This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Business & Tech

Your Veterans Day Guide to Free Meals and Discounts for Military Personnel in Macomb Co.

Businesses throughout Macomb County will honor America's military service members this weekend through special events and offers in recognition of Veterans Day, Nov. 11.

Businesses across Macomb County will be offering special discounts, freebies and offers exclusively for Veterans Day.

Here is a list of Veterans Day 2012 specials you'll find on Hall Road and beyond. Special thanks to The Military Wallet, which continually updates this list for the benefit of the military community.

Use this guide to find local services and memorials for Veterans Day.

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

Free Appetizer or Entree

  • Golden Corral - On Monday, Nov. 12, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., Golden Corral will be giving out free meals to any person who has ever served in the U.S. military or is on current active duty. All Golden Corral locations will be participating and no identification is required to get your free meal. Last year, Golden Corral served more than 375,000 veterans a Veterans Day free meal!
  • California Pizza Kitchen – The pizza franchise is inviting all veterans and active military personnel to have a meal on them Sunday, Nov. 11, and Monday, Nov. 12. Servicemen and women can enjoy any pizza on the menu, along with a non-alcoholic beverage, so long as they are dressed in uniform, or can offer a military ID or other proof of service.
  • LongHorn Steakhouse – Veterans receive a free Texas Tonion and non-alcoholic beverage. This offer is available Nov. 11 and 12. Must show form of military ID or be in U.S. military uniform.
  • Red Robin - Veterans and active duty military can stop into their local Red Robin on Monday, Nov. 12 to get a free Red's Tavern Double burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. Be sure to bring your military ID to take advantage of this Veterans Day freebie.
  • Bar Louie - Bar Louie locations across the country will offer veterans and military personnel a free meal up to a $11 value when they show valid military I.D. or other proof of service. You can stop by the location in The Mall at Partridge Creek and get your free Veterans Day meal for lunch or dinner.
  • Subway - Select SUBWAY® Restaurants will offer a FREE six inch sub or flatbread to military veterans on Veterans Day. This offer is valid only on Nov. 11, at participating local SUBWAY® restaurants, Military ID or proof of service required. Note: SUBWAY® Restaurants are franchises, so this offer may not be available everywhere. Please call ahead for participation and times.
  • Carrabba's Italian Grill – Veterans and active military personnel receive a free appetizer of their choice Nov. 11-12 in celebration of Veterans Day, no purchase necessary. Closest location is on Schoenherr, south of Hall.
  • Sterling's Bistro – Veterans receive a free entree (up to $20) on Sunday, Nov. 11. This promotion is dine-in only and available to military personnel who have one of the following forms of identification: U.S. Uniform Services Identification card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification card, current leave and earnings statement, Veterans Organizations card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform. Located on Hall Road, near Lakeside Mall.
  • Applebee's - Stop into a participating Applebee’s on Sunday, Nov. 11, 2012 to get your free meal. You’ll be able to choose a meal from a limited Veteran’s Day menu that includes steak, cheeseburgers, chicken tenders, salad, pasta, chicken, and shrimp. You can see the complete menu by using the link above. This deal is dine-in only and beverages and gratuity are not included. You’ll need to bring in one proof of military service such as a U.S. Uniform Service ID card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings statement, photograph in uniform, be wearing your uniform, a veterans organization card such as American Legion or VFW, or a DD214. Find an Applebee’s near you and call ahead to find out if they are participating in the Veterans Day free meal.
  • T.G.I. Friday's - T.G.I. Friday’s will be having free lunch for all veterans and active military on Monday, Nov. 12.
  • Hooters – Stop by a participating Hooters anytime on Sunday, Nov. 11, and get a Veterans Day free meal. You’ll get 10 free boneless wings. A drink purchase is required. You’ll need to bring in a military ID or proof of military service. Dine in only.
  • Little Caesar's – Stop into a participating Little Caesar’s and get a free order of Crazy Bread. Call ahead to verify that your local Little Caesar’s is participating. You’ll need to present a valid military I.D. to get this freebie.
  • bd's Mongolian Grill – Receive half off stir-fry when you show proof of service or military ID Nov. 10 and 11.
  • Olive Garden - Olive Garden is offering a free meal to all veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2012. Provide proper proof of service at any Olive Garden restaurant in the US and Canada and enjoy a free entree, complete with baked garlic breadsticks and a choice of soup or salad. Veterans can choose from Seafood Alfredo, Chicken Parmigiana, Soup, Salad, & Bread sticks, Braised Beef & Tortellini, Cheese Ravioli, or Spaghetti & Meatballs.
  • Famous Dave's - Famous Dave's will be offering FREE Two Meat Salute - choose two different meats served with a corn bread muffin and your choice of one side.
  • Chili's - Chili's will be offering a free meal to Vets on Nov. 11 from a specially selected menu.  Vets will also have a reduced cost ($5) brownie sundae that can be purchased. You’ll need to show proof of military service to get your Veterans Day free meal – a U.S. Uniform Services ID Card, a U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID Card, a Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, a DD214, a photograph in uniform, or wear your uniform. Find a Chili’s near you so you can stop in and get your free meal.
  • Texas Roadhouse – free lunch, Sunday, Nov. 11 2012. Every Texas Roadhouse location across the country will participate in the free lunch event to honor the men and women of our armed forces. Choose from one of 10 free meals, plus sides and a drink. Offer good for All veterans – including all active, retired or former U.S. military. ID Required. Find locations.
  • Outback Steakhouse - Stop into any Outback Steakhouse on November 11-12 to get a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca-Cola product. From Nov. 11- Dec. 31, enjoy the Military Mates 10 percent discount! This offer is for veterans as well as active duty military. You’ll need to bring in one ID such as a U.S. Uniform Services ID card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired ID card, current Leave and Earnings statement, DD form 214, a veterans organization card, a photograph of you in uniform, or you can wear your uniform to get your free Veterans Day meal. Find an Outback Steakhouse near you to get your Veterans Day free meal.
  • Denny's - Stop by Denny's on Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 and all active, non-active, and retired military personnel can get free all you can eat pancakes from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. All Denny's locations are participating in this promotion and you'll just need to bring a valid military ID along with you.
  • Tim Hortons – All U.S. locations are offering a free donut to all veterans (check out the Star Spangled donut!).
  • Detroit area Ponderosa, Monday, Nov. 12, 2012 All 7 Detroit area Ponderosa Restaurants will offer a free buffet meal for military veterans from open to close.

