Veterans Day is Wednesday, Nov. 11, and Clay County has free meals, haircuts, car washes and store discounts for veterans and active-duty service members.

Bring proof of service (military ID, VA card, DD-214, or similar). Most restaurant offers are dine-in only at participating locations, tips and drinks usually aren't included, and franchise spots can opt out, so call ahead.

Need ceremony times or what's closed? See our Veterans Day events guide.

Quick picks

• Orange Park Mall (1910 Wells Rd): first 100 veterans get a free lunch certificate at the Food Court entrance from 10 a.m. to noon. Valid only on Nov. 11 at participating mall eateries.
• Golden Corral (582 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park): free buffet and beverage from 4 p.m. to close. Dine-in only; family and friends pay regular price.
• Texas Roadhouse (550 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park): pick up a free meal voucher from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a later visit (details below).

Breakfast and coffee

• Denny's (8409 Blanding Blvd, Westside near Orange Park): free Original Grand Slam, 5 a.m. to noon. Dine-in; call ahead.
• IHOP (315 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park; 1825 East/West Pkwy, Fleming Island): free Red, White & Blueberry pancakes or the pancake combo, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Participating locations may serve either the stack or the full combo, so confirm which one your IHOP is offering. Dine-in.
• Cracker Barrel (4272 Eldridge Loop, Orange Park): free Sunrise pancake special. Dine-in.
• Starbucks (1544 County Road 220, Fleming Island, plus other participating Clay stores): free 12-oz hot or iced brewed coffee for veterans, service members and spouses.
• Circle K (participating Clay stores): free medium hot or iced coffee with military ID. Call ahead; not every store takes part.

Lunch and dinner

• Applebee's (1803 East-West Pkwy, Fleming Island): free entrée from a seven-item Veterans Day menu. Dine-in.
• Chili's (2005 East West Pkwy, Fleming Island; 1664 Wells Rd, Orange Park): free meal from a select menu. Dine-in; call ahead.
• Olive Garden (6050 Youngerman Circle, Westside near Orange Park): free select entrée with soup or salad and breadsticks. Dine-in. (Offer details)
• Red Lobster (32 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park): free Shrimp & Chips. Dine-in.
• Outback (1775 Wells Rd, Orange Park): free Bloomin' Onion plus a Coke or domestic draft on Nov. 10 and 11. Dine Rewards members can also claim a free Hero's Meal for a later visit (Nov. 16, 2026 through May 2, 2027).
• Sonny's BBQ (1976 Kingsley Ave, Orange Park): free Pork Big Deal (pork sandwich, side and drink). Dine-in, takeout or drive-thru.
• Mission BBQ (8440 Blanding Blvd #3, Westside near Orange Park): free sandwich and cake, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., with a live National Anthem at noon.
• Buffalo Wild Wings (1940 Wells Rd, Orange Park): 10 free boneless wings and fries. Dine-in.
• Little Caesars (participating Orange Park and Middleburg stores): free HOT-N-READY Lunch Combo (four Detroit-style pepperoni slices and a 20-oz Pepsi), 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. While supplies last.
• Wendy's (participating Orange Park, Fleming Island and Middleburg stores): free Dave's Single, counter or drive-thru.

Pick up a free meal for later

These aren't free meals you eat on Nov. 11. You pick up a voucher or card that day, then redeem it later.

• Texas Roadhouse (550 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park): vouchers handed out 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Nov. 11. Redeem through May 31, 2027 for an entrée, two sides and a drink.
• Freddy's (386 Blanding Blvd, Orange Park): free combo meal card on Nov. 11, redeemable through Nov. 25, 2026. No purchase needed to pick up the card; valid military ID required.

Treats

• Krispy Kreme (6250 103rd St, Westside near Orange Park): free doughnut and small coffee, in-shop or drive-thru.

Free haircuts and car washes

• Great Clips (Clay salons in Orange Park, Fleming Island and Middleburg): free haircut on Nov. 11, or a free haircut card good through Dec. 4, 2026. Non-military guests can pick up a card to give a veteran. Call ahead; participation can vary by salon.
• Sport Clips (661 Blanding Blvd Ste 516, Orange Park; 1810 Town Center Blvd Ste 12, Fleming Island): free haircut for veterans and active-duty service members on Nov. 11 at participating stores. Franchise-owned, so call first. Find participating shops at the Sport Clips store locator.
• Waters Car Wash (1785 Wells Road, Orange Park): free wash Nov. 9-11 for veterans, active-duty service members and first responders with valid ID, during regular hours.

Free admission and things to do

• Greater Jacksonville Agricultural Fair (13601 Normandy Blvd, Jacksonville): free gate admission for active-duty, retired and veteran military and family on Nov. 11, plus a $20 Military Ride Pass (limit 4 people total). Gates open at noon.

Discounts at stores

• Publix: 10% off in-store groceries on Nov. 11 for veterans and active military with ID, DD-214 or a driver's license with veteran designation. Excludes prescriptions, alcohol, tobacco, gift cards, lottery tickets, postage stamps and money services.
• Winn-Dixie: 11% off qualifying in-store purchases on Nov. 11 with military or veteran ID (active military, dependents and veterans). Excludes sales tax, alcohol, lottery tickets, gift cards and delivery.
• Chipotle (1607 County Road 220, Fleming Island): free chips plus guac, queso or salsa with a $5 purchase. In-restaurant only.

Worth the Drive

• Ford's Garage (550 Outlet Mall Blvd, St. Augustine; also 450 County Road 210, St. Johns): free American Standard Burger or up to $16 off another entrée. Dine-in.
• Bonefish Grill (10950 San Jose Blvd, Mandarin): free Bang Bang Shrimp and a nonalcoholic drink for veterans, active duty and families.
• Bob Evans (3163 Hartley Rd, Mandarin): free item from the Veterans Day menu. Dine-in.
• Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens (370 Zoo Parkway, Jacksonville): veterans and active-duty service members can reserve one free General Admission ticket for Nov. 11, 2026, presented by VyStar. Military or veteran ID required at the gate; dependents are not covered, and the offer does not combine with Total Experience or Kids Free November. Zoo hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; tickets are first-come, first-served.
• Castillo de San Marcos (1 South Castillo Drive, St. Augustine): Nov. 11 is a National Park Service fee-free day, so U.S. citizens and residents get free entrance admission (not veterans-only). The fort is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with last admission at 5 p.m. and exit by 5:15 p.m. Parking at the city lot out front still costs $2.50 per hour.
• Old Town Trolley package (St. Augustine): free admission Nov. 11 for military and first responders to Old Town Trolley, the Old Jail, the Oldest Store Museum and Potter's Wax Museum.
• Red Boat Tours (St. Augustine): veterans ride free Nov. 11 on the noon Dolphin Odyssey and Sightseeing Tour or the 6 p.m. BYO sunset cruise. Call 904-436-3566 to book.

Offers can change by location, so double-check before you go.

Thank you for your service. Know another local Veterans Day deal we should add? Hit reply or leave a note, and we'll pass it along.