As a way to thank those who have served their country in uniform, a number of restaurant chains, as they have in recent years, are offering special military deals during the upcoming Veterans Day weekend. Although the practice is not universal, the variety of such eating experiences is considerable.

For the 17th year in a row, Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar locations will offer veterans and active duty military personnel a free meal from a select menu on November 11.

Likewise, Chili’s Restaurants will provide active military personnel and veterans with a free meal from a special menu on Veterans Day.

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

Golden Corral will host its annual Military Appreciation Night on November 11, beginning at 5 p.m. A free thank you meal is offered to those who have served their country.

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

Starbucks locations across the U.S. will honor active and former military personnel – and their spouses – on November 11 with a free 12-ounce brewed coffee, either hot or iced.

Texas Roadhouse locations take a slightly different approach to thanking veterans. On November 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the brand is offering free meal vouchers to veterans. The vouchers can be redeemed for a future dine-in or takeaway meal, ordered from a selected menu; the vouchers must be used by May 2025.

Because most of their restaurants are operated by franchisees, major quick-service chains such as McDonald’s, Burger King, Wendy’s or Chick-fil-A do not mandate a Veterans Day program. However, many franchisees do offer discounts or free items to veterans on November 11, so it’s wise to call ahead and ask if that’s your dining destination.

There is also some common wisdom associated with taking advantage of restaurant Veterans Day deals. Nearly all such deals will require a military ID or proof of military service and will likely be limited to dine-in only — no takeout or delivery orders.

Drinks, sides and substitutions are typically extra, and gratuities for servers remain the responsibility of the guest.

It’s also important to remember that many big-brand restaurants are operated by individual franchisees, who have opted out or are offering their own alternative offerings. It is therefore best to call specific locations in advance to confirm what is available and to get details on any requirements to enjoy that specific Veterans Day, “thanks.”

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Side dishes:

Friendly’s restaurants have introduced their “Fall into Winter” menu, which will be available at participating locations through December 31.

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

A Crispy Orange Chicken Sandwich will be served, along with a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich.

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

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Nadim Kashouh of Nadim’s Downtown Mediterranean Grill in Springfield is planning a “Cooking with Nadim” session on Nov. 23, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Held at the restaurant’s 139 Main St. location, “Cooking with Nadim” is an interactive gathering in which Kashouh demonstrates some of his favorite recipes and techniques.

Reservations for the event, valued at $140 plus a service fee, can be made at Eventbrite.com.

An extra lesson “Cooking with Nadim” is planned for December.

Nadim’s Restaurant answers at 413-737-7373.

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On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina is celebrating its 42nd anniversary with an upgrade to its Mesquite Fire Fajitas.

The fajitas are now made with premium, thick-cut steak and chicken and a new spice blend including pasilla chiles, cumin, Mexican oregano and achiote. Sizzling fajita vegetables and grilled jalapenos are also part of the presentation.

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

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Enrico Giovanello, head chef at Table 3 Restaurant Group in Sturbridge, will host a ‘Cooking with Rico’ evening on November 13.

The session, which starts at 6:30 p.m., will showcase verandatta, the traditional Italian roast of spiced pork loin. Giovanello will demonstrate the preparation of verandatta and create a range of side dishes designed to harmonize with the roast.

The cost to attend is $52 per person, excluding tax and gratuity. Wine, beer and cocktails are available at an additional cost.

For more information or to obtain tickets, contact Avellino Ristorante at 508-347-2321.

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Sonic Drive-Ins currently feature a Double Queso Smasher burger with two crushed Angus beef patties topped with two slices of American cheese. The sandwich is served on a soft potato roll and is topped with white queso, tortilla strips, sliced ​​jalapenos, diced onions and a Southwestern sauce.

Three limited-time drink options are also being promoted at Sonic. Buttery Brew is a swirl of root beer, caramel and sweet cream, while Sparkling Sugar Dr Pepper has hints of sugar cookie and caramel. A 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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The Storrowton Tavern in West Springfield has announced that Sunday brunch will return on November 10th.

The brunch is held every Sunday from 11am to 2pm and offers a full range of breakfast favorites as well as some additional offerings.

Reservations can be made by calling the Tavern, located on the Big E property, at 413-732-4188.

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The Monson Polish Club will host a “Homemade Polish Dinner” on Saturday, November 9 from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

The menu includes golumpki, pierogi, kielbasa, kapusta and rye bread; The cost to enjoy is $20 per plate.

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

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A wave of news has surrounded Seattle-based Starbucks in recent weeks.

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

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

Niccol also calls on Starbucks to once again cultivate its status as a “third place” community destination.

The brand has already taken several tangible steps to implement the approach Niccol has outlined. Discount offers and special reward bonuses have ended, and last week Starbucks announced it is discontinuing its Oleato line of drinks. The olive oil-infused Oleato espresso drinks that the chain introduced in 2022 should be completely phased out by mid-November.

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Buffalo Wild Wings offers two limited-time sauce options to enjoy on the wings.

A mildly spicy Maple Chipotle Sauce combines the sweetness of maple with a smoky hint of chipotle pepper, while a Cajun Sauce uses traditional Cajun spices to create a spicier 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 at the East Village Tavern in East Longmeadow. East Village brunch is served from 10am to 2pm and favors morning meal classics, supplemented with a few lunch options.

Among the former is an Irish omelette filled with Swiss cheese, corned beef and sauerkraut. For those looking for something heartier, the Tavern offers plates of both Chicken & Waffles and Steak & Eggs.

For example, from the lunch lexicon, the menu suggests a Chicken Caesar Wrap and a classic Cheeseburger.

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

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