CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It’s Veterans Day and many restaurants are offering complimentary meals to those who served or continue to serve as way to honor them and say thank you for their service.
We’ve compiled a list of some of them, below. In almost all cases, veterans and active military must show proof of service-- typically a military ID card, though some places might accept a DD Form 214, current leave and earnings statement, veterans organization card or a photograph of yourself in uniform.
Offers are good Monday only except where noted.
100th Bomb Group
The aviation-themed restaurant across from the Cleveland Hopkins airport is offering a free meal of up to $40 for former and current military members all day on Nov. 11.
Applebee’s
The neighborhood restaurant chain has a special menu for all active military members and veterans on Nov. 11. Complimentary entrees include classic bacon cheeseburger, chicken tenders platter, fiesta lime chicken, oriental chicken salad, 6 oz. top sirloin, double crunch shrimp, or three-cheese chicken penne. In additon, guests at participating Northeast Ohio locations can treat a veteran to a free beer or non-alcoholic drink with purchase.
Beerhead Bar & Eatery
As a thank you for their service, this craft beer bar, with locations in the Flats, Avon, and Concord Twp., is offering a free meal to veterans and active duty military in uniform or with a military ID. The Nov. 11 deal is for dine-in only.
BJ’s Restaurant and Brewhouse
Current and former military can order an entree worth up to $14.95 plus a Dr. Pepper beverage for free on Nov. 11.
Bob Evans
The family-friendly diner has added all eight of its Dinner Bell Plates to its free Veteran’s Day dine-in menu on Nov. 11, in addition to a handful of all-day breakfast and lunch selections. The new options are: country-fried steak, smaller portion turkey & dressing, homestyle boneless fried chicken breast, mushroom and onion chopped Steak, grilled chicken breast, tender fried pork loin, lemon pepper sole, and ham steaks.
Bonefish Grill
All active and retired service members receive a free appetizer on Nov. 11. Choices include mussels, calamari, and the restaurant’s signature Bang Bang Shrimp.
Boston Market
The fast-casual restaurant is celebrating our nation’s heroes by offering everyone a buy-one/get-one deal on individual meals Nov. 11-12. Look out for the coupon (required) on BostonMarket.com.
Bruegger’s Bagels
Active duty service members, reservists, veterans and military spouses can enjoy a free bagel with cream cheese on Nov. 11. Not valid at airport locations.
Burntwood Tavern and affiliated restaurants
Veterans and active military who show their ID or in uniform can receive a complimentary lunch or dinner entree on Nov. 11 at any Burntwood Tavern, M Italian, Rose Italian Kitchen or Leo’s Italian Social location. Dine-in only. Offer does not apply to beer, wine or other alcoholic beverages.
California Pizza Kitchen
All veterans and active military who dine-in receive a free entree and iced tea or fountain beverage on Nov. 11. Entree selections include a variety of pizzas, salads and pasta dishes.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
The casual restaurant, with locations in Westlake and North Canton, is saluting retired and active duty military, police and firefighters with a free order of calamari with purchase on Nov. 11. Veterans can also enjoy a 10 percent discount anytime at the chain.
City Barbecue
All veterans and U.S. military get a free sandwich, two sides, and a regular beverage. The offer is good for dine-in or takeout, though cannot be redeemed online or thrugh third-party delivery apps.
Veterans can enjoy two free tacos at Condado Tacos at Pinecrest on Monday, Nov. 11.
Condado Tacos
Veterans and active military get two free tacos on Nov. 11. No purchase is necessary and, going forward, veterans with ID can get one free taco with purchase year round.
Chili’s
The free Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11 includes Chicken Srispers, Margarita grilled chicken, chicken bacon ranch quesadillas, bacon burger, Oldtimer with cheese, cajun chicken pasta, and salad with a bowl of chili or soup.
Cracker Barrel
All U.S. Military Veterans and active duty military can treat themselves to a sweet treat on Nov. 11, choosing between Cracker Barrel’s Pumpkin Pie Latte or slice of double-chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake. The Old Country Store is also donating 10 percent of sales from select rocking chairs to Operation Homefront.
Denny’s
Breakfast lovers should head to Denny’s on Nov. 11. From 5 a.m. to noon, active, inactive and military personnel can enjoy a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam. Diners choose four items from a selection of 13 breakfast favorites, everything from pancakes and eggs cooked to order, to bacon and hash browns.
Dunkin'
Veterans and active duty military can stop into any participating Dunkin’ location on Veterans Day for a free donut of their choice, no purchase necessary.
Golden Corral
The restaurant known for its buffet is hosting its annual Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 11 from 5-9 p.m. U.S. military retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves can order a free meal as a thank you for their service at any one of the chain’s four locations in Northeast Ohio. The offer is good for dine-in only.
IHOP
Show proof of service at participating locations on Monday for a free stack of red, white and blue pancakes -- those are flapjacks topped with strawberries, whipped cream, and blueberry compote -- from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Little Caesar’s
The pizza joint is offering veterans or active members of the U.S. military a free $5 Hot-N-Ready lunch combo on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
O’Charley’s and Baker’s Square
Veterans and active duty service members can enjoy a free meal on Nov. 11 at either restaurant, which are owned by the same parent company. In addition, customers who donate $5 on their dine-in check to the The Folded Flag Foundation will receive a $5 voucher for a future purchase. The Folded Flag Foundation helps families of fallen heroes with financial assistance for education.
Red Lobster
Veterans, active duty military and reservists can choose between a free appetizer or dessert on Nov. 11. Offer is good dine-in or carry out. The selections vary from the Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp or Lobster and Langostino Pizza to the Key Lime Pie and Warm Apple Crostada.
Olive Garden
Military veterans and active-duty military members can order a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11.
Red Robin
Veterans and active military can treat themselves to a free Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on Nov. 11. Offer is good for dine-in only.
Romano’s Macaroni Grill
All veterans and active military can show their ID for a free order of Mom’s Ricotta Meatballs + Spaghetti on Nov. 11. Offer is good for dine-in only.
Texas Roadhouse
The steakhouse and saloon is offering a free lunch for active, former or retired military members from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Nov. 11. The special Veterans Day menu includes 10 items including a 6 oz. sirloin steak, pulled pork dinner, country fried chicken, cheeseburger, and more. Meal comes with either two sides or fries, plus a fountain drink.
TGI Friday’s
Veterans and active duty military personnel can get a free lunch item of up to $12 from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Guests will also receive a $5 coupon for the next meal.
Non-food deals
Greater Cleveland Aquarium
Veterans looking to walk off their free meal can do so at the aquarium in The Flats, which is offering free admission to active duty military and veterans on Nov. 11. Their family members can also take advantage of the aquarium’s normal military discount on Monday. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Great Clips
On Nov. 11, veterans and active service members can get a free haircut or a free haircut card to use later. Non-veterans will get a free haircut card they can give to an active service member or veteran as a token of thanks.
Read recent stories
See the Seeandbee: The luxury Cleveland steamship transformed into aircraft carrier for World War II
Cleveland Air Force vet Nelson Brown writes book that encourages children’s self esteem
Revisiting Millionaires’ Row: New book travels down Cleveland’s glittering memory lane
Osteria di Valerio e Al closed, restaurant looks to reopen in new location
Beachland Ballroom: Northeast Ohio’s best weekend brunches, breakfasts
12 wines to try in November, with our Thanksgiving ranking
Breakfast with beer at the West Side Market Cafe: a truly Cleveland experience
Spotted Owl expands, adds to cocktail culture in Akron
Bloom Bakery’s co-founder sparks talks to reopen pastry shop with a cause