As a way to thank those who serve their country in uniform, some restaurant chains are offering special military deals on the upcoming Veterans Day weekend, as they have in years past. While the practice is not universal, the variety of such dining experiences is considerable.

For the 17th year in a row, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar locations are offering a free meal from a select menu to veterans and active-duty military on Nov. 11.

Similarly, Chili Restaurants On Veterans Day, active soldiers and veterans will receive a free meal from a special menu.

From 5 a.m. to noon on November 11, Denny’s restaurants will offer a Veterans Day special Original Grand Slam breakfast to eligible service members and veterans.

Golden Corral It will host its annual Military Appreciation Night on November 11, starting at 5 p.m. A free “thank you meal” is offered to those who serve their country.

Veterans and active duty military can enjoy a free Red’s Tavern Burger on November 11. Red Robin restaurants. Red Robin is also introducing the “Buy a Vet Gift Card” program as a way for all customers to show their appreciation to those who serve or have served their country. Cards purchased through the program are donated to local veterans organizations.

Starbucks On November 11, at locations across the U.S., active and veteran service members and their spouses will be honored with a free 12-ounce cup of brewed coffee, hot or iced.

Texas Roadhouse Some places use a slightly different approach to thanking veterans. The brand will offer free meal vouchers to veterans from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on November 11. Vouchers can be used in the future towards dine-in or takeout ordered from a specific menu; Coupons must be used by May 2025.

Large quick-service chains like McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s or Chick-fil-A do not mandate a Veterans Day program because most of their restaurants are franchisee-operated. However, many franchisees are offering discounts or free items to veterans on November 11, so it makes sense to call ahead and ask if that’s your go-to eatery.

There’s also some general information on taking advantage of the restaurant’s Veterans Day offers. Almost all such deals will require military identification or proof of military service and will likely be limited to meals only; No takeout or delivery orders.

Beverages, appetizers, and substitutions are often additional, and gratuities for servers are the guest’s responsibility.

It’s also important to note that many big brand restaurants are operated by individual franchisees who choose this option or offer their own alternative deals. So it’s best to call specific locations ahead of time to confirm what’s available and get detailed information on all the requirements needed to enjoy that Veterans Day, “thank you.”

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Side Dishes:

friendly The restaurants have introduced their “Fall to Winter” menus, which will be available at participating locations through December 31.

Items on the new menu include Angus Beef and Barley Soup and the Harvest Stack, an open-faced turkey sandwich topped with mashed potatoes, stuffing and cranberry sauce.

The Crispy Orange Chicken Sandwich is also offered along with the Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.

Two new Fribble creations, the Peppermint Stick and Hot Chocolate, as well as the Choco Java Crunch Sundae, are now available. The brand’s Jubilee Ice Cream Cake also returns to the menu seasonally.

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Nadim Kashouh Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill A “Cooking with Nadim” session is planned for Nov. 23 in Springfield from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. The restaurant is located at 139 Main St. Held at , “Cooking with Nadim” is an interactive meet-up where Kashouh shows off some of her cooking skills. favorite recipes and techniques.

Reservations for the event costing $140 plus a convenience fee can be made through Eventbrite.com.

An additional “Cooking with Nadim” class is planned for December.

Nadim’s Restaurant’s response is 413-737-7373.

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Borderline Mexican Grill & Cantina Mesquite Fire is celebrating its 42nd anniversary by renewing its Fajitas.

Fajitas are now made with premium, thick-cut steak and chicken and a new spice blend that includes pasilla peppers, cumin, Mexican oregano and achiote. Sizzling fajita vegetables and grilled jalapenos are also part of the offering.

There are On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina locations in West Springfield and Rocky Hill, Connecticut.

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Enrico Giovanello, executive chef Table 3 Restaurant Group A “Cooking with Rico” evening will be held in Sturbridge on November 13.

The session, which will start at 18.30, will showcase porchetta, a traditional Italian spicy pork loin roast. Giovanello will demonstrate the preparation of porchetta and create a variety of side dishes designed to match the roast.

Participation fee is $52 per person, not including taxes and tips. Wine, beer and cocktails will be available for an additional fee.

Contact us for more information or to purchase tickets Avellino Restaurant at 508-347-2321.

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Sonic Drive-Ins they currently offer the Double Queso Smasher burger, which features two shredded Angus beef patties layered with two slices of American cheese. Served on a soft potato bun, the sandwich is topped with white queso, tortilla strips, sliced ​​jalapenos, diced onions and Southwestern dressing.

Three limited-time-only drink options are also being introduced at Sonic. Buttery Brew is a swirl of root beer, caramel, and sweet cream; Sparkling Candy Dr Pepper, on the other hand, has hints of sugar cookies and caramel. Red Velvet Cake Batter Shake is also available.

There are Sonic Drive-In locations across from Five Mile Pond in Springfield and on Buckland Street in Manchester, Conn.

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Storrowton Tavern announced that Sunday brunch in West Springfield will return on November 10.

Taking place every Sunday from 11am to 2pm, the brunch offers a wide range of breakfast favourites, as well as a number of additional offerings.

You can make reservations at the Tavern on Big E’s property by calling 413-732-4188.

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Monson Polish Club It is organizing a “Homemade Polish Dinner” on Saturday, November 9, from 16:00 to 21:00

The menu will include golumpki, pierogi, kielbasa, kapusta and rye bread; The cost of pampering is $20 per plate.

For more details, contact the Polish Club at 413-267-5574.

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A flurry of news has surrounded Seattle-based Starbucks over the past few weeks.

After Starbucks reported a 10% decline in customer visits in its latest quarter, new CEO Brian Niccol announced a series of strategic changes for the brand that include a renewed focus on product, operations and marketing.

The change agenda Niccol outlines seems daunting. It has committed the brand to better employee relations, improved store operations, menu simplification and less emphasis on the Starbucks Rewards program as the chain’s primary marketing tool.

Niccol also calls on Starbucks to once again improve its status as a “third tier” social destination.

The brand has already taken several concrete steps to implement the action plan Niccol described. Discount deals and special rewards bonuses are over, and last week Starbucks announced it was discontinuing its Oleato drink line. The chain’s olive oil-infused Oleato espresso drinks, introduced in 2022, will be completely discontinued by mid-November.

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Buffalo Wild Wings offers two limited-time-only sauce options that you can enjoy on wings.

Lightly spicy Maple Chipotle Sauce combines the sweetness of maple with smoky chipotle pepper; Cajun Sauce, on the other hand, uses traditional Cajun seasonings to create a more spice-focused flavor profile.

There are Buffalo Wild Wings locations on Memorial Drive in Chicopee and on Poquonock Avenue in Windsor, Conn.

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Sunday brunch is a weekly attraction. East Village Tavern in East Longmeadow. Served from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., brunch in the East Village favors morning meal classics supplemented by several lunch options.

These include the Irish Omelet, stuffed with Swiss cheese, corned beef, and sauerkraut. For those looking for something more filling, the Tavern offers both Chicken & Waffle and Steak & Egg platters.

From the lunch hour dictionary, the menu suggests things like the Chicken Caesar Wrap and the classic Cheeseburger.

East Village Tavern on North Main Street answers at 413-525-7777.

Hugh Robert is a faculty member in Holyoke Community College’s hospitality and culinary arts program and has nearly 50 years of restaurant and education experience. Robert can be reached online at: [email protected].