Is today Veterans Day? Check free meals and restaurant deals for veterans; are schools open or closed on November 11?

Veterans Day is observed every year on November 11 to honor people who have served in the US military. This year, the federal holiday falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11, 2026. On the occasion of Veterans Day, restaurants across the country will show their appreciation by offering special deals and free meals for military members and veterans, according to Blue Star Family.

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Veterans Day Free meals, offers and discounts

Applebee’s: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free entree from a special menu on Veterans Day. The dine-in offer requires valid military identification.


- Aroma Joe’s: Service members and veterans can get a free 24-ounce drink or AJ’s RUSH Energy Drink 24. Valid identification is required.

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- Aspen Creek Grill: Veterans and service members can receive a $15 voucher between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Veterans Day. The voucher is valid through December 24, 2026.

- Backyard Taco: All seven Arizona locations offer military members and veterans a free meal worth up to $15. Customers pay the difference if their order exceeds that amount.

- Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: Veterans and military members can get a free cheeseburger and side between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The offer is dine-in only.

- Biscuit Belly: Veterans and military members can receive a free biscuit sandwich and drip coffee on November 11. Choices include chicken, bacon, egg and cheese, or sausage, egg and cheese.

- Blaze Pizza: Participating locations offer veterans and active-duty military members a free one-topping pizza. Check with your local restaurant before visiting.

- Bob Evans: Eligible guests can choose a free entree from a special menu featuring 11 breakfast, lunch and dinner options. They will also receive a coupon for free sausage gravy and biscuits on a future visit.

- Bombshells: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free appetizer, entree and dessert at locations in Texas and Colorado. Family members dining with them receive 20% off.

- Buca di Beppo: Veterans and military members can get a free lunch salad, pasta or entree from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The dine-in offer requires valid military identification or proof of service.

- Buffalo’s Cafe: Participating locations offer veterans and active-duty military members 25% off their dine-in meal. Alcohol is excluded.

- Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans and service members with valid identification can receive a free order of 10 boneless wings. The offer is available on November 11.

- California Pizza Kitchen: Veterans and military members can get a complimentary meal and beverage from a select menu. Dine-in guests also receive a buy-one-get-one coupon for pizza, pasta or salad.

- California Tortilla: Veterans can receive free chips and queso with any purchase. Valid military identification is required.

- Capriotti’s Sandwich Shop: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free small sub on Veterans Day. A valid military ID is required.

- Casey’s General Store: Veterans and military members can receive a free coffee or fountain drink. Guests must show military identification or proof of service.

- Chick-fil-A: Veterans Day offers vary by independently operated franchise. Participating locations may provide free meals, entrees or special appreciation events.

- Chili’s: Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free meal from a special Veterans Day menu. Options include Chicken Crispers, quesadillas, an Oldtimer Burger and soup with a house salad.

- Chipotle: Veterans and military members can get free chips and dip with an in-store purchase of at least $5. Options include guacamole, Queso Blanco or salsa.

- The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf: Last year, the chain offered free drinks to veterans, active-duty service members and military spouses. Details of this year's offer have not been confirmed.

- Cotton Patch Cafe: Veterans, military members and retirees can receive a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken. The offer is dine-in only and requires proof of service.

- Cracker Barrel: Veterans and service members can enjoy a free Sunrise Pancake Special with valid identification. The chain is also offering 25% off its Military Collection merchandise through November 12.

- Dave & Buster’s: Veterans and active-duty military members can receive free all-day gameplay or a free dessert with a qualifying entree, depending on the location. Some games are excluded from the offer.

- Denny’s: Veterans and military members can get a free meal, including options such as the Original Grand Slam. Valid military identification is required.

- Dickey’s Barbecue Pit: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free pulled pork sandwich on November 11. The offer is available at participating locations.

- Dunkin’: Veterans and service members can receive a free donut with an in-store purchase. The offer is available on Veterans Day.

- Dunn Brothers Coffee: Veterans and active or retired military members can get a free small brewed coffee or cold brew. A valid military ID is required at participating locations.

- Escalante’s: Veterans can receive a free side of queso with any purchase. Valid military identification is required.

