Community Corner

28 Michigan Restaurants Giving Free Food, Drinks On Veterans Day

From special entrees to coffees and desserts, these eateries are showing their appreciation for vets and military personnel in Michigan.

MICHIGAN — Veterans, retired and active military personnel, it’s time to thank you for your service. Restaurants, coffeehouses and eateries across the nation have come up with all kinds of Veterans Day specials — free or discounted meals, drinks and treats to show their appreciation.

Veterans Day is Sunday, Nov. 11, but the holiday is observed on Monday, Nov. 12. Some of the special deals are only for Sunday, others run all week. In most cases, proof of military service is required.

Here are 28 of the deals you’ll find in Michigan:

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Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar Veterans will receive a full-sized entree from an exclusive menu on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern is offering a free cheeseburger and fries to veterans, members of the military and first responders on Sunday Nov. 11.

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Bar Louie is offering a free flatbread or burger (up to $15) to veterans with proof of service on Sunday, Nov 11. The pub operates in 28 states.

BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, which has restaurants in more than two dozen states, is offering a complimentary entree up to $12.95 and a free Dr. Pepper beverage on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Bob Evans restaurants are offering free breakfast, lunch or dinner items on Sunday Nov. 11 for active duty military, retirees and veterans with ID or proof of service.

Bonefish Grill, another national chain with locations in nearly three dozen states, is giving active and retired service members a free Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer on Sunday, Nov. 11. A valid military ID is required.

Boston Market's deal is good at all U.S. locations on both Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. When customers buy one individual meal, they'll get a second one free. A military ID isn't required, but customers need to download a coupon at bostonmarket.com ahead of time.

Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries to veterans and current members of the military on Sunday Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

California Pizza Kitchen is offering a complimentary pizza from a special menu to veterans and active duty military members on Sunday, Nov. 11. Those taking advantage of the offer will also receive a card for a buy one, get one free offer on pizza, pasta or salad Nov. 12-18.

Chili's is offering a free meal for veterans at participating locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

Chipotle has a buy one, get one free deal on a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for veterans, retired and active duty military personnel, and military spouses with proof of military service or a valid military ID on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Cicis Pizza, which has 440 restaurants in 32 states, will offer a free buffet with proof of active military service on Sunday, Nov. 11

City Barbeque is offering a free sandwich platter to veterans and military members on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is giving veterans a choice between a slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or one of its crafted coffee beverages on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Dunkin' Donuts is offering a free doughnut to veterans and active duty military personnel at participating restaurants nationwide on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Famous Dave's is offering a free two-meat combo with a choice of side and cornbread muffin to veterans and current military personnel on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. Proof of military service is required. Call ahead to verify participation.

Golden Corral, which operates in 41 states, will serve free dinner buffets with a beverage from 5-9 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 12, to any person who is serving or has served in a United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves. Identification is not required.

Hooters is offering all veterans and active-duty military personnel with a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a beverage on Sunday, Nov. 11. Guests must present a military ID or proof of service.

Joe's Crab Shack, which has almost two dozen restaurants across the country, is offering 20 percent off to veterans and military members with a valid military ID or proof of service on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Little Caesars Pizza, which has locations nationwide, is offering a free pizza or $5 lunch combinations to all veterans and active military members from 11 a.m-2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. Call ahead to verify participation.

Max & Erma's, which has restaurants in Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Dakota, is offering members of the military and veterans a free cheeseburger with seasoned fries and a fountain drink on Sunday, Nov. 11. Call ahead to verify participation. A military ID or proof of military service is required.

Olive Garden, which has restaurants nationwide, is offering veterans and active duty military personnel a free entree from a special menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required.

Pilot Flying J is offering veterans and active duty military members a free breakfast sandwich, packaged pastry item or Cinnabon Center of the Roll item, along with a free coffee, from Nov. 10-12. To claim the offer, they need to download the myPilot app. The offer is good at the 750 Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers in North America.

Red Lobster Seafood Restaurants is offering a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, active-duty military and reservists with a valid military ID on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. The restaurant has locations in most states.

Red Robin is offering its Red's Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak fries for veterans and active military personnel who show a valid military ID or provide proof of military service on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Romano's Macaroni Grill, which has restaurants in about two dozen states, is offering free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs and spaghetti entree at all of its U.S. locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. All veterans and active military must present a military ID or proof of service.

Ruby Tuesday's is offering a free appetizer to veterans and active duty military personnel (up to $10) at participating locations on Sunday, Nov. 11.

Starbucks is offering veterans and a free 12-ounce coffee to veterans, active duty military personnel and their spouses on Sunday, Nov. 11, with proof of military service.

More deals are added daily, so be sure to check the Military Benefits website or the Veterans Advantage website.

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