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Each year, several national restaurant chains and local restaurants offer free meals or some other form of special discount to veterans and active-duty military members for Veterans Day. A handful of those restaurants extend the special offers beyond Veterans Day.
In some cases, franchise-operated restaurants of national chains do not follow the same offer that is spelled out on the chain’s web site, so it’s always a good idea to call ahead to confirm offers to avoid any misunderstanding.
Here are some of the restaurants and restaurant chains with Veterans Day specials:
• All southwest Ohio Olive Garden restaurants on Monday, Nov. 11, will offer veterans and active military members with a military ID a free meal from a special menu, and the veteran’s family members will receive a 10 percent discount. And the restaurants are offering 10 percent off for the entire month of November for active military members with ID and for their spouses and children. The offers exclude alcoholic beverages, tax and gratuity.
• Applebee’s restaurants on Monday, Nov. 11 will offer veterans and active duty military a free entree chosen from a special menu. Guests will need to provide proof of service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation. Offer is valid for dine-in only. Traditional sides are included with free entrees; some appetizers, upgraded side items or extras, beverages, desserts and gratuity are not included. The offer is good during normal business hours on Nov. 11. Hours vary by location.
• Texas Roadhouse restaurants throughout the country, including those in Fairborn, Huber Heights and Springfield, are inviting veterans and active members of the U.S. military to enjoy a free lunch on Monday, Nov. 11. Here’s how it works, according to a Texas Roadhouse news release: All veterans — including all active, retired or former U.S. military — can choose one of 10 entrees, including a 6-ounce sirloin and two made-from-scratch sides plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/ice tea or coffee during lunch. Proof of service includes military or VA card or discharge papers. The offer is good from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Nov. 11.
• City Barbeque will offer a free half-pound sandwich platter to all military veterans and troops on Monday, Nov. 11. All City Barbeque locations in central and southwest Ohio are participating. The offer is good for either dine-in or carryout orders.
• Golden Corral will offer active duty and retired U.S. military a free dinner buffet and beverage from 4 to 9 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 11. Those who are serving or have served in a U.S. military branch, including the National Guard and Reserve, are included in this offer, and identification is not required, a Golden Corral spokesman said. Golden Corral operates restaurants in Beavercreek, Miami Twp., Butler Twp., Springfield, Franklin and Fairfield,
• Champps Americana, which operates a sports bar-restaurant in Washington Twp., will offer veterans a free burger and waffle fries on Monday, Nov. 11. Vets can choose from among seven specialty burgers. Guests will need to provide proof of military service, which include U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a DD214, Citation or Commendation, or wearing a uniform. Offer is valid for dine-in only, and beverages and gratuity are not included.
• Panera Bread on Monday, Nov. 11 will offer all military personnel with ID a free “Grande Brewed Coffee” and a free bagel with cream cheese.
• On Monday, Nov. 11, Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants Inc. is offering a special “buy one entree, get one free” coupon offer and is encouraging its guests to invite a veteran to lunch or dinner. With the coupon, Spaghetti Warehouse guests will be able to choose any one of the restaurant’s 11 Original Recipe Spaghetti entrees or its 15-Layer Lasagne and receive a second entree free. The coupon is available online on Spaghetti Warehouse’s website at www.meatballs.com, and on the restaurant’s Facebook page at
A manager at the Spaghetti Warehouse in downtown Dayton confirmed that it is participating in the nationwide promotion.
• The Donut Haus in Springboro is offering specials Monday, Nov. 11, in which any veteran with proper ID can pick out any one bakery item in the shop’s display case and any beverage at no charge, and can also receive 50 percent off any one dozen doughnuts on both days, with a limit of one dozen.
• Friendship Village Retirement Community is offering free breakfast for all area veterans and their spouse at 8:30 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 11 followed by a Veterans Day program at 9:15 a.m. Reservations are required and may be made by calling (937) 837-5581, ext. 1274.
Other chains that mention at least some sort of Veterans Day deals on their web sites or on social media (be sure call ahead to your local restaurant to confirm) include Bob Evans, OinkADoodleMoo, Tim Hortons, Denny’s, Krispy Kreme, Chili’s, Max & Erma’s, O’Charley’s, Lone Star Steakhouse, Longhorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, Red Lobster, TGI Friday’s, Friendly’s, Smokey Bones and Carrabba’s Italian Grill.
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