Veterans Day: FREE restaurant meals or menu items, hair cuts, and entrance to attractions on November 11th — plus a long list of retail discounts and local commemorative events.

Veterans Day is Saturday, November 11, 2023.
Note that the federal holiday is observed on Friday, Nov. 10th this year. Government agencies and banks will be closed that day.

Each year, many businesses recognize the service and sacrifice of veterans by offering a free meal or menu item, or some other type of discount or free product.

For the most part,  these freebies and deals are for both veterans and active-duty military members.
Some are only good on November 11th, and others offer a few extra days to redeem.

Click thru the links to find out whether you qualify for the deal, and what kind of ID is required.

The offers are available at participating locations, while supplies last.
Please verify that your preferred location is running the giveaway or deal.

The list below is organized like this:
• Free/discounted restaurant and food offers first
• Then other free/discounted items (like haircuts, golf, and museum tickets)
• Then Atlanta metro area events like parades and remembrances

This is a growing list, so bookmark it and check back! 

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• Big list of Veterans Day freebies and deals
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• Atlanta's Christkindle Market is back in a new location
• Where to get FREE pictures with Santa
• Garden Lights, Holiday Nights at the Atlanta Botanical Garden
• Best places to see holiday lights for free, or at paid attractions
• Free and cheap things to do this week

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Free meals & discounted restaurant offers

Updated for 2023

Remember that the free meal offers do not include tax or tip — most don’t include alcohol and some don’t include any beverage at all. 

Applebee’s

Every year on Veterans Day, Applebee’s serves a free meal to active duty and veteran military service members. On November 11th, 2023, all active military, veterans, reserve members, and National Guard can receive a full-size entrée from a special menu. Dine-in only.  More info.

PLUS, Veterans will receive a $5 Bounce Back Card that can be redeemed for a future visit within a 3-week window.

Choices for the free entrée include:

• Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
• 6 oz top sirloin
• Chicken tenders platter
• Double Crunch Shrimp
• Fiesta Lime Chicken
• Oriental Chicken Salad
• Three-Cheessse Chicken Penne

 

Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar

Vets and active duty military can head to Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar for a classic American meal. Vets enjoy a FREE All-American Burger (with choice of cheese) and a side of chips, fries, or tater tots. The deal is good on November 11th, 2023, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Bring your military ID.
Locations include:
* Smyrna
* Marietta
* Roswell
* Chamblee
* Decatur

 

Bob Evans

On Nov. 11, 2023, Bob Evans is offering a special menu of homestyle favoritess, available to veterans and active-duty military for free. Options include Country Biscuit Breakfast, The Classic Breakfast, Banana Berry Oatmeal, Sunrise, Down-home Country-Fried Steak, The Mini Sampler, Brioche French Toast, Sausage Gravy & Biscuit, Buttermilk Hotcakes, and Bowl of Rolled-Oat Oatmeal.
More info

 

Bonefish Grill

Offering a FREE order of the restaurant’s Bang Bang Shrimp – crispy shrimp tossed in a signature creamy, spicy sauce – with a soft beverage to service members, veterans, and first responders with valid ID. Available all day, no purchase required.

PLUS, the Heroes Discount is a 10% discount for all service members, veterans, and first responders — the offer is good every day of the year, with valid ID.

 

Buffalo Wild Wings

The restaurant is once again offering a FREE order of 10 boneless wings and fries for all past and present armed services members on Veterans Day. The offer is available for dine-in or takeout. You must show proof of service.

 

California Pizza Kitchen

Veterans and active military can get a FREE entrée and non-alcoholic beverage from a select Veterans Day menu on November 11th, 2023. The menu includes dinner-sized salads, pizzas, and pasta dishes.

 

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

The Heroe’s Discount means all service members, veterans, and first responders get 10% off any visit on Veterans Day and every day of the year with valid ID.

 

Caribou Coffee

Veterans, active military and their spouses can stir things up on Veterans Day with a FREE small hot brewed coffee of the day or cold press on Nov. 11, 2023. The offer excludes nitro. 

 

Chicken Salad Chick

Offering a FREE meal to all veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day, November 11th. This offer is valid at all Chicken Salad Chick locations for service members in uniform or those with a valid military ID.

