Freebies to Thank Our Veterans

The Veterans Day Free Meals 2014 list you'll find below includes all the popular restaurants and other retailers that are giving away free meals and other discounts to veterans on Veterans Day (Tuesday, November 11, 2014). Please read through the Veterans Day Free Meals FAQ for important information you need to know before getting your free meal, like military qualifications, restaurant participation details, and lots more.

Stop into a participating Applebee's on Tuesday, November 11, to get your Veterans day free meal. You'll be able to choose a meal from a limited Veterans Day menu that includes steak, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salad, pasta, chicken, and shrimp. You can see the complete menu by using the link above. This deal is dine-in only and beverages and gratuity are not included. You'll need to bring in one proof of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Service ID card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings statement, photograph in uniform, be wearing your uniform, a veterans organization card such as American Legion or VFW, or a DD214. Find an Applebee's near you and call ahead to find out if they are participating in the Veterans Day free meal.

California Pizza Kitchen is having a Veterans Day free meal as well and both veterans and those in active military duty can take advantage. Stop by your local California Pizza Kitchen on Tuesday, November 11, to choose a pizza, full size salad, or pasta from the special Veterans Day Menu when you dine-in. You'll need come in uniform or bring your military ID or another proof of service.

Bob Evans Restaurants invite veterans and active military personnel to stop into a Bob Evans location and receive free all you can eat hotcakes on Tuesday, November 11. You'll need to bring proof of military service to get your Veterans Day free meal.

Carrabba’s invites veterans or active military members to stop by a Carrabba's near you and get a free appetizer of your choice on Tuesday, November 11. There's no purchase necessary or coupon required, and you'll need to bring military ID or come in your uniform.

Visit a participating Chili's on Tuesday, November 11, to get your Veterans Day free meal if you are a veteran or on active military duty. You'll need to show proof of military service to get your Veterans Day free meal. Find a Chili's near you so you can stop in and get your free meal.

Einstein Bros Bagels invites veterans to stop by their local Einstein Bros Bagels on Tuesday, November 11, and get a free coffee. No purchase is required to get the free coffee, but you do need to show military ID.

On Monday, November 17, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Golden Corral will be giving out Veterans Day free meals and a beverage to any person who has ever served in the U.S. military or is on current active duty. This includes retirees, veterans, National Guard or Reserves. All Golden Corral locations will be participating and no identification is required to get your free dinner buffet and beverage. Over the last 13 years, Golden Corral served over 4.1 million veterans a Veterans Day free meal!

Hurricane Grill & Wings invites veterans and active duty military personnel to enjoy a Veterans Day free meal at a participating Hurricane Grill & Wings on Tuesday, November 11. Items available on the menu include Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad, 10 Wings, Fish & Chips, Chicken Sandwich (Crispy or Grilled), Burger Sliders, Pulled Pork Quesadilla, and a non-alcoholic beverage.

Veterans can start their Veterans Day off with a free breakfast at Krispy Kreme that includes a doughnut and a small coffee. No purchase is necessary. Find a Krispy Kreme near you to take advantage of this Veterans Day freebie, but be sure to call to see if yours is participating.

Longhorn Steakhouse is giving away free Texas Tonions and non-alcoholic beverages to veterans who stop into their local Longhorn Steakhouse on Tuesday, November 11. You'll need to bring proof of service with you for this freebie such as wearing your uniform or showing Military ID.

Menchie's will be giving out free 6 oz. cups of frozen yogurt to veterans and active duty military all day on Veterans Day. You'll need to show military ID or dress in uniform to receive this Veterans Day freebie. Find out where a Menchie's is near you to take advantage of this offer.

Stop into any Outback Steakhouse on November 11, to get a free Bloomin' Onion and beverage. This offer is for veterans as well as active duty and retired military as long as a uniform is worn or a military ID is shown. Outback Steakhouse is also giving out a military discount of 15% off the total check November 12 to December 31, 2014. Find an Outback Steakhouse near you to get your Veterans Day free meal.

