2018 Veterans Day Free Meals And Deals Complete Guide For Military Members

Nov. 25, 2025, 10:39 a.m.

Tags: day veteran

Veterans Day 2018, observed on Sunday, November 11 (with the holiday also recognized on Monday, November 12), prompted numerous businesses across the United States to express appreciation for military service members through special offers, discounts, and complimentary items. This comprehensive guide details the free meals and deals available to veterans, active-duty military personnel, and in some cases their families, as compiled from multiple sources across the country.

Restaurant Offers on Veterans Day 2018

Numerous restaurant chains participated in Veterans Day celebrations by offering free meals or significant discounts to those who served in the military. The following establishments provided special offers for eligible individuals:

Applebee's

Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar offered a complimentary full-sized entree from an exclusive menu to all veterans and active-duty military members on Sunday, November 11. The promotion was available at various Bay Area locations including 2770 Taylor (San Francisco), Alameda, Pinole, San Rafael, Hayward, Redwood City, Walnut Creek, Vallejo, Fremont and more. Eligible participants needed to provide military ID or proof of service to receive their free meal.

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse

BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse provided military members with a complimentary entree (up to $12.95 value) along with a free Dr. Pepper beverage. This offer was valid on Sunday, November 11, and required military ID or proof of service. Bay Area locations participating included San Bruno, San Mateo, San Rafael, Concord, Newark, Dublin, Cupertino, Brentwood, San Jose and more.

California Pizza Kitchen

Veterans and active-duty members received a complimentary entrée from CPK's special Veterans Day menu on Sunday, November 11. Bay Area locations included 53 Third Street (San Francisco), Emeryville, Corte Madera, San Mateo, Walnut Creek, Stanford, Stoneridge (Pleasanton), Valley Fair (Santa Clara) and other locations. The offer extended to a pizza, full-size salad, or pasta from the special menu.

Chili's

Chili's Grill & Bar offered all veterans and active duty military personnel a complimentary meal from a select menu on Veterans Day 2018. Bay Area locations participating included San Bruno, San Leandro, Concord, and Union City. As with most offers, proof of service was required to receive the free meal.

Olive Garden

Olive Garden provided veterans and active military members with a free entree from a special menu, accompanied by unlimited soup, salad, and breadsticks on Veterans Day. While specific locations weren't detailed in the source material, the offer was available at participating restaurants nationwide.

Starbucks

Starbucks offered veterans, active duty service members, and their spouses one 12-ounce hot coffee for free on Sunday, November 11, at participating stores. The promotion had a limit of one per customer and required proper military identification for verification.

Romano's Macaroni Grill

Romano's Macaroni Grill provided all veterans and active military personnel with a free order of Mom's Ricotta Meatballs and Spaghetti on Sunday, November 11, at all U.S. locations. Proof of service was required to receive the complimentary meal.

Fogo de Chao

Fogo de Chao offered 50 percent off the entire meal at their Brazilian steakhouse throughout Veterans Day weekend (November 9-11). This promotion was valid at all U.S. and Puerto Rico locations. Additionally, up to three guests would receive 10 percent off their meals when dining with a qualifying veteran or active-duty member.

Boston Market

Boston Market implemented a BOGO (buy one, get one) deal for military families, allowing them to purchase one individual meal and drink and receive a second meal for free. This deal was valid November 11-12 at U.S. locations, with the necessary coupon available on BostonMarket.com.

Hooters

Hooters offered dine-in customers a free meal on Sunday, November 11, with the purchase of any beverage. The promotion was available at participating locations and required proof of military service.

Extended Veterans Day Offers

Several restaurants extended their Veterans Day promotions beyond November 11, with some offers lasting through the entire month of November:

Eat'n Park

Eat'n Park provided all active and former United States military personnel with a special 10% discount for the entire month of November. This extended offer allowed veterans and active-duty members to receive appreciation throughout the month rather than just on the specific holiday.

Huddle House

Huddle House offered a free order of Sweet Cakes to all active military members and veterans with proper identification from November 9-12. This promotion provided a sweet treat to eligible service members during the Veterans Day weekend.

Shane's Rib Shack

Military personnel and veterans received a complimentary sandwich, regular side, and 20-oz beverage at participating Shane's Rib Shack locations from November 8th through November 10th. This offer began a few days before Veterans Day, allowing service members to start their celebration early.

The Chop House

On Sunday, November 11th, and Monday, November 12th, veterans with military ID or in uniform received 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree at The Chop House. This two-day promotion provided substantial savings to qualifying individuals.

Connors Steak & Seafood

Similar to The Chop House, Connors Steak & Seafood offered 50% off any dine-in lunch or dinner entree to veterans with military ID or in uniform on Sunday, November 11th, and Monday, November 12th.

Famous Dave's

Famous Dave's provided all former and current military personnel with a free two-meat Combo on November 11 and 12, 2018. This offer allowed veterans and active-duty members to enjoy a selection of smoked meats at no cost.

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que

Lucille's Smokehouse Bar-B-Que offered special deals to veterans on Veterans Day (November 11), though the specific details of their promotion were not fully detailed in the source material.

Regional Restaurant Offers

Various regional restaurants and chains also participated in Veterans Day appreciation:

Bob Evans

Bob Evans offered free select menu items to veterans and active duty military on Sunday, November 11. While the specific menu items weren't detailed in the source material, the promotion was available at participating locations.

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill provided complimentary Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer on Sunday, November 11, for active and retired service members with a valid military ID. This offer allowed veterans to enjoy one of the restaurant's popular appetizers at no cost.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings offered a free small order of wings and a side of fries for active and retired service members on Sunday, November 11. This promotion was available at participating locations only and was limited to dine-in customers.

Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen

On November 11, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen provided veterans with a free appetizer or dessert. While specific details weren't provided, the offer allowed veterans to choose from available options on the menu.

Cracker Barrel

Cracker Barrel offered veterans a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or a Crafted Coffee on November 11. This sweet treat or beverage was available at participating locations with proper military identification.

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin' Donuts provided a free donut at participating locations on November 11. This simple yet appreciated offer allowed veterans to start their day with a complimentary treat.

Friendly's

Friendly's offered free breakfast, lunch, or dinner from a limited menu on November 11. Veterans and active-duty members could select from available options on the special menu at no cost.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral's Military Appreciation Night offered a free dinner on November 12, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. While not specifically a Veterans Day offer, this fell within the holiday observance period and provided a substantial meal to military personnel.

Important Considerations for Veterans Day Offers

When taking advantage of Veterans Day freebies and deals, several important factors should be considered:

Proof of Service Requirements

Nearly all offers required proof of military service in the form of military ID, discharge papers, Veterans Administration cards, or veterans organization membership cards. Service members were advised to bring appropriate documentation to avoid disappointment when redeeming offers.

Location Participation

Not all franchise locations participated in Veterans Day promotions. Many restaurant chains emphasized that participation varied by location, and customers were strongly advised to contact their local restaurant before visiting to confirm participation and specific offer details.

Offer Limitations

Most offers came with specific limitations, such as: - Limited menu selection (free items only from specific menus) - One offer per customer - Dine-in only requirements (no takeout or delivery) - Time restrictions (some offers were only available during certain hours)

Date Availability

While many offers were available on Sunday, November 11, some extended through Monday, November 12 (when the holiday was observed), while others ran for multiple days before or after the actual holiday. Some restaurants, like Eat'n Park, offered discounts throughout the entire month of November.

Family Accommodations

Most offers were limited to veterans and active-duty personnel themselves, though some extended to spouses or immediate family members. Starbucks specifically mentioned that spouses of veterans and active-duty members were eligible for their free coffee offer.

Non-Restaurant Veterans Day Offers

In addition to restaurant promotions, other businesses and venues offered special deals for veterans on Veterans Day 2018:

National Parks

All U.S. National Parks were free to everyone (not just veterans) on Veterans Day. This allowed military personnel and civilians alike to enjoy the country's natural treasures at no cost on this special day.

Retail Discounts

Various retailers offered special discounts to veterans and active-duty military members with military identification. While specific retailers weren't detailed in the source material, the information confirmed that "Online stores and bricks-and-mortar stores" were showing appreciation through special pricing for service members.

Pre-Black Friday Sales

The Veterans Day period coincided with early Black Friday sales, and some retailers combined Veterans Day appreciation with early holiday shopping opportunities. Military members could potentially access both special Veterans Day discounts and pre-Black Friday sales at certain establishments.

Tips for Maximizing Veterans Day Benefits

To make the most of Veterans Day offers, service members could consider the following strategies based on the information provided:

Plan Ahead

Since not all locations participate, calling ahead to confirm participation and specific offer details was recommended. This helped prevent wasted trips and disappointment.

Organize Documentation

Keeping military ID, discharge papers, or other proof of service documents readily available ensured smooth redemption of offers without delays.

Prioritize High-Value Offers

Some offers provided more substantial value than others. Service members might prioritize offers like free full meals over smaller items like donuts or appetizers to maximize their benefits.

Consider Extended Offers

Some restaurants extended their promotions beyond Veterans Day itself. Planning visits during these extended periods could provide additional opportunities to enjoy special deals.

Combine with Other Discounts

Where possible, combining Veterans Day offers with other discounts or promotions could provide even greater value. For example, using a Veterans Day free meal at a location that also offered early Black Friday deals might provide additional savings.

Geographic Distribution of Offers

Veterans Day freebies and deals were available across the United States, with specific mentions of participation in several regions:

Bay Area, California

The San Francisco Bay Area had numerous participating restaurants including Applebee's, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, California Pizza Kitchen, Chili's, and others. The source specifically listed multiple locations in cities such as San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland, and surrounding communities.

Maryland

Restaurants across Maryland participated in Veterans Day promotions, with specific mentions including Applebee's and BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse in the Annapolis area. The source encouraged residents to add additional deals they knew about in the comments section.

Central Virginia

Multiple restaurants in Central Virginia offered Veterans Day deals, including Applebee's, BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse, Bob Evans, Bonefish Grill, Buffalo Wild Wings, Chili's, and California Pizza Kitchen. The source invited readers to submit additional deals not listed.

Nationwide Chains

Many restaurant chains offered promotions at all or most of their locations across the country, including Starbucks, Romano's Macaroni Grill, Fogo de Chao, Boston Market, Hooters, Cracker Barrel, and others.

Conclusion

Veterans Day 2018 provided numerous opportunities for veterans and active-duty military members to receive complimentary meals, discounts, and other tokens of appreciation from businesses across the United States. Restaurant chains ranging from casual dining establishments to specialty restaurants participated in the day of recognition, offering everything from free full meals to appetizers and beverages. While most offers required proof of military service and varied by location, the widespread participation demonstrated the country's appreciation for military service.

The comprehensive list of offers included restaurants spanning multiple cuisines and price points, ensuring that veterans had numerous options for celebrating the day. Additionally, the extension of some offers beyond November 11 allowed service members additional flexibility in choosing when to redeem their benefits. For those planning to take advantage of these offers, preparation through confirming location participation and bringing appropriate documentation was essential to ensure a smooth experience.

As Veterans Day continues to be observed each year, businesses are likely to continue showing their appreciation through similar promotions, though specific offers may vary. Veterans and active-duty members are encouraged to check with their favorite businesses in the weeks leading up to Veterans Day to learn about the latest opportunities for recognition and appreciation.