Where to find Veterans Day 2023 deals in Indianapolis
U.S. military service members and retirees are being recognized for their service with Veterans Day freebies and discounts. Look for free meals, car washes and opportunities to donate to programs that benefit military service this coming holiday.
At some of the chains, the offers are available only at participating locations, so calling ahead is suggested. Also, most require proof of military service, such as military ID, Veterans Affairs cards, or discharge paperwork.
Send additions to this list via email to cheryl.jackson@indystar.com.
What is Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on Nov. 11, for honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. It marks the date when Germany and the Allies signed a 1918 agreement to end World War I hostilities.
Free food and drinks for veterans
Applebee’s will let veterans and active-duty military order free meals from a special menu of seven items for dine-in on Nov. 11.
Aspen Creek Grill will offer one free meal voucher worth up to $15 to all veterans and active-duty military. Visit an Aspen Creek Grill location to pick up a voucher during lunchtimes starting Friday, Nov. 10. The voucher can be redeemed starting Monday, Nov. 13 through Sunday, Dec. 24, and is valid for dine-in visits only and excludes alcoholic beverages. Aspen Creek Grill also will continue its Veterans Day tradition of setting an empty “Fallen Soldiers Table” with symbolic items in their dining room on Nov. 11 in remembrance of the soldiers who never returned home.
Bar Louie will offer each active-duty and retired military personnel a complimentary Bar Louie Craft Burger on Nov. 11.
Bob Evans will provide veterans and active duty military personnel with a free dine-in meal on Nov. 11.
Bonefish Grill on Nov. 11 will offer a complimentary order of the restaurant’s Bang Bang Shrimp and soft drink to active service members, veterans and first responders with valid ID. Year-round, Bonefish Grill offers a 10% off Heroes Discount to service members, veterans and first responders.
Bubba’s 33 will serve veterans and active U.S. military a free lunch on Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those unable to make it that day, the restaurants will distribute raincheck vouchers, good through May 30, 2024.
Buca di Beppo will give veterans and active-duty military a choice of one of three traditional small pasta dishes including fettuccine alfredo, spaghetti with meatballs or baked ziti on Nov. 11.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is offering a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a soft drink for veterans and active-duty military with show of ID on Nov. 11. Year-round, Carrabba’s offers a Heroes Discount of 10% off to all service members, veterans and first responders.
Casey’s is providing free coffee or fountain drinks to veterans and active service members on Nov. 11. The offer extends year-round to active military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders, including law enforcement, fire and EMS. The convenience store also has a month-long campaign that allows guests to help enable the company to support Hope for the Warriors and Children of Fallen Patriots.
City Barbeque will treat veterans and active-duty U.S. military personnel to a free sandwich, one side and a drink on Nov. 11 for dine-in or carryout.
Dave & Buster’s restaurant and arcade center will offer a free entrée (up to $20) and a free $10 Power Card with a valid veterans card on Nov. 11.
Freddy's Frozen Custard and Steakburgers will give veterans and active-duty military personnel a free Freddy’s Original Double with Cheese combo meal card on Nov. 11 that can be redeemed through Nov. 30.
Golden Corral celebrates Veterans Day with its annual Military Appreciation Night on Nov. 13 when all active-duty military personnel, National Guard, reserves and veterans of all branches of service receive a complimentary meal and beverage from 5 p.m. to closing.
Hooters will give veterans and active-duty military a free entrée from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu with the purchase of a beverage at participating locations on Nov. 11. Dine-in only.
IKEA will serve veterans and active-duty military a free adult entrée in the IKEA Swedish Restaurant Nov. 10-12. Also, Nov. 10-22, veterans and active U.S. military members (and their spouses) will get 15% on their in-store home furnishings purchases of up to $3,000 (pre-tax).
Jaggers will treat veterans and active members of the U.S. military to a free double cheeseburger, one side and a drink from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Nov. 11.
Pilot Flying J will treat service members and their families to a free meal at participating locations Nov. 10-12 through a special offer in the app.
Rosie's Place will offer a free meal to all active-duty and retired military personnel on Nov. 11.
Starbucks will serve a free 12-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee to veterans, military service members and military spouses on Nov. 11.
Twin Peaks will serve veterans a free lunch on Nov. 11. Guests on that day also will have the chance to donate to Tunnel to Towers, a charitable organization that helps provide mortgage-free homes to Gold Star and fallen first responder families, and receive a $5 off card.
White Castle will give complimentary individual combo meals and breakfast combo meals to all veterans and active-duty service members for dine-in on Nov. 11.
Discounted meals
Kona Grill will give veterans and active-duty military 50% off food Nov. 10-13.
Metro Diner is offering 50% off to active and retired military with valid military ID on Nov. 11, and 10% off their meal year-round.
Entertainment deals
Emagine is offering veterans and active-duty military free admission to their choice of a movie on Nov. 13.
Hotel Tango Distillery will offer a free hour of bay time at Back 9 Golf and Entertainment, 1415 Drover St., Indianapolis, to all veterans on Nov. 11.
Services and products
4Patriots, the emergency preparedness products e-commerce company, is providing U.S. veterans and active-duty military its 72-Hour Survival Food Kit, typically priced at $29, for free on Nov. 11. The kit contains 20 individual meal servings. Veterans must complete an online shipping form available on Nov. 11 only.
Custom Neon, an LED and neon wall art maker, Is offering a 20% discount to veterans on Nov. 11. Use the discount code VETERANSDAY2023 at customneon.com.
PXG (Parsons Extreme Golf) offering special pricing on golf equipment, apparel, and accessories to current and former military, law enforcement, firefighters and EMT personnel, including 40% off select apparel and merchandising through Nov. 15.
Sam’s Club is offering veterans and their immediate family members a $20 Club membership and $5 off an in-club purchase through Dec. 31. The offer is redeemable online only. Active and retired U.S. military and immediate family members can also renew their membership and get $10 off an in-club purchase.
Sleep Number is offering a 20% discount on most Sleep Number smart beds, bases, furniture and bedding to military and veterans.
Sport Clips Haircuts will provide free haircuts to veterans and active duty service members on Nov 11, as well as donate $2 for every haircut service provided on that day to its Help A Hero Scholarship program, which provides funds for education for veterans and service members to transition to post-military civilian careers. Clients, team members and franchisees can donate in-store at check-out or online with 100 percent of donations going toward veteran scholarships.
Take 5 Car Wash locations will offer every veteran a free car wash (up to a $26 value) on Nov. 11.
Donations
BUBS Naturals health and wellness supplements provider will donate 100% of its proceeds from sales on bubsnaturals.com to the Glen Doherty Memorial Foundation on Veterans Day. In addition to Veterans Day, 10% of all BUBS profits are donated to charities that support veterans.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on X.com: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Veterans Day free meals: Where to find discounts and deals in Indianapolis