- Fat Rosie’s: Veterans can enjoy 50% off entrees when dining in. A valid veterans ID is required.

- Fazoli’s: Veterans and active-duty military members can get free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce. Use code VET26 and show proof of military service; no purchase is required.

- Firebirds Wood Fired Grill: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free meal on Veterans Day. The restaurant also extends the offer during Armed Forces Week in May.

- Food City: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free hot bar meal with an entree, two sides, a roll and a 21-ounce fountain drink. The offer runs from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. with military identification and a ValuCard.

- Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and active service members can receive a free combo meal card. It can be redeemed through November 25, 2026.

- Friendly’s: Veterans and service members can get a free burger entree and beverage on Veterans Day. Valid military identification is required.

- Golden Corral: The chain's 26th annual Military Appreciation Night offers a free dinner buffet and beverage to veterans, active-duty personnel, National Guard and reserve members, and military retirees. The dine-in offer runs from 4 p.m. until closing.

- The Greene Turtle: Veterans and military members can receive a free meal worth up to $15. The chain also offers a year-round 15% military discount.

- Hooters: Participating locations offer veterans a free menu item with a drink purchase. Choices include 10 wings, a cheeseburger, Buffalo chicken sandwich or Chicken Caesar salad.

- Hopdoddy Burger Bar: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free Classic Burger or Classic Burger with Cheese. The offer is dine-in only and requires proof of service.

- Huddle House: Active and retired military members can receive a free Original French Toast. The offer is dine-in only and requires a valid military ID.

- Hurricane Grill & Wings: Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free dine-in entree at participating locations. Options include wings, fish and chips, burgers and chicken sandwiches.

- Hy-Vee: Participating stores offer a free breakfast from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. Veterans and military members can also receive 15% off groceries using code VETS2026 on November 11.

- IHOP: Veterans and service members can enjoy a free Red, White & Blue(berry) pancake combo with eggs, hash browns and bacon or sausage. The offer runs from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and requires proof of service.

- Keke’s Breakfast Cafe: Veterans and active or retired military members can get a free Classic Two Egg Combo breakfast. The dine-in offer requires military identification and is limited to one per person.

- Kolache Factory: Veterans can receive a free kolache and coffee on Veterans Day. The chain also provides a year-round 10% military discount.

- Kona Grill: Veterans, service members and Gold Star Families can get a free entree with the purchase of a starter. The offer runs November 9-11 at participating locations.

- Little Caesars: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. It includes four slices of Detroit-style pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi.

- Logan’s Roadhouse: Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free entree from a special menu between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. The offer applies to participating corporate-owned locations and is dine-in only.

- Lucille’s Smokehouse Bar-B-Que: Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free Pulled Pork Sandwich or Personal-Size Southern Fried Chicken. The offer is dine-in only and requires military identification.

- Macayo’s Mexican Restaurants: Veterans can get a free a la carte chimichanga with shredded beef, chicken or beans. The offer is available for dine-in or takeout with a valid military ID.

- Main Event: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free Double Cheeseburger and Fries, along with 30 minutes of free gameplay. A valid ID is required.

- Max & Erma’s: Veterans and service members can receive a free cheeseburger, fries and fountain drink. Proof of service is required.

- McCormick & Schmick’s: Veterans and military members can receive a select entree at half price. The offer is available for dine-in on November 8.

- MOOYAH Burgers, Fries & Shakes: Rewards members who purchase a burger and Shareable Fry can get a second burger free. New app users registering on November 11 can also access the deal.

- Native Grill & Wings: Veterans and active-duty military members can choose a free dine-in meal from a select menu. Options include chicken sandwiches, burgers and boneless wing combos.

- Off The Hook Restaurants: Veterans and active-duty military members can enjoy a free shrimp platter with fries, hushpuppies and Hook Sauce. The offer is available at all locations.

- Olive Garden: Veterans and service members can choose a free entree from a select menu. Options typically include spaghetti and meatballs, fettuccine Alfredo and chicken parmigiana.

- Outback Steakhouse: Veterans and military members dining in can receive a free Bloomin’ Onion and beverage on November 10-11. The chain also offers a year-round 10% Heroes discount.

