CLEVELAND – At the end of World War 1, the armistice between the Allied nations and Germany went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. For that reason November 11, 1918 became the official day to celebrate all our nation’s veterans.  Originally called Armistice Day, it became Veterans Day after World War 2.

This Veterans Day, Friday November 11th, 2016, restaurants, stores and other establishments all across the country and Northeast Ohio are thanking our military. Many are offering special discounts, free meals or free admission to veterans and members of the military.

***Most businesses require proof of military service, and the deals include participating locations only. It’s recommended you call specific locations to make sure they are taking part in the promotions.***

Restaurants:

Applebee’s: Veterans and active duty military get a free meal on Veterans Day. Simply show proof of military service.

Bar Louie: Veterans and active-duty military will get a free appetizer or entrée on Veterans Day.

Bob Evans:  free breakfast all day long on Veterans Day for veterans and active-duty military.

Buffalo Wild Wings: complimentary order of wings and a side of fries to veterans and active-duty military. Must present acceptable proof of military service, which includes: permanent or temporary U.S. military ID cards, veteran’s card, a photograph of yourself in military uniform, or dine-in at a participating location in uniform.

California Pizza Kitchen:  free entrée from the Veterans’ Day menu. Please come in uniform or bring your military ID or other proof of service.

Chipotle:  Friday, November 11th, from 3pm-close:  a buy one, get one free burrito, bowl, salad, or taco order. Valid for all US military active-duty, Reserves, National Guard and retired military, military spouses with ID and veterans.

CP’s Cooler: will be giving each Veteran or active-duty Military a free ice cream treat up to $5.00 in value from 4 p.m. – 9 p.m.  Must provide proper I.D.

Cracker Barrel:  offering military veterans a complimentary slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. Must show proof of military service

Denny’s: active, inactive and retired military personnel will get a free Build Your Own Grand Slam on Friday, Nov. 11, from 5 a.m. to noon. Please show valid military id.

Friendly’s: free breakfast, lunch or dinner for veterans and active military, with a valid military ID or honorable discharge card.

Golden Corral: Monday November 14, 5 p.m. – 9 p.m. is Military Appreciation night with a free “thank you” dinner. Must show proof of military service.

Hooters: all active-duty and retired military to stop in for a free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu by presenting a military ID or proof of service at any Hooters location nationwide.

IHOP: Vets and active-duty military: Red, White & Blue Pancakes free from  7 a.m.-7 p.m.

Longhorn Steakhouse: will offer a free appetizer or dessert (no purchase required, no restrictions) to anyone showing proof of military service, plus 10% off for guests that dine with Veterans on November 11.

Olive Garden: will offer a free entrée from a special menu to active-duty military and military veterans.

Panera Bread:  a complimentary You-Pick-Two with military identification or if wearing their uniform to the participating Panera Bread bakery-cafes in the Cleveland, Akron, Canton area.  For a complete list of participating bakery-cafes, click here. 

Pro Football Hall of Fame: all veterans, active-duty military and one guest will receive free admission into the Hall’s museum throughout the month of November.

Red Robin:  all Veterans and active-duty military members will get a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. No purchase is necessary. Just show proof of service.

Spaghetti Warehouse Restaurants: Friday November 11th through Sunday, November 13th:
“buy one entrée, get one free” coupon offer. Guests will be able to choose any one of the restaurant’s Original Recipe Spaghetti entrées including their ‘World Famous’ Spaghetti and Meatballs or its ‘Incredible’ 15-Layer Lasagne and receive a second Spaghetti or Lasagne entrée free. Click here to download the coupon. 

Stir Crazy Fresh Asian Grill:  Offers veterans and active-duty military personnel their choice of a free chicken or steak Fresh Market Bar on Friday, Nov. 11th with valid proof of military service or veteran status.

Retailers/services:

Akron Zoo: will be offering free admission to all military personnel and veterans November 5-11. Veterans or people currently serving in the military will have to show a military ID to receive the discount. The zoo offers a year round discount of 50% off all military personnel and their immediate families. During this special promotion immediate families of military personnel will receive 50% off in addition to free admission for the person that has served or is currently serving. 

Cleveland Cavaliers: are celebrating Veterans Day at their home game Tuesday, November 8th. Discounted tickets for current and former military members, starting as low as $14 per ticket, available online at theqarena.com/military with the passcode MILITARY. Other games this is available for are: November 13th, 15th and 25th.

Cleveland Monsters: Discounted tickets for current and former military members, starting as low as $14 per ticket, available online at theqarena.com/military with the passcode MILITARY. Games this is available for are those on November 11th, 12th, 19th and 26th.

Geauga Humane Society’s Rescue Village: Begins a partnership with Pets for Patriots on Veteran’s Day. Veterans will benefit from participating in the program both through Rescue Village and through Pets for Patriots. Pets for Patriots sends a $150 gift card upon proof of eligible adoption to help with food and other essentials, and provides access to local veterinary partners who agree to offer ongoing discounted care for the life of the animal. Rescue Village will offer a discounted adoption fee to all veterans as well as a free bag of food.

Gordman’s: offering all active-duty, Reserves, Guard, retirees and Veterans a $10 Gordmans Savings Card with any in-store purchase on Veterans Day. In addition, they will receive 15% off their entire purchase. Must show military ID or shop in uniform.

Great Clips: Customers who come in Nov. 11 for a service can get a free haircut card to give to their favorite veteran. Veterans can also get a free haircut or get the free haircut card. Haircuts are redeemable until Dec. 31.

JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino:  Friday, Nov. 11,  JACK Cleveland Casino will offer a free buffet and The Diner at JACK Thistledown Racino will offer a free stack of pancakes for all active and retired military.  They will need to show their military ID, DD-214 or driver’s license with the military logo when they arrive at Market District Buffet or The Diner.

Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park: One free breakfast or lunch buffet (with military identification) will be offered to veterans on Veterans Day, Friday, November 11, at the Rocksino’s Fresh Harvest Buffet. Breakfast: 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.; Lunch: 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. (must be in line by 3:30 p.m.)

Plus: 50% off per ticket to seeThe Lalas  Burlesque Show, Nov. 11 – 12 at Hard Rock Rocksino’s Club Velvet.  Tickets are available at the Rocksino Box Office, daily 1:00pm – 9pm, with military identification.

JCPenney: will offer a 5 percent discount from Nov. 10-13 to current and former military personnel and their immediate family members with valid military or VA identification provided in-store. The discount may be combined with additional coupons and special offers including a $10 off $25 coupon with any form of payment or 20 percent off coupon when paying with a JCPenney credit card.

Red Roof Inns From November 1 to 30, veterans can save 15% at any Red Roof nationwide. Red Roof also offers active military members 10% off a stay at any Red Roof nationwide all year long.

Click here to submit a photo of your veteran to our Veterans’ Photo Gallery.