Veterans Day 2024: What restaurants offer freebies, free meals or deals near me?

This story has been updated to correct a previous version.

Like most of the country on Monday, restaurants across California will honor those who have served the U.S. military on Veterans Day. For many, that means free meals.

There are a plethora of options available on Nov. 11.

Some of the offers are extended to current military personnel and most require proof of service, such as a military ID.

Here's what you need to know:

Is Applebee's giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Applebee's is offering veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a specific menu on Veterans Day. A valid military ID or proof of service is required. Veterans also receive a $5 card to redeem for a meal to use within three weeks. Menu options include:

• Classic bacon cheeseburger

• Oriental chicken salad and three-cheese chicken penne

Veterans Day deal: You can visit any of California’s 9 national parks for free

Is BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

BJ's Restaurant is offering a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie for current and former military members with valid proof of service. Dine-in only. Additionally, a free appetizer coupon will be issued for their next visit.

Is Black Angus Steakhouse giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Black Angus Steakhouse is offering a free steak dinner all day Monday, Nov .11. Al veterans and active military members receive a free 6-ounce top sirloin steak paired with home-style mashed potatoes and broccoli drizzled with garlic butter. Available on all in-house and takeout orders. Valid military ID required.

Is Blaze Pizza offering Veterans Day 2024 freebies or deals?

Blaze Pizza is partnering will host a fundraiser on Nov. 11 to benefit Folds of Honor. Twenty percent of sales on Veterans Day will be donated to the organization dedicated to providing educational scholarships to the spouses and children of America's fallen or disabled service members and first responders.

Is Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. giving free meals or discounts for Veterans Day 2024?

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is offering veterans a 20% discount off their meal on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Proof of service required.

Is Buffalo Wild Wings giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for veterans and active military. Offer is for dine-in only with valid ID and walk-in counter orders at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations. The store also offers a daily 15% discount for veterans on all dine-in and cal-in orders.

Is California Pizza Kitchen giving free meals on Veterans Day 2024?

California Pizza Kitchen is giving veterans and active duty service members a complimentary entrée and drink from a prix fixe menu when dining in on Monday, Nov. 11.

Is Chick-Fil-A giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Chick-Fil-A is offering a free entree to veterans and active military. Customers can choose from a free Original Chick-Fil-a Chicken Biscuit for breakfast or a free Original Chick-Fil-A Chicken Sandwich for lunch or dinner on Nov. 11 at participating locations. Proof of service required.

Is Chili's giving away free meals on Veterans Day 2024?

Chili's is offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal at Chili's Grill & Bar on Nov. 11. A valid military ID or proof of service is required. Dine-in only. Offer may extend to spouses and dependents but be aware that it might vary by location.

Is Denny's offering free meal deals for Veterans Day 2024?

Denny's is offering veterans and active duty military personnel a free Original Grand Slam on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to noon. Proof of service required.

Is Dunkin' offering any freebies, meal deals or discounts on Veterans Day 2024?

Dunkin' is offering all active and retired military a free doughnut of choice while supplies last in-store only. The offer is not available for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.

Is Famous Dave's giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Famous Dave's is offering veterans and active military a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and choice of side on Nov. 11 at all locations for dine-In, to go and online ordering. Limit one per veteran with valid ID.

Is Farmer Boys giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Farmer Boys is offering a free Big Cheese burger to all veterans and active duty military personnel. Proof of service required.

Is Golden Corral giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Golden Corral will offer a free meal to active and former military personnel from 4 p.m. to close on Nov. 11 during Military Appreciation Night.

Is IHOP giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

IHOP is giving veterans and active-duty military a free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Nov. 11. Dine-in only at participating restaurants. Military ID required.

Is In-N-Out Burger giving away freebies or free meal deals for Veteran Day 2024?

In-N-Out Burger is offering veterans, active-duty military, reserves and National Guard members a complimentary meal including any burger, fries and beverage on the menu on Nov. 11. Proof of military service required.

Is Little Caesars giving freebies or free meal deals for Veterans Day 2024?

Little Caesars is offering veterans and active-duty military a complimentary Lunch Combo consisting of four slices of Little Caesars signature Detroit-style Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce beverage from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11. Proof of service required.

Does McDonald’s offer any Veterans Day 2024 freebies?

McDonald’s restaurants in Indiana will offer a free meal to current and former military members with a valid military ID all day on Nov. 11.  The offer includes a choice of a free Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit meal, including a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee for breakfast; or a free Double Cheeseburger, 6-piece McNugget, or Filet-O-Fish sandwich with a small fry and any size soft drink, tea or coffee for lunch or dinner. The offer is only available via dine-in or drive-through.

Is Olive Garden giving free meals or discounts for Veterans Day 2024?

Olive Garden is giving a complimentary entrée from a special menu on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Proof of service required.

Is Outback Steakhouse giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Outback Steakhouse is providing active-duty military and veterans a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage with the purchase of an adult entree on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Military ID required.

Does Red Lobster give free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Red Lobster is offering a free Shrimp and Chips to veterans and active-duty military members with proof of service. Meal includes six Walt’s Shrimp, fries and coleslaw plus a beverage. Tax and gratuity are not included. No substitutions or modifications permitted.

Is Red Robin giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Red Robin is giving veterans and active-duty military a complimentary Red's Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side at participating restaurants on Nov. 11. Dine-in only. Proof of service required.

Is Sizzler giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

Sizzler is giving a free lunch to any active-duty military or veteran from open until 4 p.m. Nov. 11. Dine-in only at participating locations. Proof of service required. Entree options include:

Is Sonic offering any freebies, free meals or discounts for Veterans Day 2024?

Sonic is offering guests half price milkshakes on Nov. 11 in any size or flavor, including both Classic and Master Shakes.

Is Starbucks giving freebies, meal deals or discounts for Veterans Day 2024?

Starbucks is honoring veterans, active military and their spouses with a free tall brewed coffee − hot or iced − on Nov. 11. Valid at participating U.S. stores and licensed locations. Proof of service required.

Is Texas Roadhouse giving free meals on Veterans Day 2024?

Veterans and active U.S. military personnel can pick up a voucher for a free meal at Texas Roadhouse on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of service is required. The vouchers can be redeemed through May 31, 2025, for one of 10 entrees, including a six-ounce sirloin, and two made-from-scratch sides, plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/iced tea or coffee.

Is TGI Fridays giving free meals for Veterans Day 2024?

TGI Fridays is giving veterans and active-duty military personnel a free meal off a select menu from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 11. Valid Military ID required.

Does Wendy's offer any freebies or meal deals for Veterans Day 2024?

Wendy's is offering a free breakfast combo during its breakfast service hours. No purchase required. Combos come with a small order of seasoned potatoes and a drink. Entree options include:

• Sausage egg and cheese English muffin

• Honey Buddy chicken biscuit combo

What is Veterans Day?

Veterans Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

When is Veterans Day 2024?

Veterans Day is observed every year on Nov. 11. In 2024, Veterans Day falls on a Monday.

What’s the difference between Veterans Day and Memorial Day?

Memorial Day is a holiday the last Monday in May. While Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans, Memorial Day specifically honors those who died while in military service.

What is a missing man table?

A missing man table, sometimes called a fallen soldier table, is a memorial set up during dining functions to honor fallen, missing, or imprisoned military service members.

Contact IndyStar-Midwest Connect Gannett reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X: @cherylvjackson.

Chris Sims is a digital content producer at Midwest Connect Gannett. Follow him on Twitter: @ChrisFSims.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 2024 Veterans Day free meals near me: Where to find freebies, deals