On The Border And Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals On Veterans Day

Veterans Day has become an important occasion for businesses across the United States to show appreciation for military service members through special offers, discounts, and complimentary meals. Among the many restaurants participating in this tradition is On The Border, which provides a free meal to eligible veterans and active-duty military personnel. This article explores the various Veterans Day freebies available, with a focus on restaurant offers and other benefits extended to those who have served in the armed forces.

On The Border Veterans Day Offer

On The Border participates in honoring military service members by offering a complimentary Choose 2 Combo Meal to active-duty military personnel and veterans on November 11, 2024. To receive this free meal, individuals must present a military ID or proof of military service and dine in at participating locations. The offer is specifically designed for those who have served or are currently serving in the military, making it a tangible way for the restaurant chain to express gratitude for their service.

The Choose 2 Combo typically allows service members to select two items from a designated menu, which may includes options like tacos, enchiladas, or other signature Mexican dishes. While the specific menu items may vary by location, the offer provides a substantial complimentary meal for veterans and active-duty personnel to enjoy on Veterans Day.

It's important to note that this offer is only valid at participating On The Border locations, so service members are encouraged to verify their local restaurant's participation before visiting. Additionally, the offer is limited to dine-in customers and cannot be combined with other promotions unless explicitly stated by the restaurant.

Restaurant Chains Offering Free Meals on Veterans Day

Several major restaurant chains have made Veterans Day an annual tradition of providing complimentary meals to military service members. These offers have become increasingly popular as businesses recognize the importance of honoring those who have served.

Applebee's has demonstrated a particularly long-standing commitment to this tradition, offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military members for the past 18 consecutive years. The restaurant provides select entrées from a limited menu at no cost to service members throughout the day on Veterans Day. This offer is exclusively available for dine-in customers, and participants must present valid military identification to receive their complimentary meal. The entrée options typically include popular choices such as bacon cheeseburgers, top sirloin, shrimp dishes, chicken entrees, pasta, and salads.

Buffalo Wild Wings offers a different approach to its Veterans Day appreciation, providing 10 free boneless wings and an order of regular fries to past and present military members. This offer applies only to dine-in customers at regular Buffalo Wild Wings locations. However, when visiting a Buffalo Wild Wings Go location (their carry-out focused establishments), the offer remains valid for walk-in orders. Service members must show proof of their military service to receive the complimentary appetizer and side dish.

California Pizza Kitchen has established itself as another supporter of military personnel with its Veterans Day offer. The restaurant provides all veterans and active-duty military members with a complimentary beverage and one entrée from a limited menu. Beverage options include Coca-Cola fountain drinks, iced tea, or passion fruit mango unsweetened iced tea. Entrée choices encompass four full-size salads (Original BBQ Chicken Chopped Salad, Thai Crunch, Classic Caesar, or Italian Chopped) and six pizza varieties (Original BBQ Chicken Pizza, Hawaiian, Mushroom Pepperoni Sausage, Pepperoni, and Five Cheese + Fresh). Like other participating restaurants, this offer is valid only for dine-in customers on Veterans Day and requires proof of military service.

Bob Evans joins the list of restaurants honoring service members with free farm-fresh meals for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations. While the specific timing of the offer isn't explicitly mentioned in the provided information, the context suggests it's available on or around Veterans Day. The restaurant's commitment to providing a hearty, complimentary meal demonstrates its appreciation for military service.

Red Robin offers a straightforward Veterans Day appreciation by providing veterans and military members with a free Red's Big Tavern Burger accompanied by fries. This offer is available for dine-in customers on Veterans Day and requires valid military identification. The burger represents one of Red Robin's signature menu items, making it a substantial complimentary offering for service members.

Texas Roadhouse takes a unique approach to its Veterans Day appreciation by providing veterans and military members with a free meal voucher on November 11, 2025. Unlike same-day meal offers, this voucher remains valid for redemption in-restaurant or for carry-out through May 30, 2026, providing flexibility for service members to utilize their complimentary meal at their convenience. The extended validity period allows recipients to plan their visit when it's most convenient for them.

