Salute to service: Restaurants offer free meals, discounts for Veterans Day in Charlotte
Each Veterans Day, restaurants in Charlotte and across the country celebrate active duty military members and veterans for their service to our country with free meals, treats and discounts.
This year, the national holiday is on Monday, Nov. 11, although some places may get the party started early over the weekend, so watch for dates on deals. It’s a time to “honor America’s veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good,” the Department of Veterans Affairs says.
Here are some of the perks veterans and military members can get this Veterans Day in the Charlotte area:
Bad Daddy’s Burger Bar
Location: Multiple, with locations in Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville and Mooresville
When: Nov. 11
Bad Daddy’s is feeding veterans and active duty military members this Veterans Day with a free All American Burger with cheese and a side dish.
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse
Location: 8435 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
When: Nov. 11
BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse is celebrating Veteran’s Day with all current and former military personnel who bring a valid military ID by offering a free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie to those who dine in. They will also get a coupon for a free appetizer on their next visit between Nov. 12 and Dec. 31, which can be used for dine in or takeout.
Carolina Ale House
Location: 7404 Waverly Walk Avenue, Suite I-1, Charlotte, NC 28277
Location: 8695 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027
When: Nov. 11
Carolina Ale House is feeding veterans and and military members with a free half-rack rib platter with coleslaw and fries. (Note: The restaurant’s Fort Mill location isn’t participating this year.)
Carrabba’s Italian Grill
Location: 7900 Lyles Lane, Concord, NC 28027
Location: 16408 North Cross Drive, Huntersville, NC 28078
Location: 10408 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105
When: Nov. 8-11
Carrabba’s Italian Grill is honoring veterans with a weekend-long Veterans Day celebration.
- Friday, Nov. 8 through Sunday, Nov. 10, veterans and active duty military members with service ID who dine in and order an entree can take home a free entree of equal or lesser value.
- On Veterans Day, veterans and military members with ID can get a complimentary dine-in appetizer or dessert paired with a free nonalcoholic beverage.
Carrabba’s Italian Grill also offers a year-round Heroes Discount of 10% off to all service members, veterans and first responders.
City Barbecue
Location: Various locations in areas such as Matthews, Ballantyne, University Place and Huntersville
When: Nov. 11
City Barbecue will honor veterans and active-duty military members with a free sandwich, one side and a drink with military ID. The offer is available for dine-in, carry-out or via the drive-thru.
Food Lion
Location: Multiple
When: Nov. 11
Food Lion is offering all U.S. active-duty military personnel and veterans a 10% discount at all stores. To get this discount, present your Food Lion MVP card and military identification at the time of checkout. (The deal excludes pharmacy, alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery, postage stamps and services and is unavailable through Food Lion To Go pick up or home delivery.)
Golden Corral
Location: 7701 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28262
Location: 1540 Us Highway 29 North, Concord, NC 28025
Location: 2300 E. Franklin Blvd., Gastonia, NC 28054
Location: 11025 E. Independence Blvd., Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 2507 West Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe, NC 28110
Location: 120 Gallery Center Drive, Mooresville, NC 28117
Location: 2370 Cherry Rd., Rock Hill, SC 29732
When: Nov. 11, 4 p.m.-close
On Veterans Day, Golden Corral will celebrate Military Appreciate Night by giving service members and veterans a free buffet dinner and drink, with no purchase necessary. Disabled American Veterans members will be onsite to facilitate donations for their charity organization.
Harriet’s Hamburgers
Location: Optimist Hall, 1115 N. Brevard Street, Suite #6, Charlotte NC 28206
Location: Bowl at Ballantyne, 15109 Bowl Street, Charlotte, NC 28277
When: Nov. 11
Harriet’s Hamburgers will offer any retired or active military member a free Gratitude Box that includes a hamburger of their choice, fries and a beverage.
Hickory Tavern
Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Huntersville, Fort Mill/Indian Land, Gastonia, Rock Hill and Mooresville
When: Nov. 11
At Hickory Tavern, veterans and military members can get a free meal with the purchase of another meal this Veterans Day.
IHOP
Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Gastonia, Indian Trail, Kannapolis, Matthews and Mooresville
When: Nov. 11, 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
IHOP will offer a free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo for veterans and active-duty military members. This includes two buttermilk pancakes topped with glazed strawberries, blueberry topping and whipped topping; two eggs; hash browns; and a choice of hickory-smoked bacon or pork sausage links.
Mac’s Speed Shop
Location: 2511 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28203
Location: 2414 Sandy Porter Rd, Charlotte, NC 28273
Location: 142 E John St, Matthews, NC 28105
Location: 8021 Concord Mills Boulevard, Concord, NC 28027
Location: 19601 Liverpool Pkwy, Cornelius, NC 28031
When: Nov. 11
This Veterans Day, veterans and active duty military members with ID can get a free half rack of ribs with a side of fries and coleslaw with the purchase of a beverage at all Mac’s Speed Shop locations across the Carolinas. The restaurant also offers 25% off to active duty military every day.
Piada Italian Street Food
Location: 282 S Sharon Amity Rd Unit 337, Charlotte, NC 28211
When: Nov. 11
All active duty and non-active military members with a valid form of ID will get a free entrée on Veterans Day. In addition, $1 of every pasta sold up to up to $10,000 will be donated to Resurrecting Lives.
Metro Diner
Location: 8334 Pineville-Matthews Rd Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28226
Location: 3440 St Vardell Ln, Charlotte, NC 28217
Location: 10412 E Independence Blvd #400, Matthews, NC 28105
When: Nov. 11
Metro Diner is offering 50 percent off meals for active and retired military members with valid military ID on Veterans Day. The restaurant also offers them 10% off year-round.
Starbucks
Location: Multiple
When: Nov. 11
Starbucks will offer a free tall-sized hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, military service members and military spouses at participating U.S. stores.
Sullivan’s Steakhouse
Location: 1928 South Blvd #200, Charlotte, NC 28203
When: Nov. 11
Sullivan’s Steakhouse will give away a Sullivan’s Signature Angus Burger with fries for all veterans and active military who dine in on Veterans Day while supplies last. Military ID is required, and taxes and gratuity are not included.
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Twin Peaks
Location: 8601 Concord Mills Blvd., Concord, NC 28027
Location: 992 Cabelas Dr, Fort Mill, SC 29708
When: Nov. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Participating Twin Peaks locations will offer a free lunch to active and retired military personnel on Veterans Day.
Viva Chicken
Location: Multiple, including Charlotte, Concord, Gastonia, Huntersville and Indian Land
At Viva Chicken, veterans and active duty military members with ID can get any entree free with the exception of whole chicken meals and tacu tray family meals.
This story was originally published November 4, 2024 at 12:00 AM.
