Tuesday, Nov. 11, is Veterans Day, and many restaurants and businesses in the Des Moines metro are offering free meals and discounts to veterans, active-duty military members and their families.
Please call your local business or restaurant ahead to confirm they offer a discount at that location, and don’t forget to bring your valid military ID or honorable discharge card as proof of service.
Blank Park Zoo
From Saturday, Nov. 8, to Tuesday, Nov. 11, the Blank Park Zoo is hosting Salute to Our Heroes, during which all veterans and active-duty military members can get free admission to the zoo and half-price admission for up to four guests.
Casey’s
On Nov. 11, veterans can receive any size coffee or fountain drink and a car wash for free. Active-duty military and on-duty, uniformed first responders can enjoy the offer year-round.
Fareway
On Nov. 11, Fareway is offering 15% off to all military personnel, active or retired.
The Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden
Veterans and active-duty military members can get free admission into the gardens from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8.
Hy-Vee
Enjoy a free dine-in breakfast for veterans and active-duty military members on Nov. 11, from 6 to 10 a.m. Veterans and active-duty military members can also get 15% off grocery purchases in-store and online on Veterans Day.
Jethro’s BBQ
Jethro’s is offering a 50% discount on any entrée for veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day.
Prairie Meadows
Join a celebration ceremony on Tuesday, Nov. 11, at 11 a.m. at the Prairie Meadows Casino & Racetrack in Altoona. Enjoy a free lunch, live music, and military displays.
Smokey D’s BBQ
Enjoy a free lunch platter at Smokey D’s throughout Veterans Day with proof of a military ID.
Ziggi’s Coffee
On Nov. 11, all veterans and active-duty military members are invited to enjoy a free 16-ounce drink or a 20-ounce ‘dirty soda’ at Ziggi’s.
National chains offering Veterans Day deals for 2025
Plenty of national chains with a presence in Iowa are also offering deals to honor veterans. Here’s some of what you can find:
Applebee’s
Veterans and active-duty military members receive a free meal from a select menu on Nov. 11.
Blaze Pizza
Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free one-topping pizza at participating locations.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for veterans and active-duty military on Veterans Day. Offer is for dine-in only with a valid ID.
Chick-fil-A
Show your military or veteran ID for a free breakfast or lunch item at participating locations.
Chili’s
Veterans and active-duty military members get a free meal on Nov. 11 at all participating restaurants.
Cracker Barrel
Veterans and active-duty members receive a free sunrise pancake breakfast on Nov. 11
Denny’s
Veterans and active-duty military members receive a free original Grand Slam meal on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Einstein Bros. Bagels and Bruegger’s Bagels
Veterans and active-duty military get a free hot or iced coffee (any size) on Nov. 11, in-store or online using promo code FREECOFFEE.
Famous Daves
Veterans get a free Georgia Chopped Pork Sandwich and a choice of side on Nov. 11 at all Famous Dave’s locations, for dine-in, to-go, and online ordering.
Fazoli’s
Fazoli’s is providing veterans and active-duty military a free spaghetti with marinara or meat sauce with code VET25 at participating locations on Nov. 11, with valid proof of service.
Firehouse Subs
Buy any size sub and receive a second sub free on Nov. 11.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard and Steakburgers
Veterans and active-duty military personnel who visit participating locations on Nov. 11 will receive a meal card valid for a free combo meal of their choice. The cards must be redeemed by Dec. 31, 2025.
IHOP
Get a free Red, White & Blue Pancakes or a Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Veterans Day for dine-in service only. Military ID or proof of service is required.
Insomnia Cookies
Get a free deluxe cookie with a $5 purchase on Nov. 11. Military ID required, and the deal is available in-store only.
Krispy Kreme
Veterans and active-duty military can start their Veterans Day off with a free breakfast at Krispy Kreme that includes a doughnut of their choice and a small coffee.
Great Clips
Great Clips salons are offering veterans and active-duty military members free haircuts on Nov. 11, as well as free haircut cards redeemable on a future visit.
Olive Garden
Free entrée from a special menu for any veteran or active-duty military with an ID on Nov. 11.
Outback Steakhouse
Veterans and active-duty military personnel can get a free Aussie three-course meal on Nov. 10 and 11. Diners can select a soup or salad, a ‘down under’ entrée and finish with a slice of New York-style cheesecake.
Pilot and Flying J
On Nov. 11, active or veteran military service members and their families can enjoy a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or lunch item and fountain drink through Pilot’s myRewards Plus app at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 Fuel Network locations.
Red Lobster
Red Lobster is offering free Shrimp and Chips to veterans and active-duty military members with proof of service. The meal features six hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly-fried shrimp, French fries, coleslaw, plus a beverage.
In addition to the free item deal, Red Lobster locations may also offer a Veterans Day special menu for guests.
Red Robin
Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger and Bottomless Side for veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.
Scooter’s Coffee
Veterans and active-duty military members can receive a free medium drink on Veterans Day for any drink on the Scooter’s Coffee menu. Mobile order-ahead is not available.
Smoothie King
All active-duty military and veterans can enjoy a free 20-oz smoothie at participating Smoothie King locations nationwide. The offer is available on Nov. 11 from 12–3 p.m. and includes three patriotic picks: Strawberry X-Treme (red), Slim-N-Trim Vanilla (white) and Blueberry Heaven (blue).
Starbucks
Free tall (12 oz.) hot or iced coffee for veterans, active-duty military or military spouses on Nov. 11.
Sonic
On Nov. 11, veterans and active-duty service members can enjoy half-price shakes in any size and flavor and discounted combo meals from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. at participating Sonic locations.
Taco Johns
Veterans and active-duty military members can get a free small beef crispy taco combo or small beef softshell taco combo.
Target
Target is offering 10% off two storewide purchases for verified military members with Target Circle memberships from Sunday, Oct. 26, to Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Texas Roadhouse
Veterans can enjoy a free lunch with a meal voucher at Texas Roadhouse locations from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Proof of service is required, and vouchers do not expire until May 2026.
Walgreens
Walgreens is offering a 20% discount to veterans, active-duty military members and their families from Nov. 8 to Nov. 11.
Wendy’s
Active-duty military and veterans get a free breakfast combo on Nov. 11 at participating Wendy’s locations from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m.
USA TODAY contributed to this report
Cooper Worth is a service/trending reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach him at cworth@gannett.com or follow him on X @CooperAWorth.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Where to find free Veterans Day meals, freebies and discounts in Iowa
Reporting by Cooper Worth, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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