2023 Veterans Day Deals: Free Food, Haircuts and Car Washes for Military

Photo by ALTEREDSNAPS

Thanking those who serve with Veterans Day deals.

To thank our veterans and active military members, many businesses are offering free food, admission and services on Veterans Day, Saturday, November 11, 2023.

If you’re not a military member, you probably know someone who can enjoy these Veterans Day deals. Share the link to this post with your loved ones who serve.

One deal everyone can enjoy is the National Parks Service’s fee-free day, Washington State Parks free entrance and Forest Service recreation area free day on November 11.

Not all deals are on Veterans Day, so be sure to read the details. All of these deals require proof of service.

2023 Veterans Day Deals

Food Freebies and Deals

Applebee’s

All veterans and active duty military get a free entrée from a special menu at participating Applebee’s locations on November 11. Dine-in only. Contact your nearby Applebee’s to make sure they are participating in this deal. Veterans also receive a $5 Bounce Back Card for a future visit within a 3-week redemption window.

Special menu items include: 

• Classic bacon cheeseburger
• Chicken tenders platter
• Fiesta lime chicken
• Oriental chicken salad
• 6 oz. top sirloin
• Double crunch shrimp
• Three-cheese chicken penne

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse

On November 11, current and former military who dine in at BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse get a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie with an $11.95 purchase. Also, veterans receive a complimentary appetizer for their next visit with a $14.95 purchase.

The closest location is at 7390 NE Cornell Rd. in Hillsboro.

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is serving a free beverage and choice of entree to all Veterans and active duty military on Veterans Day. 

Options include:

• A full size salad (BBQ chicken chopped salad, Thai crunch, classic Caesar, or Italian chopped).
• Or a pizza (BBQ chicken, Hawaiian, mushroom pepperoni and sausage, pepperoni, five cheese and fresh tomato, or traditional cheese).
• Or pasta (Garlic cream fettuccine with chicken, Kung Pao spaghetti with chicken, bolognese spaghetti).

Drink options include iced tea, passion fruit mango iced tea or Coca-Cola fountain beverages.

The closest locations to Portland are at Bridgeport in Tigard.

Denny’s

Get a free Original Grand Slam breakfast for all active and retired military personnel on Friday, November 10 from 5 a.m. to noon at Denny’s. The meal includes two buttermilk pancakes, two bacon strips, two sausage links and two eggs cooked any way. Dine-in only.

There a four Denny’s locations in and around Portland.

Golden Corral

Head to the buffet for Military Appreciation Night from 5 p.m. to close on Monday, November 13. Anyone who has served in the U.S. Military, including retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves, can get a free thank-you meal at Golden Corral. This deal is good for dine-in only.

The closest Golden Corral is in Vancouver.

IHOP

IHOP is giving veterans and active duty military free Red, White and Blueberry Pancakes at participating locations on Saturday, November 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dine-in only. Limit one 1 per guest. Free menu item may vary by location.

There are IHOP locations in Portland, Hillsboro and Vancouver.

Krispy Kreme

Krispy Kreme is giving veterans a free doughnut of choice and small brewed coffee, no purchase necessary. Veterans can get this offer at Krispy Kreme in shop or in the drive thru. All three Portland metro locations are participating. Limit one per guest.

Little Caesars

Veterans and active duty military get a free lunch combo of four-slice Detroit-Style Deep Dish pepperoni pizza and one 20-oz Pepsi product at Little Caesars. This deal is available from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Veterans Day. In-store only.

McCormick & Schmick’s

U.S. Military, National Guard, Gold Star Parents and Gold Star Spouses get a half price entree on Sunday, November 12 at McCormick & Schmick’s. Reservations are recommended. This deal is dine-in only. 

Options include: 

• Sugar and spice cedar planked salmon
• Cracked black pepper open blue cobia
• Crab and shrimp stuffed salmon
• Classic shrimp scampi
• Chesapeake buttermilk fried shrimp
• Herb grilled chicken
• Craft beer battered fish and chips
• Choice center cut top sirloin

Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt

All veterans receive their first 6 ounces of frozen yogurt and toppings for free on Veterans Day at Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt. If you go over 6 ounces, you can just pay the difference.

Mike’s Drive In

On November 11, active, reserve, and retired service members receive 10% off their order at Mike’s Drive In. This deal is available in person only.

Here are the three participating locations:

• 3233 N. Lombard St, Portland
• 905 7th St, Oregon City
• 11634 SW Pacific Hwy, Tigard

Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom

On Veterans Day, Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom is giving veterans and active-duty military a complimentary lunch from a special menu. This deal is  available at participating locations until 4 p.m. Purchase of a beverage is required.

The closest location is at 11460 NW Evergreen Pkwy. in Hillsboro.

Pilot Flying J

From November 10-12, 2023, service members and their families verified through ID.me in the Pilot Flying J app will receive a free meal credit, valued up to $12. Veterans can redeem the offer at any of the 750+ participating Pilot and Flying J Travel Centers in the U.S. 

