Veterans Day 2016 Freebies and Deals in San Diego

Many San Diego businesses are offering freebies and deals to U.S. military veterans on Nov. 11, 2016 as a way to thank them for their service and sacrifices

Veterans Day is on Friday and, in a military city like San Diego, many businesses will offer deals and freebies to U.S. veterans and active-duty service members.

Here’s a list of some offers valid on Nov. 11 in San Diego – a gesture aimed at thanking our veterans and active duty military for their service and sacrifices. Don't forget to bring your military ID.

Barons Market
The small grocery store chain – which has six locations in Southern California, including Point Loma, Alpine and Rancho Bernardo – will offer 10 percent off groceries at all locations to veterans and active duty military with ID/proof of service.

Red Robin
With locations in San Diego at Plaza Bonita, University Town Centre and Escondido, Red Robin will offer all a free Red Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries to all veterans and active duty military members on Nov. 11. The nationwide chain will also donate $10,000 to the United Service Organizations (USO) to provide assistance to military service members and their families worldwide.

Wienerschnitzel
Nationwide, Wienerschnitzel will offer a free meal to veterans and active duty service members on Nov. 11, which includes a chili dog, small fries and a 20-ounce drink. This freebie is valid with military ID or if a service member wears their military uniform to a Wienerschnitzel. In San Diego, there are more than 10 locations. 

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Nationwide, BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse will also offer a free meal to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day 2016. The freebie is good for an entrée of $12.95 or under; military ID or proof of service is required. The restaurant will also offer $5 craft beers for all patrons who are 21 and up to raise a glass to our military. There are several BJ’s locations in San Diego: La Jolla, La Mesa, Chula Vista and Mission Valley.

Black Angus Steakhouse
Nationwide, Black Angus Steakhouse will cover a top sirloin steak dinner for veterans. The free meal includes mashed potatoes, broccoli and sweet molasses bread. In San Diego County, there are Black Angus locations in Mission Valley, El Cajon, Escondido and Chula Vista.

Hooters
Veterans and active duty military also eat for free at Hooters on Nov. 11, and are invited to choose a meal from the chain’s Veterans Day Menu. This includes 10-piece traditional wings, 10-piece boneless wings, a Hooters burger, a buffalo chicken salad or a buffalo chicken sandwich, available with military ID or proof of service. There are Hooters locations in downtown San Diego and Mission Valley.

IHOP
Between 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. on Veterans Day, IHOP locations will offer a free stack of Red, White and Blue Pancakes to veterans and active duty military with ID. The dish includes three buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote and whipped topping. Select IHOP locations will also offer a combo of two eggs, hash browns and choice of two bacon strips or pork sausage links as part of the Veterans Day promotion. There are many IHOP locations in San Diego, including downtown, Mission Valley, National City, Pacific Beach and Chula Vista, to name a few.

Mimi’s Café
With locations in Mission Valley, Santee and Mira Mesa, Mimi’s Café will offer veterans and active duty military a free entrée from a special menu on Nov. 11 with the purchase of any non-alcoholic beverage. The Veterans Day menu includes Grilled Chicken & Frites, Chicken Chop salad, Brioche Cheeseburger, or Farmhouse Tacos. The deals continue through the weekend, too. On Nov. 12 and Nov. 13, vets and active duty military can purchase their choice of breakfast, lunch or dinner entrées on the Veterans Day menu for a special price of $5.99 with the purchase of a non-alcoholic drink.

Yard House
Yard House, with a restaurant in Mission Valley, plans to turn the tables and serve veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11 with a free appetizer of their choice. The app menu is extensive, too, and includes items like Blue Crab Cakes, Queso Dip, Chicken Nachos and Coconut Shrimp, to name a few choices.

Applebee’s
Applebee’s restaurants nationwide will offer a free meal to veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day, also from a special menu. Entrées include The American Burger and the Chicken Fingers Platter. Applebee’s locations in San Diego include Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, San Marcos, Oceanside and more.

California Pizza Kitchen
With several locations in San Diego County – Carmel Mountain, Solana Beach, Fashion Valley, Chula Vista and La Jolla – California Pizza Kitchen will offer vets and active duty military a free meal from a Veterans Day menu. The menu includes a variety of pizzas, full-size salads and pasta dishes.

Olive Garden
The Olive Garden will offer a free meal to veterans and active duty military on Nov. 11 from a special menu. All entrées include garlic breadsticks and a choice of soup or salad. There are multiple Olive Garden locations in San Diego including Carlsbad, Carmel Mountain, La Mesa and Santee.

Starbucks
Starbucks will offer a free tall brewed coffee to veterans and military on Veterans Day.

Outside of restaurants, other businesses will also partake in the freebie frenzy on Veterans Day.

This includes Great Clips, which has several salons in San Diego. The company plans to offer a free haircut to veterans on Nov. 11. Sport Clips will do the same at its six San Diego salons including La Mesa, Point Loma and Kearny Mesa.

Retailers like Lowe’s Home Improvement, Home Depot, JC Penney and Sleep Number will also offer discounts to veterans.

Meanwhile, SeaWorld San Diego will continue to offer free admission to veterans through its Waves of Honor Veterans Salute program, good through Dec. 31. Valid for qualified U.S. military vets with proof of service and through a qualification process in advance of a visit to the amusement park, the program offers veterans free one-day admission to SeaWorld San Diego, plus free tickets for up to three additional guests.

San Diego County Animal Services is also waiving pet adoption fees this weekend for U.S. veterans, active duty military and their families.

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