Maryland Freebies Restaurant Deals Veterans Discounts And Special Offers

Nov. 25, 2025, 10:41 a.m.

Maryland residents and visitors have access to a variety of freebies, discounts, and special offers throughout the year. These include free meals for military personnel on Veterans Day, regular weekly food promotions, special support programs for federal workers during government shutdowns, and numerous restaurant deals across the state. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the current freebies available in Maryland, including eligibility requirements, participating locations, and instructions for accessing these offers.

Veterans Day Free Meals and Discounts

Veterans Day, observed annually on November 11, is particularly well-supported in Maryland with numerous restaurants offering complimentary meals and special discounts to veterans and active-duty military personnel. Most offers require presentation of a military ID or proof of veteran status.

Applebee's provides all active-duty military, veterans, reserves, and National Guard members with a free, full-sized entrée from an exclusive menu.

Bob Evans offers veterans and active members a complimentary meal from a select menu that includes classic breakfast items, buttermilk hotcakes, sausage gravy, and biscuits for dine-in customers.

Chili's Grill & Bar locations throughout Maryland extend free meals to veterans and service members on Veterans Day specifically.

Chipotle provides a second entree free after purchasing a first from 4 to 8 p.m. on Veterans Day for veterans and active-duty military personnel.

Cracker Barrel offers Sunrise Pancake Specials, featuring pancakes, eggs and breakfast meat, free of charge for current and retired service members.

Additional Veterans Day offers available in Maryland include: - Free classic sandwich for veterans at Maryland and Pennsylvania locations (specific restaurant not identified) - RA Sushi offering a free shareable meal, dine-in only, for Veterans and active-duty military - Red Lobster providing a free appetizer or dessert for Veterans - Roy Rogers offering a free Uncle Ralph's brownie with any purchase for Veterans at participating locations - Shoney's providing free all-you-care-to-eat breakfast until 11 am for Veterans and active-duty military - Smoothie King giving a free 20-ounce smoothie for Veterans & active-duty military from 12 pm to 3 pm - Starbucks offering a free tall 12 ounce hot-brewed coffee for Veterans, active-duty military, reservists, and military spouses - TCBY providing the first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt free for Veterans and active-duty military - Texas Roadhouse giving a free meal voucher for Veterans from 11 am-2 pm - TravelCenters of America offering a free meal for Veterans and active-duty military at participating locations - Uno's Pizzeria & Grill providing a free entrée or individual pizza with the purchase of a second meal of equal or greater value for Veterans and active-duty military - Wendy's offering a free small breakfast combo, no purchase necessary, for Veterans and active-duty military - White Castle giving a free breakfast combo or Castle Combo 1 to 6 for Veterans and active-duty military

Dave & Buster's in Baltimore City and Anne Arundel, Montgomery and Prince George's counties allows military members, veterans, and first responders to enjoy the adult play center as a way of honoring their service.

Regular Weekly Freebies and Promotions

Maryland residents can enjoy regular weekly freebies and promotions throughout the year at various restaurant chains and establishments.

Arby's offers free medium fries every day in August when customers place a $10 order online and pick it up in-store. Participation requires being an Arby's Rewards member or signing up for one.

Krispy Kreme provides a complimentary original glazed doughnut on August 9 at their Maryland locations.

McDonald's implements "Free Fries Friday" every Friday throughout the year, offering free medium fries with any purchase of $1 or more when ordered through the McDonald's app.

Corner Bakery celebrates World Smile Day on October 3 with complimentary coffee with any purchase and a free Funfetti Bundt Bite. The first 20 guests at each location receive a free Smiley Mug and free coffee for a year, with no purchase necessary for these special items.

MyPanera members can obtain a free bakery treat when they place a minimum order for delivery through November 16, with additional daily deals available for members during this period.

Uniqlo's grand reopening at Tysons Corner Center includes freebies each day from November 14-19, such as free goodie bags and free breakfast for early shoppers, as well as free Japanese Taiko drum performances.

