Veterans can enjoy special treatment, free meals, discounts by local shops on Veterans Day

ERIE TIMES-NEWS
Updated ·6 min read

Editor's Note: A previous version of this story incorrectly listed the O'Charley's special for Veterans Day. The Erie location is offering a free pie, cake or cheesecake to veterans with ID.

Americans thank military veterans on Nov. 11 with Veterans Day deals at restaurants and more.

If you know of a deal for veterans that's not on this list, please send details to jgeisler@timesnews, or call 814-970-1885. This list might be updated if other establishments alert us to their plans. Check back here before heading out on Nov. 11.

Veterans Day approaches and local and national chains alike offer discounts and freebies to those who have served in the military.
Veterans Day approaches and local and national chains alike offer discounts and freebies to those who have served in the military.

Here are the places to go:

  • Applebee's Veterans Day Free Meal: Veterans and active-duty military can select a free meal from a limited menu on Veterans Day. Proof of service is required.

  • Bob Evans Veterans Day Deal: Bob Evans Restaurants is honoring our nation’s veterans and active duty military personnel with a free meal on Veterans Day. Guests who dine in at their local Bob Evans Restaurant on Veterans Day can choose from one of 10 farm-fresh breakfast items from a special menu available all day.

  • Chick-fil-A Veterans Day Discount: Some participating Chick-fil-A locations may offer specials or discounts. Check your local Chick-fil-A to confirm.

  • Circle K Veterans Day deal: Circle K is offering all veterans and active military with a free medium coffee on Veterans Day.

  • Cracker Barrel: During military family appreciation month, Cracker Barrel will offer in-store specials on Veterans Day for military veterans and promotions throughout November to support military families in partnership with Operation Homefront. On Veterans Day, veterans can receive a free slice of double fudge Coca-Cola cake with their meal.

  • Dickey's Barbeque Pit Veterans Day Deal: Free pulled pork classic sandwich is available this Veterans Day. To redeem in-store, veterans and current military personnel must present a military ID or valid proof of service.

  • Dunkin' Donuts Veterans Day Deal: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free donut at Dunkin’ Donuts restaurants nationwide, no purchase necessary.

  • Eat'n Park: All former and current military personnel will receive 10% off for themselves and their entire party each time they dine in for the entire month of November. Proof of service is required for this discount. For more information visit www.eatnpark.com.

  • Firebirds Veterans Day: Treat a hero to a free meal this Veterans Day. Dine with a Veteran or active duty service member and their lunch or dinner is our treat. Call 814-864-1599 to confirm.

  • Golden Corral Military Appreciation Night: On Monday, Nov. 13, from 5 p.m. to close, active and former military members are invited for Military Appreciation Night, where they can receive a complimentary meal. This offer is for dine-in only.

  •  IHOP is offering free Red, White, & Blueberry Pancakes or Pancake Combo on Veterans Day, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dine-in only, at participating IHOP restaurants nationwide for veterans and active-duty military=

  • Krispy Kreme Veterans Day Deal: On Veterans Day, a doughnut and coffee will be on the house.

  • Kwik Fill Veterans Day Deal: On Veterans Day, veterans receive free coffee at Kwik Fill locations.

  • Little Caesars: On Veterans Day, veterans and active military members can receive a free lunch combo, which features four slices of Little Caesars popular Detroit-style deep-dish pizza, paired with a 20-ounce Pepsi product.

  • Max & Erma's Veterans Day Deal: On Veterans Day, participating Max & Erma’s locations celebrate veterans and active military personnel with a free cheeseburger, endless fries, fountain drink and a chocolate chip cookie.

  • McDonald’s restaurants are offering a free breakfast, lunch or dinner meal to veterans and active duty military. The free breakfast is a Sausage McMuffin with Egg Meal, which comes with a small soft drink, tea or hot coffee, and a hash brown. The free lunch or dinner option includes a 10-piece Chicken McNugget Meal, which comes with a small size soft drink, tea or hot coffee, and a small order of fries. Interestingly, McDonald's drive thru idea was built with a nearby military base in mind. Read the history at McDonalds.com.

  • O'Charley's Veterans Day Deal: All active and retired military service members are invited to enjoy a free piece of pie, cake or cheesecake all day on Veterans Day by showing their military IDs. Restaurant participation may vary by location.

  • Olive Garden Veterans Day Deal: This Veterans Day, Olive Garden is offering veterans and active-duty service members a free entree from a special menu. All entrees include Olive Garden’s famous breadsticks.

  • Outback Steakhouse: This Veterans Day, all military veterans and active service members can enjoy a free bloomin’ onion and Coca-Cola.

  • Panera Bread salutes those in uniform with a free bagel and coffee in honor of Veterans Day at the 4 Panera Bread locations in Erie.

  • Perkins: Veterans and active-duty military get a free Magnificent Seven Meal on Nov. 11 with valid ID.

  • The Pittsburgh Inn offers a 15% discount for veterans and active military every day. On Veterans day they also receive a free beer.

  • Primanti Bros. Veterans Day Deal: Veterans and active duty military receive a free classic sandwich on Veterans Day.

  • Red Lobster: Veterans, active-duty military and reservists get free printed meal vouchers for Veterans Shrimp & Chips from 11:00am to 4:00pm local time on November 11. Guests need to show a valid military ID or proof of service. The voucher can be redeemed beginning November 13 through December 10 for dine-in only.

  • Sheetz Veterans Day Deal: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free meal plus a free car wash at all Sheetz locations.

  • Smokey Bones: Active-duty military and veterans get a free meal from a select menu on Nov. 11 with valid ID. Dine-in only.

  • Starbucks: On Veterans Day, active-duty service members, veterans and military spouses are invited to enjoy a free tall (12-ounce) hot or iced coffee.

  • Texas Roadhouse Veterans Day Free Meal: Texas Roadhouse will distribute meal vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Vouchers can be redeemed for a dine in or carry out meal from a select menu. Contact your local Texas Roadhouse for details.

  • TGI Fridays: Veterans and active-duty military personnel get a free lunch on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. from a select menu at participating locations. Dine-in only.

  • Veterans Administration Veterans Canteen Service is serving free breakfast combo meals and free Starbucks tall coffee the morning of Nov. 9 at PatriotCafés and PatriotBrews. Also Veterans can enjoy free shipping on all orders at ShopVCS.com. Existing accounts will also receive a $10 credit on VCS. These special online deals begin Nov. 7 and end Nov. 14. VCS locations will be closed Nov. 10 in observance of Veterans Day.

  • Wendy's Veterans Day Deal: Wendy’s nationwide are offering active military and veterans a free breakfast combo with valid military ID on Veterans Day. No purchase is necessary.

Tips for claiming Veterans Day deals

  • This list is not exhaustive and some restaurants might have inadvertently sent last year's information. Just verify official site information and rules before heading out.

  • Bring proof of military service such as a military ID card or a DD-214.

  • Pay attention to the dates on the Veterans Day offer.

  • Free Veterans Day meals offers are dine-in only for most restaurants.

  • Verify your eligibility. Some businesses might offer deals to veterans, active-duty, National Guard and reserve service members. Some may also extend the offer to military family members.

  • Tip the original cost of the meal. While your meal may be free, servers work hard during busy Veterans Day promotions.

  • Deals for restaurants and retailers with franchise locations may only be available at participating locations.

For more information, including deals at other places besides restaurants, visit this list.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Erie PA business owners celebrate Veterans with free food, discounts