- Perkins Restaurant & Bakery: Veterans and military members can get a free Magnificent Seven Breakfast Meal. A valid military ID is required at participating locations.

- Perry’s Steakhouse & Grille: Veterans and military members can receive a free dinner-cut pork chop when a guest orders a full-priced dinner entree. The offer runs from 4 p.m. until closing and requires a reservation.

- Pilot Flying J: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or a lunch item and fountain drink. Service must be verified through the Pilot app.

- Prince St. Pizza: Veterans and military members can receive a free pizza slice at participating locations. A valid military ID or proof of service is required.

- Qdoba: Veterans and service members can get free chips and dip when dining in. Valid military or veteran identification is required.

- Raising Cane’s: Veterans and service members receive a 10% military discount throughout the year. First responders are also eligible for a 10% discount.

- Red Lobster: Veterans and service members can enjoy a free hand-breaded shrimp and chips entree. Valid identification is required.

- Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries. No purchase is required at participating dine-in locations.

- Ruby Tuesday: Veterans and military members can receive a free Everyday Fresh Meal, including an entree, Garden Bar and bottomless drink. The offer is worth up to $17.99 and requires valid identification.

- Santa Fe Cattle Co.: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free Lunch Express entree on November 11. The offer is available at participating locations.

- Scooter’s Coffee: Veterans and military members can get a free medium handcrafted drink, including holiday beverages. Valid military or veteran identification is required.

- Shake Shack: Last year, the chain offered veterans and service members a free Big Shack for dine-in. Details of this year's offer have not been confirmed.

- Shoney’s: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free Breakfast Fresh Food Bar until 11 a.m. The offer is available at participating locations.

- Sizzler: Veterans and military members can receive a free lunch entree until 4 p.m. The offer is available at participating locations.

- Smashburger: Veterans and service members can choose a free All-American Smash Burger or American Big Dog on November 11. Check participating locations before visiting.

- Sonny’s BBQ: Veterans and military members can get a free Pork Big Deal, which includes a pulled or sliced pork sandwich, a Sidekick and a drink. Proof of service is required.

- Starbucks: Veterans, active-duty military members and military spouses can receive a free tall hot or iced coffee. The offer is available at participating locations on November 11.

- Sullivan’s Steakhouse: Last year, the chain offered veterans and military members a free Angus Burger and fries. This year's offer has not been confirmed.

- Taziki’s Mediterranean Cafe: Participating locations offer veterans a free Grilled Chicken Gyro meal with chips and a side. The offer is part of the chain’s annual Gyros for Heroes promotion.

- TCBY: Veterans and active military members can get one free 6-ounce frozen yogurt. Guests pay for any additional weight, and participation varies by location.

- Teriyaki Madness: Veterans and service members can receive a free junior or regular-sized bowl. Check the chain’s list of participating locations before visiting.

- Tijuana Flats: Veterans and active-duty military members can get 50% off an adult entree on in-store orders of at least $9.99. Use code VETDAY26 at checkout.

- VIVA Chicken: Veterans and military members can receive a complimentary entree with the purchase of another qualifying entree. The offer is available at participating locations in the Carolinas and Utah.

- Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and military members can get a free Original Chili Dog, small fries and small soda. A military ID or uniform is required.

- Wendy’s: Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free Dave’s Single at participating U.S. restaurants. No purchase is required, but digital, delivery and kiosk orders are excluded.

- World of Beer: Veterans and military members can enjoy a free Single Smash Burger and fries. The offer is for in-store guests and requires a military ID or VA card.

Do kids have school on Veterans Day?

According to the Illinois State Board of Education, Veterans Day is considered a "legal school holiday," but it also notes "school activities are permitted," meaning schools can choose to hold classes. Overall, it depends on the district, reports NBC Chicago.

In Elgin, District U-46 high schools will have early release. In Joliet, District 86 schools will be closed, as will schools in Waukegan District 60. Chicago Public Schools will be closed to students Wednesday and will hold a professional development day for staff. Many other districts, including District 39 in Wilmette, will be open.