Veteran’s Day Discounts – Retail Stores & More

Here are some additional Veterans Day Discounts. In all cases, be sure to provide proper ID or proof of service. In addition, some of these stores are franchises, so verify participation before assuming the discount is in place.

  • Amazon.com – Free MP3 album download “Veterans Day Honor” This free downloadable album includes 12 songs as performed by the military bands and ensembles of the U.S. Armed Forces. Visit Amazon now through Veterans Day to download the album for free (album will be full price again starting Nov. 12).
  • Big Lots – 10 percent off your entire purchase. Offer available to active duty, Guard/Reserve, veterans, retirees and their immediate family members, with valid ID. Please call ahead to verify.
  • Cabela’s. Cabela’s is giving their standard employee discount to all US military veterans, active duty military, Guard/Reserves, law enforcement, fire and EMS personnel on Nov. 10-11. Discount varies from 5% to 20%, depending on the item.
  • Dollar General. 10 percent discount on entire purchase on Veterans Day. Offer good for all active-duty military, retirees, veterans, Guard/Reserve, & immediate family members. The coupon can be found in the store circular, or by asking an employee. Also good online from Nov 11-13, use Coupon Code VETERANSDAY. More info.
  • Free Business Cards and Checks. Get 25 FREE Checks – Choose from 6 different designs or upgrade to premium checks and choose from many more designs. Bonus Offer – Get 250 Free Business Cards! FREE Checks & Business Cards offer.
  • Free Car wash. Thousands of car washes around the country are offering vets a free car wash on Veterans Day, Sun. Nov. 11, 2012. Find a list at Grace for Veterans, which helped veterans receive 101,537 FREE Washes on Veterans Day in 2011.
  • Jos. A. Bank Specials: Veterans Day Sale- 1 Day Only! All Suits On Sale- 2nd for $47 Mix ‘n Match. 40% Off All Dress Shirts, Sportshirts, Ties & Sportswear. Free Shipping on Orders $195+. Valid: November 11. JoS. A. Bank Veterans Day Sale Orders.
  • Sports Authority – 15 Percent off all purchases. All Veterans and Military personnel please stop by your local Sports Authority store to receive 15 percent off your entire purchase on 11.11.11 only! Please show proper identification or proof of service at check-out to receive this special offer.

Many of the above offers were contributed by The Military Wallet

Interested in local real estate?Subscribe to Patch's new newsletter to be the first to know about open houses, new listings and more.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?