This list was compiled from a number of sources: veteransdaydeals.us, VA News, twincitiesfrugalmom.com and Bring Me the News.
John’s Pizza Cafe where we have our monthly meeting on the 2nd Tuesday of the month, the owner Jan is married to a 20 yr Marine, and a son served in the 10th Mountain Division as a Combat Medic. They have a daily Veterans Discount if you show some form of proof (VA Card, active duty card, DD214).
Alary’s Bar
The deal: Veterans and active service members can get a free entrée on Veterans Day.
When and where: Nov. 11 at 139 E 7th St (Fort Road), St Paul Map (on the map it lists 7th St as Fort Road)
(Note to Vikings and Packers Fans, this is a Chicago Bears Bar, so be respectful and warned)
Cabela’s
The deal: The Woodbury location is hosting a Veterans Day breakfast that is free for veterans.
When and where: Nov. 11, 9 a.m. at 8400 Hudson Road, Woodbury
Earl Giles
The deal: With a valid military ID, veterans get 50% off their tab.
When: Nov. 11 at 1325 Quincy St. NE, Minneapolis
The 5-8 Club
The deal: Veterans can stop in for a free burger. You’ll get a classic burger or Juicy Lucy, served with a choice of fries, carrot sticks, or coleslaw.
When: Nov. 11 at locations in Champlin, Maplewood, Minneapolis, and West St. Paul
Kendall’s Tavern and Chophouse
The deal: It has a limited menu from which veterans and active-duty personnel can get a free meal.
When: Nov. 11, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. at 12800 Bunker Prairie Road NW, Coon Rapids
Tattersall Distilling
The deal: Veterans get a free lunch combo, starting after a flag-raising ceremony with the AL Post 121 Honor Guard.
When and where: Nov. 11, 12–2 p.m. at 1777 Paulson Road, River Falls, Wis.
Tavern Grill
The deal: Every veteran gets a free meal with choices that include a burger, chicken wrap, or spicy chicken sandwich.
When and where: Nov. 11, locations in Apple Valley, Arden Hills, Blaine, Edina, Minnetonka, and Woodbury
Tria Restaurant
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel can get a free meal from a limited menu.
When: Nov. 11, 4–9 p.m. at 5959 Centerville Road, North Oaks
Veterans Day deals at chain restaurants
Applebee’s
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel get a free full-sized entrée.
When: Nov. 11
Chili’s
The deal: Veterans get a free meal.
When: Nov. 11
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
The deal: Veterans get a free pulled pork sandwich, which they can order for dine-in or carryout.
When: Nov. 11
Golden Corral
The deal: Retired service members and veterans can get a free buffet and beverage. The company still has one shop in Minnesota, located in Maplewood.
When: Nov. 11
(If you are a Vet and don’t like lines or crowded places, this might be a place to avoid, the line will be out the door here)
Green Mill
The deal: Veterans and active personnel get 10% off meals every day of the year.
When: Ongoing
Mo’ Bettahs
The deal: Makana Rewards members get $5 off a meal.
When: Nov. 11
Old Chicago Pizza
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel get a free meal from the chain’s Veterans Day menu.
When: Nov. 11
(the location in Roseville has been closed for years)
Outback Steakhouse
The deal: Veterans get a free Bloomin’ Onion and a choice of a soda or beer.
When: Nov. 10–11
Starbucks
The deal: Veterans, service members, and spouses get a free 12-ounce coffee.
When: Nov. 11
Teriyaki Madness
The deal: Vets get a free junior or regular-sized bowl of their choice.
When: Nov. 11
Other Veterans Day offers
Cabela’s
The deal: Every day of the year, Cabela’s offers veterans, active service members, firefighters, and wildlife agents 10% off almost everything.
When: Ongoing
Discount Tire
The deal: Using ID.me, veterans can get 5% off service.
When: Ongoing
Free Geek
The deal: The Twin Cities hub for reusing and recycling electronics is offering veterans a 20% discount.
When: Nov. 11
Great Clips
The deal: Its annual Thank a Veteran program offers free haircuts.
When: Nov. 11
Kohl’s
The deal: Active military members, veterans, retirees, and immediate family members get 15% off purchases every Monday.
When: Ongoing
Minnesota Zoo
The deal: Veterans and active-duty personnel get free admission throughout November. Up to six immediate family members can get 50% off admission.
When: Through Nov. 30
Applebee’s: Veterans are invited to pick from one of 7 free meals as a Thank you to service members. This is an annual tradition.
Bakers Square: Free 2-2-2 breakfast to all veterans and active military on Veterans Day. Use code VETERANS26. (Verified in an email)
Buca di Beppo: On Wednesday, Nov. 11th, active service members and veterans receive a Free Lunch, including side salad and garlic bread, until 3pm.
Chili’s: Is offering all military veterans past and present their choice of one of 4 meal options. Offer only available at participating Chili’s in the U.S. only. Dine-in from limited menu only.
