Veterans Eat Free At These Businesses Around Oak Forest

OAK FOREST, IL — Restaurants, coffeehouses and eateries of across the nation have come up with all kinds of Veterans Day specials — free or discounted meals, drinks and treats — for veterans, retired and active duty military personnel and, in some cases, first responders to thank them for their service. There are multiple deals in the Oak Forest area.

Veterans Day is Sunday, Nov. 11, but the holiday is observed on Monday, Nov. 12. Some of the special deals are already in place. In most cases, proof of military service is required.

Here are some of the deals:

Applebee's

Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill & Bar, which has locations across the country, will receive a full-sized entree from an exclusive menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. The location near Oak Forest is at 4937 Cal Sag Road, Crestwood.

Baker's Square

Baker’s Square, which has multiple locations in Illinois and one in Iowa, is offering a free breakfast of buttermilk pancakes, French toast or a Belgian waffle for veterans and active duty military personnel on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. Among the locations in Oak Forest are:

• 14651 So. La Grange Road, Orland Park
  
• 15711 S. Harlem Avenue, Orland Park

Bonefish Grill

Bonefish Grill, another national chain with locations in nearly three dozen states, is giving active and retired service members a free Bang Bang Shrimp appetizer on Sunday, Nov. 11. A valid military ID is required. The location near Oak Forest is at 15537 LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Boston Market

Boston Market’s deal is good at all U.S. locations on both Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. When customers buy one individual meal, they’ll get a second one free. A military ID isn’t required, but customers need to download a coupon at bostonmarket.com ahead of time. The location near Oak Forest is at 13201 S. Cicero Ave., Crestwood.

Buffalo Wild Wings

Buffalo Wild Wings is offering a free order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries to veterans and current members of the military on Sunday Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. The location near Oak Forest is at 7301 W. 183rd St., Tinley Park.

Chili's

Chili’s is offering a free meal for veterans at participating locations on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. The location near Oak Forest is at 15735 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park.

Chipotle

Chipotle has a buy one, get one free deal on a burrito, bowl, salad or order of tacos for veterans, retired and active duty military personnel, and military spouses with proof of military service or a valid military ID on Sunday, Nov. 11. Among the locations near Oak Forest are:

• 15980 Harlem Ave., Tinley Park
  
• 13340 Cicero Ave., Crestwood
  
• 15240 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park

City Barbeque

City Barbeque, which has restaurants in Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina and Ohio, is offering a free sandwich platter to veterans and military members on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. The location near Oak Forest is at 14301 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is giving veterans a choice between a slice of its Double Chocolate Fudge Coca-Cola Cake or one of its crafted coffee beverages on Sunday, Nov. 11. The location near Oak Forest is at 18531 North Creek Dr., Tinley Park.

Dunkin' Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts is offering a free doughnut to veterans and active duty military personnel at participating restaurants nationwide on Sunday, Nov. 11. Among the locations near Oak Forest are:

• 5159 159th St., Oak Forest
  
• 4152 W. 167th St., Oak Forest
  
• 7935 W. 171st St., Tinley Park
  
• 14631 Pulaski Road, Midlothian
  
• 14632 S. Cicero Ave., Midlothian
  
• 15615 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park

Famous Dave's

Famous Dave’s is offering a free two-meat combo with a choice of side and cornbread muffin to veterans and current military personnel on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. Proof of military service is required. Call ahead to verify participation. The location near Oak Forest is 15657 S. Harlem Ave., Orland Park.

Golden Corral

Golden Corral, which operates in 41 states, will serve free dinner buffets with a beverage from 5-9 p.m., on Monday, Nov. 12, to any person who is serving or has served in a United States military branch, including the National Guard and Reserves. Identification is not required. The location near Oak Forest is at 6803 W. 159th St., Tinley Park.

Hooters

Hooters is offering all veterans and active-duty military personnel with a free entree from a special Veterans Day menu with the purchase of a beverage on Sunday, Nov. 11. Guests must present a military ID or proof of service. The location near Oak Forest is at 15300 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Little Caesars Pizza

Little Caesars Pizza, which has locations nationwide, is offering a free pizza or $5 lunch combinations to all veterans and active military members from 11 a.m-2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. Call ahead to verify participation. Among the locations near Oak Forest are:

• 16022 S. Harlem Ave., Tinley Park
  
• 13541 Cicero Ave., Crestwood

Olive Garden

Olive Garden, which has restaurants nationwide, is offering veterans and active duty military personnel a free entree from a special menu on Sunday, Nov. 11. Proof of military service is required. The location near Oak Forest is at Orland Square Mall, 15215 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Red Lobster

Red Lobster Seafood Restaurants is offering a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, active-duty military and reservists with a valid military ID on Sunday and Monday, Nov. 11-12. The restaurant has locations in most states. The location near Oak Forest is at 14750 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Red Robin

Red Robin is offering its Red’s Tavern Double and Bottomless Steak fries for veterans and active military personnel who show a valid military ID or provide proof of military service on Sunday, Nov. 11. The location near Oak Forest is at 15503 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery

Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery is offering free meals to veterans from Nov. 10-12 at its restaurants in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia and Wisconsin. The restaurant is also brewing a limited edition Veterans Day IPA and will donate 25 cents of each pint sold from Nov. 10-17 to a local veterans charity. The location near Oak Forest is at 16156 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park.

Starbucks

Starbucks is offering veterans and a free 12-ounce coffee to veterans, active duty military personnel and their spouses on Sunday, Nov. 11, with proof of military service. Among the locations near Oak Forest are:

• 159th Street and Cicero Avenue, Oak Forest
  
• 167th Street and Crawford Avenue, Oak Forest
  
• Crestwood Commons
  
• Target, Tinley Park
  
• Jewel-Osco, Orland Park
  
• Orland Square Mall
  
• Target, Orland Park
  
• 159th Street and LaGrange Road, Orland Park

More deals are added daily, so be sure to check the Military Benefits website or the Veterans Advantage website.

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