Veterans Day 2019: Freebies and deals on meals for vets and active duty

>> Veterans Day 2019: What's open, what's closed

Many restaurants require that active-duty military members be in uniform, and almost all require that anyone requesting the deal present military identification. Call your local restaurant to see what is required.

Here are some deals for veterans and active-duty military members.

(Note: Not every restaurant in a chain may be honoring the deals, so be sure to check with local restaurants to confirm which deals are available before you go. Most offers are dine-in only and can't be used with any other discount or coupons. Prices may vary with location.) 

2019 Veterans Day restaurant deals

• 54th Street Grill & Bar: Active-duty service members and veterans who dine-in at 54th Street Grill & Bar can get a free entree up to $12 on Veterans Day.
• Applebee's: Veterans and active-duty service members can select a free meal from a limited menu on Veteran's Day.
• Baker's Square: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• Bandana's Bar-B-Q: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• BJ's Restaurant: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free entrée up to $14.95 on Veteran's Day by presenting a military ID or proof of service.
• Black Angus Steakhouse: Black Angus is offering veterans and active-duty military a certified Angus beef top sirloin steak, mashed potatoes, broccoli and a non-alcoholic beverage for $9.99 on Veterans Day.
• Bob Evans: Veterans and active-duty military members can get free select menu items for free on Veterans Day.
• Buffalo Wings & Rings: Active-duty members and veterans can get five free boneless wings with a choice of sauces plus a free non-alcoholic beverage on Monday.
• California Pizza Kitchen: CPK will offer a special Veterans Day menu from which active-duty military members and veterans can choose a free entrée.
• CentraArchy Restaurants: Restaurants owned by CentraArchy – California Dreaming, New York Prime, Chophouse '47, The Tavern at Phipps, Carolina Roadhouse, Joey D's Oak Room, Gulfstream Cafe, Chophouse New Orleans – are offering a free entrée to veterans and active-duty military service members.
• Chili's Grill & Bar: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• The Chop House: Active-duty service members and veterans can get 50 percent off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree.
• Chuck E. Cheese: Active-duty, National Guard, retired military and veterans can get a free personal 1-topping pizza with proof of military service.
• Cicis Pizza: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free pizza buffet meal on Veterans Day.
• City Barbeque: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free sandwich, two sides and a regular beverage on Veterans Day.
• Connors Steak & Seafood: Connors Steak & Seafood locations in Alabama, Florida and Tennessee are offering 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree to all active-duty and retired service members.
• Cotton Patch Cafe: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free chicken-fried steak or chicken-fried chicken on Veterans Day.
• Country Cookin: Active-duty, Reserve, retired, and honorably discharged members of the U.S. military can get a free salad bar or $5 off any entrée on Veterans Day.
• Cracker Barrel Old Country Store: Veterans receive a free Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake dessert or Crafted Coffee beverage on Veterans Day.
• Cumberland Farms: Active-duty service members, Reserve, National Guard and veterans can get a free coffee on Veterans Day.
• Drake's: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• Famous Dave's: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free two-meat combo on Veterans Day.
• Farmer Boys: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free Big Cheese cheeseburger on Veterans Day.
• Firebirds: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• Fogo de Chão: Veterans receive 40% off on Veterans Day weekend – Nov. 9-11. Their guests receive 10% off.
• Furr's Fresh Buffet: Veterans eat for free on Veterans Day.
• Green Mill Restaurant and Bar: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free dine-in lunch or dinner meal on Veterans Day.
• Golden Corral: Golden Corral offers a free dine-in dinner for veterans, retirees, and active-duty members on Veterans Day from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m.
• Goodyear Tire: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free car check from Goodyear. The service includes tire, brake, alignment, shocks and struts and battery checks. You must schedule an appointment by Veterans Day for service by Nov. 16.
• Grub Kitchen & Bar: In addition to its year around 10% discount for active-duty military, Grub Kitchen & Bar is offering active-duty service members and veterans a free meal on Veterans Day.
• Hamburger Stand: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free hamburger, small fries, and a small Pepsi on Veterans Day.
• Hometown Buffet: Veterans get a free buffet meal plus a free bottled beverage at participating locations.
• Houlihan's: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day.
• Huddle House: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free order of Sweet Cakes from Friday through Veterans Day.
• Hy-Vee Free Breakfast: Veterans can get a free breakfast buffet from 6 a.m.- 11 a.m. on Veterans Day.
• IHOP: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free order of Red, White, & Blue Pancakes from 7 a.m.-7 p.m. on Veterans Day.
• Joe's Crab Shack: Veterans can get 20% off their check on Veterans Day.
• Little Caesars Pizza: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo meal on Veterans Day from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Logan's Roadhouse: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day from 3 p.m.-6 p.m.
• Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: Veterans can get a 20% discount on their check plus a complimentary dessert with proof of service.
• Luna Grill: Active-duty service members and veterans get a buy one, get one free meal from Saturday through Veterans Day.
• Main Event Bowling: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day.
• Manhattan Bagel Company: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free bagel and cream cheese on Veterans Day.
• McCormick and Schmick's: Veterans and Gold Star families (parents and spouses) can enjoy a complimentary lunch or dinner at McCormick and Schmick's on Sunday.
• Menchie's Free Frozen Yogurt: On Veterans Day, active-duty service members and veterans can get a free six-ounce frozen yogurt any time of day on Veterans Day.
• Mimi's Cafe – Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free breakfast, lunch or dinner entrée from a select menu with the purchase of a beverage on Veterans Day.
• Mission BBQ: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free sandwich and slice of cake (while supplies last) on Veterans Day.
• O'Charley's: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal from a select menu on Veterans Day.
• Old Country Buffet: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal with the purchase of a beverage on Veterans Day.
• Olive Garden: U.S. veterans and active-duty service members can get a free entrée from a select menu on Veterans Day. Dine-in only, proof of identification required.
• Orange Leaf Frozen Yogurt: Active-duty service members and veterans can get free frozen yogurt on Veterans Day.
• Otter's Chicken: All active-duty military, veterans and reservists can get a complimentary meal at all Otter's Chicken locations. Proof of service is required when ordering the meal.
• Petro Stopping Centers: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal from a select menu at Country Pride of Iron Skillet restaurants on Veterans Day.
• Pilot Flying J: Active-duty service members and veterans get a free breakfast, including a coffee, Friday through Veterans Day.
• Red Lobster: Active-duty service members, reservists and veterans can get a free appetizer or dessert from select Veterans Day menu.
• Red Robin: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free dine-in Red's Tavern Double Burger and bottomless steak fries on Veterans Day.
• Rodizio Grill: From Veterans Day through Nov. 14, veterans eat free with the purchase of at least one adult full Rodizio meal.
• Ryan's: Veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day, along with a free bottled beverage.
• Shane's Rib Shack: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free sandwich combo meal at participating Shane's Rib Shack locations Nov. 11-13.
• Shoney's: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free All You Care To Eat breakfast on Veterans Day from opening until 11 a.m.
• Smoothie King: On Monday, November 11, military personnel can get a free 20 oz. smoothie of their choice with proof of military ID.
• Sonny's: Veterans and active-duty military with valid ID can get a free pulled or sliced pork Big Deal combo. The deal is for dine-in only.
• Spaghetti Warehouse: Veterans can get a "buy one entree, get one free" deal from Spaghetti Warehouse. With this coupon, you can choose any one of the restaurant's 11 Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées and receive a second entrée free.
• Tap House Grill: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal and a Sam Adams pint on Veterans Day while supplies last.
• Texas Roadhouse: Active-duty service members and veterans can select a free entrée from a 10-entrée menu on Veterans Day from 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Tucanos: Veterans can get a free Churrasco meal with the purchase of another adult Churrasco meal from Friday through Nov. 12.
• Village Inn: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free meal on Veterans Day.
• White Castle: On Veterans Day, active-duty service members and veterans can get a free breakfast combo or a choice of a Castle combo meal from numbers one-six on the menu.
• Wienerschnitzel: Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free chili dog with a small fry and a small Pepsi on Veterans Day.
• Wild Wing Cafe: Veterans can get six wings or nuggets with choice of sauce with a purchase of a drink on Veterans Days.
• Yard House: Active-duty service members and veterans will receive a complimentary appetizer on Veterans Day.

