Today is Veterans Day, when the U.S. honors active and previous military members and their families for their sacrifices.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, the day is, “A celebration to honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”
Plenty of restaurants and stores across the country are offering freebies and meal deals for America’s bravest.
Here’s where veterans, active service members can find free food and discounts in Mississippi.
Applebee’s
Veterans and active-duty military, including reservists and National Guard members, can get a free full-sized entrée from a Veterans Day Menu made up of seven of Applebee’s most popular menu items, such as a Classic Bacon Cheeseburger and Double Crunch Shrimp.
Veterans will also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card to redeem for their next dine-in, to go or delivery order within a three-week redemption window.
Chipotle
Chipotle will give veterans and active-duty military personnel with a valid military ID a second entrée free when they order one from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day.
Members of the military community – veterans and active-duty military personnel with a valid military ID – who order any entrée can get a second entrée free from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time on Veterans Day.
Guests can also round up their order total to the next highest dollar amount to donate to the United Service Organizations (USO) in its Round Up for Real Change feature on the Chipotle app and Chipotle.com from Tuesday, Nov. 11 through Sunday, Nov. 16.
Krispy Kreme
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free small hot or iced coffee and a free doughnut of their choice on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. The deal is good in shops and at the drive-thru, no other purchase necessary (limit one per guest).
Red Lobster
On Veterans Day, all veterans, active-duty military, and reserves can get a free Shrimp & Chips entrée, which comes with Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, fries, and coleslaw. Veterans and military service members just show proof of service to get the deal.
On Veterans Day, all veterans, active-duty military and reserves can get a free Shrimp & Chips entrée at Red Lobster.
Starbucks
For Veterans Day, Starbucks will give veterans, service members, and military spouses a free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee (hot or iced) at participating stores in the U.S. (Cold Brew is not included. Cafés and drive-thru only.)
Cracker Barrel
Veterans and active-duty military dining in on November 11 at any of the nearly 660 Cracker Barrel locations get a free Sunrise Pancake Special – a pair of buttermilk pancakes, served with fresh eggs or breakfast meat. (Show proof of military service; limit one per order. Excludes premium items, add-ons, and gratuity; offer good while supplies last.)
Also: 25% off Duke Cannon products and military-themed merchandise and apparel, sold in-store and online at CrackerBarrel.com, while supplies last.
More Veterans Day deals for free meals, discounts
Here’s a list of numerous other deals and discounts for Veterans Day:
-
Arby’s: On Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military service members can get a free Classic Roast Beef Sandwich at the 360-plus Arby’s locations owned by the Flynn Group. Offer good in store, no other purchase necessary; show valid military ID or proof of U.S. military service to get the deal. Limit one sandwich per veteran.
-
Buffalo Wild Wings: All past and present armed service members can get 10 free Boneless Wings and Fries with a valid ID on Veteran Day. Offer is good for dine-in and walk-in at participating locations.
-
Casey’s: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military service members and first-responders in uniform can get a free coffee or fountain drink at any Casey’s location. They can also get a free car wash, where available. Military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS, can get free coffee and fountain drinks year-round, too.
-
Chili’s: The restaurant chain is giving all veterans and active military personnel a complimentary entrée when dining at any Chili’s location on Veterans Day. November 11. Entrée choices include an Oldtimer with Cheese and Fries, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, and 3-Count Chicken Crispers Soup with Side Salad (beverages and gratuity not included).
On Veterans Day, Starbucks will give veterans, service members, and military spouses a free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee (hot or iced) at participating stores in the U.S.
-
Einstein Bros. Bagels: All veterans and active-duty service members get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Veterans Day; offer is good in stores, on the mobile app, or online using code FREECOFFEE. No purchase is required.
-
Fazoli’s: Veterans and active-duty military get free Spaghetti with Marinara or Meat Sauce when dining in with code VET25. Just present a valid Military ID or wear a military uniform.
-
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Veterans and active-duty service members get a complimentary lunch or dinner when dining with a guest on Veterans Day.
-
Firehouse Subs: On Veterans Day, active-duty military and veterans can buy one sub of any size and get a second one free with a valid military ID. (Offer good for in-store purchases only; one offer per customer.)
