Texas dining deals · November 2026

Veterans Day Free Meals in Texas 2026

A free entrée, a buffet dinner or a meal out with the family? Compare the offers below, check what comes with each one, and choose a visit that fits your day.

By Texas Restaurant Menus · Last updated

Which restaurants are offering free meals?

For Wednesday, November 11, 2026, compare Applebee’s seven-entrée menu, Logan’s 11 a.m.–3 p.m. lunch and Golden Corral’s buffet from 4 p.m. Freddy’s and Texas Roadhouse are card or voucher pickups. In Houston, McCormick & Schmick’s half-price menu is on Sunday, November 8.

2026 meals and discounts at a glance
RestaurantOfferWhenWorth knowing
Chili’sFree selected entréeNovember 11Drinks cost extra
Golden CorralFree buffet and beverageNovember 11, 4 p.m.–closeOther guests pay regular prices
Red RobinFree burger and bottomless friesNovember 11No purchase required
Joe’s Crab Shack20% off qualifying diningNovember 11Parties of up to four
McCormick & Schmick’sSelected half-price entréesNovember 8Different date from the holiday
Applebee’sFree full-size entrée from a seven-item menuNovember 11Dine in and show proof of service
Logan’s RoadhouseFree entrée from a five-item lunch menuNovember 11, 11 a.m.–3 p.m.Participating corporate-operated restaurants
Lazy Dog Restaurant & BarFree selected entrée, personal dessert and sodaNovember 11Check the offer with your branch
Freddy’sPick up a free combo meal cardNovember 11Redeem through November 25
Texas RoadhouseFree meal voucher listed by Visit DallasNovember 11Confirm pickup hours and the date on the voucher

Check the table for the difference between a dine-in meal, a dining discount and a voucher pickup. The finder’s date refers to the day you visit for the offer or collect the voucher.

Choose your visit

Texas Veterans Day meal finder

Offer list updated

10 published offers: 6 free dine-in meals, 2 meal card or voucher pickups and 2 discounts.

Free entrée November 11

Chili’s

Choose from the holiday menu

Veterans and active-duty military can choose a qualifying entrée. The published choices show Chicken Crispers, Chicken Bacon Ranch Quesadillas, an Oldtimer with Cheese, or soup with a house salad.

  • Dine in at a participating branch.
  • Beverages and gratuity are extra.
  • No substitutions or combining offers.

Ask which proof of service your branch accepts and when it serves the holiday menu.

Buffet + beverage From 4 p.m.

Golden Corral

Dinner and a drink included

Military Appreciation Night covers a buffet meal and beverage for veterans, retirees, active-duty personnel, National Guard and Reserve members.

  • Wednesday, November 11, from 4 p.m. until closing.
  • Family and friends can join at regular dinner prices.
  • No takeout meals or rain checks.

This is the evening option in the list with a stated start time. Check the local closing time before setting off.

Burger + fries November 11

Red Robin

A burger meal without a purchase requirement

The offer is a Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless steak fries for veterans and active-duty military presenting valid military ID or proof of service.

  • Dine-in only at participating restaurants.
  • Substitutions, add-ons and premium sides may cost extra.
  • No app, online, delivery or takeout redemption.
  • Tax and gratuity are excluded; discounts cannot be combined.
20% discount Up to 4 diners

Joe’s Crab Shack

A discount for a meal together

Veterans with valid military ID can use the dine-in offer for a party of up to four. Alcohol, retail purchases, tax and gratuity are excluded, and other discounts cannot be added.

The official Texas directory lists Corpus Christi, Fort Worth, Galveston and the San Antonio River Walk. This is a paid meal with a discount, rather than a free entrée.

Selected half-price entrées November 8

McCormick & Schmick’s

An early Sunday meal in Houston

Eligible guests include veterans, active military, National Guard members, Gold Star parents and Gold Star spouses. Bring valid ID. The Texas directory lists Downtown Houston and Uptown Park.

Selected published event-menu prices
Blackened Chicken Fettuccini$12.00
Craft Beer Battered Fish & Chips$13.00
Crab & Shrimp Stuffed Salmon$18.25
M&S Steak & Shrimp$19.75

These are the listed promotional prices; do not halve them again. Dine-in only. Tax, gratuity and alcohol are excluded; other discounts cannot be combined.

Free entrée November 11

Applebee’s

Free full-size entrée from a seven-item menu

Veterans, active-duty personnel, National Guard and Reserve members can choose from seven entrées, including a 6 oz top sirloin, Double Crunch Shrimp or Three-Cheese Chicken Penne.