The closest Pilot Flying J locations to Portland are along I-5 in Aurora and Brookings.

Portland City Grill 

On Sunday, November 12, veterans get 20% off their meal at Portland City Grill. Valid on dine-in only up to a party of 4. Not valid on alcoholic beverage purchases. 

Qdoba

At Qdoba, veterans and active duty military get 50% off any entrée in-restaurant on Veterans Day.  

Red Robin

At Red Robin, veterans and active military guests get a free Red’s Big Tavern Burger with bottomless steak fries on November 11 at at participating locations. Dine-in only. No purchase necessary.

Here are the Red Robin locations in and around Portland. Be sure to confirm the location is participating before you visit. 

• 1139 NE Grand Ave., Portland
• 10005 NE Cascades Pkwy, Portland
• 9880 SE Washington St., Portland
• 2410 Columbia House Blvd., Vancouver
• 8311 NE Vancouver Mall Rd., Vancouver

Shari’s

Veterans and active duty military get a free homestyle breakfast at Shari’s on November 11. This deal is available for dine-in only. 

Starbucks

Starbucks will offer a free tall (12-oz) hot or iced coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating U.S. Starbucks stores on November 11. 

Thirsty Lion

Veterans and active military get one complimentary entrée on Veterans Day at Thirsty Lion. The offer is valid for dine-in only.

Options include: 

• Cobb salad
• Cheeseburger
• Spicy fried chicken sandwich
• French dip
• IPA beer battered fish and chips
• Tuscan romano chicken

Visit the Washington Square or Tanasbourne location. Both locations are open 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on November 11.

Veterans Day Free Admission and Discounts 

Chelatchie Prairie Railroad

On November 11 and 12, Chelatchie Prairie Railroad is giving veterans a complimentary ride with the purchase of another adult ticket. The train departs at noon and 2:30 p.m. both days.

Free Car Wash

Grace For Vets offer veterans and military members free car washes at participating locations. Beaverton Car Wash is offering this deal on Monday, November 13. The car wash is at 12425 SW Canyon Rd. in Beaverton.

Forest Service Recreation Area

Get free entrance to Forest Service recreation areas on November 11. This includes recreation sites and trailheads in Oregon and Washington, such as the Columbia River Gorge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Gifford Pinchot National Forest and 14 more.

Great Clips

At Great Clips, veterans and active military members can get a free haircut on November 11, or pick up a free haircut card to use at a later date. 

Leach Botanical Garden 

On Veterans Day, all active and retired U.S. military members and their families receive free admission at Leach Botanical Garden. Reservations are not required. Drop-in visits are welcome. The garden is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

National Parks

Get free entrance to U.S. National Parks for all visitors on November 11. Also, Gold Star Families and U.S. military veterans receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges and forests indefinitely.

Oaks Park

Veterans receive 25% off one ride bracelet, open skate admission or mini golf admission at Oaks Park every day. Offer valid for onsite purchases only. 

Portland Art Museum

Portland Art Museum offers free admission for veterans and active duty military every day. Visit the box office to redeem.

Portland Book Festival

Veterans and active duty military get free admission to the Portland Book Festival on Saturday, November 4. Get your free tickets in advance or day-of.

Portland Japanese Garden

On Saturday, November 11, Portland Japanese Garden is offering free admission for veterans, active duty military, and their families who accompany them. While you’re there, you can also ride around Washington Park on the free shuttle.

Portland Japanese Garden is located at 611 SW Kingston Ave. in Portland.

Portland Nursery

On November 11, veterans, active duty, reservists and their spouses and partners receive 10% of their entire purchase at both Portland Nursery shops. This discount cannot be combined with other discounts or coupons. 

Portland Nursery is at 5050 SE Stark St. and 9000 SE Division St.

Portland Veterans Day Parade

The annual Portland Veterans Day Parade is Saturday, November 11, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. along MLK Blvd.

The parade has hundreds of participants including veterans, marching bands, youth organizations, the 1st Marine Division Association, historic military vehicles, veterans organizations, and veterans motorcycle groups. View the route.

Oregon Zoo

On November 10 and 11, military veterans and active military personnel, as well as family members will receive up to four free tickets at the Oregon Zoo. Families of deployed military personnel also will be given free admission. Tickets must be reserved online in advance.

The Oregon Zoo is at located at 4001 SW Canyon Road in Portland. 

Sports Clips

On November 11, participating Sport Clips locations will provide free haircuts to veterans and active duty service members as well as donate $2 for every haircut service to the VFW’s Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship program.

There are six Sports Clips locations throughout the Portland area.

Target 

All U.S. active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families 10% off two separate purchases at Target through November 11. To receive the offer, you must first confirm eligibility by registering here. After verification, the Target Circle offer will be available in your account to use in-store or online. 

Walgreens

From November 10-13, veterans, military and their families will receive 20% off regular price eligible store items at any Walgreens locations nationwide. This deal is available in store only. myWalgreens membership is required. 

Washington State Parks

All visitors get free entrance to Washington State Parks on November 11.

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