Find locations online, including:

• Buckhead
• Alpharetta
• Marietta
• East Cobb
• Vinings
• Johns Creek
• Cartersville
• Cumming
• Decatur
• Suwanee
• Kennesaw
• McDonough
• Newnan
• Peachtree City
• Stockbridge

 

Chili’s

Veterans and active duty military members can get a FREE entree at Chili’s on November 11th, 2023. More info here.
Choices for entrées include:

• Chicken Crispers
• Soup & Salad
• Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
• Oldtimer with Cheese

 

Cicis Pizza

The chain is offering a FREE adult buffet with a valid military I.D. on November 11, 2023 in honor of Veterans Day. The offer extends to all active and retired military personnel. Dine-in only. Does not include beverage. This offer may vary by location.

 

City Barbeque

Offering veterans and active military a FREE sandwich with side and beverage. No purchase necessary. Dine-in or carryout.
Locations in Johns Creek, Decatur, Snellville, Woodstock, and Sandy Springs.

 

Cracker Barrel

 On November 11th, Cracker Barrel will thank the brave men and women who have served our nation by offering all U.S. military veterans a FREE slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola® Cake when dining at any Cracker Barrel location nationwide. You must make a another purchase to receive the free dessert. More info

Denny’s

On Friday, November 1oth, 2023, veterans can enjoy a FREE Grand Slam breakfast. The deal is good from 5 a.m. to noon. Hours may vary by location. Dine-in only. Available to all active, non-active, and retired personnel with military ID or DD214.
There is a Denny’s at 5534 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30093.

Dunkin’ Donuts

 Each year on Veterans Day, Dunkin’ offers a FREE donut to veterans and active military.

 

Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers

Veterans and active military personnel who visit Freddy’s on November 11, 2023, will receive a meal card good for a  FREE  Original Double with Cheese combo. No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer. Cards may be redeemed through November 30, 2023. More info

You’ll find metro area locations in:

• Conyers
• Cartersvile
• Cumming
• Dawsonville
• Duluth
• Kennesaw
• Marietta
• McDonough
• Snellville

Golden Corral

Veterans and active military are invited to Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night. On Monday, November 13th, 2023, the buffet restaurant is serving a FREE “Thank You” Meal from 5 p.m. to close.

The offer is open to anyone who has served in the U.S. Military, including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves. To date, Golden Corral has served more than 6 million meals, as part of the annual celebration. 

 

Hard Rock Cafe

All veterans and active military will receive a FREE Legendary Burger all day long on November 11th, 2023.
PLUS, Atlanta’s Hard Rock honors veterans with a 15% disount every day of the year, and that applies to the whole table.
Located it in downtown Atlanta at 215 Peachtree Street.

 

Hooters

Active duty and veterans can get a  FREE entree at Hooters on November 11th, with a beverage purchase.
The Veterans Day menu includes Buffalo Chicken Salad, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Hooters Burger, and 10-piece Boneless Wings. More info.

 

Hopdoddy Burger Bar

Veterans and active-duty military can visit any of the four Atlanta-area Hopdoddy locations and get a FREE classic burger or the Regenerative Royale on November 11, 2023. Available for dine-in only.
Locations in Brookhaven (Brighten Park Plaza); Cobb (Akers Mill Square); Cumming (The Collection at Forsyth); and Dunwoody (Perimeter Town Center). 

IHOP

All military personnel and veterans can hop over to IHOP on Veterans Day for breakfast. On November 11, 2023, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., the popular diner is serving them a FREE stack of Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes OR a pancake combo. There are many locations to choose from.

 

Kona Grill

Veterans will receive 50% OFF food all weekend long at Kona Grill, from Friday, November 10 through Monday, November 13, 2023. Book now at KonaGrill.com or call 877-222-4592!

 

Krispy Kreme

This is not confirmedfor 2023 yet.
But in past years, veterans could receive a FREE doughnut of their choice and a small coffee at Krispy Kreme. The offer is available in-shop or at the drive-thru.
We expect the same offer and will update when 2023 details are available.

 

Little Caesars

Veterans and active military get a FREE Lunch Combo at Little Caesars, which includes a 4-slice Deep Dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi product. The offer is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Details here.

 

Logan’s Roadhouse

On November 11, 2023, Logan’s Roadhouse is inviting active and retired service members to enjoy a FREE meal between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m
The select Veterans Day menu may vary by location, but generally includes the All-American Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders, BBQ Grilled Pork Chop. Military ID requested. More info in press release.
Located at 20 Mill Rd. in McDonough, GA 30253.

