Veterans Day 2017, observed on Saturday, November 11, presented a wide array of complimentary offers and discounts for veterans and active-duty military personnel across the United States. For consumers in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the broader Tampa Bay area, the holiday provided not only national restaurant promotions but also a curated selection of local freebies and community events. This guide compiles verified information from 2017 promotional materials, focusing on free meals, retail discounts, and regional opportunities, with an emphasis on the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay region. All details are sourced from contemporary announcements and are presented to help eligible individuals navigate the available offers, though participation is subject to individual establishment policies and verification requirements.
National Restaurant Free Meals and Promotions
A significant portion of Veterans Day freebies in 2017 were offered by national restaurant chains. These promotions typically required proof of service, such as a military ID, veteran ID card, or uniform, and were often valid for dine-in only on November 11, 2017. It was consistently recommended that veterans call ahead to confirm participation at their local establishment, as not all locations within a chain may have been participating.
Applebee’s offered a free meal from a limited menu to veterans and active-duty military personnel. This was a popular national offer and was confirmed in multiple source documents. Similarly, Buffalo Wild Wings provided free traditional or boneless wings with a side of fries for veterans and active duty, though this offer was noted to be for dine-in only at participating stores.
California Pizza Kitchen extended a free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu, along with a beverage, to veterans on November 11. Cracker Barrel’s promotion was specific: a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake. Dunkin’ Donuts provided veterans with a free donut, with no purchase necessary, on Veterans Day.
Hooters offered a free meal from its Veterans Day Free Meal Menu at participating locations. Little Caesars Pizza provided a free $5 Hot-n-Ready lunch combo on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Olive Garden offered a free entrée from a select menu to veterans. Outback Steakhouse’s promotion included a free Bloomin’ Onion and a drink on Veterans Day, with additional military discounts available on subsequent days.
Red Lobster offered veterans a free appetizer or dessert on Saturday. Red Robin provided a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with a side of bottomless steak fries for veterans and active-duty military members. Ruby’s Diner offered a free entrée on Veterans Day. Starbucks offered a free tall brewed coffee to veterans on November 11.
Texas Roadhouse offered a free lunch, beverage, and sides on Veterans Day. TGI Fridays offered a free lunch item up to $12 on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. World of Beer invited all veterans and current servicemen and servicewomen to enjoy a free select draught beer on November 11. BJ’s Restaurant provided a free entrée under $12.95 on Friday and Saturday, with guests over age 21 also receiving a Handcrafted BJ's Beer or soda. Macaroni Grill offered free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti on Saturday. Mimi’s Cafe offered free select menu items on Saturday with a drink purchase. On the Border offered a free create-your-own combo meal.
Other notable national offers included Great Clips, which provided a free haircut card to give to an active, inactive, or retired military member. Veterans could also receive a free haircut that day or a card to use later, redeemable until December. Krispy Kreme offered a free donut and coffee with no ID required. Menchie’s offered a free 6oz frozen yogurt to veterans or current military personnel with ID or in uniform. Circle K offered veterans a free Polar Pop at participating stores. Glory Days offered a free appetizer or regular order of boneless or grilled wings.
It is important to note that some offers were valid before Veterans Day itself. For example, Chipotle offered a BOGO free burrito, bowl, salad, or taco for military members on Tuesday, November 7, from 5 p.m. to close. On Veterans Day, November 11, all military veterans received a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake at Chipotle. IHOP offered retired and active-duty military members a free stack of three red, white, and blue pancakes between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Friday, November 10.
Local Freebies and Discounts in St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay
For those in the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area, a variety of local establishments offered exclusive freebies and discounts. These local offers often provided greater value or unique experiences compared to national chains.
St. Petersburg and Pinellas County
In St. Petersburg, several businesses extended special offers to veterans. Urban Brew and BBQ offered a free brunch meal for active and retired military personnel, with ID required. Casita Taqueria provided a 25% discount to military personnel all weekend. Planet Retro Records offered a 20% discount store-wide with military ID. The Galley gave veterans a 25% off discount on their entire bill all day with military ID.
Local attractions also participated. Sunken Gardens offered free admission with military ID. The Dali Museum offered free admissions for veterans, and one guest. The Florida Holocaust Museum offered free admission with ID. Morean Arts Center offered free admission for veterans with ID, and a $5 admission for up to three guests.
For transportation, PSTA (Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority) offered free rides on St. Pete’s buses and trolleys for veterans on Veterans Day with ID.
Tampa Bay Area
The broader Tampa Bay area had a robust list of participating businesses. Applebees was confirmed to offer a free meal from a limited menu with proof of service. Buffalo Wild Wings offered free traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries for veterans and active duty, dine-in only at participating stores. Circle K participating stores offered veterans a free Polar Pop. Cracker Barrel offered a free double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake. Dunkin’ Donuts veterans received a free donut, with no purchase necessary. Glory Days offered a free appetizer or regular order of boneless or grilled wings. Hooters offered a free meal at participating locations. Krispy Kreme offered a free donut and coffee with no ID required. Menchie’s offered any veteran or current military personnel with ID or in uniform a free 6oz frozen yogurt. Olive Garden offered a free entrée from a select menu to veterans.
