Veterans Day Freebies & Deals in NYC & Nationwide

Thank you for your service.

Many national chains offer Veterans Day freebies and deals to active US military and retired veterans and their families, plus Gold Star Families, including a free meal or menu item, or another type of discount or free product.

Most of these freebies and discounts are available only on Veterans Day, Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2020, but some are available until the end of November, even year-round.

And this year, some businesses are extending the offer to First Responders including firefighters and EMS.

Also new this year, starting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and every day after that, US military veterans and Gold Star Families get FREE access to national parks, wildlife refuges, historic sites and other Federal lands.

This information is from 2020

Please check back closer to

Veterans Day 2021

for current information.

If you or a family member are a member of the military or a critical frontline worker, please scroll through this list and see if there’s a free restaurant meal or other deal you can take advantage of.

Be sure to have your military ID, DD214, or Federal ID, or show up in uniform to get the deals.

In alphabetical order, because that’s the only fair way.

We’re also including national chains with no NYC location, because we have followers everywhere.

Please share this list with anyone who might benefit from it.

Let’s start with NYC deals:

Free Admission to 9/11 Museum

Veterans receive free Museum admission as well as half-price tickets for three family members from November 7 to 18.

Through Saturday, November, 18, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum is hosting a series of events and special programs, virtually and in person, for veterans and their families, as well as the visiting public.

Throughout the tribute, veterans will receive free Museum admission for themselves and half-price Museum tickets for three family members.

When reserving tickets, veterans will need to provide their name, e-mail address, military branch, and years of service.

Advance reservations are required. Visit the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website for details.

Walgreens

Veterans, military and their families get a 20% discount on eligible regular priced items through November 15.

This in-store offer is only valid in Walgreens or Duane Reade stores in New York City.

Free Admission to 9/11 Museum

9/11 Memorial and Museum

Veterans will receive free Museum admission as well as half-price tickets for three family members from November 7 to 18.

Free meals and menu items

Applebee’s

Every year on Veteran’s Day, Applebee’s serves a FREE meal to active duty and veteran military service members. Although most locations participate, call your local franchise to be sure it is participating and ask about details and requirements.

Arooga’s Grille House & Sports Bar

All veterans and troops will receive one FREE item from a fixed menu which includes such Arooga’s favorites as Buffalo Pretzel, Chopped Salad, Sriracha Chicken Caesar Salad, Black Angus Cheeseburger (served with fries, chips, or coleslaw), Grilled Cheese and Creamy Tomato Basil Soup, Spicy Italian Wrap or Sub (served with fries, chips, or coleslaw), Original Boli, and, of course, their world famous boneless wings (10) tossed in your choice of sauce, served with veggies and dressing.

Limited to one item per guest, per day, for dine-in only. Offer does not include a beverage, and cannot be used in conjunction with other promotions or discounts (including Arooga’s reward redemptions). Valid at participating Arooga’s locations only.

Bob Evans

Choice of seven homestyle favorites FREE to veterans and active duty military.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Military personnel and their families receive 20% off.

Buffalo Wild Wings

The restaurant is offering a FREE order of 10 boneless wings and fries for all past and present armed services members this Veterans Day. The offer is available for dine-in or takeout.

Bonefish Grill

The Heroes Discount is a 10% off for all service members, veterans, and first responders — the offer is good year-round with valid ID.

California Pizza Kitchen

FREE meal for current and former military.

Choose from: The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian Pizza, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage Pizza, Pepperoni Pizza, Five Cheese + Fresh Tomato Pizza, and Traditional Cheese Pizza, The Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Thai Crunch Salad, Classic Caesar Salad, Italian Chopped Salad, Garlic Cream Fettuccine with Chicken, Kung Pao Spaghetti with Chicken and Bolognese Spaghetti.

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

All services members, veterans, and first responders get 10% off any visit on Veterans Day and year-round with valid ID.

Chicken Salad Chick

FREE Chick Special and regular drink at the chicken chain on Nov. 11th, 2020. The offer is good for all active military and veterans. Wear a uniform or bring a valid ID or DD214.

Chili’s

Nov. 11 only, veterans and active duty military members can get a FREE meal. Choices for entrées include:

Chicken Crisperws
Margarita Grilled Chicken
Bowl of Chili or Soup & Salad
Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
Just Bacon Burger
Oldtimer with Cheese
Cajun Chicken Pasta

Claim Jumper Restaurants

FREE meal on Monday, November 9th. Choices include BBQ Chicken Salad, Meatloaf and Mashed Potatoes, Classic Cheeseburger, Grilled Shrimp, Country Fried Steak, Black Tie Chicken Pasta and Hot Turkey Sandwich.

