Dining out: Veterans Day free meals and deals abound across the suburbs

Veterans Day deals

Restaurants across the suburbs are thanking military service members with free meals or deals this weekend in honor of Veterans Day 2018 on Sunday. Here are a sample of the offers:

• Applebee's will be offering veterans and active-duty military a free meal on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. applebees.com/en.

• In honor of Veterans Day, active duty military and veterans can enjoy a free breakfast ­- three Buttermilk Pancakes, three slices of French toast or one Belgian waffle - on Sunday, Nov. 11, at Bakers Square. Show a valid military ID when ordering. bakerssquare.com/promotions/veterans-day/.

• Veterans and active-duty military can get a free meal from the special Veterans Day menu at Bob Evans on Sunday, Nov. 11. Free meal options include the country biscuit breakfast, brioche French toast, the mini sampler, stack of hot cakes, country-fried steak savor dinner, or a salad and soup combo. Dine-in only. Must show proof of military ID. bobevans.com/veterans-day.

• Boston Market is honoring all military families with a BOGO deal - buy one individual meal with a drink and get a second one for free - on Veterans Day weekend (Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12) at all locations. The coupon (but no ID) is required and available at BostonMarket.com.

• All veterans and active-duty military can get a complimentary entree on Sunday, Nov. 11, from California Pizza Kitchen's special Veterans Day menu at participating locations. Dine-in only. Must show military ID or other proof of service. cpk.com/veteransday.

• Chili's is offering a free meal for veterans and active-duty military from the restaurant's special Veterans Day Menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. Options include Chicken Crispers, margarita grilled chicken, bowl of chili or soup and salad, chicken bacon ranch quesadillas, Just Bacon Burger, Oldtimer with cheese or Cajun chicken pasta. chilis.com/veterans-day.

• On Veterans Day, Chipotle is honoring military service members with a buy-one-get-one-free deal on dine-in purchases of burritos, bowls, salads and tacos. The offer is valid for active-duty military, veterans, reserves, national guard, military spouses and retired military. Limit of one free menu item with military ID. chipotle.com/.

• City Barbeque says thanks to active-duty and retired military personnel Sunday, Nov. 11, with a free sandwich, two sides and a beverage. Proof of a military or veterans identification card is required. Locations are in Vernon Hills, Deerfield, Downers Grove and Berwyn. citybbq.com/.

• On Veterans Day, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store will thank military service members with a complimentary slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or one of its crafted coffee beverages. crackerbarrel.com/newsroom/news-releases/2018/oct/veterans-day.

• Denny's says thank you to all veterans (active, inactive and military personnel) for their service with a free Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 12. The offer is valid for dine-in only with a valid military ID or DD 214. dennys.com/.

• Veterans and active-duty military can receive a free doughnut at participating Dunkin' locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. No purchase necessary. dunkindonuts.com/.

• Brazilian steakhouse Fogo de Chão is offering all veterans and active duty personnel 50 percent off their entire meal on Veterans Day weekend (Friday through Sunday, Nov. 9-11). Also, up to three guests for each military veteran or personnel will receive 10 percent off their meal. Suburban locations are at 1824 Abriter Court, Naperville, (630) 955-0022, and 5460 Park Place, Rosemont, (847) 678-7200, or fogodechao.com/.

• Houlihan's is recognizing veterans on Veterans Day with a free meal on Sunday, Nov. 11. Free entree choices include Houlihan's burger, fish and chips, Brentwood chicken sandwich, southwest grilled chicken wrap, heartland grilled chicken salad, chicken fettuccine Alfredo and the 5-ounce petite top sirloin. houlihans.com/.

• Krispy Kreme Doughnuts is celebrating Veterans Day with a free small coffee and a choice of doughnut for veterans and active duty military personnel on Sunday, Nov. 11. Valid military ID is required. Shops are at 17815 S. Halsted St., Homewood; 9150 S. Western Ave., Evergreen Park; and 110 S. Mannheim Road, Hillside. krispykreme.com/.

• Main Event is saluting all active-duty military and veterans on Sunday, Nov. 11, with a free $10 arcade game play card and one free entree from its Veterans Day menu. Locations include 2575 Pratum Ave., Hoffman Estates, and 28248 Diehl Road, Warrenville. mainevent.com/home.

• On Sunday, Nov. 11, veterans and Gold Star family members can dine on a free lunch or dinner entree at McCormick & Schmick's. Options include salmon rigatoni, buttermilk fried shrimp, cedar planked or grilled salmon, blackened chicken fettuccine, Parmesan-crusted chicken, beer battered fish and chips, Parmesan-crusted flounder, tender beef medallions, Romano chicken chopped salad and a McCormick's cheeseburger. Verification of service is required. mccormickandschmicks.com/.

• From 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, Perry's Steakhouse & Grille is offering a complimentary Rare and Well Done three-course Sunday Supper (value is $34.95) to veterans and active military when dining with a paying guest who purchases the Sunday Supper or a dinner entree. Reservations and proof of military I.D. are required. The meal includes a salad, Perry's Famous Pork Chop and the Dessert Trio. Perry's is at 5 Oakbrook Center, Oak Brook, (630) 571-1808 or perryssteakhouse.com/locations/il/chicago/oak-brook/.

• Pop's Italian Beef and Sausage is honoring Veterans Day by offering a free sandwich to all veterans and active military members with a valid proof of service on Sunday, Nov. 11. popsbeef.com/.

• On Sunday, Stan's Donuts & Coffee will be offering a free glazed doughnut and coffee for all veterans and active-duty military. Locations are in Oak Brook, Schaumburg and Chicago. stansdonuts.com/.

• Up to two veterans in a party can dine for free at Texas de Brazil on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. Up to six additional guests can receive 20 percent off when dining with the veterans. Locations are in Schaumburg and Chicago. texasdebrazil.com/.

• Phil Stefani Signature Restaurants would like to thank veterans for their service with a free dinner entree (up to $40 value) on Sunday, Nov. 11, at Tuscany in Wheeling, and a free lunch or dinner entree (up to $40 value) on Monday, Nov. 12, at the Oak Brook location. The offer is available for dine-in only to active military and veterans with proof of I.D. Reservations are recommended. Tuscany is at 550 S. Milwaukee Ave., Wheeling, (847) 465-9988, and 1415 W. 22nd St., Oak Brook, (630) 990-1993. tuscanychicago.com/.

• Email clinden@dailyherald.com with suburban dining events.