2019 Veterans Day retail discounts:

• Academy Sports + Outdoors – Get 10% off your entire purchase if you are a veteran or active-duty servicemember for in-store and online purchases through Veterans Day.
• American Family Care – If you need a flu shot, veterans can get one free on Veterans Day.
• Brides Across America – If you are a military member planning a wedding or the fiancee of a military member you can register for a wedding gown giveaway through Brides Across America. Click here for details.
• Eyemart Express – Active-duty service members, veterans and their families receive 20% off prescription glasses through Nov. 16.
• Goodyear Auto Service -- Active-duty service members and veterans can get a free car check from Goodyear. The service includes tire, brake, alignment, shocks and struts and battery checks. You must schedule an appointment by Veterans Day for service by Nov. 16.
• Grace for Vets – Active duty service members and veterans can get a free car wash on Nov. 11 at car washes around the world. Click here to find a participating car wash.
• Great Clips – Active duty service members and veterans can get either a free haircut or a card for a future free haircut at Great Clips on Veterans Day. Non-military customers who get a service on that day can get a free haircut card to give to a veteran.
• Honeysuckle Gelato: Get 10% off any purchase for all military, veterans, and first responders on Veterans Day. ID is required.
• Just Tires – From Nov. 8 through Nov. 16, active duty service members and veterans get free car care checks and tire installation. The checks include tires, brakes, alignment, battery, wiper blades and shocks and struts.
• Kohl's – From Thursday through Veterans Day, active-duty service members, veterans and their families get 30% off in-store purchases.
• Planet Fitness: Military personnel get free club access during Military Appreciation Week (Nov. 8-15).
• Publix -- Active-duty service members, veterans and their families save 10% on groceries on Veterans Day.
• Rack Room Shoes – On Veterans Day, get 10% off your entire purchase for active-duty service members and their dependents.
• Sheetz – Get a free 6-inch turkey sub sandwich and a regular size fountain drink if you are active-duty or a veteran. If you go to a Sheetz location that has a car wash, you will get a free car wash, as well.
• Sleep Number – Active-duty and veteran families can get an extra $100 off select smart beds and adjustable bases through Nov. 17.
• SmileDirectClub – Active-duty service members, retired and immediate family members can use code MILITARY2019 and show your ID for $175 off aligners.
• Sport Clips – Participating locations are offering veterans free haircuts on Nov. 11.
• Target -- Active-duty military, veterans, reservists and their dependents can receive a 10% discount on a purchase made in-store and online through Veterans Day.
• Walgreens: Active-duty service members, veterans and their families get 20% off from Nov. 8 to Veterans Day. The discount is good on eligible regular-price merchandise, and you must use a Balance Rewards card.
• Wyndham Hotels & Resorts: Active-duty and veterans can save up to 20% off their visit, plus receive 500 Wyndham Rewards bonus points on stays now through Dec. 6.