How To: The Veterans Day Guide to Free Food & Discounted Deals for November 11, 2014

Attention all veterans and active-duty military personnel—this coming Tuesday, November 11th, is Veterans Day, that time of year where the whole country thanks us for our service. For the most part, a simple thanks will do, but some folks like to go above and beyond and give us veterans free or discounted meals and discounts on merchandise in stores.

In the past, I've tried Applebee's more than a few times on Veterans Day, but there was always a huge line. In some cases, I never even got in. There are just so many Applebee's located right outside of military bases, I imagine it's nostalgic to pick that place for your holiday dinner.

However, that one time they didn't have room for me, I went to Olive Garden and they went above and beyond their listed deal, giving me and my girlfriend free meals, along with a $20 gift card for my next visit. Simply awesome. Your mileage may vary.

So, choose wisely. Or, choose them all if you have the stomach. Just be careful of crowds and when you actually go—dinner will always be the busiest. Let me know if I missed any below and I'll add 'em to my list.

Requirements for Any of These Deals

No one will probably give you any free food or deals without showing actual proof that you were or still are in the military, so make sure to bring one of the following as proof.

Active-Duty

• U.S. Uniformed Services ID Card
• Current LES (Leave & Earnings Statement)
• Wear your uniform in

Veterans

• U.S. Uniformed Services Retired ID Card
• Veterans organization card (e.g. American Legion, VFW)
• Veteran Affairs Health ID Card (VHIC)
• DD214 and any government-issued ID with your name and face

Other possible proofs

• Photograph of you in service or in uniform
• Citation or commendation

Now, let's get to the fun stuff. Just remember to call to confirm the deals in your area, or to make reservations if necessary.

Veterans Day Food Deals

Here's a complete list (in alphabetical order) of all of the restaurants and food/drink shops offering freebies or discounts. All deals apply to both active-duty military members and veterans old and new, and are for U.S. businesses only (unless otherwise noted).

Deals with official statements will have "details" links, and any word-of-mouth deals will remain "unconfirmed" until official statements are released.

• Ameristar Casino: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free breakfast, lunch, or dinner buffet - deals and hours vary (click for details)

• Applebee's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free "signature entrée" from a limited menu - dine-in only (click for details)

• Applebee's Canada: Tuesday, 11/11 - Canadian forces personnel get a free "signature entrée" in Canada for Remembrance Day - dine-in only (click for details)

• Bar Louie: Monday, 11/10 + Tuesday, 11/11 - Free meal up to $12 from their full menu (click for details)

• BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free entrée valued up to $9.95 (unconfirmed)

• Bob Evans: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free all-you-can-eat hotcakes (click for details)

• Boston Market: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free dessert for anyone with a purchase of an individual meal (click for coupon)

• California Pizza Kitchen: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free pizza, salad, or pasta entrée from a limited menu (click for details)

• Carrabba's Italian Grill: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free appetizer (unconfirmed)

• Champp's Americana: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free burger and fries (unconfirmed)

• Charlie Brown's Steakhouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - Eat free (unconfirmed)

• Cheeseburger in Paradise: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free all-American burger with the purchase of a $1.99 beverage - dine-in only (click for details)

• Chili's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free select entrée - dine-in only (unconfirmed)

• Claim Jumper: Monday, 11/10 - Free entrée from a special 10-item menu - dine-in only (click for details)

• Denny's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free "Build Your Own Grand Slam" breakfast from 5AM to 12PM (click for details)

• Einstein Bros. Bagels: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free bagel and cream cheese shmear (or other topping) from 5:30AM to 5PM (unconfirmed)

• Famous Dave's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free meal (one meat, a corn muffin, and side) from 11Am to 4:30PM - dine-in only (click for details)

• Fatz Eatz and Drinkz: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free entrée up to $15, plus a $2 coupon for your next visit - dine-in only (unconfirmed)

• Friendly's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free breakfast and coffee during breakfast hours (unconfirmed)

• Golden Corral: Monday, 11/17 - Free dinner buffet and drink from 5PM to 9PM - dine-in only (click for details; videos here and here)

• Hooters: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free meal up to $10.99 with a drink purchase - dine-in only (click for details)

• Hoss's Family Steak & Sea House: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free meal with their soup, salad, and dessert bar with a free beverage from 11AM to 9PM - dine-in only (unconfirmed)

• IHOP: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free red, white, and blue pancakes (some locations are also offering free eggs, bacon and hashed browns with it) from 7AM to 7PM (click for details)

