Veterans Day Freebies and Discounts in Chicago

A heartfelt thanks, with some well-deserved perks to match. To every veteran and active-duty service member, we see you, we appreciate you, and we hope this round-up makes your day a little easier (and more delicious). Here’s where you can find free meals, museum entry, and more around Chicago on Veterans Day, November 11th.

Important reminder: Always bring a valid military or veteran ID, and double-check with your local location; participation may vary. Similarly, some deals may also include a guest and be valid for several days.

• Applebee’s - Free full-size entree when dining in
• Bar Louie - Free Bar Louie Craft Burger
• Bibibop - Free bowl
• BJ's Restaurant and Brewhouse - Free chocolate chunk pizookie, and free appetizer coupon for later use
• Blaze Pizza - Free 11" 1-topping pizza
• Brookfield Zoo - Free admission
• Buca di Beppo - Free lunch entree
• Buffalo Wild Wings - Free 10 Boneless Wings and Fries
• California Pizza Kitchen - Free entree from Veterans Day menu when dining in
• Chili’s - Free meal
• Chipotle - BOGO entree from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Cracker Barrel - Free sunrise pancake special when dining in
• Culver's - Free 1-scoop sundae
• Dave & Buster's - Free entree up to $20 and a $10 Power Card
• Denny’s - Free Original Grand Slam® from 5 a.m. (store open) to noon local time
• Dunkin' Donuts - Free donut
• Einstein Bros. Bagels - Hot or iced coffee of any size with a purchase.
• Fogo de Chao - 50% off Full Churrasco or Indulgent Churrasco meals for themselves, and 10% off Full Churrasco or Indulgent Churrasco meals for guests
• Golden Corral - Free thank you meal
• Great Clips - Free haircut, or get a free haircut card to use later
• Hooters - One free meal from a special menu with beverage purchase
• IHOP - Free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo
• Insomnia Cookies - Free deluxe cookie with a $5 purchase
• Kohl's - 30% off qualifying in-store purchase
• Olive Garden - Free entree from a special menu
• Outback Steakhouse - Free Aussie 3-course meal
• Pilot - Free breakfast sandwich and coffee or lunch item and fountain drink
• QDOBA - Free chips and dip 
• Raising Cane's - 10% off their entire purchase
• Red Lobster - Free Veterans Shrimp & Chips entree
• Red Robin - Free Red’s Big Tavern Burger exclusively on Veterans Day for dine-in
• Regal Cinemas - Perk varies, ranging from free popcorn to free admission
• Shake Shack - Free Big Shack
• Shedd Aquarium - Free admission, including general admission to permanent exhibits
• Smoothie King - Free 20oz smoothie
• Sports Clips - Free haircuts
• Starbucks - Free tall hot or iced coffee
• Texas Roadhouse - Free meal
• Uno Pizzeria - Free meal when dining in
• Walgreens - 20% off eligible regular-price items with myWalgreens®
• Wendy’s - Free Breakfast Combo during breakfast hours
• White Castle - Free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal 

---

Updated November 2025

Let us know if we missed any!