Reporting by Victoria E. Freile, New York Connect Team/Rockland-Westchester Journal News
Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and restaurants, retailers and other businesses across New York are offering veterans and active-duty service members free meals, discounts and other deals.
Offers and eligibility requirements vary. Some businesses require military identification or other proof of service, while others limit promotions to participating locations or rewards members.
Here are some Veterans Day 2026 deals available at businesses with locations in New York.
When is Veterans Day 2026?
Veterans Day is observed annually on Nov. 11. In 2026, Veterans Day falls on Wednesday, Nov. 11.
The federal holiday honors people who served in the U.S. military and traces its origins to the armistice that ended World War I fighting on Nov. 11, 1918.
Veterans Day free meals and food deals
Applebee’s
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free dine-in entrée from a special Veterans Day menu at Applebee’s on Nov. 11.
Proof of service is required. Beverages and gratuity aren’t included.
Chili’s
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free entrée from a select Veterans Day menu at participating Chili’s restaurants Nov. 11.
The offer is dine-in only and requires identification.
Chipotle
Veterans and active-duty service members can get free chips and a choice of guacamole, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase at participating Chipotle restaurants Nov. 11.
Identification is required.
Denny’s
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free Original Grand Slam at participating Denny’s restaurants from 5 a.m. to noon Nov. 11.
The deal is dine-in only and requires valid military ID or proof of service.
Golden Corral
Golden Corral is offering eligible military members a free buffet meal during Military Appreciation Night on Veterans Day.
Participation and hours may vary by restaurant.
Red Lobster
Veterans, active-duty service members and reservists can get a free shrimp and chips meal at participating Red Lobster restaurants Nov. 11.
The offer is dine-in only and requires proof of service.
Red Robin
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a complimentary Red’s Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries at participating Red Robin restaurants Nov. 11.
The deal is dine-in only and requires valid military ID or proof of service. No purchase is necessary.
Ruby Tuesday
Veterans and active-duty military members, including Reserve and National Guard members, can get a at participating Ruby Tuesday restaurants Nov. 11.
The dine-in offer requires proof of military service.
Smashburger
Active-duty military members and veterans can get a free All-American Smash at participating Smashburger restaurants Nov. 11.
Military or veteran ID is required.
Starbucks
Veterans, military service members and military spouses can get a free tall hot or iced brewed coffee at participating Starbucks stores Nov. 11.
Texas Roadhouse
Texas Roadhouse is offering free meals to veterans and active-duty military members on Veterans Day.
Participation and procedures may vary by location.
Yard House
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a complimentary appetizer at participating Yard House restaurants Nov. 11.
The offer is dine-in only, with no purchase necessary.
Veterans Day store discounts
Target
Target is offering 20% off one qualifying storewide purchase from Nov. 5 through 11.
The discount is available to verified military members, veterans and their families who are Target Circle members.
Tractor Supply
Military members and veterans verified through Tractor Supply’s Hometown Heroes program can get 10% off on Veterans Day.
Walgreens and Duane Reade
Walgreens and Duane Reade are offering veterans, active-duty military members and their immediate families 20% off eligible regularly priced merchandise in stores.
Restrictions and exclusions apply.
Kohl’s
Active-duty military members, veterans, retirees and immediate family members can get 30% off qualifying in-store purchases at Kohl’s on Nov. 10 and 11.
Proper identification is required, and exclusions apply.
Rack Room Shoes
Military personnel can get 20% off in-store purchases on Veterans Day at Rack Room Shoes with valid military ID.
Veterans Day haircut deals
Great Clips
Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free haircut on Veterans Day at Great Clips salons.
Other customers who get a haircut that day can request a free haircut card to give to a veteran or active-duty service member.
Sport Clips
Participating Sport Clips locations are offering free haircuts to veterans and active-duty service members on Nov. 11.
Customers should check with their local salon to confirm participation.
Veterans Day recreation deals in New York
National Park Service
Visitors can enter participating National Park Service sites that normally charge an entrance fee for free on Veterans Day.
Veterans and active-duty military members also qualify for free military passes.
Free Veterans Day car washes: Grace For Vets
Participating car washes are offering veterans and active-duty military personnel free car washes on Nov. 11.
New Yorkers can find a participating car wash through Grace For Vets.
What to know before using a Veterans Day deal
Participation, identification requirements, hours and restrictions may vary by location. Customers should check with the individual business before visiting.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs maintains an updated roundup of Veterans Day discounts and freebies and notes that offers are subject to change and may not be available at every location.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News.
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