On Veteran’s Day, Nov. 11, veterans and active duty military will be able to eat and drink their way around the Rochester area for free, or at a nominal cost. Many local restaurants and national chains will be showing their appreciation by offering free meals, desserts, beverages or other deals.
The day that honors those who served in the military began as Armistice Day in 1919. The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was when fighting ceased in 1918 and World War I ended.
At all locations, be prepared to show proof of service such as a military or VA card, DD214, discharge papers or a driver’s license that indicates veteran status. With franchise restaurants, participation may vary by location. Most of the offers do not include tax and gratuity.
Airy Acres Vineyard
Airy Acres Vineyard, a Finger Lakes winery, will have free wine tastings for veterans and active duty members from Nov. 13 to 17. It will also offer 10% off bottles in the tasting room. It is at 8011 Footes Corners Road in Interlaken, near Cayuga Lake.
Applebee’s
For the 18th year, Applebee’s is offering a complimentary dine-in-only meal to active duty military, veterans, reserves and National Guard members. Choose from a bacon cheeseburger, a 6-ounce top sirloin, chicken tenders platters, double crunch shrimp, Fiesta Lime chicken, Oriental chicken salad or three-cheese chicken penne. In addition, Applebee’s will give each of these guests a $5 Bounce Back Card to redeem for dine-in, to go or delivery within a three-week redemption window. Applebee’s has locations in Irondequoit, Henrietta, Webster and Greece.
Bill Gray’s
Bill Gray’sis offering a free cheeseburger, fries and a regular soft drink to all veterans and active-duty military personnel on Veterans Day.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse, 760 Jefferson Road in Henrietta, is offering active-duty and retired military a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie ― a gooey chocolate chunk cookie topped with vanilla bean ice cream ― with no minimum food purchase purchase. In addition, guests with a valid military ID who dine in and purchase an entrée will receive a bounce-back coupon for a free appetizer, which will be valid between Nov. 12 through Dec. 31.
Bruster’s
Brusters is offering veterans and active-duty military can enjoy a free small sundae with one topping, whipped cream, and a cherry. Bruster’s has locations in Webster, Irondequoit and Greece.
Buffalo Wild Wings
Buffalo Wild Wings will offer a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries for all past and present armed services members. Only available for dine-in. Buffalo Wild Wings is at 1046 Ridge Road in Webster.
Delta Sonic
Delta Sonic is offering a free Super Kiss Plus car wash (which comes with two free washes in two weeks); $15 gift card to the detail shop; free coffee; free small Sonic Sipper fountain drink (where available); free pizza slice (where available); free Pathwater Delta Sonic bottle water; free Davids cookie; free American flag air freshener; and free commemorative coffee mug. Merchandise giveaways are available while supplies last.
Denny’s
Denny’s will offer active military and veterans a free Original Grand Slam for dine-in only from 5 a.m. to noon. It features buttermilk pancakes, two strips of bacon, two sausage links and two eggs made to order. Denny’s is at 2890 W. Ridge Road in Greece and 813 Canandaigua Road in Geneva.
Donuts Delite
Donuts Delite, 1700 Culver Road at Empire Blvd, will give away a free donut to veterans and active military from 6 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral, 450 Jefferson Road, will host Military Appreciation Night from 4 p.m. to close, with a free dinner buffet and beverage for active-duty military, retirees, reservists, National Guard and veterans. Takeout is not offered. This year is the 25th anniversary of Golden Corral’s Military Appreciation Night.
IHOP
A free stack of red, white and blue pancakes or a pancakes combo meal is offered 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. for dine-in only at participating IHOP restaurants. The offer includes two buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping or its combo of two eggs, hash browns and a choice of two strips of bacon or two pork sausage links. IHOP is at 2190 N. Goodman St. near Irondequoit Mall.