Corner Bakery also features a special deal for National Bundt Cake Day on November 15, where customers buy one Baby Bundt or Bundt Bite and receive one free at participating shops while supplies last.

Federal Worker Support During Shutdowns

During government shutdowns, Montgomery County has expanded support for federal workers with various freebies and discounts to help those facing financial difficulties.

Government and county support initiatives include: - A zero-interest loan program offering $700 interest-free loans to furloughed or unpaid federal employees through the State of Maryland's Resources for Federal Workers initiative - Unemployment assistance through the Maryland Department of Labor's Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) program - Eviction and foreclosure protection for federal workers who cannot pay rent or mortgages during the shutdown, provided they meet eligibility criteria - Utility relief through the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC Water), which waives late fees and halts service shutoffs for affected federal workers - Career support through the county's Mobilize Montgomery program, which connects furloughed employees with temporary job opportunities and coaching services

Restaurant offers specifically for federal workers during shutdowns include: - RASA (Rockville) offering $10 "Shutdown Bowls" for federal employees with valid identification - Taco Bamba (Rockville & Gaithersburg) providing buy one, get one free tacos for federal workers - Matchbox Restaurants (Bethesda & Rockville) offering 20% off dine-in meals for government employees during the shutdown period

Restaurant Special Offers and Deals

Beyond Veterans Day and shutdown-specific offers, Maryland restaurants regularly feature special promotions and freebies throughout the year.

Carvel offers a free small soft serve with the purchase of $25 in gift cards between August 18 and 31, and buy one get one free soft serve sundaes on August 20 in Carvel stores.

The DRIPBaR in Georgetown provides 50% off the first IV drip and a complimentary B12 shot for visits booked before October 11 at their newest location.

National Harbor features a 60-foot-tall holiday tree with nightly light and sound shows every half hour from sunset until 9 p.m. through December 27, plus additional fireworks displays on Saturday nights.

The first 100 people in line for the grand opening of a new Chicken Salad Chick restaurant on Elden St. in Herndon receive complimentary items on November 18, with giveaways available with purchase for early visitors November 19-22.

Wizards fans can access free food promotions through the Chick-fil-A app, though specific details of these offers are not provided in the source materials.

How to Access These Freebies

To maximize the available freebies and discounts in Maryland, residents and visitors should follow these guidelines:

For military and veteran offers: Bring appropriate identification (military ID or proof of veteran status) to participating locations on the specified dates. Participation may vary by location, so calling ahead is recommended.
For restaurant rewards programs: Sign up for membership programs like Arby's Rewards or MyPanera to access exclusive offers and promotions. These programs often provide additional benefits beyond the freebies.
For federal worker discounts: Present valid federal employee identification at participating establishments during government shutdown periods or designated discount days.
For limited-time promotions: Check with individual locations for participation details and availability, as franchise participation may vary. This is particularly important for chain restaurants where local ownership may determine offer participation.
For app-based offers: Download relevant restaurant apps (McDonald's, Chick-fil-A) and enable notifications to receive information about special promotions and limited-time offers.
For seasonal events: Plan visits to special events like National Harbor's holiday light shows or grand openings to take advantage of complimentary items and giveaways.
For tax-free shopping opportunities: Take advantage of Maryland's Tax-Free Week (August 10-16) when no sales tax is charged on clothing and shoes priced at $100 or less, with the first $40 of backpacks and bookbags also tax-free.
For back-to-school promotions: Utilize special offers like those from Instacart, which provided different free items daily from August 11-17 aimed at students heading back to class, requiring only a minimum $10 purchase for delivery.

Conclusion

Maryland offers a diverse array of freebies and discounts throughout the year, with particular emphasis on supporting military personnel and veterans on Veterans Day, providing assistance to federal workers during government shutdowns, and offering regular promotions to customers of various restaurant chains. These opportunities range from complimentary meals and food items to special discounts and support services during challenging times. By staying informed about these offers, bringing appropriate identification when required, and signing up for relevant rewards programs, Maryland residents and visitors can maximize their access to these valuable benefits. Participation may vary by location, so verifying with individual establishments before visiting is always recommended.