On Friday, Nov. 11, the country will mark Veterans Day -- a day to honor those who have served in the armed forces.
Many restaurants and businesses will honor veterans with freebies and specials. Here are some of the local deals we found. If there's something we missed that you would like mentioned, send us an email.
Food
Chipotle: On Nov. 11, from 3 p.m.-closing, active-duty military, veterans and military spouses can buy a burrito, bowl, salad or tacos and get one free. Military ID is required. More details.
Social Tap Eatery: Veterans and active-duty military receive half-off their food bill on Nov. 11. Drinks and gratuity are not included, and a military ID/proof of service is required. Social Tap Eatery has 2 San Diego locations: Downtown (815 J St., #101) and near San Diego State (4800 Art St.).
Notorious Burgers: Veterans and active-duty military can order a special 1/3-pound beef burger, lettuce, tomato, pickles, onions and notorious sauce on a brioche bun, with a soda or iced tea for $6. Military ID/proof of service is required. Notorious Burgers is at 6955 El Camino Real #107 in Carlsbad (phone: 760-431-2929).
HOPE 46 at The Lafayette Hotel, Swim Club & Bungalows: Veterans and active-duty military receive 25 percent off food on Nov. 11. Military ID is required. HOPE 46 is at 2223 El Cajon Blvd., in North Park (phone: 619-296-2101).
Bistro 39 Restaurant & Lounge (Hilton Garden Inn San Diego/Del Mar): On Nov. 11, Bistro 39 is offering 25 percent off for active-duty military and veterans. Military ID is required. Bistro 39 is at 939 Ocean Bluff Ave., San Diego (phone: 858-720-9500).
Denny's: The restaurant chain is offering a free "Build Your Own Grand Slam" breakfast on Nov. 11 from 5 a.m. until noon. The offer is for active, inactive and retired military personnel with a valid military ID.
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers: Starting Nov. 11, the restaurant will be offering a free combo meal coupon to all veteran and active-duty military members. Coupons can be redeemed through Nov. 30, 2016. There are two San Diego County Freddy's locations: National City (327 Mile of Cars Way) and San Marcos (767 Center Drive.).
Applebee's: A free dine-in-only meal on Nov. 11 for all veterans and active-duty service members. Choose from seven entrees, drink is not included.
IHOP: Active-duty and veterans get a free stack of special "Red, White & Blue" pancakes on Nov. 11, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. IHOP says some of its restaurants will also offer a combo of two eggs, hash browns and choice of two bacon strips or pork sausage links as part of the Red, White & Blue Pancake promotion for retired and active duty military personnel. Check ahead of time to see if your nearest location is participating.
Little Caesar's Pizza: Veterans and active-duty military can get a free "$5 HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo" at participating stores nationwide this Veterans Day from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Olive Garden: On Nov. 11, the restaurant is offering a free entrée from a special menu to active-duty military and military veterans. The special menu features six of Olive Garden's most popular items. Entrées are served with unlimited homemade soup or famous house salad and warm, garlic breadsticks.
WingStop: On Nov. 11, all military members -- veterans, active-duty, reserves -- can receive a free 6-piece boneless wings combo. The combo includes the wings, a regular side, dipping sauce and a 20 oz. drink. The San Diego-specific deal is valid at these Wingstop locations: 3365 Rosecrans St., San Diego; 1901 El Cajon Blvd., San Diego; 932 Highland Ave., National City. No ID required.
Red Lobster: Active-duty members, veterans and reserves can order a free appetizer or desert on Nov. 10 and Nov. 11 at participating locations.
Chuck E. Cheese's: One free personal pizza for active-duty and veterans.
Chili's: Choose a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11.
Mimi's Café: Free entrée on select menu items for veterans and active-duty military members
Outback Steakhouse: Active-duty and veterans can get a free Bloomin' Onion and non-alcoholic beverage on Nov. 11 with a valid military ID. For the rest of the year, they're giving military personnel and their families 15 percent off with a valid military ID. If you're currently deployed, you can sign up here, and you can use the voucher by December 31, 2016, when you come home.
Wienerschnitzel: Veterans and active duty military can get a free chili dog, small fries and a 20 oz. drink all day long on November 11. Check ahead for participating locations and proof of service is required.
Yard House: Veterans and active-duty military members can order a complimentary appetizer (dine-in only) on Nov. 11 at any Yard House location. No purchase is necessary, but valid military ID is required.