Other Tampa Bay-specific restaurants included BJ’s Restaurant (free entrée under $12.95 on Friday and Saturday, plus a Handcrafted BJ's Beer or soda for guests over 21), California Pizza Kitchen (free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu and beverage on Saturday), Little Caesars Pizza (free $5 Hot-n-Ready lunch combo on Saturday from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m.), Macaroni Grill (free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti on Saturday), Mimi’s Cafe (free select menu items on Saturday with drink purchase), On the Border (free create-your-own combo meal), Outback Steakhouse (free Bloomin’ Onion and drink on Saturday, plus additional military discounts on subsequent days), Red Lobster (free appetizer or dessert on Saturday), Red Robin (free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries on Saturday), Ruby’s Diner (free entrée on Veterans Day), Starbucks (free tall brewed coffee on Saturday), Texas Roadhouse (free lunch, beverage and sides on Saturday), TGI Fridays (free lunch item up to $12 on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.), and World of Beer (free select draught beer on Saturday).
Local Events and Community Activities in Tampa Bay
Beyond dining and retail, the Tampa Bay area hosted numerous events to honor veterans. These events provided opportunities for community engagement and celebration.
Apollo Beach hosted the 39th Annual Veterans Day Parade, hosted by Ruskin Memorial VFW Post 6287, beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 11.
Lakeland held the Polk County Veteran's Council-hosted Lakeland Veterans Day Parade on Saturday, November 11. The parade and activities started at 10 a.m. with a ceremony in Veteran's Memorial Park.
New Port Richey featured Freedom Fest, a community event with commemorations for veterans and family-friendly activities, running Friday, November 10 and Saturday, November 11 at Sims Park.
Safety Harbor hosted a Veterans Day Celebration on Saturday, November 11 from 11 a.m. to noon at the Safety Harbor Marina, organized by the City of Safety Harbor, American Legion Post 238, and Veterans Foreign Wars Post 10093.
Tampa held its 53rd Annual Veterans Day Tribute at Veterans Memorial Park and Museum on Saturday, November 11 at 11 a.m. The Tampa VA Hospital also hosted a Veterans Day Parade on Friday, November 10 at 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. to noon.
A special event was held at a Starbucks in Tampa’s Military Family Store at 820 West North A St, Tampa, FL 33606. From 1:00 – 3:00 PM, a pop-up workshop titled “15 Things Veterans Want You to Know” was presented in partnership with WorkShop Mercantile, Starbucks, and PsychArmor Institute. The goal was to educate civilians on military culture. Additionally, Starbucks ran a promotion where for every Starbucks VIA® Instant purchase made on starbucks.com/shop in the U.S., the company would make a matching donation of Starbucks VIA® Instant to the USO.
Important Considerations and Eligibility
When seeking Veterans Day freebies, eligibility and verification are key. Most national restaurant offers required proof of service, such as a military ID, veteran ID card, or proof of service documentation. Some, like Krispy Kreme, did not require ID. Others, like the Great Clips offer, allowed veterans to receive a free haircut or a card to give to another service member.
Participation was not guaranteed at every location. Sources consistently advised calling ahead to confirm that a specific restaurant or store was participating in the offer. Some deals were for military members only, while others included spouses and family members, so checking the fine print was essential.
Local St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay offers often had specific requirements, such as showing military ID at Urban Brew and BBQ, Casita Taqueria, Planet Retro Records, The Galley, Sunken Gardens, The Dali Museum, The Florida Holocaust Museum, and Morean Arts Center. For transportation, PSTA required ID for free rides.
The promotions were generally valid only on the specified dates, which for most was Veterans Day, November 11, 2017. Some, like the Great Clips haircut card, were redeemable until December. The Chipotle BOGO offer was valid on November 7, and IHOP’s pancake offer was on November 10. The Outback Steakhouse military discount extended beyond Veterans Day, with 20% off from November 12 through November 16, and 10% off beginning November 17 for military, firefighters, and law enforcement.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2017 offered a substantial array of free meals, discounts, and community events for veterans and active-duty military personnel in St. Petersburg, Florida, and the surrounding Tampa Bay area. The offers spanned national restaurant chains with widespread availability and local St. Petersburg businesses providing unique discounts and free access to attractions. Community events in Apollo Beach, Lakeland, New Port Richey, Safety Harbor, and Tampa provided additional ways to honor veterans. While the information provided is based on 2017 promotional materials, the process of seeking these offers—verifying participation, providing proper identification, and understanding specific terms—remains a relevant example for consumers navigating future promotional opportunities. Veterans and their families were encouraged to plan ahead, confirm details with individual establishments, and take advantage of the diverse freebies and discounts available to them on this national holiday.