Free Meals for Veterans for Veterans Day

Note: For 2011 Veterans Day freebies, please see: 2011 Veterans Day Food Freebies for Veterans

Veterans Day is on Thursday, November 11, 2010 this year and several restaurants have already announced plans to serve our nation's heroes with a free meal to honor their sacrifice to our country. Please note that not all restaurants are offering their Veterans Day free meals on the same date, or even on Veterans Day. Veterans should plan to arrive early or make reservations when possible to enjoy their free entrees at these restaurants in November.

Applebee's: Veterans and active duty military will get their choice of seven entrees on Thursday, November 11. Choices include a 7 oz sirloin, Bacon Cheeseburger, Double Crunch Shrimp, as well as four chicken entrees, including Chicken Tenders, Oriental Chicken Salad, Three Cheese Chicken Penne, and Fiesta Lime Chicken.

The catch: You will need to bring proof of service or current military ID to receive Applebee's Veterans Day freebie. See Applebee's site for items that they will accept as proof of military service.

Chili's: Bring proof of your military service to Chilis on Thursday, November 11 during regular business hours and receive your choice of six entrees, which include Chil's Old Timer with Cheese, Quesadilla Explosion Salad, Margarita Grilled Chicken, Cajun Chicken Pasta, Chicken Crispers or Chicken Club Tacos.

The catch: Beverage and tip are not included in this Veterans Day food freebie.

Uno's Chicago Grill: Vets, are you hungry for a pizza instead? Visit Uno's Chicago Grill for a free meal on Thursday, November 11, and get your choice of either a free entree or individual pizza with the purchase of an entree or pizza of equal or greater value. This is more of a buy one, get one free deal, but veterans and active duty military can bring a spouse or someone else to qualify for this free meal.

The catch: Bring ID to prove military service. No coupon is necessary, though, to take advantage of this promotion.

Golden Corral: Similarly to Applebee's, Golden Corral is offering veterans and active military a free meal in honor of Veterans Day. However, Golden Corral's free meal offer will fall after Veterans Day and will be held on Monday, November 15 instead. This is the 10th year that Golden Corral has honored our veterans with a free meal. Unlike Applebee's, no identification is required.

The catch: This is dine-in only. You cannot request a rain check. Though ID is not required, free meals are limited to veterans/servicemembers only.

McCormick and Schmicks: Also not holding their free meal night on Veterans Day, McCormick and Schmicks will serve veterans and service members a free entree from a special menu on Sunday, November 7. This offer is open to participating restaurants only and reservations are highly encouraged.

The catch: So long as the veteran was honorably discharged and can present proof of veteran status (such as VFW/American Legion card, among others), the veteran will be entitled to a free meal. Parties larger than six are discouraged due to seating concerns.

Did you find a food freebie for a Vet? Please share in the comments. Know someone who could use this information? Please share!

Sources:
Participating locations list, McCormick and Schmicks
Golden Corral
Applebee's press release
Applebee's website
McCormick and Schmick's website
Uno's Chicago Grill press release, dated 11/3/2010
Email from Chili's, dated 11/4/2010