Luna Grill: Active-duty, retired or reserve member of the Armed Forces can order a free appetizer on Nov. 11. Offer is valid at all Luna Grill locations and a valid military ID is required. Additionally, anyone with a military ID can receive a 10% discount -- this discount is valid all year long.
BJ's: Active-duty and veterans can order a free entrée priced under $12.95, plus $5 beers.
Hooters: All active-duty and retired military personnel can order a free meal from the Hooters Veterans Day menu on Nov. 11 (dine-in only; purchase of beverage required). All guests are also invited to purchase a 2017 Hooters calendar for a member of the U.S. military stationed overseas.
The Military Wallet website also has a comprehensive list of free meals from other restaurants like California Pizza Kitchen, Claim Jumper and Golden Corral.
SHOPPING & SERVICES
Many retailers are already putting out ads for Veterans Day sales. Search for deals in our ShopSmart circulars.
Walgreens: Customers with a Walgreens Balance Rewards card and a valid military ID can get 20 percent off regular-price items.
Guitar Center: On Nov. 11, the company is offering military service men and women free 30-minute guitar lessons between 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Anyone interested is advised to contact their nearest store to schedule a lesson or visit GuitarCenter.com.
Great Clips: Military veterans get a free haircut on Nov. 11 or receive a free haircut card for use on a later date. Non-military members can purchase a service on Veterans Day and receive a free haircut card to gift to a veteran. Veterans can redeem their free haircut cards Nov. 12-Dec. 31.
Fantastic Sams: Veterans and Active Duty Military Personnel can get a free haircut on Nov. 11. Military ID is required and this cannot be combined with other offers. One free haircut per military ID. Valid at participating locations only, so call ahead to check.
Sport Clips: Participating locations are giving free haircuts to active-duty military and veterans on Nov. 11 with valid ID. Also, $1 donation for each hair care service on Nov. 11 will be made by Sport Clips to fund Help A Hero scholarships. The following San Diego County locations are taking part in this Veterans Day deal: Carlsbad (7180 Avenida Encinas), Encinitas (276 N El Camino Real), El Cajon (12098 Fury Lane), La Mesa (8034 La Mesa Blvd.), Oceanside (4259 Oceanside Blvd.), San Diego (16615 Dove Canyon; 4007 W Pt. Loma Blvd.; 7051 Clairemont Mesa)
Lowe's: Military members and their families can receive 10 percent off their purchases on Nov. 11. Click here for more information
Meineke: Active-duty military and veterans, with valid military ID, can get a free basic oil change on Nov. 11. Check ahead of time for participating locations.
RighTime Home Services of Southern California: The company is offering $11 furnace tune-ups from Nov. 11-Dec. 11, to all all active-duty, reserve, veteran and retired members of the U.S. Armed Forces residing in San Diego, Los Angeles County, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Palm Springs. Regularly priced at $129, a furnace tune-up can help support the health and safety of the home, as well as help keep energy costs down and help prevent potential breakdowns in the middle of winter. MORE INFORMATION
Scottsdale Bullion & Coin: The company is offering a discount to veterans and active-duty military members on all purchases from Nov. 9-11. Click here to learn about the special offer. The company is donating a portion of its November profits to the American Service Animal Society.
Dashlane: From Nov. 11 at 4 a.m. to Nov. 12 at 8:59 p.m., current and former military members can receive a 50% off discount on up to 5 years of Dashlane Premium service. Visit Dashlane.com/Veterans to sign up.
EVENTS & ATTRACTIONS
USS Midway Museum: On Nov. 11, active duty and veteran military members -- and their families -- can enjoy free admission into the Midway Museum. Plus, a Veterans Day celebration will take place at the museum from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
SeaWorld San Diego: Through the Waves of Honor Veterans Salute, military veterans (and up to 3 guests) can receive free single-day admission into SeaWorld San Diego. The offer is ONLINE ONLY with a valid ID, and it cannot be redeemed at the park's front gate. The offer is available to use until Dec. 31, 2016.
Knott's Berry Farm: All U.S. veterans, retired and active military personnel and a guest can receive free admission, as well as discounts for up to 6 additional people for $27 until Nov. 18. From Nov. 28-Dec. 16, tickets will be $30 for the additional guests. Additional admission tickets must be purchased by a military ID holder. The offer includes military reserves and Department of Defense personnel.
