(Updated Nov. 10)

 

By Contributing Editor Blair Drake 

 

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

 

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 Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.

 

Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar: All veterans and servicemembers will receive one complimentary item from a fixed menu Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.

 

Aspen Creek Grill: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a complimentary meal from 11 a.m. to close Nov. 11.

 

Aspen Tap House (Champaign, Ill.): Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a complimentary appetizer 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 at BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse locations and is limited to one entree and Dr Pepper beverage per person.

 

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

 

Bombshells Restaurant & Bar (Texas): Veterans and servicemembers get a free meal and soft drink Nov. 11. Accompanying family members will receive a 20% discount.

 

Brick House: Veterans receive 20% off their meal Nov. 11.

 

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: Military personnel and their families receive 20% off, with a valid ID, at participating locations.

 

Buffalo Wild Wings: All past and present servicemembers get a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries Nov. 11. The offer is available for dine-in or takeout and proof of service must be shown.

 

[RELATED: Fees at National Parks Waived for Veterans, Gold Star Families Starting Nov. 11]

 

California Dreaming: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get 50% off any entree from the full menu Nov. 11.

 

California Pizza Kitchen: On Nov. 11, U.S. military members, both past and present, get a complimentary entrée from a special Veterans Day menu at all participating California Pizza Kitchen locations nationwide. Valid for dine-in or walk-in takeout. Proof of service required.

 

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.

 

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

 

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 on Nov. 11.

 

Country Pride and Iron Skillet Restaurants: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free meal Nov. 11.

 

Cracker Barrel: On Nov. 11, Cracker Barrel will offer veterans a complimentary piece of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake at any location nationwide.

 

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

 

Dunkin’: All veterans and servicemembers get a free donut of their choice.

 

Famous Dave’s: Military personnel get a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and one side Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in, to-go, and online orders.

 

Golden Corral: Active duty or former servicemembers can pick up a promotional card during the month of November redeemable for a free dine-in “thank you” meal anytime between now and May 31, 2021.

 

Gordon Biersch: All veterans receive a complimentary entrée from a special menu Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.

 

Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar: Veterans, active duty servicemembers, and military families get $10 off a $30 food purchase Nov. 11. The offer is valid for in-restaurant dining or for carryout in the following locations: Chicago (Naperville), Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas (Garland), Kansas City (Leawood, Overland Park, and Lee’s Summit), Long Island (Farmingdale), and Pittsburgh, as well as all 10 restaurants in New Jersey (Bayonne, Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Holmdel, New Brunswick, Paramus, Parsippany, Ramsey, and Secaucus). No proof of service is required.

 

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.

 

Little Caesars: On Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., veterans and active duty military members can receive a 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 veterans and servicemembers receive a free meal from a special menu from 3 to 6 p.m. 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.

 

Menchie’s: On Nov. 11, all veterans and active duty military will receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free.

 

[RELATED: Shipping Gifts Overseas? Check Out These Holiday Mail Deadlines]

 

Mission BBQ: Veterans and active duty servicemembers get a free sandwich Nov. 11.

 

Quaker Steak & Lube: Veterans and servicemembers can receive a complimentary meal of their choice by showing proof of service to their restaurant server prior to ordering.

 

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: Veterans and active duty servicemembers who are Red Robin Royalty members can redeem a free Tavern Double Burger with Steak Fries any time between Nov. 12-30 for dine-in or to-go. The offer will be automatically uploaded to your dashboard.

 

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.

 

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

 

Taco John’s: All veterans receive a free small beef #1 combo meal Nov. 11 at participating locations only.

 

Tap House Grill: Veterans active duty servicemembers receive a free meal Nov. 11. The offer is valid for dine-in only.

 

TCBY: Veterans and servicemembers get their first 6 oz. of froyo free with valid ID or other proof of service.

 

Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active duty military personnel get a free chili dog, small fries, and small Pepsi on 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 now through Nov. 11.

 

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

 

Big Lots: In honor of Veterans Day, Big Lots is introducing a year-round 10% discount for active military personnel and veterans who are members of the company's Big Rewards program.

 

Carolina Laser and Cosmetic Center (Winston-Salem, N.C.): Veterans can receive a free laser tattoo removal session Nov. 11. Interested veterans should call the office at (336) 659-2663 to schedule a consultation. The center also offers a year-round 30% discount on laser tattoo removal.

 

Duane Reade: Veterans and servicemembers and their families will receive 20% off regular-price eligible store items Nov. 11-15.

 

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. 11.

 

Office Depot/Office Max: Veterans and active duty servicemembers and their dependents get 25% off their qualifying regular-priced and sale in-store purchase Nov. 11-13.

 

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 with valid ID.

 

Target: All military personnel, 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 now through Nov. 11.

 

Walgreens: Veterans and servicemembers and their families will receive 20% off regular-price eligible store items Nov. 11-15.

 

Attractions and Lodging

Akron Zoo (Ohio): All veterans and servicemembers receive free admission with valid military ID, and immediate family members receive 50% off admission Nov. 7-11. Tickets must be reserved ahead of time. To reserve tickets, call (330) 375-2550 at least 24 hours prior to your visit.

 

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; limited capacity.

 

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

 

Colonial Williamsburg: All active duty servicemembers, reservists, National Guard members, veterans, and military retirees and their dependents receive free admission Nov. 11-15.

 

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 Corvette Museum (Bowling Green, Ky.): All military personnel, firefighters, police officers, and first responders receive free admission during the month of November.

 

National World War I Museum and Memorial (Kansas City, Mo.): Veterans and active duty military personnel receive free admission Nov. 7-15. The general public receives half-price admission Nov. 11.

 

9/11 Memorial & Museum (New York City): From Nov. 7-14, 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 three guests.

 

USACE-Operated Recreation Areas: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will waive day-use fees at its more than 2,850 recreation areas nationwide in observance of Veterans Day, Nov. 11. The waiver covers fees for boat launch ramps and swimming beaches. It does not apply to camping and camping-related services or fees for specialized facilities (group picnic shelters) and events.

 

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 now through Nov. 12, military members may purchase up to four general admission tickets at half price for their friends and family to join them on a visit to the attraction. Tickets must be purchased online using promotional code “vets2020” and members will be asked to present their valid Armed Forces ID when they arrive.