Offer not valid at Golden Nugget locations.

Cracker Barrel

Nov. 11 only, active military and veterans get a FREE slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake when dining at any Cracker Barrel location nationwide.

Country Pride

All veterans and active duty military eat free at participating full-service restaurants.

Denny’s

Veterans can enjoy a FREE Build Your Own Grand Slam Wednesday, November 11th from 5am – Noon at participating locations.

Dunkin’

On Wednesday, November 11, veterans and active duty military can get a FREE donut of their choice, no purchase necessary, at participating locations, while supplies last.

Limit one per customer. Offer available in-store only. Not available for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

Ever since Travis Dickey founded his first restaurant in 1941 after serving in World War I, honoring Veterans has been ingrained in the company’s core.

Through Nov. 15, any customer who makes a purchase through the website or via the Dickey’s App will have the option to add one, five or 10 Pulled Pork Classic Sandwiches to be delivered to local Veteran organizations. Additionally, the Dickey family has pledged to match every sandwich donated to double the efforts to feed Veterans.

Also, on Nov. 11, active and retired military can get a FREE Pulled Pork Classic Sandwich at participating locations, with a military ID or valid proof of service.

The Texas-style barbecue brand also offers various ongoing discounts for Veterans. They can receive 25% off Dickey’s initial franchise fee for their first store, and Veterans and active military personnel get 10% off in-store orders daily at participating locations.

Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar

Houlihan’s restaurants in the following markets will offer $10 off a $30 food purchase: Chicago (Naperville), Cleveland, Columbus, Dallas (Garland), Kansas City (Leawood, Overland Park and Lee’s Summit), Long Island (Farmingdale), Pittsburgh, as well as all 10 restaurants in New Jersey (Bayonne, Brick, Bridgewater, Cherry Hill, Holmdel, New Brunswick, Paramus, Parsippany, Ramsey and Secaucus).

Valid for in-restaurant dining or for carryout on Wednesday, November 11, 2020. No proof of service is required for this offer.

Orders made via houlihans.com or a third-party delivery service are not eligible for this offer, and the $10 off $30 is not valid with other discounts.

Golden Corral, Bronx

Golden Corral

Thrrough Nov. 30, active duty and veterans get a FREE meal and beverage card, while supplies last. The card can be redeemed one time for lunch or dinner, Monday through Thursday, through May 30, 2021.

Golden Corral opened its first NYC location recently, in the Bronx.

Golden Corral restaurants nationwide have long been strong supporters of the U.S. Military and DAV (Disabled American Veterans) for more than 20 years.

The chain is also the founding sponsor of Camp Corral, a 501 (c) (3) tax-exempt, nonprofit corporation, which provides free, one-of-a-kind summer camp experiences for children of wounded, injured, ill or fallen service members..

Little Caesars

On Nov. 11 only, and from 11am to 2pm only, active duty and veterans get a FREE Hot-N-Ready Lunch Combo with proof of service.

Menchie’s

On November 11th, all veterans will receive a FREE 6 oz of frozen yogurt.

McCormick & Schmick’s

Veterans, National Guard members, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses can enjoy a select half-priced entrée on Sunday, November 8, 2020.

O’Charley’s Restaurant

On Nov. 11, veterans get a FREE meal from the Veterans Thank You Menu, or $10 off any meal on the regular menu.

Additionally, O’Charley’s provides a 10% military discount all year long. Please just bring proof of service.

Outback Steakhouse

On Nov. 11 only, active military and veterans receive a FREE Bloomin’ Onion and Coke product .

Outback Steakhouse offers a heroes discount daily. All servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters, and first responders receive 10% off their entire check all day, everyday with a valid state or federal service ID.

Pilot Flying J

From November 9th to 15th, all veterans can get a FREE Pilot Coffee of any size plus one FREE breakfast item, such as the sausage, egg and cheese sandwich.

The Veterans Day Breakfast Combo offer is available through the Pilot Flying J app and is redeemable at participating U.S. Pilot and Flying J travel centers.
More info here

Quaker Steak & Lube®

On Nov. 11, active and retired military get a FREE meal at participating restaurants.

