-in only to select a free meal from a special entrée menu.
  34. McGrath’s Fish House: Participating locations are offering a free meal to veterans on Nov. 11 from a select menu of entrée items.
  35. MOD Pizza: Veterans can get a free pizza or salad at participating locations on Nov. 11.
  36. Mimi’s Cafe– Purchase any non-alcoholic beverage to get a free meal from a select menu on November 11.
  37. Mission BBQ: On Nov. 11, stop by participating locations at Noon to receive free sandwiches and cake after hearing a live performance of the national anthem.
  38. Native Grill & Wings: Participating locations are offering veterans any meal valued at $11.99 or less on Nov. 11.
  39. Noah’s Bagles: If you are a member of the eClub/Shmear Society and a veteran, you can get a free bagle and shmear with a purchase on Nov. 11.
  40. On The Border: Stop in participating On The Border locations to create your own combo meal on Nov. 11. (Beverages are not included.)
  41. Outback Steakhouse: Any location is offering all military personnel with ID a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage on Nov. 11. (You can also receive 15 percent off your total check from Nov. 12-Dec. 31, 2016.)
  42. Pinnacle Entertainment Casinos: The 12 locations are providing special offers include:
  1. Pizza Factory: Free lunch is available to veterans at participating locations on Nov. 11.
  2. Peet’s Coffee & Tea: Stop by to get a free small coffee or tea on Nov. 11 at participating locations.
  3. Primanti Bros: Participating locations are offering a free sandwich to military on Nov. 11.
  4. RibCrib: Select from the Menu of Honor for two meats and two sides at participating locations on Nov. 11.
  5. Red Lobster: Select your free appetizer or dessert on Nov. 10 or Nov. 11 at any Red Lobster nationwide. (While every location should be participating, they do recommend calling your location to verify before you go.)
  6. Red Hot & Blue Restaurants: Dine-in on Nov. 9-11, purchase a meal and get a free meal valued up to $10.
  7. Rock & Brews: Participating locations are offering a free pulled pork sandwich on Nov. 11.
  8. Ruby Tuesday: Stop in any participating Ruby Tuesday to get a free appetizer (up to $10 value) on Nov. 11.
  9. Sizzler: Choose an entrée from a pre-selected menu at participating Sizzler locations until 4 p.m. on Nov. 11.
  10. Shoney’s: Get a free All-American burger by dining in at participating Shoney’s. (Receive a 15 percent discount year round with proof of service.)
  11. Spaghetti Warehouse: 11-13 BOGO lasagna or spaghetti using a coupon found on Spaghetti Warehouse’s website.
  12. Tap House Grill: Get a free meal by dining in at any location on Nov. 11.
  13. The Green Turtle: Dine in and choose from a special menu on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to close. (Beverage is not included.)
  14. Tijuana Flats: Stop in your local Tijuana Flats to get a free meal on Nov. 11.
  15. Tucanos Brazilian Grill: Stop by to get a BOGO churrasco on Nov. 10 and 11 at the Greenville, SC location.
  16. Wienerschnitzel: Participating locations offer a free hot dog, small drink and fries on Nov. 11.
  17. WingHouse Bar & Grill: Get one free order of boneless wings when you dine in on Nov. 11. (You cannot combine this with other offers.)
  18. Zoes Kitchen: Participating locations are offering a free meal to veterans on Nov. 11.