Veterans Day deals: Louisville restaurants offer discounts, free food

Celebrated on Nov. 11, the anniversary of the end of World War I, Veterans Day is a day of celebration set aside to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good, according to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Several restaurants will offer discounts or free food to those actively serving and retired from the military and first responders. Proof of service such as a military ID often is required. Discharge papers, VA cards, and veteran organization membership cards also can be used to prove service at most businesses.

Check out veteran.com/veterans-day-discounts-sales-deals-free-meals for more deals. Here are 20 restaurants around Louisville offering discounts or free meals on Veterans Day:

WHAT: For the 17th consecutive year, Applebee's is offering a free meal to active and retired military service members. Dine-in only.

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WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: applebees.com.

WHAT: Veterans and active-duty military who visit the restaurant between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. on Veterans Day will receive one free meal voucher worth up to $15. Redeemed vouchers Nov. 11 through Dec. 24. The offer is valid for dine-in visits only and excludes alcoholic beverages.

WHERE: 8000 Bardstown Road

MORE INFORMATION: aspencreekgrill.com

WHAT: Veterans eat free on Nov. 11 with a choice of bacon egg and cheese, sausage egg and cheese, or chicken biscuit sandwich and a coffee or fountain drink. Dine-in only.

WHERE: 3723 Lexington Road, 2600 Valley Vista Road, 900 E. Main St.

MORE INFORMATION:biscuitbelly.com.

WHAT: BJ’s is offering current and former military personnel with a valid military ID a sweet treat and a coupon for a free appetizer. Enjoy a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie and get a coupon for an appetizer. The coupon is valid between Nov. 12 and Dec. 31 for dine-in or take-out.

WHERE: 7900 Shelbyville Road

MORE INFORMATION: bjsrestaurants.com

WHAT: Bob Evans salutes all who served with a special Veterans Day menu. Bob Evans is offering a free meal to all veterans and active-duty military. The menu includes a selection of 10 entrees, from the country biscuit breakfast to Brioche French toast and more, available all day for dine-in only.

WHERE: 11800 Standiford Plaza Drive; 9797 Blairwood Road; 10761 Fischer Park Drive

MORE INFORMATION: Must provide proof of service. Accepted identification includes US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired Card, current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW), a photograph of yourself in uniform, wearing uniform, DD214, and citation or commendation. bobevans.com

WHAT: Veterans and active-duty military who dine at California Pizza Kitchen will receive a complimentary entrée and drink from a prix fixe menu when dining in on Veterans Day.

WHERE: 7900 Shelbyville Road

MORE INFORMATION: cpk.com

WHAT: Carrabba's is offering a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a beverage for veterans and active-duty military with ID on Veterans Day. Nov. 8-10 order an entrée when you dine in and take home another entrée of equal or lesser value for free. It also offers all service members, veterans, and first responders 10% off their meals on Veterans Day and year-round with valid ID.

WHERE: 617 S Hurstbourne Parkway

MORE INFORMATION: carrabbas.com

WHAT: Casey’s offering a free coffee or fountain drink (any size) to veterans on Veterans Day. Casey’s extends the same offer year-round to active military personnel and on-duty, uniformed first responders, including law enforcement, fire, and EMS.

WHERE: 1492 Market St., Charlestown, Indiana

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. 812-416-5173; caseys.com.

WHAT: Veterans and active-duty military who dine at City Barbeque will receive a complimentary sandwich, side, and drink on Veterans Day. This offer is only valid in-store and cannot be redeemed for online orders, catering, or third-party delivery. Each person is limited to one free meal.

WHERE: 4027 Poplar Level Road, 9429 Viking Ctr Drive

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. citybbq.com.

WHAT: Veterans and active-duty military get a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake, in-store and online, with any purchase.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. crackerbarrel.com.

WHAT: Dunkin' is giving veterans and active military a free donut of their choice. Limit one per guest.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. dunkindonuts.com

WHAT: Veterans can get free red, white, and blue pancakes or a pancake combo when dining in. Military ID or proof of service is required.

WHERE: 1401 S. Hurstbourne Parkway; 1220 Veterans Parkway

MORE INFORMATION: ihop.com/en/veterans-day.

WHAT: Veterans, active, retired or former military will receive a free meal with proof of service. Proof of service includes a military ID card, VA card, or discharge papers.

WHERE: 6464 Dutchmans Parkway; 10690 Westport Road; 13801 English Villa Drive

MORE INFORMATION: eatjaggers.com.

WHAT: Krispy Kreme is giving veterans and active military a free donut of their choice and a small coffee. Limit one per guest.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. krispykreme.com.

WHAT: Participating McDonald’s restaurants will offer a free breakfast combo meal to all veterans, with a valid military ID. Veterans can enjoy an Egg McMuffin or bacon egg cheese biscuit, along with a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea, or coffee.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: The meals are only available for dine-in or drive-thru. The meals are not available in the McDonald’s app. Breakfast meals are only available until 6:30-10:30 a.m. mcdonalds.com.

WHAT: In honor of Veterans Day, Metro Diner is offering 50% off to active and retired military with valid military ID, and 10% off year-round.  Enjoy fan-favorite dishes like Iron City meatloaf, chicken pot pie, or fried chicken and waffles.

WHERE: 4901 Outer Loop

MORE INFORMATION: 502-357-0767; metrodiner.com

WHAT: On Veterans Day, Olive Garden will offer veterans one free entrée from a special Veterans Day menu. The Veterans Day menu includes Chicken parmigiana, never-ending soup, salad and breadsticks, cheese ravioli, spaghetti and meatballs, and Fettuccine Alfredo.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Military ID or proof of service is required. olivegarden.com.

WHAT: Starbucks is offering free coffee (hot or ice) for veterans, military service members, and military spouses.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Guests need to show a valid military ID or proof of service. starbucks.com.

WHAT: Texas Roadhouse will offer 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, 2025. A form of military ID is required.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: Discounts may vary by location. texasroadhouse.com.

WHAT: White Castle is offering free combo meals to veterans and active-duty military members who dine at participating restaurants. Guests need to show a valid military ID or proof of service.

WHERE: Multiple locations

MORE INFORMATION: whitecastle.com.

Reach features news clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].