Outback Steakhouse
For the Marine Corps birthday on Nov. 10 and Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Outback Steakhouse is offering a free Aussie three-course meal. Start off with soup or salad and then choose from a select variety of entrees, followed by cheesecake for dessert. Outback also offers a discount to military veterans and service members, police, firefighters, first responders, nurses, doctors and medical staff with 10% off their entire check all day, every day. Maximum one discount per table. Outback Steakhouse is at 1954 W Ridge Road in Greece.
Original Steve’s Diner
All four locations of the Original Steve’s Dinner will offer a free pancake and a free cup of coffee for all veterans for dine-in only. Locations are at 1694 Penfield Road in Penfield; 1100 Jefferson Road in Henrietta; 3240 Chili Ave. in Chili and 407 Commerce Dr. in Victor.
Red Robin
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and Brews will serve a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger, with bottomless steak fries, to veterans and active military who dine in. Red Robin has locations at 740 Jefferson Road in Henrietta, at The Mall at Greece Ridge in Greece and at 905 Holt Road in Webster.
Salvatore’s Old Fashioned Pizzeria
Salvatore’s will offer a free thin thin one-topping pizza to veterans and active military from noon to 2 p.m. Pickup and dine-in only. The pizza chain is also the main sponsor of Monroe County’s Veterans Day Parade.
Starbucks
Participating Starbucks locations will give one free tall 12-ounce hot or iced brewed coffee to veterans, current military service members and spouses. Offer is valid on café and drive-thru orders only. In addition, Starbucks is donating $200,000 divided evenly between the USO and Wounded Warrior Project.
Taste of Rochester
Taste of Rochester in the Frederick Douglass Greater Rochester International Airport will offer a free slice of Salvatore’s pizza or a free Zweigle’s hotdog to any veteran or active-duty military member flying through the Rochester airport Nov. 11 in thanks for their service.
Texas Roadhouse
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the nationwide chain will distribute vouchers for a free meal to veterans and active-duty U.S. military. Vouchers are good through May 31, 2026, and good for one of 10 entrées, including a 6-ounce sirloin with two sides and a choice of a soft drink, tea or coffee. Texas Roadhouse has locations at 3065 W. Ridge Road in Greece and 3150 W. Henrietta Road in Henrietta.
Three Brothers Winery & Estates
Three Brothers Winery & Estates, 623 Lerch Road in Geneva, will offer a free flight to veterans and active military. It always offers a 15% military discount on wine, beer and cider purchases. The winery also allows customers to pre-purchase a pint for a veterans and active military. If pints are available, military members can redeem by showing their ID.
Tim Hortons
Veterans can get a free classic doughnut for dine-in only at participating U.S. restaurants. The offer is not valid on digital, pick up or delivery orders.
If you’re on the road on Veterans Day
Smoothie King: Active-duty military and veterans can enjoy a free 20-ounce smoothie at participating Smoothie King locations nationwide from noon to 3 p.m., with no purchase necessary. The offer includes three patriotic picks: Strawberry X-Treme (red), Slim-N-Trim Vanilla (white), and Blueberry Heaven (blue). Rochester does not have a Smoothie King, but there’s one in Ithaca and one in DeWitt, near Syracuse.
Travel centers: Veterans, military personnel, and their families who stop at a Pilot or Flying J travel center on Nov. 11, will be welcome to their choice of a free breakfast sandwich and coffee or a lunch item and fountain drink. The closest locations to Rochester are in Corfu (Pembroke), Bath and Liverpool. You’ll need to download Pilot’s myRewards Plus app and military IDs must be verified through id.me. Pilot is also making a $250,000 donation to the Call of Duty Endowment, which helps place veterans in high-quality civilian careers after service. From Nov. 8 through Dec. 1, guests will be invited to donate to to the Call of Duty Endowment.
This story has been updated with additional discounts.
Tracy Schuhmacher covers Rochester’s food and drink scene. Send food and restaurant news and tips to tracys@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Free meals and deals on Veterans Day 2025 in Rochester
Reporting by Tracy Schuhmacher, Rochester Democrat and Chronicle / Rochester Democrat and Chronicle
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