Happy Veterans Day, FXBG.
This is a bonus Rundown with one job: rounding up the free meals and thank-you deals for veterans and service members around Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania today. To everyone who served, and to the families who served right alongside you: thank you.
Before you head out: bring proof of service, such as a military ID, VA ID card, DD-214 or a Virginia driver's license with the veteran designation. Most deals are today only and many are dine-in only. Chain deals are at participating locations, and franchise stores make their own call, so phone ahead. Offers can run out and terms can vary by store. Chain terms come from each brand's 2026 announcement or national 2026 lists, including VA's 2026 roundup.
Downtown, the city's procession (10:30 a.m.) and commemoration at the Fredericksburg Area War Memorial (11 a.m.) are free, rain or shine. Details.
🏡 Local spots saying thanks
These come from local 2026 listings, not the businesses' own announcements, so call to confirm before you go.
Durango Grill, 4256 Plank Rd.: 50% off the veteran's meal plus one free beverage, today. Call ahead to confirm. durangogrillva.com
Alpine Chef, 200 Lafayette Blvd. (the historic train station): free pretzel sticks for the table and 50% off the veteran's meal, local listings say. Open 11:30 a.m.–9 p.m. @thealpinechefrestaurant
6 Bears & a Goat Brewing Co., 1140 International Pkwy. (Stafford): the veteran-owned brewery has a community-prepaid "stockpile" of free pints for veterans, good while it lasts. 21+. Open 11 a.m.–9 p.m. @6bgbrewingco
77 Barbershop, 1120 International Pkwy., Ste. 111 (Stafford): the veteran-owned shop has veteran haircuts for $30 ($20 for 65+), 10 a.m.–7 p.m., plus a gift bag at check-in while supplies last. Book at staffordhaircut.com or 540-390-4163. @sevensevenbarberzone
🍽️ Free meals today
All at participating locations with proof of service unless noted. Call your store first.
Applebee's, 2851 Plank Rd.: free full-size entrée from a Veterans Day menu. Dine-in; drinks and tip not included. Details · @applebees
Bob Evans, 10011 Southpoint Pkwy.: free meal from a special Veterans Day menu, all day. Dine-in; drink not included. Details · @bobevansfarms
Bonefish Grill, 1779 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.: free Bang Bang Shrimp and a nonalcoholic drink. Ask whether family members get one too. @bonefishgrill
Buffalo Wild Wings, 1638 Carl D. Silver Pkwy., 10107 Southpoint Pkwy. and 1050 Stafford Market Pl.: 10 free boneless wings and fries, dine-in. @bwwings
Chili's, 3104 Plank Rd., 10010 Southpoint Pkwy. and 1030 Stafford Market Pl.: free entrée from a select menu, dine-in. @chilis
Cracker Barrel, 1971 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.: free Sunrise Pancake Special. @crackerbarrel
Denny's, 5325 Jefferson Davis Hwy.: free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m.–noon, dine-in. Military ID or DD-214. @dennysdiner
Golden Corral, 10320 Spotsylvania Ave.: free buffet and drink, 4 p.m.–close. Dine-in only, no takeout; family pays regular price. Details · @goldencorral
Hooters, 10400 Spotsylvania Ave.: free entrée from a Veterans Day menu with a drink purchase, dine-in. @hooters
Little Caesars, area stores: free Lunch Combo (four Detroit-style slices and a 20-oz. Pepsi), 11 a.m.–2 p.m., in-store.
