2026 Veterans Day Discounts, Free Meals and Retail Offers
Veterans Day 2026 falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and the VA has published its annual list of national discounts, free meals and retail offers for Veterans and their families. The list was first created in 2021 and was edited and verified as of Oct. 22, 2026. VA says it will keep adding nationally available offers as it learns of them, so the list is still growing.
The list is a public resource meant to make sure Veterans, their families, caregivers and survivors know what businesses and organizations are offering. It is not a VA benefit. The agency states plainly that sharing non-VA information does not amount to an endorsement of any product or service, and that offers are subject to change and may not be available in every state or location. Anyone planning around a specific deal is told to verify with the organization offering it.
Eligibility varies by business, and that matters for how you plan. Most of the restaurant offers in the portion of the list available here cover Veterans and active duty, and many require proof of service or a valid military ID. Bonefish Grill extends its offer to families as well, and In-N-Out Burger includes Reserve and National Guard members and gives all current and former service members a special-edition Veterans Day decal. Nothing in the list ties an offer to a disability rating, so Veterans at any rating level, or without one, should be able to participate if they can show proof of service.
The specifics differ widely. Applebee's, Bob Evans, Chili's and Cotton Patch Cafe offer a free entrée or meal on Nov. 11, mostly dine-in only. Denny's offers a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. Bar Louie offers a free burger, excluding the Big Louie, on Nov. 10–11. Chipotle offers free chips with a choice of guac, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase at participating locations. Golden Corral offers Veterans a free buffet for its Military Appreciation Night. Margaritas Mexican Restaurant offers 50% off an entrée at Northeast locations, and Marzoni's offers a free 12 oz. draft beer or non-alcoholic drink.
Some offers extend past the day itself. Aspen Creek Grill's free $15 meal voucher is available from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Nov. 11 and can be redeemed through Dec. 24, 2026. Freddy's gives a free combo-meal card redeemable through Nov. 25, 2026. Hoss's Steak and Sea House offers a free bar meal and iced tea, plus a $10 off $40 voucher for a later visit, while supplies last, with the voucher expiring 11/25/26. Applebee's excludes beverages and gratuity from its free entrée. The source text cuts off partway through the list, so additional offers are likely posted on the VA page.
For disabled Veterans, these offers are a small but real way to stretch a budget, especially when disability compensation is fixed and household costs keep rising. They are also a reminder that recognition programs sit alongside, not in place of, the benefits you have earned through VA, such as compensation, health care and caregiver support. A discount is a courtesy from a business, while a benefit is a right with an appeal process behind it.
Before you head out, check the full, current list on VA's website and confirm the details with the specific location, since participation and hours can vary. Bring a military ID, a VA identification card or other proof of service, and note any voucher expiration dates so they do not lapse. Veterans Day is also a good time to review your own benefits picture, and if you have not talked with an accredited Veterans Service Officer recently, consider asking whether your rating, dependents or other benefits need a fresh look.