Today is Veterans Day, and businesses across Ohio are saying thank you the way they know best: with a free meal on the table, a coffee on the house, a clean car, a fresh haircut, or a day at the zoo. From national chains founded right here in Ohio to hometown breweries and museums, dozens of businesses are offering free food, drinks, services and admission today, Tuesday, November 11, to veterans, active-duty service members, and in many cases reservists, National Guard members and retirees.
Almost every offer works the same way: show proof of service — a military ID, a VA or veteran ID card, a DD-214, or an Ohio driver’s license with the veteran designation — and the offer is yours. Most restaurant deals are dine-in only, many are limited to a special Veterans Day menu, and individual locations can vary, so a quick call ahead is worth it. NewsForce247 checked the offers below against company announcements and this year’s roundups from USA TODAY, Military.com and Ohio event guides. Here is where Ohio veterans can be thanked today.
Ohio’s own chains go first. Bob Evans — founded in Rio Grande, Ohio, and still headquartered in New Albany — is offering veterans and active-duty military a free meal from a special menu today, dine-in with valid proof of service, according to the company. Dublin-based Wendy’s is giving veterans and active-duty personnel a free Dave’s Single hamburger at participating restaurants. And in Cincinnati, Fifty West Brewing Company is serving every veteran a free meal today — any sandwich, a regular side of fries and a non-alcoholic drink — at its Deerfield Township location, with its courts open free at both locations, first come, first served.
The big tables. Applebee’s is offering veterans, active-duty military, reservists and National Guard members a free full-size entrée from a special Veterans Day menu, dine-in only; drinks and gratuity aren’t included. Chili’s has a free meal from a select menu, dine-in, at participating restaurants. Olive Garden is serving a complimentary entrée from a select dine-in menu, with the chain’s soup or salad and breadsticks. TGI Fridays is offering a complimentary meal at participating locations with a valid military ID, the company said.
Breakfast is covered, too. Denny’s is serving a free Original Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon today for active, inactive and retired military with a military ID or DD-214. IHOP has a free Red, White & Blueberry Pancake Combo from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Cracker Barrel is giving veterans and active-duty guests dining in a free Sunrise Pancake Special. Little Caesars is offering a free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo at participating restaurants, and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers is handing every veteran and active-duty guest who stops in today a free combo meal card, redeemable through November 25.
More plates, more thanks. Golden Corral’s long-running Military Appreciation Night runs today from 4 p.m. to close, with a complimentary buffet and beverage for current service members, retirees and veterans. Texas Roadhouse is handing out free meal vouchers from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, redeemable through May 31, 2027. Logan’s Roadhouse has a free meal from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at participating locations, Red Lobster is serving a free Shrimp & Chips meal for dine-in guests, Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of 10 boneless wings and fries at participating sports bars, and Blaze Pizza is giving veterans and active-duty guests a free one-topping pizza at participating locations.
Coffee and a donut, on the house. Starbucks is offering veterans and service members a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee today, and Dunkin’ is giving veterans and active-duty military a free donut. Small gestures, same message: thank you for your service.
Free days out across Ohio. The Cincinnati Zoo is giving free admission today to all military personnel — active, retired, National Guard and veterans with government-issued ID — who can also buy up to six discounted tickets for immediate family. The Akron Zoo’s Veterans Appreciation Days run through today: veterans with a valid military ID can claim up to five free general admission tickets at the ticket counter. The Cuyahoga Valley Scenic Railroad is running a free Veterans Day train today, open to veterans and up to three family members, with registration. In Canton, the Pro Football Hall of Fame is offering free admission to service members and veterans plus one guest for its Veterans Day event, with a free commemorative pin while supplies last. Columbus’s National Veterans Memorial and Museum — which always offers free admission to veterans, active-duty military and Gold Star families — holds its Veterans Day ceremony at 11 a.m. today. The Warther Museum & Gardens in Dover is giving free admission today to veterans, active military and first responders with proof of service. And every National Park Service site waives its entrance fee for everyone today.
Look sharp, ride clean. Ohio car wash chains are in on it, too: Mike’s Carwash and Moo Moo Express Car Wash are offering veterans and active-duty military a free top-tier wash today at participating Ohio locations. Great Clips and Sport Clips salons are offering free haircuts to veterans and service members today, or a card for a free cut on a later visit.
Before you head out: bring your proof of service, expect most meals to be dine-in from a set menu, and call your location to confirm it’s participating. One more thing worth remembering — the meal is free, but your server is working a holiday. Gratuity isn’t included in any of these offers, so tip on what the meal would have cost. To every Ohioan who served: thank you. Today, lunch is on them.
Photo: Paula R. Lively, CC BY