Retail deals and free meals for veterans abound on Veterans Day

By Bob Bong
Southland Savvy

Local restaurants and national chains are saying thanks to the men and women who served in the military by offering free food to active duty personnel and retired veterans this weekend.

Many of these offers require proof of service and may be limited or do not include drinks and gratuity. Some offers at national chains may not be honored by local franchises, so call ahead or ask first.

Meal deals include:

Ed and Joe’s in Tinley Park is offering a free small pizza with two toppings or a free sandwich on Veterans Day, which is Sunday, Nov. 11. The restaurant says it’s their way of making up for all of the Meals Ready to Eat (MREs) a vet consumed on duty.

Bar Louie locations (including Matteson) are offering free meals (up to $11) all day Sunday and Monday, Nov. 12.

Applebee's is offering a free meal from a special menu all day on Sunday.

Chili’s is offering their choice of one of seven meals from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Denny’s nationwide are offering free all-you-can-eat pancakes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Monday.

Famous Dave’s is serving free or discounted meals on Sunday. Offers vary by location. Call ahead or visit Famous Dave’sVeterans Day page for more information.

Golden Corral is offering its 12^th annual Military Appreciation Monday dinner from 4-9 p.m.

Hooter’s is offering 10 free wings – Boneless or Regular – with a drink purchase on Sunday.

Participating Krispy Kreme doughnut shops are serving a free doughnut on Sunday to all veterans.

Little Caesars Pizza will give away a free Crazy Bread on Monday.

Lone Star Steakhouse will serve a free entrée from its Stars & Stripes menu on Monday.

LongHorn Steakhouse offers a free Texas Tonion and non-alcoholic beverage on Sunday.

Outback Steakhouse is giving away free Bloomin’ Onions and Cokes on Sunday and Monday. The chain also discounts 10 percent on purchases from Nov. 13 to Dec. 31.

Red Lobster is offering a free appetizer on Sunday.

Red Robin will serve a free Red’s Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak Fries on Monday.

Texas Corral is offering a free entrée on Sunday.

Texas Roadhouse offers a free lunch on Monday from a list of 10 selections, plus sides and a drink.

T.G.I. Friday’s also is offering a free lunch on Monday.

The Olive Garden is serving a free entrée on Sunday from a special menu that includes baked garlic bread sticks and a soup or salad.

Champps American will give away a free Champps Cheeseburger and fries on Monday.

7-Eleven is serving free small Slurpees from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday.
Other deals include:

Home Depot Military Discount: The Home Depot is offering all active duty personnel, reservists, retired military, veterans and their families a 10 percent discount off their purchases in honor of Veterans Day.

Lowe’s Military Discount: Lowe’s will offer all active, reserve, honorably discharged, retired military personnel and their immediate family members a 10 percent discount on in-store U.S. purchases made Nov. 7- 11.

Big Lots is offering 10 percent off your entire purchase to active duty, Guard/Reserve, veterans, retirees and their immediate family members.

Cabela’s is giving their standard employee discount to veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reserve, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel on Nov. 11-12. Discount varies from 5 percent to 20 percent, depending on the item.

Dollar General offers a 10 percent discount on entire purchase on Veterans Day. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY.