Here's How to Maximize Your Free Veterans Day Food Deals

Thanksgiving comes early for U.S. military veterans every year in the form of Veterans Day discounts. We just have to be proactive enough to go out and get them. If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.

The outpouring of free food and beverages from restaurant chains around the United States has swelled over time to include gas stations, fast-food franchises and even grocery stores. Even if a vet spent the entirety of Veterans Day trying to take advantage of every Tactical Thanksgiving deal, it would be nearly impossible.

Nearly.

That doesn't mean we shouldn't attempt the feat or at least take advantage of as much as we can. (Corporate) America is calling us. Will we let her down?

What to Know About Veterans Day Food Deals

Don’t forget that in many cases you can pre-order, carry out or pull up to the curb and let the deliciousness come to you within a few minutes. You should call ahead and make sure the giveaways are still being given away. If so, place your order and get on with your own personal door-dashing.

If you're going to venture out into the world, you might as well make the most of it. But to truly maximize your free food day, it's essential to gather the intel, plan accordingly and move with purpose.

In forming this plan, we've taken a few important factors into account. First, we target only the freebies. Then, we consider timing. What can be redeemed on any other day, when are these places open, and what can be picked up reasonably fast? We also want to know which offerings are the most filling so we can avoid getting stuffed too soon.

When considering takeout, you might pack a cooler because taking the food home first requires time, which you don't have. And we recommend eating some items as soon as possible: There's a diminishing rate of return on pancakes, and grilled cheese is the only food that will eventually become its own spoonerism.

Finally, there are a few alternate plays for those who are unwilling to drive all over town but still want to get some good stuff.

Got all that? Good. Now let's get down to our Veterans Day timeline.

Breakfast(s) of Champions

A few breakfast-oriented restaurants have great offerings. Denny's begins offering a Build Your Own Grand Slam at 0500, and starting at 0730, Biscuit Belly is giving dine-in veterans a Bacon Egg & Cheese, Sausage Egg & Cheese, or a Chicken Biscuit Sandwich along with a free beverage.

All this driving around requires caffeine. Coffee lovers can get a free brew from participating Peet's Coffee locations, or from Starbucks or Casey's General Stores. Free coffee plus a free sweet pastry on offer from 0600 to 1400 at Kolache Factory.

Related: 2024 Veterans Day Deals, Discounts and Freebies

At White Castle, get a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal when dining at a participating restaurant.

Before you head out to lunch, stop by places where you can grab a good deal to go and save it for later. A Chili 5-Way at Gold Star Chili can be picked up in the drive-thru. Another carry-out option is Hacienda Mexican Restaurant’s Large Wet Burrito.

A Lunch Too Far

Lunch is when the plan starts to get more complex. Veterans who didn't want to wake up early will now be clogging the lines and making a quick egress more difficult. There are a lot of time-sensitive offers starting at 1100 and 1400.

TGI Fridays, has a special free lunch menu till 1500, and Texas Roadhouse is offering either a free meal or vouchers for meals to be claimed on other days. Sizzler is cooking for vets until 1600.

Lion’s Choice offers a roast beef sandwich, or you can get a “We Salute You” Pulled Pork Sandwich or Strawberry Fields Salad at Rock and Brews. Free food can also be had at all Chicken Salad Chick locations.

Soup for you? That’s on the menu at Hoss's Steak and Sea House, where veterans receive free soup as well as salad, bread, nacho, dessert bar and iced tea for dine-in only.

Chili's and Applebee's are offering vets free meals from a limited menu, but also offer to-go cocktails. The cocktails aren't free, but they will help take the edge off. Best of all, these places have bar seating so you won't be subject to the hostess' whims.

At Carrabba's, you can snack on a free appetizer or dessert paired with a free nonalcoholic beverage.

Thank You for Your (Dinner) Service

Now that you've gotten most of the hectic chain restaurants out of the way, you have a few options for dinner. You can get an entrée and drink from a special menu at California Pizza Kitchen. Burgers are always popular, and they’re on offer at In-N-Out Burger (along with fries and a beverage). At Red Robin, another popular choice, where veterans and active duty can enjoy a Red's Big Tavern Burger along with a Bottomless Side. Need more options? Try a free Big Cheese burger at participating Farmer Boys or a free burger (or sandwich) at Iron Hill Brewery and Restaurant.

To keep the free food train going, hit up Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers for a meal card valid for a combo meal anytime till the end of 2024.

Got a sweet tooth? At BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse, dine-in veterans get a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with no minimum food purchase, plus a coupon for a free appetizer if you go back again anytime by the end of the year.

Finally, the popular Golden Corral is hosting its Military Appreciation Night on November 11, 2024, from 5 p.m. to close. This includes a free “thank you” meal when dining in.

Bon appetit. You earned it.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Facebook, X, or on LinkedIn.

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