Veterans Day rolls around every November 11, and a whole lot of restaurants, coffee shops and barbershops say thank you the best way they know how: with free stuff. If you served or you're serving now, this is your cheat sheet. We pulled the free meals, free coffee, free haircuts and free park days into one spot, along with who qualifies and what to bring, so you can plan your day without hopping between ten different websites. Know a veteran? Send this their way.
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Last updated: November 10, 2026
Quick heads-up: Almost every offer below is dine-in only, at participating locations, for veterans and active-duty military with proof of service. Drinks, tax and tip usually aren't included, so bring a few bucks for your server.
Free Meals Worth Showing Up Hungry For
Applebee's Free entrée
Pick a free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. Dine-in only, proof of service required, and beverage and tip aren't included. Applebee's free Veterans Day meal
Chili's Free entrée
A free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu at participating Chili's. Dine-in only with ID. Calling your local spot first is a smart move.
Denny's Morning only
A free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon. Dine-in only, and bring a military ID or DD-214. Sleep in too long and you'll miss it.
IHOP 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
A free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo: pancakes with strawberries and blueberries, two eggs, hash browns, and bacon or sausage. Participating locations only, so call ahead.
Red Lobster Free meal
A free Shrimp & Chips meal for veterans, active duty and reservists. Dine-in only, ID required.
Red Robin Free burger
A free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries. Dine-in only, no purchase needed, with a military ID or proof of service. Red Robin free Veterans Day burger
Ruby Tuesday Free meal
A free Everyday Fresh Meal: pick from 13 entrées, plus the Garden Bar and a bottomless drink. Reserve and National Guard members count too. Dine-in only. Ruby Tuesday free Veterans Day meal
Golden Corral 4 p.m. to close
Military Appreciation Night brings a free "thank you" dinner for veterans, active duty, reserves and National Guard. Dine-in only.
Texas Roadhouse Free meal
Free meals for veterans and active military, but details vary by location, so check with yours first. Texas Roadhouse veterans meals
Shake Shack Free burger
A free single ShackBurger, no purchase required. Show a military ID or proof of service in-Shack.
Smashburger Free burger
A free All-American Smashburger for veterans at participating locations. In-store only, ID required.
Outback Steakhouse Nov. 10 and 11
A free Bloomin' Onion plus a Coca-Cola drink or 16 oz. domestic draft beer. Dine-in only. This one runs two days, so you can start a day early.
Free Coffee, Snacks and Something Sweet
Starbucks Free coffee
A free tall (12 oz.) hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members and military spouses at participating stores.
Circle K Free coffee
One free medium hot or iced coffee with a valid military ID, no purchase needed. Handy for a quick stop on the drive.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse Free dessert
A free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie when you dine in, with no minimum purchase, plus a coupon for a free appetizer on a future visit.
Free Haircuts, Park Days and Car Washes
Great Clips Free haircut
A free haircut for veterans and active duty. Anyone getting a cut that day can also ask for a free haircut card to give a veteran. Great Clips free Veterans Day haircut
National Parks Free for everyone
Entrance fees are waived for every visitor on Veterans Day, not just vets, so bring the whole crew. Our national parks free entrance days guide has the full calendar.
Grace for Vets Car Washes Free car wash
Participating car washes across the country wash cars free for veterans and active duty. Grace for Vets free car washes
Worth Knowing: Discounts That Still Save You Money
These aren't freebies, but they're worth a stop if you're already out running errands.
- Publix: 10% off groceries for veterans, active duty and their families, with proof of service.
- Kohl's: 30% off in-store on November 10 and 11 for military, veterans and families, with valid ID.
- Target: 20% off one qualifying purchase through November 11 for verified military members, veterans and families who are Target Circle members. Details are on the Target Circle military discount page.
- Walgreens: 20% off eligible regular-priced items in-store for veterans, active duty and their immediate families.
What to Bring as Proof of Service
A military ID, VA ID card or DD-214 works almost everywhere. Some restaurants also take a veterans organization card (like VFW or American Legion), a current Leave and Earnings Statement, or a photo of you in uniform. Applebee's lists all of these. Toss a backup in your wallet just in case.
Before You Head Out
- "Participating locations" is doing a lot of work on this list. A quick call saves you a wasted trip.
- Free meals are usually for the veteran only. Everyone else at the table pays as usual.
- Lunch rush gets packed on Veterans Day. Going early or mid-afternoon means a shorter wait.
- Tip on what the meal would have cost. Your server is working hard that day.
Offers can change by location. Cards without their own link were confirmed against the VA's official Veterans Day discounts list.
Bottom Line
Between a free Grand Slam at breakfast, a free burger at lunch and a free dinner buffet at night, a veteran could eat free all day and squeeze in a free haircut and a park visit on top. Pick the stops closest to you, grab your ID, and enjoy the thank-you you've earned.
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