Outback Steakhouse offers a more elaborate complimentary meal option for veterans and active-duty military personnel with its free Aussie 3-course meal available on both November 10 and November 11. This dine-in only promotion provides a complete dining experience, potentially including appetizer, entrée, and dessert options, allowing service members to enjoy a full Australian-themed meal at no cost.

Restaurant Chains Offering Special Discounts

While many restaurants choose to offer complimentary meals, others provide significant discounts as a way to honor military service members on Veterans Day.

Fogo de Chão, a Brazilian steakhouse chain, offers one of the more substantial discounts available to service members. Active-duty military and veterans can receive 50% off Full or Indulgent Churrasco meals from November 7–11 when they present valid military identification. Additionally, the restaurant extends a 10% discount to guests accompanying the service member, making it an attractive option for groups that include veterans or active-duty personnel.

Bombshells Restaurant and Bar provides differentiated offers based on service status. Veterans receive a complimentary meal, while active-duty military members receive 20% off their meal on November 11. This offer is valid at locations in Texas and Colorado for dine-in customers who present a valid military ID. The tiered approach ensures that both veterans currently not serving and active-duty members receive appropriate recognition for their service.

Rubio's, a Mexican food chain, offers veterans a buy-one, get-one-free entrée promotion. To receive this offer, veterans can use the code VETS25 when ordering in-store or online and must present a valid military ID. This BOGO promotion provides flexibility for veterans to enjoy a meal with a companion or save the second entrée for later, depending on their preferences.

Sonny's BBQ requires a bit more planning from service members but offers a valuable reward. Veterans and active-duty military can get a free Pork Big Deal on November 11 by first enrolling in Sonny's Rewards by November 9, 2025, and then showing their Military ID when dining in, picking up, or ordering online. The advance registration requirement ensures that the restaurant can properly prepare for the expected volume of participants while still providing a substantial complimentary meal.

Breakfast and Coffee Chains Participating

Several breakfast and coffee establishments also participate in Veterans Day appreciation, offering complimentary items to service members.

Another Broken Egg Cafe, a breakfast and lunch chain with 90-plus locations across 15 states, provides veterans and active-duty or retired military service members with free Patriot French Toast topped with strawberries, blueberries, and fresh whipped cream, along with house blend coffee. This offer is available for dine-in customers only and is subject to availability while supplies last. The complimentary breakfast item represents a sweet start to Veterans Day for service members.

Bakers Square offers a free 2-2-2 Breakfast to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day. This promotion is particularly flexible as it is valid for dine-in, takeout, and online ordering when customers show valid military identification. The "2-2-2" likely refers to a breakfast combination featuring two of each item, such as two eggs, two pancakes, and two strips of bacon, though the specific composition may vary by location.

Biggby Coffee extends appreciation to veterans by offering a free 16-ounce beverage of their choice on Veterans Day. This offer is available at all Biggby locations, making it accessible to veterans regardless of their geographic location. The complimentary coffee provides a simple yet meaningful gesture of thanks for military service.

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf offers a two-part promotion for military families. On Veterans Day, military families can receive a free drink, and additionally, when they purchase a $25 gift card, they receive a $5 coupon. This offer recognizes both individual service members and their families, providing immediate appreciation along with an ongoing discount for future visits.

Other Businesses and Attractions Offering Freebies

Beyond restaurants, many other businesses and attractions extend special offers to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.

Theme parks and attractions frequently offer free or discounted admission as a way to honor service members. Crayola Experience locations provide free admission to veterans and active-duty military, with varying discounts available for family members depending on the specific location. The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, offers free admission to veterans and active-duty military throughout Veterans Day weekend. Knotts Berry Farm in California provides free admission for veterans and active-duty military during select Military Tribute Days in November and December.