MISSION BBQ, 3515 Plank Rd.: free sandwich of your choice, all day, with cake and a live National Anthem at noon. mission-bbq.com · @missionbbq
Olive Garden, 2811 Plank Rd.: free entrée from a special menu with unlimited breadsticks and soup or salad. Dine-in, military ID. @olivegarden
Paisano's Pizza, 1515 Stafford Marketplace, Ste. 119: free large one-topping pizza, in-store. @paisanos
Red Lobster, 3109 Spotsylvania Mall Dr.: free Veteran's Shrimp & Chips, dine-in, ID required. Opens at noon. @redlobster
Red Robin, 10109 Patriot Hwy. (Cosner's Corner): free Red's Big Tavern Burger with Bottomless Steak Fries. Dine-in only, no to-go or app orders. Details · @redrobinburgers
Sheetz, area stores: free half turkey sub and a fountain drink, plus a free $9.99 car wash where there's a wash. @sheetz
Wendy's, area stores: free Dave's Single, no purchase needed, one per person, inside or at the drive-thru. Not on the app, kiosk or delivery. Wendy's says just identify yourself; no ID requirement stated. @wendys
🎟️ Grab it today, eat later
Texas Roadhouse, 3940 Plank Rd.: free meal voucher handed out 11 a.m.–2 p.m., good through May 31, 2027 (choice of 10 entrées, two sides and a drink). It's a voucher, not a meal today. Bring a military or VA card or discharge papers. @texasroadhouse
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers, 28 S. Gateway Dr. and 1611 Emancipation Hwy.: free combo meal card today, redeemable through Nov. 25. No purchase needed; military ID. Details · @freddysusa
🥩 More restaurant deals
These need a purchase or are discounts. Participating locations; bring proof of service.
Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, 1 Towne Centre Blvd.: free entrée for the veteran when a second entrée is bought, dine-in; drinks not included. @firebirdsgrill
LongHorn Steakhouse, 10012 Southpoint Pkwy.: 10% off the veteran's meal plus a free appetizer or dessert for the table with an adult entrée. Dine-in or call-in. @longhornsteaks
Firehouse Subs, area stores: buy one sub, get one free, in-store, military ID. Details
Chipotle, area stores: free chips and guac, queso blanco or salsa with a $5 purchase, in-restaurant. @chipotle
BJ's Restaurant & Brewhouse, 1861 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.: free Chocolate Chunk Pizookie, dine-in. @bjsrestaurants
Carrabba's Italian Grill, 1951 Carl D. Silver Pkwy.: free appetizer or dessert, dine-in. @carrabbas
☕ Coffee and a doughnut
Starbucks: free tall hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members and military spouses. @starbucks
Dunkin': free doughnut, one per guest, in-store. Stars and Stripes reports no proof needed.
Wawa: free hot or iced coffee, any size, for veterans, active duty and their families.
💈 Haircuts and shopping
Great Clips: free haircut today, or a free-haircut card good through Dec. 4. Not a veteran? Get a cut today and you'll get a card to give to one. @greatclips
Sport Clips: free or discounted haircut at participating stores only. Call first. @sportclipshaircuts
Target: 20% off one purchase for verified military, veterans and families in Target Circle. Ends today.
Kohl's: 30% off in-store for veterans, active duty and dependents with military ID, Nov. 10–11. Exclusions apply.
Walgreens: 20% off eligible regular-price items for veterans, active duty and immediate family, Nov. 8–11. Needs a myWalgreens account.
Food Lion: 10% off in-store with military ID and an MVP card. Exclusions apply.
Tractor Supply: extra 10% off for verified Hometown Heroes members.
🗓️ Outings, plus Saturday
Fun Land of Fredericksburg, 1351 Central Park Blvd.: free All-Day Unlimited Attractions Pass for veterans and active duty, ends today. One per ID, in person; family pays.
Mount Vernon (about an hour north): free admission today for active duty, former and retired military; pick up tickets when you arrive. Family and guests aren't included. mountvernon.org
National parks: today is a fee-free day for everyone, including Prince William Forest Park and Shenandoah. Most of our local battlefield park is free anyway.
Morton's BMW Motorcycles and Morton's Power Equipment, 10764–10766 Patriot Hwy.: Veterans Appreciation sales run through Nov. 13, and a celebration on Sat., Nov. 14, 9 a.m.–4 p.m. includes a free Whitley's BBQ sandwich for veterans, door prizes and a raffle. mortonsmotorcycles.com
👋 Before you go
Know a veteran who'd use this list today? Forward it their way. Free signup: thefxbgrundown.com.
Spot a local deal we missed, or find one that's sold out? Just reply. We read every one.
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