Monday is Veterans Day and that means a time to honor and thank America’s service men and women — specifically those who have retired or discharged from service.
However, Veterans Day also honors active-duty military for their service because of the date’s origins.
In Oklahoma, visiting veteran-owned businesses is a great way to give back to those who have served. More specifically, you can start your day in Oklahoma City with a visit to one of two local veteran-owned coffee shops.
Viridian Coffee, 9300 N Pennsylvania Ave., is the Oklahoma City area location of the Duncan-based veteran-owned company that also has locations in Cache, Chickasha and Lawton, with one set to open soon in Edmond.
Not far from Viridian in the heart of the Britton District, you’ll Zero Tolerance Coffee, 919 W Britton Road. Veteran-owned Zero Tolerance has been serving up coffee and chocolate made in house for over five years.
Why do we observe Veterans Day?
Veterans Day is a federal holiday held annually on Nov. 11 to mark the end of World War I when the Allies and Germany signed an armistice agreement on Nov. 11, 1918. Fighting ended on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, according to the Department of Veterans Affairs.
What food deals are available for veterans on Veterans Day?
Additionally, retired and active-duty service personnel can take advantage of specials for Veterans Day on Monday, as numerous restaurants look to honor military members.
Most discounts require proof of service, such as a form of veteran, military or military-dependent identification — such as a veteran ID card or DD214 card showing your time of service — at the time of purchase. Many offers are limited to dine-in guests, as well. Always check with your closest location to confirm participation.
Here’s a list of deals and discounts for Veterans Day.
The National: Veterans Day Breakfast Buffet
From 8 to 10 a.m. Monday, veterans can enjoy a complimentary buffet-style breakfast inside The Beacon at The First National building, including an omelet station and pastries from The Gilded Acorn. Military ID is required for entry, no reservations or RSVP required.
la Madeleine: Veterans Day meal discount
la Madeleine will be offering veterans 30% off their meal with proof of military ID.
Bubba’s 33: Free Veteran’s Day menu
All veterans and active U.S. military can choose one of six entrees, including a Classic Cheeseburger, Bubba’s Bacon Burger, Bacon Chicken Mac-n-Cheese, Grilled Chicken Salad, Chicken Tender Salad or any 12-inch pizza plus a choice of any Coca-Cola product, sweet tea/ice tea or coffee during lunch. Proof of service includes military or VA card, or discharge papers. Those unable to attend can receive a raincheck voucher, good through May 31.
Starbucks: Free coffee on Veterans Day
Veterans, service members and military spouses get a free tall 12-ounce brewed coffee (hot or iced) on Monday at participating Starbucks stores in the U.S. (Cold Brew is not included. Cafés and drive-thru only.)
The company is also donating $200,000 to organizations addressing the needs of veterans’ families, the Elizabeth Dole Foundation and Wounded Warrior Project.
Buffalo Wild Wings: Veterans Day free wings deal
All past and present members of the armed services with valid ID will get 10 free boneless wings and fries on Monday at Buffalo Wild Wings. The offer is good for dine-in or, if ordering from a Buffalo Wild Wings Go location, available for walk-in/orders placed at the counter only. Also, Buffalo Wild Wings always has a 15% military discount for dine-in and call-in orders.
Applebee’s: Free Veterans Day menu
Veterans and active-duty military, reserves and National Guard get a free meal Monday at Applebee’s from an exclusive Veterans Day Menu, which includes a 6-ounce Top Sirloin, Classic Bacon Cheeseburger and Double Crunch Shrimp. And veterans who dine-in also get a $5 bounce back card to redeem for dine-in, to go or delivery within a three-week redemption window.
Chili’s: Veterans Day free meal deal
All veterans and active military personnel get a free entrée on Monday at Chili’s. The complimentary menu includes entrées such as an Oldtimer with Cheese and Fries, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, 3-Count Chicken Crispers and Chili or Soup with a Side Salad (beverages and gratuity not included).
What other restaurants have deals on Veterans Day?
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Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar: Veterans and active-duty military get a free 5-ounce BD’s All American Burger with cheese and choice of side from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday (offer good with valid military ID).
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Biggby Coffee: Veterans can get a free 16-ounce beverage of choice on Monday (available at all locations).
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BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse: All current and former military personnel with a valid military ID get a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with no minimum food purchase purchase. They also get a bounce back coupon for a free appetizer, redeemable Nov. 12-Dec. 31 for dine in or take out.
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Black Rifle Coffee: On Monday, veterans can get a free 16-ounce coffee at Black Rifle Coffee Company Outposts and everyone can get a 25% discount on retail merchandise. Also through Monday, active-duty service members and veterans can also get a 40% discount on BlackRifleCoffee.com (other customers get a 30% discount; excluding subscriptions) and a 50% discount on subscriptions.
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Casey’s: Veterans can get a free coffee or fountain drink of any size on Monday. Throughout the year, that offer is good to active military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders including law enforcement, fire and EMS. Through Dec. 3, customers can donate to Hope For The Warriors and Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation by rounding up in-store purchases or adding a donation to online orders.
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Chicken Salad Chick: Service members in uniform and/or those who present a valid military ID at the register on Monday will get a free Chick Meal + drink (meal includes either a scoop or a sandwich, plus one fresh side, and a regular fountain drink).
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Cicis Pizza: Active and retired military with a valid military ID on Monday can have a complimentary Adult Buffet.