  • Participating restaurants only. Dine in and bring proof of service. Drinks and gratuity are separate.
  • Accepted proof includes military ID, DD214, a current Leave and Earnings Statement or an eligible veterans organization card.
  • The separate $5 return-visit card expires November 29 and cannot be used on the day it is issued.
Free lunch entrée November 11

Logan’s Roadhouse

Free entrée from a five-item lunch menu

LiveNOW from FOX reports a special lunch menu for veterans and active-duty military, with options such as steak tips, grilled pork chop and chicken tenders.

  • Visit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and show military ID or proof of service.
  • The offer is dine-in at participating corporate-operated restaurants. Call your Texas location before making the trip.
Entrée, dessert and soda November 11

Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar

Free selected entrée, personal dessert and soda

LiveNOW from FOX reports a Fireside Favorites meal for veterans, active-duty personnel, retirees, National Guard and Reserve members. Entrée options include grilled shrimp tacos and honey miso chicken.

  • Lazy Dog’s official Addison location page also links to nearby Texas locations, including Plano.
  • Call the branch to confirm participation, service hours and accepted proof of service.
Free combo meal card November 11

Freddy’s

Pick up a free combo meal card

Veterans and active military can visit Freddy’s on November 11 to collect a free combo meal card. No purchase is required to receive it.

  • Pick up the card on November 11 and use it by November 25.
  • Ask your branch about accepted proof of service and check the printed redemption terms.
Free meal voucher November 11

Texas Roadhouse

Free meal voucher listed by Visit Dallas

Visit Dallas lists a free meal voucher for a selection from the Veterans Day menu. Its guide lists validity into May 2027. The restaurant’s national community page confirms Veterans Day meals generally.

  • This listing is based on Dallas-area reporting. Confirm participation and pickup hours with your specific restaurant.
  • Bring military ID or ask what other proof the location accepts. Use the expiration date printed on your voucher.

Before you head out for a free meal

Ask about the kitchen, not just opening hours

A restaurant can be open without serving its holiday offer yet. Ask: “Are you taking part, what time is the offer served, and which dishes are included?” A short call is particularly useful if you are fitting lunch around work or an appointment.

Keep the whole table in mind

One qualifying diner does not automatically make everyone’s meal free. Check the regular menu for companions before choosing a restaurant. If children are coming, our Texas kids-eat-free guide can help with a separate outing; do not assume those deals combine with a military offer.

Bring the identification the branch accepts

Ask about the document you already have. Some terms specify military ID, while others also accept proof of service. Confirm what works before travelling rather than assuming one restaurant’s policy applies everywhere.

Look beyond the entrée price

Drinks, upgrades and meals for companions can change the bill. Ask how any applicable tax and service charges are handled, and leave room for a tip. For the paid portion of your order, use our restaurant tax and tip calculator with your actual figures.

Dining with Gold Star family members? McCormick & Schmick’s specifically includes Gold Star parents and spouses in its November 8 offer. Family eligibility differs between restaurants.

Make a nearby backup plan

Choose a second restaurant in the same area rather than driving across town if your first choice has a long wait. Compare regular menus in San Antonio, Houston, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth or El Paso. These city guides cover regular dining choices, not a list of Veterans Day participants.

Veterans Day dining questions

When is Veterans Day in 2026?

Wednesday, November 11. Check individual offer dates: the McCormick & Schmick’s meal in this guide takes place on Sunday, November 8.

Can I get these free meals to go?

The same-day free meals listed here are dine-in offers. Freddy’s and Texas Roadhouse have separate card or voucher pickups. Check the printed terms for where and how to redeem them.

Does a military spouse also get a free meal?

Do not assume so. The free-meal offers here are for qualifying service members or veterans. Read the individual eligibility rules before planning for another person.

Do National Guard and Reserve members qualify?

Golden Corral and Applebee’s explicitly include both groups. For another restaurant, confirm eligibility and the identification needed with that branch.

Are Texas Roadhouse, Applebee’s and IHOP included?

Applebee’s published its seven-item menu on November 2. Visit Dallas lists a Texas Roadhouse voucher for the Dallas area. IHOP’s official page invites veterans back in 2026 but had yet to publish a dated 2026 menu or service hours when checked November 4.

Can I combine a Veterans Day offer with another coupon?

Several offers expressly prohibit combining discounts. Ask before ordering, especially if you also have a rewards coupon or a family dining deal.

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