2017 Veterans Day Restaurant Specials And Discounts A Guide To Free Meals And Offers

Military.com has compiled a comprehensive list of free or reduced goods and services offered to servicemembers, veterans, and their families by businesses and organizations in honor of Veterans Day. This list is updated as November 11 approaches and includes discounts confirmed through press releases or direct communication with the companies. Most businesses require proof of military service for eligibility, which can include a VA veterans health identification card, military ID, DD-214, or veterans service organization cards from groups such as The American Legion, VFW, DAV, AmVets, MOAA, or FRA. In some cases, a picture of the veteran in uniform may be accepted. It is important to note that not all franchise locations participate in national chain programs, so contacting the nearest establishment is recommended to confirm participation. Additionally, resources for state-specific benefits are available at www.legion.org/veteransbenefits/state.

The following sections detail restaurant specials, travel and recreation discounts, and other offers available during the 2017 Veterans Day period, based on the provided sources.

Restaurant Specials for Veterans and Active Military

Numerous restaurant chains offered free meals, discounts, or special menu items to veterans and active-duty military personnel on November 11, 2017. These offers typically required proof of military service and were valid only at participating locations. The details below are drawn from confirmed sources and include specific terms such as menu restrictions, time limits, and required purchases where applicable.

Free Meals and Entrees

Many restaurants provided complimentary entrees or full meals to eligible individuals. For example: - Applebee’s offered a free meal from a limited menu on November 11 for veterans and active-duty military. - BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse allowed all servicemembers to enjoy a complimentary entree up to $12.95 by presenting a military ID or proof of service on November 10 and 11. - Texas Roadhouse locations nationwide provided a free lunch on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for active duty, retired, or former U.S. military personnel. - Hooters gave veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a select menu at participating locations on November 11. - Logan’s Roadhouse offered a free entree from a special menu on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for veterans and active-duty military. - Mission BBQ provided a free sandwich and a slice of cake on November 11 for veterans and active-duty military. - Native Grill & Wings allowed veterans and active-duty servicemembers to receive any menu item up to $11.99 for free on November 11. - O'Charley's gave veterans and active-duty servicemembers a free $9.99er entree on November 11. - On the Border offered a free combo meal on November 11 to active and retired members of the military. - Outback Steakhouse provided a free Bloomin' Onion and a beverage to all active and retired servicemembers on November 11. Additionally, from November 12 to November 16, military members received 20 percent off their check, and from November 17 onward, 10 percent off. - Red Robin gave veterans and active-duty military a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11. - RibCrib provided a free meal from a special menu on November 11 to veterans and active military personnel. - Rock & Brews offered a complimentary meal on November 11 to veterans and active military personnel. - Ruby’s Diner gave veterans and active-duty military a free Ruby's adult entrée on November 11. - Shari's Cafe and Pies provided a free pancake breakfast all day on November 11 to current and former military. - Shoney's offered a free All You Care To Eat breakfast from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 11 to veterans and active-duty servicemembers. - Sizzler provided a free lunch from a limited menu on November 11 until 4 p.m. for active-duty military and veterans. - Travel Centers of America gave veterans and active military a complimentary meal from a select menu including a beverage on November 11. - Village Inn provided a free Inn-Credible V.I.B. Breakfast on November 11 to veterans and active military personnel. - White Castle offered a free combo meal on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military. - Wienerschnitzel gave veterans and active-duty military a free Chili Dog, small fries, and a small drink on November 11. - Wild Wing Cafe allowed veterans to eat for free from select items on November 11 at participating locations. - World of Beer provided all veterans and current servicemembers a free select draught beer or $5 off their check on November 11. - Yard House offered a complimentary appetizer on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military.