 

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

On November 11th, 2023 all veterans and active military will receive their first 6 oz of frozen yogurt for FREE. If you swirl more than 6 ounces, you just pay the difference.

 

McCormick & Schmick’s

Veterans, national guardsmen, Gold Star parents, and Gold Star spouses can enjoy a half-priced entrée from a select menu, on Sunday, November 12th, 2023.  View the menu and prices here

 

MOD Pizza

Offering a BOGO deal with proof of military service.  On Nov. 11th, buy a MOD-size pizza or salad and get another FREE. In-store only.
We received this offer in an email.

 

O’Charley’s Restaurant

Veterans and active duty personnel will receive a FREE lunch entrée on both Friday, Nov. 10th and Saturday, Nov. 11th, 2023. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day, they can order from a select menu and receive a FREE slice of pie. Dine-in only. View the press release
Locations in Austell, Canton, Cumming, Griffin, Hiram, Stockbridge, Villa Rica.

The menu includes:

• Tenders and Fries
• Classic Cheeseburger
• Southern Fried Chicken
• Fried Chicken Tender Salad
• Bayou Shrimp Pasta
• For $10, upgrade to the Louisiana Sirloin meal

 

On The Border

No details for 2023 yet.
Last year, we received a last-minute press release about a free meal, and we’ll update if that’s the case again this year.

 

Outback Steakhouse

 Vets are honored every day at Outback Steakhouse. The restaurant’s Heroes Discount is offered all year long — 10% off for all service members, veterans and first responders. 

 

Pokeworks

Veterans and military members get 20% OFF any order, with military ID. Offer is valid in store only, on Saturday, Nov. 11th and Sunday, Nov. 12th in 2023.
Locations at Cumberland, Sandy Springs, and Peachtree Corners.

 

Red Lobster

No details for 2023 yet.
Last year, a free shrimp dinner was offered. We will update if we get new info.

 

Red Robin

Offering veterans and active duty personnel a FREE Red’s Big Tavern Burger on Saturday, November 11, 2023. This comes with an endless side of steak fries. Dine-in only. Info in press release

 

Smoothie King

Offering a FREE 20-oz red (Cherry X-Treme), white (Slim-N-Trim Vanilla), or blue (Blueberry Heaven) smoothie to veterans and active-duty military personnel on Saturday, November 11, 2023. Details in press release

 

Sonic Drive-In

Everyone can celebrate Veterans Day at Sonic Drive-In! The popular fast-food restaurant is offering a FRITOS Chili Cheese Jr. Wrap for 99 cents on Nov. 11, 2023. 

 

Starbucks

On November 11, 2023, Starbucks is pouring FREE coffee for veterans, active military, and their spouses. Choose from a tall hot or iced brewed coffee, in a 12-oz cup.

Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe

Taziki’s will honor vets with “Gyros for Heroes.” All veterans will receive a FREE chicken gyro on Veterans Day in 2023.
Locations in Sandy Springs, Suwanee, Alpharetta, and Toco Hills.
We received this offer in an emailed press statement.

 

TCBY

 Veterans and active military can chill out on November 11th, 2023 with their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings for FREE. If you get more than 6oz, just pay the difference. The deal was announced in a Facebook post. Participation may vary by location, so consider calling to confirm the deal.

Twin Peaks

The sports bar will offer veterans a FREE lunch on Nov. 11th.
Choose from cheeseburger, chicken tenders, Caesar salad with chicken or shrimp, or chicken tacos.
Locations in Kennesaw and Buckhead.

 

VIVA Chicken

Offering veterans and active duty service members a FREE meal on November 11, 2023.
Locations in Alpharetta and Kennesaw.

 

Yard House

Vets and active military can get a FREE appetizer on November 11th, 2023. Mention the offer to your server.
Locations at Atlantic Station and The Battery Atlanta.
More info

 

Other 2023 freebies and discounts

The section above was restaurant and food deals.
This section is discounts on services and retail, plus some free ticket offers. 

Gwinnett Stripers

For $65, veterans and active military, plus their dependents, can get a Veterans Pack of four tickets to home games in the 2024 season.
Complete details here

 

Glow Light Show at Coolray Field

This festive, drive-through holiday light show is hosting a FREE Military Night on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. It is open to all veterans and military families. You’ll need to provide ID and credentials at the gate.
More info and reserve your ticket

 

Goodyear Auto Service