-
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and current military personnel who visit participating locations on Veterans Day can get a free Freddy’s Combo meal card, which can be redeemed through Dec. 31. No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer.
-
Golden Corral: All veterans, active-duty military personnel, retirees, reservists, and guardsmen get a free buffet meal with beverage on Tuesday, November 11, from 4 p.m. to close. The free meal offer is valid for dine-in only and does not extend to spouses, family members, or friends.
Hard Rock Cafe is giving all active and retired military members a free Classic Smash Burger on Veterans Day (valid ID required).
-
Hard Rock Cafe: All active and retired military members can get a free Classic Smash Burger all day long on Veterans Day (valid ID required). Veterans also regularly get a 15% military discount they can use to help pay for friends and family’s meals.
-
Huddle House: All active and retired military members can have a free MVP Breakfast Platter, available all day for dine-in only at participating locations. Guests must present a valid military ID.
-
Huey Magoo’s: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military members can get a free 3-Piece Tender Meal with the purchase of a regular beverage. To get the deal, guests must show their active duty Military or Veteran ID, or active duty discharge document.
Huey Magoo’s will offer veterans and active military members a free 3-Piece tender meal with the purchase of a regular beverage on Veterans Day.
-
IHOP: On Veterans Day, veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo (two buttermilk pancakes topped with strawberries, blueberry topping, and whipped topping, plus two eggs, hash browns, and your choice of 2 strips of bacon or pork sausage links). Offer is good when you dine in; proof of military service required.
-
Outback Steakhouse: For Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, those with valid veterans and active-duty military IDs can get a free Aussie 3-Course Meal (offer good for select entrées and dine-in only).
-
PJ’s Coffee: Veterans and active-duty military get a free 16-ounce Hot or Cold Brew Coffee.
-
QDOBA: Veterans and active-duty military get free chips and dip when they come into any restaurant, no purchase required. Guests can claim the offer by presenting their military ID at checkout.
-
Santa Fe Cattle Co.: On Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military get a free entrée from the Lunch Express Menu, which includes the Cheesy Cantina Burger or Smothered Chopped Sirloin. Offer good for dine-in only; must show valid military ID or proof of service.
-
Scooter’s Coffee: Show a valid military ID on Veterans Day and get a free medium drink. Choices include the chain’s limited-time holiday menu drinks. Mobile order ahead is not available for this promotion; limit one redemption per customer only.
-
Sonic: For Veterans Day, Sonic has a Buy One, Get One Free deal when you buy a Sonic Cheeseburger, SuperSonic Double Cheeseburger or Footlong Quarter Pound Coney; offer good for all Sonic app users.
Hooters has a Veterans Day freebie meal deal.
-
Sonny’s BBQ: Veterans and active-duty military get a free Pork Big Deal, which includes a pulled or sliced pork sandwich on garlic bread or a bun, side dish and drink with a valid ID.
-
Twin Peaks: All veterans and active-duty service members get a free lunch from a select menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. local time at participating locations nationwide. A valid military ID is required.
-
Wendy’s: On Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, all veterans and active-duty military service members can get a free Breakfast Combo (any breakfast sandwich, seasoned potatoes and a beverage) at participating locations. The chain also offers WeSalute deals year-round.
-
Whataburger: Starting Veterans Day, all veterans and active-duty military can get a free Taquito in-store at any Whataburger restaurant during breakfast hours every Tuesday through Dec. 30. Offer good for in-restaurant orders only, not online or in the app; one order per qualifying guest. Veterans and active-duty military can also get a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee year-round.
Why do we celebrate Veterans Day?
The holiday started on Nov. 11, 1918, according to the VA. There was an armistice between the Allies and Germany to end World War I that started on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. It’s historically been considered the end of “the war to end all wars.”
In 1938, Congress declared Armistice Day a legal holiday. That was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to include veterans of World War II and the Korean War.
Mike Snider is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can follow him on Threads, Bluesky, X and email him at mikegsnider & @mikegsnider.bsky.social & @mikesnider & msnider@usatoday.com.
Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with USA TODAY Network. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Where can vets eat for free? Restaurants offer Veterans Day food deals
