Veterans Day 2017 Food Freebies A Detailed Guide To Free Meals And How To Claim Them

Nov. 10, 2025, 12:31 a.m.

Tags: day food veteran

The provided source material is insufficient to produce a 2000-word article. Below is a factual summary based on available data.

Introduction

Veterans Day 2017 prompted a broad range of food-related freebies, offers, and discounts for active-duty military members and veterans across the United States. Most of these deals were available on November 11, 2017, with some promotions that began earlier or continued into the following days. The types of offers varied: completely free menu items or buffets, limited-time discounts, and value meals. Eligibility generally required proof of service, such as a military identification card or other proof of service, and occasionally included family members. Certain locations required purchases, specific hours, or coupon codes. Some offers carried verification or confirmation labels, indicating incomplete or pending confirmation at the time the sources were published. Consumers were advised to confirm local participation and bring the appropriate documentation to redeem offers.

Brand-by-Brand Overview of Offers and Redemption Notes

The following table consolidates the offers reported in the provided sources. The entries are organized alphabetically. Time windows, menu items, and eligibility details are included where specified. “Verification” or “confirmation” labels reflect statements present in the source material and are not independently verified.

Table 1. Brands offering free meals, free menu items, or free buffets on Veterans Day 2017

Back Yard Burgers: Free “Classic Burger.” Proof of service may be required; details varied by location. Sources: [3]
Bar Louie: Free flatbread or burger. Proof of service may be required; details varied by location. Sources: [3]
Billy Sims Barbecue: Free Veterans Day meal and special collector’s cup. Proof of service may be required; details varied by location. Sources: [3]
Black Angus Steakhouse: Special $9.99 Certified Angus Beef Top Sirloin Steak with mashed potatoes, broccoli, and a beverage from open to 3 p.m. This is a discount, not a free item. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Bob Evans: Free select menu items; options included Stack of Hotcakes (Buttermilk or Multigrain), Fresh Baked Brioche French Toast, Country Biscuit Breakfast, Mini Sampler Breakfast, Farm Boy Sandwich, and Country Fried Steak Dinner. Proof of service may be required; details varied by location. Sources: [3][4]
Bonanza Steakhouse: Free buffet; beverage not included. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Boston Market: Buy one get one free individual meal and drink with coupon on Veterans Day. This is a discount, not a free item. Coupon and proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Bruegger’s Bagels: Free small drip coffee. No purchase necessary. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Buffalo Wild Wings: Free small order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries. At participating U.S. locations only. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Burntwood Tavern: Free lunch or dinner. Proof of service may be required; hours not specified. Sources: [3]
Calhoun’s: Free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3][4]
California Pizza Kitchen: Free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu including pizza, salads, and pasta. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Cantina Laredo: Complimentary meal on Veterans Day. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Cattlemens Steakhouse: Complimentary 8 oz. Sirloin Steak dinner. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
CentraArchy Restaurants: Free entrée from the regular dinner menu (excluding AQ items, Porterhouse, alcohol, and tax). Available on Sunday, November 12, 2017, with a valid military ID or proof of service. Dine-in only. Participating restaurants included New York Prime, California Dreaming, The Tavern at Phipps, Chophouse New Orleans, Carolina Roadhouse, Joey D’s Oak Room, Chophouse ’47, Gulfstream Café, and Burro Loco. Sources: [4]
Chevys Fresh Mex: Complimentary Fresh Mex 3-Item combo from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Chuck E. Cheese: Free personal 1-topping pizza to all active and retired military members at participating stores nationwide. Promo code #5500. Good on November 11, 2017. Proof of service required. Sources: [3][4]
Cicis Pizza: Free pizza buffet. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
City BBQ: Free sandwich platter plus drink (sandwich platter = any sandwich + 2 sides) for active duty and veterans at participating locations. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Denny’s: Free Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon for active, retired, and veterans with ID. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Fatz Cafe: Free World Famous Calabash Chicken Meal from 11 a.m. to close with ID. Verification status: waiting confirmation. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Glory Days Grill: Free appetizer or boneless wings with a military ID. Verification status: waiting 2017 verification. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Hy-Vee: Free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Hy-Vee supermarkets with in-store dining. Call ahead for participating locations. Verification status: waiting verification. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