Other free meal offers included: - Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza gave veterans and active military a complimentary small order of meatballs with ricotta cheese on November 11. - Back Yard Burgers provided a free Back Yard Classic Burger on November 11 to active-duty servicemembers and veterans. - Bakers Square offered a free breakfast from a set menu on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military. - Bar Louie gave veterans and active military personnel a free flatbread or burger on November 11. - Bob Evans provided a free meal from a select menu on November 11 to veterans and active military personnel. - Bonanza Steakhouses offered a free buffet on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military. - Burntwood Tavern gave veterans and active military a free lunch or dinner on November 11. - Calhoun's provided a free meal on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military. - Hickory Tavern offered 50 percent off food and non-alcoholic beverages from a fixed menu on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military. - Houlihan's gave active military and veterans one free entrée from a select menu on November 11. - Hy-Vee provided a free breakfast buffet on November 11 to veterans and active-duty military members. - IHOP offered free Red, White and Blue pancakes on November 10 at participating restaurants for veterans and active-duty military. - JJ’s Red Hots gave veterans and active duty a free meal including unlimited hot dogs, sausages, sides, and non-alcoholic drinks all day on November 11. - Krystal provided a free sausage biscuit to each person presenting a military ID from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m. on November 11 at participating locations. - Little Caesars gave veterans and active military members a free $5 Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. - Lucille's Smokehouse BBQ offered 20 percent off during November for active-duty and veteran military personnel, plus a complimentary dessert on Veterans Day. - Margaritas Mexican Restaurant provided two complimentary entrees on November 11—one for the veteran and one for their significant other—at participating locations. - Max & Erma's offered a free Best Cheeseburger in America on November 11 at participating locations for veterans and active military personnel. - McCormick & Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants gave veterans and Gold Star honorees (parents and spouse) a free entrée from a special menu on November 5. - Menchie's provided the first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt for free on November 11 to veterans and active military personnel. - Mimi’s Cafe allowed veterans or active-duty military personnel to select from a special menu for free on November 11, with a drink purchase required. - Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub offered a free meal with purchase of an entree on November 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. for veterans and active military. - Quaker Steak & Lube gave veterans and current servicemembers a complimentary or discounted meal of their choice on November 11. - Red Hot & Blue provided a free entrée with purchase of a second entrée and two drinks on November 11 to veterans, requiring a coupon. - Red Lobster offered a free appetizer or dessert from a limited menu on November 11 to veterans, active-duty military, and reservists. - Ruby Tuesday gave veterans, active-duty, and reserve servicemembers a free appetizer on November 11. - Spaghetti Warehouse provided a buy one entrée, get the second entrée free offer from November 10 through November 12, requiring a coupon. - Tap House Grill offered a complimentary meal on November 11 to active, inactive, and retired military personnel.

Other Discounts and Special Offers

Some establishments provided discounts rather than fully free items: - Black Angus Steakhouse gave veterans and active-duty military an 8 oz. Top Sirloin steak dinner with mashed potatoes and broccoli for a discounted price on November 11. - Bruegger's Bagels offered a free small drip coffee on November 11 at participating locations to veterans and active-duty military members. - Pancho's Mexican Restaurant provided a 25 percent discount on the bill (excluding alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages) on Saturday, November 11, and Monday, November 13, for veterans and active-duty servicemembers.

Travel and Recreation Discounts

In addition to restaurant specials, various travel and recreation venues offered free or discounted admission and services for Veterans Day 2017. These offers were available during specific dates and often included additional benefits for family members.

• 9/11 Memorial and Museum provided free museum admission and half-price tickets for up to two family members from November 8 to November 12 for veterans.
• Aquarium of the Pacific gave free admission on November 11 to veterans and military personnel.
• Army Corps of Engineers Recreation Areas offered details on benefits, though specific offers were not fully detailed in the provided sources.

Other recreation discounts included general access to facilities and events, with eligibility tied to proof of military service.

General Guidelines for Accessing Offers

To redeem these offers, individuals typically needed to present valid proof of military service. Accepted forms included VA veterans health identification cards, military IDs, DD-214 forms, or veterans service organization cards. Some businesses accepted photos of the veteran in uniform. Participation varied by location, so verification with local establishments was essential. The list from Military.com was dynamic and subject to updates as Veterans Day approached.

Conclusion

The 2017 Veterans Day promotions included a wide array of free meals, discounts, and special offers from restaurants and recreation venues across the United States. These initiatives honored servicemembers and veterans through verified, company-confirmed programs, with eligibility requiring standard military documentation. Consumers were advised to confirm local participation and review specific terms for each offer.

Sources

1. Military.com Veterans Day 2017 List