Restaurants offer deals, discounts, free meals

On By Littum

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Big juicy burgers. Sizzling steaks. Breakfast combined meals and coffee.

Veterans Day is approaching and is celebrated every year on November 11 to honor those who served in the US military.

Across metro Detroit, many restaurants are ready with specials to honor current and former military members.

The day honoring those who served began in 1919 as Armistice Day. 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 US Department of Veterans Affairs.

On Veterans Day, many restaurants, coffee shops, fast casual eateries, and other food and beverage establishments thank those who served with deals for veterans. Also included is active duty US military. Many places offer a free or reduced meal. This year, some locations are offering deals for more than one day.

Most restaurants offering Veterans Day deals and specials require proof of service. Some deals are offered at certain times on Veterans Day. Most do not include tax and tip.

And in the non-restaurant category, veterans and active duty military can see 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 on offer on Veterans Day. Be sure to check opening times.

Achatz Handmade Pie/Pie Collective from Achatz

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

Applebee’s

For the 17th year, a free lunch or dinner is being offered at dinner only at Applebee’s nationwide. Choose from over six entrees, including a classic bacon cheeseburger, a 6-ounce top sirloin, chicken plates, double crunch shrimp, Fiesta Lime chicken, Oriental chicken salad and three-cheese chicken penne. Veterans also receive a $5 card redeemable for a meal to be used within three weeks. The offer is for all veterans or active military.

Bar Louie

Free for all active and retired military veterans is a selection of Bar Louie half-pound artisan burgers on a brioche bun. This year the offer is valid on Sunday and Monday. Bar Louie’s craft burger menu features the Blazin’ Burger, Bacon Cheddar, Chipotle BBQ or the Chef’s Burger. The offer only applies to dining at participating locations.

Big boy

Free breakfast buffet for veterans from opening hours until Monday at 13.00 at participating locations. The buffet includes breakfast items such as pancakes, bacon, sauces, eggs and waffles.

BJ’s Brewery

Veterans receive a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie when they dine in. Veterans receive a coupon for a free appetizer of their choice. More than a dozen are offered, redeemable between November 12 and December 31, 2024. Locations are in Livonia, Sterling Heights and Taylor.

Bob Evans

A free breakfast meal for all veterans and active members. The offer only applies to dining. Ten farm-fresh breakfast items such as Country Biscuit Breakfast or Brioche French Toast are offered throughout the day.

Bubba is 33

A free meal is offered from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. for veterans and active duty military. Or you can get a coupon for a future visit, according to its website.

Buddy’s Pizza

Offered year-round, veterans and active duty service members receive 15% off their bill for dining at all full-service locations.

Burger One

Free classic cheeseburger meal at all seven Detroit Burger One metro stations. The meal includes fries and a drink. Burger One locations are 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 duty military. Offer valid for dining with valid ID and at Buffalo Wild Wings GO locations only.

Carrabba’s

From Friday through Sunday, veterans and active duty military who order an entree for dining receive another entree for free. On Veterans Day, a free appetizer or dessert paired with a soft drink for veterans and active military with ID. Service members and first responders receive a 10% discount on any visit year-round.

Condado Tacos

Free taco to any service member at any location in multiple states. There are four locations in metro Detroit. The offer is valid until the end of the year.

Denny’s

Active and retired military receive a free Denny’s iconic Original Grand Slam with two buttermilk pancakes, two strips of applewood smoked bacon, two pork sausages and two eggs at participating restaurants. The offer is only valid for dining from 5 to

Dunkin

All active and retired military receive a free donut of their choice. The offer is only valid in stores and limits one per person. guest, while stocks last.

Eddie Merlot’s

Eddie’s Prime Cheeseburger with Fries is free to all veterans and active duty military. The offer is only valid for dining, while stocks last. Eddie Merloit’s is located in Bloomfield Hills.

Ford’s garage

The place inspired by Ford Motor Co. offers veterans a free American Standard burger or an entree up to $15. In metro Detroit, locations are in Dearborn and Novi.

Hamlin Pub

From open until close on Veterans Day, Hamlin Pub is offering veterans 20% off their meal. Offer applies to all nine Hamlin Pub locations.

IHOP

Free stack of red, white and blue pancakes or pancake combo meal is offered from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM for dining at participating IHOP restaurants only. The deal includes two buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping or its combination of two eggs, hash browns and a choice of two strips of bacon or two pork sausage links.

Logan’s Roadhouse

Free meal from 11.00-15.00 on Mondays for dining only. Choose from a select menu of items including the All American Cheeseburger, Chicken Tenders, Ground 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. The offer includes menu items such as Egg McMuffin or Bacon Egg Cheese Biscuit served with hash brown and any size soda, tea or coffee.

Olga’s kitchen

For Veterans Day, Olga’s Kitchen is offering a free Original Olga. The offer only applies to dining at all locations in Olga’s Kitchen and Olga’s Fresh Grille.

Red Robin

Veterans and active military receive a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger served with a choice of its bottomless side including their steak fries, chips, steamed broccoli or side salad. This year is Red Robin’s Buy a Vet a Gift Card program, where guests can purchase gift cards to be donated to local veterans organizations, according to a press release.

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 receive a free half-turkey sub and regular-sized fountain drink at any location. Sheetz, based in Altoona Pennsylvania, plans more Michigan locations, including Warren, Eastpointe and Ypsilanti.

Starbucks

Free tall (12 ounce) hot or iced coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating US Starbucks locations. Starbucks is also donating $200,000, split 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 with fries is free for veterans and active duty military on Monday dine-in 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 free meal for veterans and active duty military. Choose from a select menu of entrees including a 6-ounce sirloin steak, country fried chicken, pulled pork served with two sides and a soda, tea or coffee.

Tim Hortons

A free classic donut is offered in restaurants at participating US locations. The offer does not apply to digital orders, collection or delivery.

Twin Peaks

Free lunch for active and retired military from 11.00-15.00 Monday. The offer applies to a selected menu at the participating locations. For info: twinpeaksrestaurant.com.

Wendy’s

Free breakfast combo during breakfast hours, no purchase required. Choose from Sausage Egg and Cheese English Muffin, Breakfast Baconator or its Honey Buddy Chicken Biscuit Combo. The combos come with a small order of seasoned potatoes and a drink.

White Castle

Veterans and active duty service members receive a free individual combo meal or breakfast combo meal. On Veterans Day, White Castle will also serve up its shooters in a patriotic pack of 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.