Best Food Deals For Veterans: Places Offering Free & Cheap Food Year-Round

We’re used to seeing the deluge of restaurants that offer free meals and discounts to veterans and active-duty members of the military on Veterans Day. 

However, many of those same restaurants offer discounts throughout the year as a way of saying thanks to those who have served more than just once a year. You might not see quite as many places offering a free meal, but there are solid discounts to be had on meals every day. You can find deals at places like Outback Steakhouse, Costco, and Grimaldi’s all year long. 

Here are the best deals on food for veterans and active-duty military personnel that can be found throughout the year. Though you should note, almost every location requires some form of military ID to get the discount, and stores generally require validation through a service like ID.me or SheerID.

Food Deals for Military Veterans

Outback Steakhouse
The deal: Military service members, firefighters, and first responders get 10% off their entire check every day of the year. That’s no different on Veterans Day.
When: Ongoing

Old Country Buffet
The deal: Take 15% off if you’re active-duty personnel, reserve, or retired and wearing a uniform or carrying a valid ID. 
When: Ongoing

Panda Express
The deal: Military veterans can take 10% off their tab every day of the year. For the remainder of 2020, that discount has been extended to first responders as well. 
When: Ongoing

Grimaldi’s
The deal: The pizza shop offers active-duty personnel and veterans 15% off their meals year-round. 
When: Ongoing

Carrabba’s Italian Grill
The deal: All service members and first responders get 10% off their visit every day of the year. 
When: Ongoing

Joella’s Hot Chicken
The deal: Military personnel and veterans can get 10% off their meals year-round at Joella’s. 
When: Ongoing

Fire Dept. Coffee
The deal: There’s a 15% discount for life for active military, veterans, first responders, and emergency dispatchers. 
When: Ongoing

BJ’s Wholesale
The deal: Veterans who join BJ’s get 25% off standard membership fees. There are also other discounts specifically for veterans and active-duty personnel, like a coupon for $10 off your first trip after becoming a member.
When: Ongoing

Costco
The deal: Members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families get a $30 Costco Shop Card when they join Costco as a new member. 
When: Ongoing

Fred Meyer
The deal: Current members of the military, veterans, and military families get an extra 10% off your purchase on advertised days.
When: Ongoing

Bob Evans
The deal: With your military ID, you can get a 10% discount on your check year-round. 
When: Ongoing

Kind
The deal: Order Kind bars through the company’s site to get 15% off everything on the site. That offer is available to military veterans, active-duty personnel, first responders, nurses, and doctors. 
When: Ongoing

Omaha Steaks
The deal: Take 10% off your order if you’re an active-duty member, retirees, veteran, military spouse, or a dependent. 
When: Ongoing

Dutch Bros. Coffee
The deal: The discount is up to each location, but there are discounts to be had. 
When: Ongoing

Smokey Bones
The deal: Take advantage of a 10% discount every day of the year when you show your valid military ID.
When: Ongoing

Other Deals Available Right Now

Wendy’s
The deal: Donate $2 to the Dave Thomas Foundation to get a key tag that will land you free Frostys for an entire year. 
When: Buy through January 31

Chili’s
The deal: December’s $5 Marg of the Month is the Merry Berry ‘Rita, which features Lunazul Blanco Tequila, Cointreau, Monin Blackberry Syrup, strawberry puree, and fresh sour. You can even get it to-go where that’s allowed. 
When: Through December 31

Corner Bakery
The deal: It’s launching “Free Coffee at the Corner.” You don’t have to buy anything at all, you’re just getting a free coffee in any size when you stop by a Corner Bakery. You’re even able to order that freebie online. 
When: Daily through December 31

Steak ‘n Shake
The deal: Every weekday features a happy hour where you can snag half-price drinks and shakes. 
When: Monday through Friday, 2-5 pm

Auntie Anne’s
The deal: To celebrate the return of its Chocolate Frost drink, Auntie Anne’s is offering free deliveries through the Pretzel Perks app. 
When: Monday-Friday through January 1, 2021

Outback Steakhouse
The deal: You’re going to score a $10 bonus card when you buy a $50 card. That bonus card will be valid from January 1 to February 7, 2021. 
When: Through December 31

Grimaldi’s Pizzeria
The deal: Pass along the gift of future pizza to a loved one. You’ll get a $10 bonus card when you buy $50. Though, the cards aren’t valid at Grimaldi’s Pizzeria To-Go locations.
When: Through December 31

Tim Hortons
The deal: Grab zero-dollar delivery through the chain’s mobile app. 
When: December 2-31

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