JJ’s Red Hots: Free meal including unlimited hot dogs, sausages, sides, and non-alcoholic drinks all day for veterans and active duty military at participating locations. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
LongHorn Steakhouse: Complimentary appetizer or dessert at participating locations on November 11, 2016. If dining with a veteran, guests receive 10% off their meal. (Note: Timing corresponds to Veterans Day 2016. Verification for 2017 not available in the provided sources.) Sources: [3]
Macaroni Grill: Free Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs & Spaghetti entrée. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3][4]
Main Event Bowling: Free entrée plus a $10 FUNcard from open to 5 p.m. Offer includes free shoe rental for the veteran and four guests. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant: Complimentary entrees to veterans and active members of the military, as well as their significant others. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Max & Erma’s: Free cheeseburger combo meal with dessert (free cheeseburger, endless fries, and a fountain drink). Some sources also note 1/2 lb. cheeseburger with endless fries and a fountain drink. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3][4]
Menchie’s: Free six ounce frozen yogurt. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Mimi’s Cafe: Free select food items from a special menu. Drink purchase required. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Mission BBQ: Free sandwich and slice of cake. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
MOD Pizza: Free pizza or salad for veterans and active duty military with ID. Verification status: waiting confirmation. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Native Grill & Wings: Free one menu item (up to $11.99 in value). Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Ninety Nine Restaurant & Pub: Free lunch from the 9 Real Size Entrées for $9.99 Menu with the purchase of any entrée. This is a discount, not a free item. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
O’Charley’s: Free $9.99 entrée at any location. O’Charley’s offers a 10% military discount all year long. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
On The Border: Free combo meal from the “Create Your Own Combo” menu (choose 2 or choose 3). Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Outback Steakhouse: Free Bloomin’ Onion and a beverage. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3]
Primanti Bros: Free Classic Primanti Bros Sandwich on Veterans Day at participating locations. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza & Grill: Two free appetizer choices: complimentary hummus with grilled herb flatbread or garlic cheese bread. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Tubby’s Steak & Cheese: Free small sub from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. at participating locations for active duty and retired with ID. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Tim Hortons Cafe & Bake Shop: Free donut all day on November 11. Verification status: waiting confirmation. No purchase necessary per source. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Food Lion: 12% off all groceries (some exclusions) for active and retired military personnel with an ID and MVP card. Verification status: waiting on verification 2017. This is a discount, not a free item. Sources: [4]
Hy-Vee (Additional Note): Free breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. at participating locations. Call ahead. Verification status: waiting verification. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [4]
Bob Evans (Additional Note): Choice of one of six free meals: Stack of Hotcakes, Fresh Baked Brioche French Toast, Country Biscuit Breakfast, Mini Sampler Breakfast, Farm Boy Sandwich, or Country Fried Steak Dinner. Available all day on November 11, 2017, at all Bob Evans restaurants. Proof of service may be required. Sources: [3][4]

Some other promotions referenced in the sources did not specify brands or exact redemption details. For example, offers such as free admission at Knott’s Berry Farm and extended deals at Chipotle (a buy-one-get-one-free offer on November 7) and the Harley-Davidson Museum were noted in broader lists but did not provide brand-level specifics in the available data. These mentions are therefore omitted from the brand table due to lack of verifiable brand-level details in the provided materials.

Eligibility and Documentation

The eligibility and documentation requirements varied by brand and location. The following table summarizes the patterns described in the sources and specific notes that appeared repeatedly.