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Cracker Barrel: Available all-day on Monday for veterans and active-duty service members to get a complimentary Sunrise Pancake Special at all locations, available for dine-in guests nationwide.
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Dave & Buster’s: On Monday, veterans and active duty military get a free entrée up to $20 and a $10 power card (valid with veteran/military ID). Veterans and active military also get 15% off all food and beverage purchases every day. Other deals on Monday include: $5 beers all day including 22-ounce drafts of Miller Lite, Coors Light, Bud Light and Michelob Ultra; $5 Late Night Bites (Sunday to Thursday after 10 p.m.); and All You Can Eat Wings and $10 Power Card (starting at $22.99 on Mondays and Thursdays).
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Dunkin’: All active and retired military get a free donut on Veterans Day in Dunkin’ stores (limit one per guest while supplies last; no ID required). Offer not good for orders placed using On-the-Go Mobile Ordering through the Dunkin’ Mobile App.
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Fazoli’s: All active military and veterans can enjoy a free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce at participating locations with proof of service when dining in or via the online code, VET24, on Monday.
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Firehouse Subs: Veterans and active-duty military on Monday get a free combo meal with a medium sub, chips or a cookie, and a drink.
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Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Veterans and current military personnel can get a meal card good for a free combo meal of their choice, redeemable Monday to Dec. 31. (No ID required and no purchase necessary; card is good for dine-in, drive-thru, online or app orders.)
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Golden Corral: Veterans, active and retired U.S. military get a free “thank you” buffet and beverage from 4 p.m. until closing time Monday, no purchase or military ID required. Representatives from Disabled American Veterans will be on site accepting donations, too.
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Hooters: All retired and active-duty military who present proof of service or a military ID and order a drink Monday can get a free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu, which includes 10-Piece Boneless Wings, Hooters Burger, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich and Buffalo Chicken Salad. (Offer is good for dine-in only at participating Hooters locations.)
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Huddle House: Retired and active military members can get a free MVP Breakfast Platter on Monday. Offer is good at participating locations for dine-in only with a valid military ID.
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Insomnia Cookies: On Monday, the late-night bakery is offering active-duty military personnel and veterans who show a valid ID one free deluxe cookie with at least a $5 purchase in-store.
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IHOP: From 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday, IHOP will offer a free Red, White, and Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans and active-duty military at participating locations, dine-in only.
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Logan’s Roadhouse: On Monday, those who have served get a free meal from a select menu — entrées include a All American Cheeseburger, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders, Chopped Steak, Steak Tips and BBQ Grilled Pork Chop – from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. (at participating locations; guests must show proof of service such as a military ID).
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Main Event: Veterans and active military get a free Double Cheeseburger, Fries, and a 30-Minute Timecard on Monday (deal is available to those with a valid veteran/military ID).
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Metro Diner: Active and retired military with valid military ID get 50% off their meal on Monday — and 10% off their meal year-round.
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Mr Gatti’s Pizza: On Monday, veterans get a free buffet and drink at participating locations (must show military ID).
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On The Border: Veterans and active military can get a free Choose 2 Combo meal from a selection of tacos, enchiladas, soup, and salad (comes with Mexican rice and beans). Valid only on Monday for dine-in at participating restaurants (show military ID or proof of military service; limit one per eligible person).
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Pilot: On Monday, any ID.me verified active, retired, or veteran service members and their families can enjoy a free meal up to $12 through Pilot’s myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 Fuel Network travel centers.
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Pollo Campero: Any veteran or active-duty service member who shows up in uniform or has a military ID gets 50% off their meal on Monday. (Offer is good in store and meals include 2-piece to 4-piece chicken meals, 6-piece and 9-piece nugget meals, the Classic/Spicy Sandwich Meal, and more.
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QDOBA: Veterans and active-duty military members get a 50% discount off any full-size entrée on Monday when they dine in (good at participating locations with valid military ID).
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Raising Cane’s: Any active or nonactive military, fire, police, EMTs, and their spouses get 10% off their entire purchase when they mention the restaurants’ Hero Discount Program at the register (show valid ID to get the discount).
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Red Lobster: Those with a valid military ID or proof of service on Monday can dine in and get a free Veteran’s Shrimp & Chips meal — featuring six Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, served with cocktail sauce and ketchup, plus french fries and coleslaw. During the entirety of the year, Red Lobster gives veterans 10% off their check when dining in-restaurant when they show proof of service or valid military ID.
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Scooter’s Coffee: On Monday, anyone with a valid military ID can get a free medium drink from the Scooter’s Coffee menu, including the limited-time Iceberry Ignite Red Bull Infusion with Red Bull Winter Edition (mobile order ahead is not available for this promotion; limit one redemption per customer).
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Sonic Drive-In: The fast-food chain is celebrating Veterans Day by giving all customers half price shakes in any size and flavor, including both Classic and Master Shakes.
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Texas Roadhouse: The restaurant offers active-duty military, veteran, and retired military members a choice between dining in or receiving a meal voucher from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Veterans will receive a meal voucher to use for dine-in or carry-out at a later time. Vouchers are valid until May 30. A form of military ID is required.
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Twin Peaks: All active and retired military personnel get a free lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday. (The offer is valid from a select menu at participating locations.)
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Whataburger: Veterans and active-duty armed forces members in uniform or with a valid ID can get a free 16-ounce hot or iced coffee on Monday — and every day throughout the year.
CONTRIBUTING: Mike Snider, USA TODAY
This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Where to find Veterans Day meals and food specials around Oklahoma City