Maine Wildlife Park offers free admission to veterans, active-duty military, and their families on November 11, which coincidentally is also the day the park opens for the season. Six Flags America provides free admission for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day and the following day, with discounted admission available for up to four family members.

Parks and recreational areas also participate in Veterans Day appreciation. Many state parks offer free or discounted admission for veterans and their families on November 11, though specific policies vary by state. Additionally, many states have year-round deals for veterans who are residents, disabled, or former prisoners of war. The National Park Service extends particularly generous benefits, offering free admission to all U.S. national parks and historic sites on November 11 for all visitors, not just military personnel.

Zoos across the country frequently participate in Veterans Day appreciation by offering free admission to veterans and active-duty military, with many also providing discounts or free admission for family members. While specific policies vary by institution, the trend toward recognizing service members with complimentary admission has become widespread in the zoological community.

Tips for Veterans Day Freebies

Service members planning to take advantage of Veterans Day offers should keep several considerations in mind to ensure a smooth experience:

Always bring valid military identification, as this is required for nearly all offers. This includes military ID cards, veteran organization cards, or other official documentation that verifies service status. Restaurants and businesses may accept different forms of proof, so having multiple options available is advisable.

Call ahead to confirm participation and hours, as not all locations within a chain may participate in the promotions. Additionally, some offers may have specific time limitations or availability constraints that aren't advertised nationally. A quick phone call can prevent disappointment and ensure that the desired offer is available.

Be aware of location restrictions, as many offers specify "participating locations only." Some chains may limit offers to certain regions or have franchise-specific policies that differ from the company-wide promotion. Checking the company website or calling the specific location beforehand can clarify these restrictions.

Consider making reservations where possible, particularly for sit-down restaurants that may experience higher-than-normal traffic on Veterans Day. While not all establishments accept reservations, calling ahead to inquire about wait times can help plan the dining experience more effectively.

Keep in mind that some offers require advance registration or enrollment in loyalty programs. For example, Sonny's BBQ requires enrollment in their rewards program before Veterans Day to qualify for the free meal offer. Planning ahead in these cases ensures eligibility for the promotion.

Be prepared for potential crowds, as Veterans Day promotions can be popular among service members. Some restaurants may implement systems to manage the volume of customers seeking complimentary meals, such as dedicated lines or specific time slots for service members.

Conclusion

Veterans Day has become an important occasion for businesses across various industries to express gratitude to those who have served in the armed forces. From complimentary meals at popular restaurant chains to free admission at attractions and parks, the range of benefits available to veterans and active-duty military personnel has expanded significantly in recent years.

On The Border's offer of a free Choose 2 Combo Meal represents one of many ways restaurants are honoring service members on November 11. Alongside establishments like Applebee's, Buffalo Wild Wings, California Pizza Kitchen, and numerous others, these businesses demonstrate appreciation through tangible benefits that service members can enjoy.

The variety of offers available ensures that veterans and active-duty personnel can find options that suit their preferences, whether they're looking for a full meal, a coffee, admission to an attraction, or discounts on retail purchases. These gestures, while seemingly small, collectively demonstrate the nation's gratitude for military service.

For service members, Veterans Day offers provide an opportunity to be recognized and appreciated in meaningful ways. By taking advantage of these promotions and planning ahead, veterans and active-duty personnel can enjoy special benefits while celebrating their service and sacrifice.

As these traditions continue to grow, they serve as an important reminder of the value placed on military service in American society. The widespread participation of businesses in honoring veterans and active-duty personnel on November 11 reflects a collective appreciation that extends beyond a single day, recognizing the ongoing contributions of those who have served.

Sources

1. Veteran.com Veterans Day Discounts
2. Fox News Restaurants Offer Free Veterans Day Meals
3. Military Money Veterans Day Deals
4. Military.com On The Border Veterans Day Discount
5. USA Today Veterans Day Deals 2024