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hamburger and soda
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Nov. 11 is Veterans Day, a time to honor former military members. Though there’s little that can make up for the sacrifices made by many veterans and their families, many fast-food and chain restaurants offer free meals to veterans. Many establishments require proof of service, so don’t forget it if you plan on hitting up any of these restaurants for a Veterans Day deal.

Related17 Veterans Benefits You Don’t Want To Miss

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit

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Veterans get a free pulled pork sandwich all day on Nov. 11 by ordering online or through the app with code VETFREE.

Smashburger

Indianapolis, US - December 28, 2016: Smashburger Fast Casual Restaurant Location. Smashburger is part of Jollibee Foods II
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All veterans and service members can get a free burger or sandwich on Nov. 11 when they order in-store. Not all locations are participating, so check Smashburger’s list before you go.

Applebee’s

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Vets, active-duty military personnel, reservists, and National Guard members get choice of one of seven free full-size entrees on Nov. 11. They also get a $5 gift card that can be used through Dec. 2. 

Cici’s Pizza

Statesville, NC, USA-June 19, 2019: A local Cicis Beyond Pizza restaurant, with customers entering the building.
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Vets and active-duty members get a free adult buffet on Nov. 11, not including a drink. 

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

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Current and former military personnel get a free meal from a set menu on Nov. 11, and thanks to a partnership with Dr. Pepper, a free Dr. Pepper beverage is included. 

Buffalo Wild Wings

Crystal, Minnesota - July 21, 2019: Exterior of a Buffalo Wild Wings chain restaurant. Also known as B-Dubs, this dine-in establishment sells chicken wings and pub food
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Vets and active-duty military members can get an order of 10 boneless wings and fries for free on Nov. 11. How hot can you handle it?

California Pizza Kitchen

Beverly Hills, CA, USA - July 2, 2015: The trendy California Pizza Kitchen restaurant in Beverly Hills California
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Active-duty and retired military members get a free pizza, salad, or pasta dish and a fee drink on Veterans Day. Plus, they get a buy one, get one free voucher that’s good through Nov. 21. 

Johnny Rockets

Johnny Rockets Burger Restaurant in Los Angeles - LOS ANGELES - CALIFORNIA
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Score a free burger as a veteran or active-duty member on Nov. 11. 

Dunkin’

Dunkin'
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Vets and active-duty members get a free doughnut of their choice on Nov. 11. The hardest part may be deciding between jelly-filled and blueberry cake doughnuts.

Golden Corral

sign of Golden Corral, Fort Wayne, Indiana in foreground with resturant and parking in the background
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On Monday, Nov. 14, veterans and active-duty members can get a free dine-in buffet and beverage after 5 p.m. with no military ID required. 

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme by BrockenSphere ((CC BY-SA))

Veterans get a doughnut of their choice along with a small brewed hot or iced coffee for free on Nov. 11. 

Wendy’s

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Veterans and active-duty members get a free breakfast combo from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Nov. 11. 

Olive Garden

Olive Garden restaurant exterior in Humble, TX
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Choose from one of five free entrees if you’re a vet or active-duty military member on Nov. 11. Options include spaghetti and meatballs, chicken parmigiana, cheese ravioli, fettuccini alfredo, or Olive Garden’s never-ending soup, salad, and breadsticks. 

Red Robin

Red Robin Gourmet burgers restaurant with sign, photographed in San Jose, California on boxing day.
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Vets and active-duty military personnel get a free Red’s Tavern double burger along with the chain’s signature bottomless steak fries when they dine in on Nov. 11.

Texas Roadhouse

Indianapolis, U.S. - March 2, 2016: Indianapolis - Texas Roadhouse Restaurant Location. Texas Roadhouse is a Legendary Steak Restaurant II
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Active-duty military personnel and veterans get a free meal voucher good through May 30. Just show up at any of the chain’s locations between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Nov. 11 to get yours — no purchase necessary. 

Little Caesars

Noblesville - Circa January 2021: Little Caesars Pizza Franchise. Little Caesars is a Carry-Out Chain Featuring Pizza and Wings.
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From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., vets and military personnel can grab a free lunch combo on Veterans Day that includes four slices of deep dish pizza and a bottle of soda.

White Castle

White Castle
The White Castle restaurant at Queens Boulevard and 57th Avenue near Queens Center in Elmhurst, Queens. by Tdorante10 ((CC BY-SA))

Vets and active-duty military members get a free combo meal on Nov. 11 when they dine in, including breakfast combos if you head over in the morning. 

Hy-Vee

Hy-Vee Omaha, NE
James G. / Yelp

This Midwest-based grocery store chain is offering a free breakfast buffet 6-10 a.m. on Nov. 11. Plus, vets and active-duty military members get 15% off grocery purchases, so plan to stock up. The buffet and discount are available at all locations. 

Meet the Writer

Lacey Muszynski is a staff writer at Cheapism covering food, travel, and more. She has over 15 years of writing and editing experience, and her restaurant reviews and recipes have previously appeared in Serious Eats, Thrillist, and countless publications in her home state of Wisconsin.