Chipotle: active-duty U.S. service members and veterans get free chips and their choice of guac, Queso Blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase.
Denny’s: Veterans and military personnel get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam breakfast on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m.- noon.
Fogo de Chao: Veterans and active duty personnel can enjoy 50% off Full or Indulgent Churrasco, plus 10% off for their special guests on Wednesday, November 11th. (verified in an email)
Golden Corral – Veterans get a free “thank you” meal during military appreciation night, which this year is on Wednesday, November 11th, 2026 from 4:00pm – close.
Hy-Vee – Free Breakfast for Veterans and Active-Duty Military on Wednesday, November 11th from 6:00am – 10:00am, plus get a 15% discount on in-store or online orders placed Nov. 11. Use code: VETS2026.
IHOP – Free red, white and blue pancakes on November 11th from 7am until 7pm. ID required.
Kona Grill – Free dinner for service members November 9-11 with purchase of any starter. (Read about our experience dining there!)
Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop (Stillwater): “Leo’s will continue our tradition of honoring Veterans and Active Military Personnel with a free meal.” No proof of service is necessary and Veterans may choose from the entire menu.
(they might get an overvote here, if you don’t need a photo ID to prove you are a Veteran)
Malone’s Bar & Grill (Maple Grove): Veterans: Please enjoy a free meal up to $20 on us on Veteran’s Day, Wednesday, November 11th.
Margaritaville (Mall of America): Exclusive 15% discount* to all active-duty Service Members and Veterans of the Armed Forces at participating locations. Must verify status with GOVx.
Outback Steakhouse: FREE Bloomin’ Onion and Dinner! From November 10 – 11, veterans get a FREE Bloomin’ Onion® and beverage. No Dine Rewards membership needed. Then have your Veterans Day 11/10 – 11/11 visit on your check and use your Dine Rewards account at checkout and receive a Hero’s Meal in your Dine Rewards wallet. Return during 11/16/2026 – 5/2/2027 and enjoy your FREE Hero’s Meal.
Paris Baguette: Free medium coffee with any purchase. For veterans, active duty service members and their families. Includes up to 3 complimentary coffee flavors or dairy alternatives. (verified in an email)
Red Robin: Free Red’s Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries on November 11. (their fries are bottomless every day)
The Tavern Grill: Veterans eat free at The Tavern Grill on November 11. (Choose from a select menu)
TCBY – Veterans and active military receive their first 6 oz free on November 11th with proof of service.
Wendy’s – Sign up for Veterans Advantage for special veterans deals year-round including Veterans Day.
Red Lobster: Veterans, active duty and reservists receive a free Shrimp & Chips meal on Nov. 11, 2026, dine‑in only; ID required
Shake Shack is honoring Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11, and showing appreciation for those who serve with a free single ShackBurger. Active military personnel and Veterans can simply show a valid military ID or proof of service, no purchase required. The offer is available in-Shack nationwide.
Texas Roadhouse is honored to to offer free meals to Veterans and active military members across the country. Veterans and military should verify locally for participation.
Website (link above) says to pick up voucher between 11 am and 2 pm. at most locations. The voucher is good through then of May 2027.
Metro Transit Bus Rides: Free to those Veterans with a Service Connected VA Card, have to show ID card when getting onto the bus.
Breweries and Taprooms
Tamarack Tap Room (Woodbury) – All veterans are invited to enjoy a free Veterans Burger or a free beer on us!
Too Many to list here…
We may have listed a few duplicates above. So we will list what the VA News lists. Not all of them are in the Twin Cities.
Here is the VA’s list link news.va.gov/150505/2026-veterans-day-discounts-free-meals-offers
Thanks is not Enough, Please Do the Following for Vets
Our Local Party Unit has a number of Veterans in it who served at various times from Viet Nam to the present. It wasn’t until after Desert Storm that Viet Nam Veterans were really thanked for their service. When they returned from their tour of duty they were often met by people who hated them or called them baby killers which is ironic because many were pro-abortion. So many Vets did another tour of duty to get away from the homefront, some didn’t return, and some returned in physical form but not their minds.
Often Vets after getting thanked feel ignored and forgotten. The often quoted suicide rate of Veterans that cover those who served over all eras is 22 Veterans per day. On the Shawn Ryan Show one of their guests said it is double that. 1 is too many.
So after you thank them for their service please do the next request:
- Ask them how they are doing. If they say “Fine,” or “okay,” press them on this because most people who don’t want any fuss over them will say that.
- Ask them how you can help them. Not every Veteran is doing okay. Many have a problem re-integrating back into civilian life.
- If they are having issues, you should call 988 then press 1. This is the national mental health emergency number. The press 1 is for Veterans. (988 for anyone else). You can help them get a trained person to help them out of their mental health crisis.
Why do I ask you to do this? You might be the last person the Vet runs into before they plan to delete themselves.