LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Veterans Day is a time to recognize U.S. veterans and service members for their service, valor and sacrifice.
Many businesses show appreciation to vets on or around Nov. 11 each year with free or discounted meals or services. Double-check with businesses in your area to make sure they are participating in the offer and what proof of service they require.
We continue to add to the growing list of businesses honoring veterans in 2025. If you know of an additional business that's not included in our list, please send WDRB a link or contact, so we can verify. Please email webteam@wdrb.com.
Here's the list:
Aspen Grill: In honor of Veterans Day on Nov. 11, Aspen Creek Grill will offer free meal vouchers to all veterans and active-duty military. The $15 vouchers will be eligible for redemption at any Aspen Creek Grill restaurant starting immediately on Tuesday, Nov. 11 through Wednesday, Dec. 24.
Biscuit Belly: Veterans eat free on Tuesday, November 11 with choice of Bacon Egg & Cheese, Sausage Egg & Cheese, or Chicken Biscuit Sandwich and a hot drip coffee or fountain drink. All Biscuit Belly locations are participating. Dine in only.
Bubba's 33: Bubba’s 33 locations in Fern Creek and Clarksville will continue their annual Veterans Day tradition of welcoming veterans and active U.S. military to enjoy FREE lunch on Tuesday, November 11 from open to 4:00 pm. For veterans and active military unable to attend this year’s event, the restaurant will distribute raincheck vouchers from 9:00 a.m. to noon on Veteran’s Day, good through May 31, 2026.
Chili's: Chili's looks forward to once again showing our gratitude with a FREE* Veterans Day meal as a small way to honor your service and the sacrifices you’ve made for our country. All veterans & active military members are welcome at all participating Chili's Grill & Bar restaurants. Available in-restaurant only for select items.
Corner Restaurant and Bar: On November 11, veterans and active-duty military members can enjoy a FREE Old Lou Classic Burger by showing their military ID. The offer is valid for dine-in guests only and is limited to one Old Lou Classic Burger per veteran or active-duty military guest.
Cracker Barrel: Free Breakfast To Honor Our Heroes. We deeply appreciate the service and sacrifice of our military personnel here at Cracker Barrel. This Tuesday (Nov. 11), we invite veterans and active-duty service members to join us in-store for a complimentary Sunrise Pancake Special as a small gesture of our gratitude. (Valid 11/11/25 while supplies last. Dine in only. Proof of military service required. Limit one per order. Excludes premium items, add-ons and gratuity.
Freddy's: As a small token of our appreciation for their service to our country, all Veterans and active military personnel who visit Freddy’s on Veterans Day will receive a FREE Freddy’s Combo meal card. No purchase is necessary to receive this special offer. Cards may be redeemed through December 31, 2025
Golden Corral: Military Appreciation Night will be held on Tuesday, November 11 from 4 p.m. – close. For the 25th year, Golden Corral will once again honor our military heroes with a free “thank you” meal. Any person who has served in the U.S. Military (retirees, veterans, active duty, National Guard or Reserves) is included.
iHop: Veterans and active duty military can enjoy free Red, White and Blueberry Pancake Combo on Nov. 11 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with valid military ID, dine-in only.
Indiana State Parks: The Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources is offering free admission to all veterans and active-duty military personnel and everyone in their vehicle on Veterans Day. This in includes reservoir properties, state forest recreation areas and off-road recreation areas. This includes admission to the Falls of the Ohio State Park's Interpretive Center
Joella's: Joella’s Hot Chicken will offer a complimentary meal to all veterans, and active duty military personnel on Veterans Day at all three locations. The meal will include two Jumbo Tenders, a Southern side, one dippin’ sauce, and a drink. To receive the offer, active-duty and retired service members must present valid military identification or be in uniform. Joella’s also proudly offers a 10% “Heroes” discount to veterans and military personnel every day.
Logan's Roadhouse: Veterans and active-duty military can receive a special Veterans Day complimentary meal as a "thank you" for their service from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. You can choose from an All-American Cheeseburger, hand-breaded chicken tenders, chopped steak, BBQ-grilled pork chop, steak tips, sides: fries, Roadhouse rice, green beans, corn and mashed potatoes. Logan's will also honor fallen heroes with a Missing Man Table.
Louisville Zoo: The Zoo is offering free admission to all active and retired military personnel and their immediate families on Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11. Military guests are simply required to present proof of service at the Zoo’s admission windows. Along with free admission, military personnel and their families can enjoy exclusive discounts on Veterans Day, including 10 percent off purchases at the Zoo gift shop and 50 percent off food and drink at Zoo concessions.
McDonald's (Louisville area): Participating McDonald’s restaurants in the Louisville area are offering a meal to all current and former military members veterans, with a valid military ID, on November 11. For breakfast, veterans can enjoy an Egg McMuffin Meal, including a hash brown and any size soft drink, tea or coffee. For lunch or dinner, veterans can enjoy a free 3 piece McCrispy Strips Meal, with medium fry and any size soft drink, tea or coffee.
The meals are only available via dine-in or drive-thru. The meals are not available in the McDonald’s app. Breakfast meals are only available until 10:30am.