• Krispy Kreme: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free doughnut (any variety) and small coffee - in-store only (click for details)

• Little Caesars: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free order of Crazy Bread (unconfirmed)

• Lodge Casino: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free buffet meal - Colorado (click for details)

• LongHorn Steakhouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - One free Texas Tonion and a non-alcoholic beverage (unconfirmed)

• Max & Erma's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free three-course cheeseburger combo meal (beverage not included) - dine-in only (click for details)

• McCormick & Schmick's Seafood & Steaks: Sunday, 11/09 - Free meal from a special menu - dine-in only (click for details)

• Menchie's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free 6 oz. cup of frozen yogurt (unconfirmed)

• Noah's New York Bagels: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free bagel and cream cheese shmear (or other topping) from 5:30AM to 5PM (unconfirmed)

• O'Charley's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free meal from the $9.99 menu (unconfirmed)

• Olive Garden: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free entrée from a special menu (family member's dining along will receive 10% off their meals, too) - dine-in and to-go (unconfirmed)

• On the Border: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free "Create Your Own Combo" meal - dine-in only (click for details; participating locations here)

• Outback Steakhouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - One free Bloomin' Onion appetizer and beverage, plus 15% off from 11/12 through 12/31 (click for details)

• Perkins Restaurant & Bakery: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free "Magnificent Seven" meal which includes two eggs, three buttermilk pancakes, and a choice of two bacon strips or two sausage links - beverages not included (unconfirmed)

• Red Lobster: Monday, 11/10 through Thursday, 11/13 - Free appetizer from a list of 11 menu items (click for details)

• Red Robin: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free Tavern Double burger with Bottomless Steak Fries (click for details; video here)

• Ruby Tuesday: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free appetizer (click for details)

• Shoney's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free All-American Burger (they also offer 15% off all year round) - dine-in only (click for details)

• Spaghetti Warehouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - Buy one lasagne or spaghetti entrée and get one free - available to anyone (click for details; coupon here)

• Starbucks: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free tall (12 oz.) coffee for vets and military spouses (click for details)

• Texas Roadhouse: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free lunch and beverage from a special menu - dine-in only (click for details)

• TGI Fridays: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free lunch from select menu items from 11AM to 2PM - dine-in only (click for details)

• Tim Hortons: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free donut (click for details)

• Tony Roma's: Tuesday, 11/11 - Restaurants in Florida are offering a free draft beer; locations in other states may be offering different deals (click for details)

• Village Inn: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free breakfast pancakes, Belgian waffle, or French toast (click for details)

Veterans Day Non-Food Deals

Now, it's time for the merchandise and services. Again, deals with official statements will have "details" links, and any word-of-mouth deals will remain "unconfirmed" until official statements are released.

• Bed Bath and Beyond: Saturday, 11/08 through Tuesday, 11/11 - 20% off entire purchase (click for details)

• Big Lots: Saturday, 11/08 - 10% off entire purchase (unconfirmed)

• Cabela's: Saturday, 11/08 through Tuesday, 11/11 - Take 5% off any in-stock firearm at original price and take an extra 10% off everything else in the store - sale and clearance items included (click for details)

• Great Clips: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free haircut or haircut card valid through 12/31 (click for details; video here)

• Home Depot: Tuesday, 11/11 - 10% off for all veterans - they offer 10% off everyday for active, reserve, retired, and disabled veterans and their family members (click for details)

• Lowe's: Tuesday, 11/11 - 10% off for all veterans - they offer 10% off everyday for active, reserve, retired, and disabled veterans and their family members (click for details)

• Massage Envy Spa: Tuesday, 11/11- Free one-hour massage for veterans, active military, and spouses - deals vary based on location - they offer military membership discounts, too (click for details)

• Microsoft Store: Now until 01/01/15 - 5% off Windows PCs, 5% off no-contract phones and Surface Pro 3, and 10% off software and apps (excludes Xbox-related products) (click for details)

• Sports Clips: Tuesday, 11/11 - Free haircut (click for details)

• JC Penney: Now until Saturday, 11/15 - 20% off in stores (click for details)

• Red Roof Inn: Now until 11/30 - 15% off stay (unconfirmed)

• Steve Madden: Tuesday, 11/11 - Everyone gets 20% off; Veterans 30% off full-price merchandise - in-stores only (unconfirmed)

• Under Armour: All year round - 15% off plus entire purchase (click for details)

Know of any more deals that are missing from these lists? Let me know, and I'll update. And make sure to stay tuned for Veterans Day 2015, as this list will be updated then for new freebies and discounts!