Restaurants offer deals, discounts and free meals

Big juicy burgers. Sizzling steaks. Breakfast combination of meals and coffee.

Veterans Day is just around the corner and is celebrated every year on November 11th to honor those who have served in the US military.

Throughout the Detroit area, many restaurants have specials honoring current and former military members.

The day honoring those who have served began on Armistice Day in 1919. Veterans Day marks November 11, 1918 as the date – the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month – when fighting ceased and World War I ended. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Veterans Day, many restaurants, cafes, fast-casual restaurants and other food and beverage establishments thank those who have served with offerings for veterans. Also included are active US military personnel. Many places have offers for a free or discounted meal. This year, some places are offering deals for more than one day.

Most restaurants offering Veterans Day deals and specials require proof of service. Some special offers are offered at certain times on Veterans Day. Most do not include taxes and gratuities.

And in the non-restaurant category, veterans and active military can watch free movies on Monday at all Emagine Theater locations in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. Tickets must be purchased at the theater box office.

Here's a sampling of what's being offered on Veterans Day. Be sure to check availability times.

Achatz Handmade Pie/Pie Collective by Achatz

Free piece of cake at all Achatz Handmade Pie Co. and Pie Collective by Achtaz. Locations are in Armada, Beverly Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Chesterfield, Livonia, Madison Heights, Oxford, Shelby and Troy.

Applebee's

For the 17th year, Applebee's nationwide is offering free lunch or dinner for dinner only. Choose from over six entrees including a classic bacon cheeseburger, 6-ounce sirloin, chicken tenders, double crunch shrimp, fiesta lime chicken, oriental chicken salad and three cheese chicken penne. Veterans also receive a $5 card that they can redeem for a meal within three weeks. The offer is aimed at all veterans and active military personnel.

Bar Louie

A free selection of Bar Louie's half-pound craft burgers on a brioche bun is available to all active and retired military veterans. This year the offer is valid on Sunday and Monday. Bar Louie's craft burger menu includes Blazin' Burger, Bacon Cheddar, Chipotle BBQ or the Chef's Burger. Offer valid for dine-in at participating locations only.

Big boy

Free breakfast buffet for veterans from opening hours through 1 p.m. Monday at participating locations. The buffet includes breakfast items such as pancakes, bacon, sauces, eggs and waffles.

BJ's Brewhouse

Veterans receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie when dining at the restaurant. Veterans receive a voucher for a free entree of their choice. There are more than a dozen offered, redeemable between November 12th and December 31st, 2024. Locations are in Livonia, Sterling Heights and Taylor.

Bob Evans

A free breakfast for all veterans and active members. Offer valid for dinner only. Ten farm-fresh breakfast items such as the Country Biscuit Breakfast or Brioche French Toast are offered throughout the day.

Bubba's 33

A free meal will be available to veterans and active military from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Or you can receive a voucher for a future visit, the website says.

Buddy's Pizza

Offered year-round, veterans and active military receive 15% off their dinner bill at all full-service locations.

Burger One

Free classic cheeseburger meal at all seven metro Detroit Burger One locations. The meal includes fries and a drink. Burger One locations are located in Ann Arbor, Centerline, Dearborn Heights, Farmington, Southgate, Warren and Westland.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for veterans and active military. Offer valid only for dinner with valid ID and at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations.

Carrabbas

Friday through Sunday, veterans and active military members who order a dinner entrée will receive an additional entrée to go for free. On Veterans Day, veterans and active military members with ID will receive a free appetizer or dessert with dinner paired with a non-alcoholic beverage. Military members and first responders receive a 10% discount on every visit year-round.

Condado tacos

Free taco for every service member at all multi-state locations. There are four locations in the Detroit metropolitan area. The offer is valid until the end of the year.

Denny's

Active and retired military receive a free Denny's Legendary Original Grand Slam with two buttermilk pancakes, two strips of applewood smoked bacon, two pork sausage links and two eggs at participating restaurants. Offer valid for dine-in from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m. only.

Dunkin

All active and retired military receive a free donut of their choice. Offer valid in-store only and limited to one offer per guest while supplies last.

Eddie Merlots

Eddie's Prime Cheeseburger and Fries is free for all veterans and active military. Offer valid for dine-in only, while supplies last. Eddie Merloit's is located in Bloomfield Hills.

Ford's Garage

The Ford Motor Co.-inspired spot offers veterans a free American Standard burger or entree for up to $15. In the Detroit metropolitan area, locations are in Dearborn and Novi.

Hamlin Pub

From opening until closing on Veterans Day, Hamlin Pub offers veterans 20% off their meal. Offer valid at all nine Hamlin Pub locations.

IHOP

A free stack of red, white and blue pancakes or a pancake combo meal will be offered with dinner at participating IHOP restaurants from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The offer includes two buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped cream or a combination of two eggs, hash browns and a choice of two strips of bacon or two pieces of pork sausage.

Logan's Roadhouse

Free meal from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Monday, dinner only. Choose from a select menu including the All American Cheeseburger, chicken tenders, chopped steak, grilled pork chop, steak tips and sides.

McDonald's

All veterans with valid ID receive a free breakfast combo meal at participating McDonald's. Offerings include menu items such as Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit, served with hash browns and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.

Olga's kitchen

For Veterans Day, Olga's Kitchen is offering a free Original Olga. Offer valid for consumption at all Olga's Kitchen and Olga's Fresh Grille locations only.

robin

Veterans and active military receive a free Red's Big Tavern Burger, served with a choice of a bottomless side, including steak fries, french fries, steamed broccoli or side salad. According to a press release, Red Robin's “Buy a Vet a Gift Card” program is available this year, allowing guests to purchase gift cards that can be donated to local veterans organizations.

Sheetz

This gas station and convenience store chain recently entered the metro Detroit market with its first location at 33380 Wick Road. in Romulus. On Monday, veterans and active military members will receive a free half turkey sub and a full-size fountain drink at each location. Altoona, Pennsylvania-based Sheetz is planning additional locations in Michigan, including Warren, Eastpointe and Ypsilanti.

Starbucks

Free large (12 ounce) hot or iced coffee for veterans, military members and military spouses at participating U.S. Starbucks locations. Starbucks is also donating $200,000 equally to the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and the Wounded Warrior Project to support the veteran and military communities.

Sullivan's Steakhouse

Sullivan's signature Angus burger and fries is free for veterans and active military on Monday for dinner only. In downtown Detroit, Sullivan's Steakhouse is located on the ground floor of the Westin Book Cadillac on Washington Boulevard.

Texas Roadhouse

A free meal for veterans and active military members. Choose from a select menu of entrees including a 6-ounce sirloin steak, country fried chicken, pulled pork with two sides and a soft drink, tea or coffee.

Tim Hortons

A free Classic Donut is offered at restaurants at participating U.S. locations. Offer not valid on digital orders, pickup or delivery.

Twin Peaks

Free lunch for active and retired military on Monday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Offer valid on a select menu at participating locations. For information: twinpeaksrestaurant.com.

Wendy's

Free breakfast combo during breakfast hours, no purchase necessary. Choose from Sausage, Egg and Cheese English Muffins, Breakfast Baconator or the Honey Buddy Chicken Biscuit Combo. The combinations consist of a small order of seasoned potatoes and a drink.

White castle

Veterans and active military receive a free single, combo or breakfast combo meal. On Veterans Day, White Castle also serves its sliders in patriotic packaging with 50 white stars on a navy blue background.

Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: [email protected]. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Twitter. Subscribe to the Free Press.