Anyone who has served in the armed forces can receive a complimentary meal of their choice by showing proof of service to their restaurant server prior to ordering. Proof of service includes: U.S. Uniformed Services ID card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization membership card, photograph in uniform, DD214 form, a citation or commendation.

Also, most Quaker Steak restaurants offer military meal discounts every day.

Quaker Steak & Lube will also honor fallen military heroes with Fallen Soldiers Tables set up at participating locations.

Fallen Soldiers Tables are set with a white table cloth signifying soldiers’ pure intentions in the call to serve. The table has a single red rose in a vase representing the blood shed for freedom, a slice of lemon on a plate symbolizing the bitter fate of all fallen soldiers, a salt shaker representing tears shed by the families of those who never came home, a glass placed upside down to signify the fallen will no longer take a drink and one empty chair.

The Fallen Soldiers Table serves to remind all civilians and military members of those who lost their lives in the fight for peace and liberty for all.

For more information, including location information and menus, visit www.TheLube.com.

Red Lobster

On Nov. 11 only, and dine-in only, veterans, active duty military and reservists get a FREE appetizer or dessert. Guests can earn points for rewards year-round by signing up for Red Lobster’s free loyalty program, My Red Lobster Rewards?.

Choose from the following selections, although availability may vary by location:

Appetizers

Lobster and Langostino Pizza
Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms
Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp
Langostino Lobster-Artichoke-and-Seafood Dip
Crab-Stuffed Shrimp Rangoon
Signature Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail
Mozzarella Cheesesticks

Desserts

Chocolate Wave
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Warm Apple Crostada
Key Lime Pie

Guests can earn points for rewards year-round by signing up for Red Lobster’s free loyalty program, My Red Lobster Rewards

Red Robin

Military Royalty members will receive a free Tavern burger served with Bottomless Steak Fries at participating restaurants nationwide.

Offer valid Thursday, November 12 through Monday, November 30th. The change is in the hope of alleviating crowds on Veterans Day, ensuring the correct seating capacity and keeping employees and veterans safe from COVID-19.

This year’s program allows Military Royalty members to dine-in or place a to-go order when it’s most convenient for them.

Shoney’s

Free All You Care To Eat, freshly-prepared Breakfast Bar on Monday, November 11, 2020 from open -11am.

Shoney’s Veterans Day offer is dine-in only with no purchase required; however, coffee and beverages will be offered at regular cost. There is a limit of one Breakfast Bar per military member and proof of military service is highly recommended.

Starbucks

On Nov. 11 only, Starbucks is offering a FREE tall (12-ounce) hot brewed coffee for veterans, military service members, and military spouses at participating locations in the USA

Taco John’s

Free small Beef #1 Combo Meal to all active, reserve, retired and honorably discharged members of the U.S. military who redeem the offer in the App.

Wienerschnitzel

Present your military ID or wear your uniform on Veterans Day to receive a free Chili Dog, Small Fries and Small Pepsi.

Other Veterans Day freebies and discounts

National Parks FREE Admission

Starting on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, and every day after that, US military veterans and Gold Star Families get FREE access to national parks, wildlife refuges, historic sites and other Federal lands.

They will have free access to approximately 2,000 public locations spread out across more than 400 million acres of public lands, including more than a dozen sites in New York City and the Tri-State area, such as the Statue of Liberty and Gateway National Seashore here in NYC.

Read more here.

These additional deals are via Military.com

Army & Air Force Exchange Service

On November 11, MILITARY STAR cardholders will receive various deals, including 10 cents off every gallon of fuel purchased at Exchange Expresses, double rewards points on online and in-store Exchange purchases, $10 off Exchange mall concession or kiosk purchases of $25 or more and 15% off food orders at participating Exchange restaurants.

Beyond MILITARY STAR card-exclusive offers, Exchange Expresses and participating restaurants will be serving free coffee on November 11.

Exchange Redbox video rental locations will also offer two movies for the price of one through November 13.

Big Lots

In honor of Veterans Day, Big Lots announced they are offering a year-round 10% “Always On” discount for active military personnel and veterans who are members of the company’s Big Rewards program.

Brides Across America

Brides Across America holds a wedding gown giveaway for military in partnership with bridal salons across the country in November.

Qualifying brides register to attend the event at a participating bridal salon by completing the registration form and paying a $50 tax-deductible registration fee. Attend the event and select one of the designated gowns on display.