Table 2. Eligibility and documentation summary

Eligibility: Active-duty military, veterans, and in some cases, retired service members.
Documentation: Military ID, VA card, discharge papers, or other proof of service commonly required.
Family inclusion: Some offers included spouses or significant others. Specific inclusion policies were brand-specific and sometimes location-specific.
Verification flags: Some offers were marked “waiting for verification” or “waiting for confirmation,” signaling incomplete or pending confirmation at the time the sources were published.
Geographic participation: Many offers were limited to participating U.S. locations; some required in-store redemption.
Purchase requirements: Certain offers required a purchase (e.g., drink purchase at Mimi’s Cafe; buy one to get one free at Boston Market). Several offers did not require a purchase (e.g., free donut at Tim Hortons).

How to Redeem Free Meals or Free Items

A practical step-by-step approach was recommended by the sources to maximize the chance of a successful redemption:

Check participation and hours in advance. Some offers were limited to specific hours (e.g., Denny’s Grand Slam 5 a.m. to noon; Chevys 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Tubby’s 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Black Angus open to 3 p.m.; Outback available on Veterans Day; O’Charley’s offering a $9.99 entrée; Hy-Vee free breakfast 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.). Confirm local participation because participation and menu items could vary by location. Some brands explicitly called out participating U.S. locations (e.g., Buffalo Wild Wings).
Confirm eligibility. Ensure you meet the eligibility criteria (active-duty, veteran, retired, and where applicable, spouse or significant other).
Bring appropriate documentation. Carry a military ID or other proof of service. In the case of Family/Dependent privileges, follow the brand’s stated policy.
Review any specific terms. Some offers were coupons (Boston Market BOGO), others required a specific menu (e.g., O’Charley’s $9.99 menu), and some required a minimum purchase (e.g., drink at Mimi’s Cafe).
Verify special codes or instructions. If a code is required (e.g., Chuck E. Cheese promo code #5500), confirm the code and any participating store locations ahead of time.
Plan your timing. If an offer is only available on November 11, schedule your visit accordingly. Some offers extended beyond Veterans Day (CentraArchy on November 12, certain amusement parks earlier in November, and museum offers later).
Consider group redemption. If a friend or family member is dining with a veteran, note any group perks (e.g., LongHorn offering 10% off for guests dining with a veteran; Main Event offering free shoe rental for the veteran and four guests).

Extended or Related Deals Outside Food

Some non-food deals were noted in the broader sources, including free admission to amusement parks and museums and the accessibility of national parks for all, not limited to veterans. However, the provided data did not include sufficient brand-specific details for these offers beyond general mentions (Chipotle’s buy-one-get-one-free on November 7; free admission at Knott’s Berry Farm in Southern California starting November 1; free admission to the Harley-Davidson Museum extending beyond Veterans Day; free admission to national parks for everyone). Consumers interested in these non-food benefits were advised to consult the relevant businesses directly for confirmation and terms.

Clarifications and Cautions

The sources contained offers that sometimes required additional purchase, were discounted rather than free, or featured dates not aligned to Veterans Day 2017. For clarity, these items are noted in the brand table above with appropriate labels such as “discount” or “timing discrepancy.”

Practical Takeaways

Most free meals and free items were available on November 11, 2017, with some weekend extensions or earlier start dates.
Eligibility and documentation were essential; a military ID or proof of service was commonly required.
Participation varied by location; confirmation ahead of time was recommended to avoid disappointment.
Some offers were not truly free (e.g., Boston Market BOGO, Black Angus $9.99 steak), and some required a purchase (e.g., drink at Mimi’s Cafe).
Coupon codes and menu-specific constraints (e.g., O’Charley’s $9.99 menu) needed to be understood prior to redemption.
Certain offers were marked as “waiting for verification” or “waiting for confirmation,” indicating incomplete confirmation at the time of publication.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2017 generated a wide array of food-related offers for military members and veterans, ranging from completely free meals to discounts and value deals. Successful redemption required understanding eligibility, bringing proof of service, and verifying local participation and time windows. Some offers extended beyond November 11, but the majority were limited to that day. Consumers were advised to plan ahead, review specific terms, and confirm details directly with participating locations.