CLEVELAND — Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated Veterans Day special.
Each year, many restaurants across the country -- and here in Northeast Ohio -- offer free food and deals to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day to pay it forward as a way of saying "thank you for your service."
NOTE: Most places require a military ID or proof of service to redeem the offer.
Here is a list of locations offering special deals on Friday, Nov. 11:
Applebee's
All active duty military, veterans, reserves and National Guard can get a free in-restaurant full-size entrée from the following choices:
- 6 oz. Top Sirloin
- Double Crunch Shrimp
- Fiesta Lime Chicken
- Chicken Tenders Platter
- Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
- Oriental Chicken Salad
- Three-Cheese Chicken Penne
Guests will also get a $5 bounce back card to redeem for dine-in, to go or delivery within a three-week redemption window.
Bar Louie
Those who have served and are serving in the U.S. Armed Forces can get a free craft burger of their choice with a valid military ID.
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse
Current and former military who dine in can get a free meal and Dr. Pepper from the following menu:
- Bacon Cheeseburger
- Bacon-Guacamole Deluxe Burger
- Deep Dish Ziti
- Grilled Chicken Alfredo
- Jumbo Spaghetti and Meatballs
- Soup/Salad Combo
- Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
- Mediterranean Chicken Pita Tacos
- Classic Crispy Chicken Sandwich
Military ID or other proof of service is required to redeem the offer.
Bob Evans
Bob Evans will offer 10 meal options that veterans and active duty military members can get for free when dining in. Favorites like sausage gravy and biscuits, and the Classic Breakfast will be included in the offer.
Bubba's 33
All veterans — including active, retired or former U.S. military — can get a free lunch from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. Service members can choose one of six entrees, plus a drink. Both locations, on Indy's south side and in Fishers, will participate in the deal. A military ID, VA card, or discharge papers will be required to redeem the free deal.
Chili's
All veterans and active military members can get a free meal for dine-in from the following menu:
- Soup & Salad
- Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas
- Oldtimer with Cheese
- Boneless Wings (6 count)
Denny's
All active, non-active and retired military personnel can get a free Grand Slam — two buttermilk pancakes, two bacon strips, two sausage links and two eggs cooked any way — from 5 a.m. to noon, with a valid military ID or DD 214.
Golden Corral
Military Appreciation Night will be held Monday, Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to close, where military heroes can get a free meal.
Macaroni Grill
All veterans and active military can get a free Mom's Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti with a military ID.
McDonald's
McDonald’s is offering current and former military members a free combo meal.
Participating McDonald’s restaurants will offer a combo meal to all veterans, with a valid military ID, all day on Friday, Nov. 11. Veterans can choose from any combo meal. All options come with any size soft drink, tea or hot coffee, and a Hash Brown for breakfast or French Fries for lunch or dinner. Breakfast combo meals are only available until 10:30 a.m.
O'Charley's
Veterans and active duty personnel can get a free entrée from the following menu:
- O’Charley’s Famous Chicken Tenders & Fries – Double hand-breaded Chicken Tenders served with Honey Mustard Dressing and hot, seasoned fries.
- Classic Cheeseburger – Cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. Served with fries. (Cal 1330)
- Honey-Drizzled Southern-Fried Chicken – A buttermilk-breaded and fried chicken breast drizzled with honey. Served with mashed sweet potatoes and broccoli.
- Santa Fe Tilapia – A flaky tilapia fillet, grilled and topped with house-made Pico de Gallo. Served over rice pilaf and with a side of broccoli.
- Southern Fried Chicken Tender Salad – O’Charley’s Famous Chicken Tenders chopped with tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, hickory-smoked bacon and Cheddar cheese with honey mustard dressing.
Veterans and active duty personnel can also purchase a 14 oz. Bone-in Ribeye or Louisiana Sirloin for only $10. Those 21 and over can also get a 14 oz. domestic draft for $3.
Outback Steakhouse
Military veterans and active servicemen and women, as well as their spouses, can get a free Bloomin' Onion and Coca-Cola product.
Outback Steakhouse gives nurses, doctors, medical staff, military veterans, servicemen and women, police, firefighters and first responders 10% off their entire check all day, every day, with valid medical, state or federal service ID.
Red Lobster
Veterans, active-duty military and reservists can get a free Walt's Favorite Shrimp, Fries and Coleslaw, with a valid military ID or proof of service. The offer is available for dine-in and to-go orders placed in the restaurant between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Red Robin
Veterans and active duty members can get a free Red's Tavern Double, which comes with free refills on Bottomless Steak Fries.
Starbucks
Starbucks will offer a free tall hot or iced coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating U.S. Starbucks stores.
The coffee giant is also donating $200,000, split evenly between Team Red, White & Blue and Team Rubicon to support the veteran community.
Wendy's
Those who have served or are currently serving in the U.S. military can get a free breakfast combo from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., with a valid military ID or Veterans Advantage card.
Editor's note: Video in the player above was originally published in an unrelated story on Nov. 5, 2022.
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