Red Lobster invites active duty military, reserve, and military veterans can stop by Red Lobster and get a free appetizer Monday, November 10 through Thursday, November 13. They get to choose from Sweet Chili Shrimp, Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Lobster-Artichoke-and-Seafood Dip, Lobster-Crab-and-Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms, Lobster Pizza, Chilled Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail, Crispy Calamari and Vegetables, Mozzarella Cheesesticks, White-Wine-and-Roasted-Garlic-Mussels, and Shrimp Nachos.

Participating Shoney's will be having a Veterans Day free meal in 2014 that consists of a free All-American Burger. This is for veterans as well as active duty military while supplies last. Proof of military service is required and it's for dine-in only. Find a Shoney's near you.

Participating Sizzlers will be serving veterans and active military members a Veterans Day free meal until 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 11. You'll get to choose from a 6 oz. Steak, single Malibu Chicken, or half dozen Fried Shrimp entree with a choice of a side dish. Individuals will also receive a free coffee, tea, or fountain drink. Bring proof of service such as your U.S. military-issue or veterans group ID card, a photograph of yourself in uniform, or wear your uniform to your local Sizzlers.

Starbucks will be giving out free tall brewed coffees to veterans, active duty military, and their spouses on Veterans Day. Call ahead to make sure your local Starbucks is participating.

There are lots of other freebies besides free food that veterans can get this Veterans Day.

·         Free Haircuts at Great Clips - Veterans and active/inactive/retired military members can stop into Great Clips on Tuesday, November 11, and get a free haircut or pickup a free haircut card to use before the end of the year. Anyone can stop in to get their haircut and receive a free haircut card that they can give to a veteran.

·         Free Haircuts at Sports Clips - Veterans and active duty U.S. service members can stop in on Tuesday, November 11, to get a free haircut.

·         Free Entrance Into National Parks - This freebie is in honor of Veterans Day but everyone can take part in it. Over 100 national parks will waive admission fees on November 11, 2014 in honor of Veterans Day.

Here are some additional Veterans Day discounts:

Home Depot 10% Veterans Day Discount - Home Depot is branching their military discount out to include all veterans for Veterans Day. Veterans can save 10% off any purchase.

Dollar General 11% Veterans Day Discount - Veterans, active military members, and their families will get 11% off their in-store or online purchase at Dollar General on Veterans Day.

JCPenney 20% Discount - JCPenney will give anyone with a military ID or proof of service 20% off their purchases November 3-15, in-store only.

Lowe's 10% Military Discount - Lowe's has a 10% military discount for current, retired, and VA members. This also applies to immediate family.

Discounts for Florida attractions include:

Busch Gardens Veterans Discount – Tampa, FL
Veterans get 50% off tickets now through November 11, 2014 and must be used by December 21, 2014. Active Duty military members who already used their free admission for the year can also get 50% off tickets.

LEGOLAND Florida Resort Free Admission Days – Winter Haven, FL
LEGOLAND Florida Resort offers free admission to military veterans leading up to Thanksgiving. From November 1-23, veterans will receive free admission to LEGOLAND Florida, along with 50 percent off tickets for up to six accompanying guests.

Lowry Park Zoo – Tampa, FL
Active-duty and veterans are entitled to free zoo admission on Tuesday, November 11, 9:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.

Naples Zoo – Naples, FL
November 8-11: Veterans Day Weekend free admission to all active and prior service military personnel. Military service members receive free admission at the zoo’s ticket box by presenting military identification or a veteran’s organization member card and matching name photo ID. Plus, the service member’s spouse and children in the party receive $2 off regular zoo admission during the weekend.

SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment  – Orlando, FL

Veterans get 50% off tickets now through November 11, 2014 and must be used by December 21, 2014. Active duty military members who already used their free admission for the year can also get 50% off tickets.