Metro Diner: On November 11, Metro Diner is showing appreciation for those who served by offering 50% off to active and retired military members with a valid military ID. Additionally, veterans can enjoy 10% off their meal year-round. The location in Louisville is at 4901 Outer Loop. To find additional locations, click here.
Mission BBQ: Veterans and Active Duty Military are welcome to stop by either area location on November 11 to receive a complimentary sandwich as a small token of thanks for their dedication to our country. Their restaurants are located at 4607 Shelbyville Road, St. Matthews, KY and 1213 Veterans Parkway, Clarksville, IN. For information, click here.
O'Charley's - All veterans and active military with valid ID will receive a free entree from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both Nov. 10 and 11. Guests dining in can choose any entrée from the Daily Dinner Deals Menu, which includes: salisbury steak, shrimp scampi, teriyaki chicken, tuscany chicken or chipotle pork loin.
From Nov. 3 to 11, guests can show their support by donating $5 to Folded Flag, which gives scholarships and support grants to the spouses and children of fallen service members. In return, guests will receive a $5 off $20 coupon valid for their next visit, dine-in or online, through Dec. 21.
Red Robin: On Nov. 11, veterans and active duty members can get a free Red's Big Tavern Burger with bottomless fries for dine-in only. Must show valid military ID.
Scooters Coffee: Scooter’s Coffee is offering a special thank-you to veterans and active-duty military members in honor of Veterans Day. On Tuesday, Nov. 11 anyone with a valid Military ID is invited to stop by any of our 890+ locations nationwide to receive a free medium drink as a token of thanks and showing our appreciation for their service and sacrifice.
This special offer is valid for any drink on the Scooter’s Coffee menu, including the new limited-time holiday menu inspired by New Line Cinema’s film Elf, fan-favorite Red Bull Infusions and fizzy, caffeine-free Sparkling Floats. Military ID required. Not available for mobile orders.
The Chicken House. Klein Homes and The Chicken House would like to invite all veterans and their spouses for a FREE MEAL on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025. Proof of military service is required.
Wawa. FREE any size hot coffee to veterans, active military members and their families, all day, with no military ID required. This will take place on Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2025, at all 1,100+ Wawa stores.
White Castle: White Castle is celebrating Veterans Day by offering a free individual combo meal or a breakfast combo meal to all veterans and active-duty service members who dine at a participating White Castle restaurant. The special offer is valid on Tuesday, Nov. 11. No purchase necessary, but must show a military ID.
Veterans Day parades and events
Kentucky Veterans Parade in NuLu
- Saturday, Nov. 8
- 11 a.m.
This year, the parade will be moving from downtown to NuLu. It will travel along East Market Street from Campbell to Hancock. After the parade, families are invited to check out the "Touch a Tank" display to see military vehicles up close. For information, click here.
Elizabethtown Veterans Day Tribute
- Tuesday, Nov. 11, at American Legion Hardin Post 113 at 1251 Ring Road (NEW LOCATION)
- 9:45 a.m. Active duty and military veterans welcome to line-up for the motorcade. The public is encouraged to line the route.
- 10:15 a.m. Motorcade begins at American Legion Park on N. Miles St.
- 11 a.m. Ceremony at the Elizabethtown Nature Park on Ring Road, including Posting of the Colors
The ceremony is a coordinated effort between the City of Elizabethtown and American Legion. Hardin Post 113. Posting of the Colors will be sharply at 11:00 a.m. to commemorate the signing of the Armistice (first Veterans Day) on November 11, 1918 at the end of World War I. The keynote speaker will be Joe Garrett, the Department of Kentucky American Legion Commander. The ceremony will include musical selections performed by the Heart of Kentucky Chorus. The ceremony will last 30-45 minutes. For information, call American Legion Hardin Post 113 at 270-737-9949.
Veterans Day Flag Retirement
- Tuesday, Nov. 11
- 4 p.m.
- St. Michael Church, 3705 Stone Lakes Drive., Louisville, Ky. 40299
For information, email Charlie Hunton chunton@gmail.com.
- Sunday, Nov. 9
- 2 p.m.
- Cave Hill Cemetery
Flags4Vets invites Louisville area volunteers to help place flags on 7,500 veterans graves at Cave Hill Cemetery for Veterans Day. A parade of flags is planned along with the Presentation of Colors, the Star Spangled Banner, Pledge of Allegiance and the laying of the wreath at the Unknown Soldier Memorial and playing of Taps.
You must park your car and gather at Breckinridge School, 1351 Payne Street, which is within 100 feet of the U.S. Military Section of Cave Hill. Strollers and wagons are allowed but bikes and pets are not For info, email: goirishmoore@yahoo.com or call 502-931-0374.
Jeffersontown 30th annual Veterans Day program
- Sunday, Nov. 9
- 4 p.m.
- Jeffersonian (Jtown Community Center) 10617 Taylorsville Road.
- Parking onsite and at the Jeffersontown Christian Church
The annual program hosted by the American Legion, G.I. Joe Post 244 and the City of Jeffersontown will feature keynote speaker Lt. Col. Kevin Combs, U.S. Army (retired). There will be a Posting of Colors, Color Guards, Patriotic music and opening and closing prayers.
Related stories:
Annual Kentucky Veterans Parade moves to NuLu for 15th anniversary celebration
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