Restaurants thank veterans with food

11/7/2017
BY MARY BILYEU
BLADE FOOD EDITOR
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    Veterans Day flags near the Lucas County Courthouse Saturday, November 12 in Toledo, Ohio.

    THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
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    • In honor of Veterans Day, several area restaurants are offering delicious deals to veterans, reservists, and active-duty personnel to thank them for their military service.

    Friday:

    ■ Denny’s: Veterans get a complimentary Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon Friday, and can choose any or all of the options from among these offerings: two pancakes (buttermilk or hearty wheat), two eggs, two bacon strips, and hash browns. Must bring valid military identification. (dennys.com)

    ■ IHOP: All active-duty and retired veterans can enjoy a free order of Red, White, and Blue Pancakes. Dine-in only. Identification or proof of service required. (ihop.com)

    ■ Zoup: Veterans and active-duty service members are welcome to a free 16-ounce bowl of soup. Proof of service is required. (zoup.com)

    Saturday:

    ■ Applebee’s Grill and Bar: Veterans and active-duty personnel can get a free meal, choosing from seven entrées: Butcher’s Meat and Potatoes, Chicken Tenders Platter, Double Crunch Shrimp, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad, the American Standard burger, and Three-Cheese Chicken Cavatappi. Beverage and tip not included. Proof of military service required. Dine-in only. (applebees.com)

    ■ Bar Louie: Free flatbread or burger for veterans and active military personnel. (barlouie.com)

    ■ Bob Evans Restaurants: Veterans and active-duty personnel can select a free breakfast, lunch, or dinner from among these six options: stack of four hotcakes (buttermilk or multigrain) with syrup; two slices of brioche French toast; a fresh-baked buttermilk biscuit topped with one egg, sausage gravy, and cheddar cheese served with hash browns, home fries, or grits; Mini Sampler Breakfast (one egg, choice of hash browns, home fries, or grits, two sausage links or bacon strips, and bread); Farm Boy Sandwich (kaiser roll with sausage patty, American cheese, onion, and pickles) served with french fries; Country Fried Steak (breaded and fried beef topped with country gravy) served with mashed potatoes. Must provide proof of service: U.S. Uniformed Services Identification Card (current or retired), current Leave and Earnings Statement, or veterans’ organization card (i.e. American Legion, VFW). Guests wearing a military uniform on Veterans Day are eligible. (bobevans.com)

    ■ Cracker Barrel: Veterans will receive a complimentary slice of Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake. (crackerbarrel.com)

    ■ Dunkin’ Donuts: Veterans and active military will receive a free doughnut, no purchase necessary, with military identification. (dunkindonuts.com)

    ■ Hooters: All veterans and active-duty military can choose from five free menu items: 10-piece traditional wings, 10-piece boneless wings, Buffalo Chicken Salad, Buffalo Chicken Sandwich, and a Hooters Burger. Beverage purchase and proof of service are required. Dine-in only. (hooters.com)

    ■ Little Caesars: Veterans and active members of the United States military can get a free Hot ’n’ Ready Lunch Combo (four slices of DEEP!DEEP! Dish pepperoni pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi product) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Proof of service required. (littlecaesars.com)

    ■ Red Lobster: Veterans, active-duty military personnel, and reservists receive a free appetizer or dessert. Appetizer choices include Lobster and Langostino Pizza, Mozzarella Cheese Sticks, Parrot Isle Jumbo Coconut Shrimp, Seafood-Stuffed Mushrooms, Signature Shrimp Cocktail, and Sweet Chili Shrimp. Dessert options include Brownie Overboard, Chocolate Wave, Key Lime Pie, Vanilla Bean Cheesecake, and Warm Apple Crostada. Valid military identification is required. (redlobster.com)

    ■ Red Robin: Veterans and active-duty service members can get a free Red’s Tavern Double Burger and Bottomless Steak Fries. No purchase necessary. Proof of service required. (redrobin.com)

    ■ Texas Roadhouse: Active, former, or retired military can choose one free lunch from the following options: 6-ounce sirloin steak, Country Fried Chicken, Country Fried Sirloin, Grilled Pork Chop, or Pulled Pork Dinner (each of these meals comes with two sides); All-American Cheeseburger, BBQ Chicken Sandwich, or Pulled Pork Sandwich (each of these comes with steak fries); Chicken Critter Salad or Grilled Chicken Salad. All of the lunches include coffee, iced tea, soft drink, or sweet tea. Proof of military service is required. (texasroadhouse.com)

    Contact Mary Bilyeu at mbilyeu@theblade.com, and follow her at facebook.com/thebladefoodpage.