The annual observance of Veterans Day in the United States is marked by numerous businesses expressing gratitude to military veterans and active-duty personnel through complimentary meals and special discounts. In 2019, a wide array of restaurants, from national chains to regional establishments, offered free food and beverages on November 11. These promotions typically required proof of military service, such as a military ID, VA card, or in some cases, dressing in uniform. The offers were generally valid for dine-in only at participating locations on Veterans Day, though some businesses extended benefits into the surrounding period. This guide synthesizes the available information from 2019, detailing the specific freebies, eligibility requirements, and key terms for service members seeking to take advantage of these appreciative gestures.
Restaurant Freebies on Veterans Day
Numerous dining establishments offered free meals to veterans and active-duty military personnel on November 11, 2019. The promotions varied by restaurant, with some providing a free entrée, others a full meal, and some a specific menu item.
National Chain Restaurant Offers
Several large restaurant chains participated in Veterans Day freebies. Applebee’s offered veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a special menu on November 11, valid for dine-in only. Similarly, Chili’s Grill & Bar provided a free meal for all veterans and active-duty personnel at participating locations. Golden Corral held its Military Appreciation Night, offering a free sit-in "thank you" dinner to military veterans, retirees, and active-duty members from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. on November 11.
Other national chains with specific offers included: * 54th Street Grill and Bar: Veterans and active-duty military personnel dining in received a free entrée up to $12. * Friendly’s: Veterans and active-duty military received a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a limited menu. * Little Caesars Pizza: Veterans and active-duty military with valid ID received a free $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. * Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers: Veterans and current military personnel received a free combo meal card on November 11, which could be used through November 30, 2019. * Fogo de Chão: Veterans received 50% off their meal, plus an additional 10% off for up to three guests, from November 8 through 11. * Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Veterans and active-duty military with valid proof of service received a free lunch or dinner entrée. * Farmer Boys: Veterans and active-duty military received a free cheeseburger on November 11. * Gold Star Chili: Veterans and active-duty military received a free 3-Way & drink. * Furr’s Fresh Buffet: Veterans received a free buffet plus a non-bottled beverage. * Glory Days Grill: Veterans received a free appetizer or a regular order of boneless wings. * The Friendly Toast: Veterans and active-duty military personnel received a free meal.
Regional and Other Restaurant Offers
In addition to national chains, many regional restaurants and cafes offered Veterans Day freebies. 151 Coffee invited military personnel to bring their family for free drinks. Another Broken Egg Cafe offered a free Patriot French Toast Combo and coffee. Aspen Creek Grill provided a complimentary meal from a special menu from 11 a.m. Baker’s Square gave a free meal to veterans and active-duty service members. Joe’s Crab Shack offered 20% off for veterans and active-duty military.
Other participating restaurants included: * Ahipoki: Veterans and active-duty military received 50% off any bowl in Arizona and California. * Fired Pie: Veterans and active-duty military received a free entrée with valid proof of service or if in uniform. * Insomnia Cookies: Offered a free traditional cookie from Monday through 3 a.m. on November 11. * Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military received a complimentary appetizer, with a beverage purchase required.
Specialized and Buffet Offers
Some restaurants provided unique or buffet-style freebies. Freddy’s honored veterans with a free combo meal card valid through November 30, 2019. Golden Corral’s sit-in dinner was a prominent buffet offering. Furr’s Fresh Buffet provided a free buffet and beverage. Glory Days Grill offered a choice of a free appetizer or boneless wings.
Retail and Service Freebies and Discounts
Beyond restaurants, other businesses extended freebies and discounts to veterans in 2019, covering services, retail products, and memberships.
Retail and Product Discounts
Academy Sports + Outdoors offered veterans, active-duty service members, and their immediate family members 10% off their entire purchase in-store and online from October 27 through November 11. Amazon ran a promotion from November 6 through 11, allowing active-duty, veterans, National Guard, and Reserve personnel to sign up for a year of Prime membership for $79, representing a $40 savings. This was available to both new and existing Prime members.
Brides Across America held a wedding gown giveaway for military brides in November in partnership with bridal salons across the country. Qualifying brides could register to attend an event at a participating salon by completing a registration form and paying a $40 fee. At the event, they could select one of the designated gowns on display.
Service and Healthcare Freebies
American Family Care provided military veterans with a free flu shot on November 11. For personal services, several businesses offered complimentary haircuts and car washes, though specific participating businesses and details were not fully detailed in the available source material.
Ongoing Military Discounts
Some businesses offered discounts that extended beyond Veterans Day, providing year-round or extended benefits for military personnel.
- Giordano’s: Offered an ongoing 20% discount on food orders for veterans and military personnel with a valid military ID card.
- The Greene Turtle Sports Bar & Grille: Provided a 15% everyday military discount on meals.
- HMSHost airport restaurants: Offered a 15% military discount on food and non-alcoholic beverages.
- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: In addition to the Veterans Day free entrée, the restaurant offered a 20% discount on entrées for veterans and active military members from November 1 through 30.
Eligibility and Verification Requirements
A consistent requirement across most offers was proof of military service. Acceptable forms of identification typically included a military ID, VA card, or veteran organization membership card. In some cases, dressing in uniform was permitted as a form of identification. Discharge papers were also noted as a potential proof of service. For many offers, proof of service was required at the time of redemption.
Most Veterans Day offers were valid only on November 11, 2019, at participating locations nationwide. Consumers were advised to check with their local establishment to confirm participation and any specific exclusions. Dine-in only was a common restriction for restaurant meal offers.
Special Considerations and Partner Offers
Some offers involved partnerships or special events. Brides Across America’s wedding gown giveaway required registration and a fee, demonstrating a structured application process for a specific freebie. The offer was tied to events at participating bridal salons.
American Family Care’s free flu shot on November 11 was a healthcare-focused freebie, requiring veterans to present valid proof of service. This type of offer highlights the variety of non-food freebies available to veterans.
Conclusion
Veterans Day 2019 featured a broad spectrum of freebies and discounts for U.S. military veterans and active-duty personnel, primarily centered on complimentary meals at restaurants. The offers ranged from full buffet dinners at chains like Golden Corral to specific entrées at establishments such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, and 54th Street Grill. Beyond food, retailers like Academy Sports + Outdoors and Amazon provided product and membership discounts, while service providers offered items like free flu shots and wedding gowns. A common thread across all offers was the necessity of valid proof of military service, typically required for dine-in only offers on November 11. While many promotions were one-day events, some businesses, including Giordano’s, The Greene Turtle, and HMSHost, provided ongoing discounts for military members. Service members were advised to verify participation and specific terms with individual locations prior to visiting.