TAMPA BAY, Fla. — This Thursday, November 11, is Veterans Day, the day when we celebrate those who served their country to the utmost.

Businesses both local and national take this opportunity to offer specials, discounts and freebies as a way to pay tribute to our nation’s veterans; it’s a great way to spend some money in the community and treat your favorite vet or active-duty servicemember to a meal, a deal or a cup of coffee and a conversation.

Here’s our running list of places participating this year.

4 Rivers BBQ The tasty smoked-meat chain will provide a free sandwich (brisket, pulled pork, pulled chicken or turkey) with two classic sides for veterans who show military ID or DD214 on Thursday. Multiple locations

7-Eleven The world’s most recognizable convenience store brand is offering free coffee and Big Gulps on November 11, but you gotta download their app and create an account to get ‘em. Multiple locations

Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza Veterans and active-duty military personnel who drop by a Bay Area Anthony’s location on Thursday will receive a free 12-inch cheese pizza. Just mention to your server or enter the code VETERANS at checkout on acfp.com. Multiple locations

Applebee’s The popular fast-casual chain is offering a free meal from a limited menu on Veterans Day. Proof of service or active-duty military status is required. Multiple locations

Bar Louie Vets, active-duty and retired military folks can stop by the watering hole and restaurant at International Plaza for a free burger or flatbread. 2223 N. Westshore Blvd., Tampa

bartaco This stylish Hyde Park Mexican joint celebrates the day with 20 percent off food for dine-in only.  Offer good for all active and retired military members.  Must present a military ID to redeem offer. 1601 W. Snow Ave., Tampa

Beef ‘O’ Brady’s The beloved wings-and-other-stuff franchise boasts a BOGO Veterans Day special wherein vets get a free meal worth up to $10 with the purchase of one of equal or greater value. Multiple locations

BJ’s Restaurant & Brewhouse This “fun dining” chain will give up a complimentary entree valued at up to $14.95 for vets and active-duty personnel on November 11, along with a free Dr. Pepper. 3800 Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park

Black Rock Bar & Grill In one of the most generous Veterans Day offers, this unique steakhouse with locations in Tampa and Brandon will give away a steak-and-side dinner to those who served on November 11. Multiple locations

Buffalo Wild Wings In the mood for a little yardbird on Vets Day? Get a free order of boneless wings and a side of fries all day with applicable ID. (Participating locations only, so check ahead.) Multiple locations

California Pizza Kitchen The long-familiar contemporary pizza brand is serving up free items from a select menu of pizza, salads and pasta. Wear your uniform or bring ID. Multiple locations

Chicken Salad Chick It’s a smaller chain, getting into the Veterans Day spirit with a free Chick Meal and regular drink. Multiple locations

Chili’s You didn’t think one of America’s favorite fast-casual names was gonna sit this one out, did you? Chili’s will offer a select menu of complimentary meals for veterans and those in active duty. Multiple locations

Cicis Pizza Military personnel can grab a free meal from their famed buffet at any one of a number of locations. Multiple locations

Cracker Barrel The Americana general store and eatery has partnered with Operation Homefront to offer specials to military families throughout the month of November, and will also be giving away slices of double fudge Coca-Cola cake on November 11. Multiple locations

Denny’s Military diners can build their own Grand Slam Breakfast on Veterans Day from 5 a.m. until noon with applicable ID. Multiple locations

Dickey’s Barbecue Pit Get your meat on this Veterans Day and enjoy a free pulled pork sandwich with proof of service. 2119 Tyrone Blvd. N., St. Petersburg

Dunkin’ Donuts Of course military personnel and those who served can grab a free doughnut, no purchase necessary. Multiple locations

Einstein Bros. Bagels The breakfast-bread chain will have free medium hot or iced coffees on tap. Multiple locations

Glory Days Grill Glory Days has regular or grilled boneless wings or a free appetizer up for grabs this Veterans Day. Multiple locations

Golden Corral Celebrate Veterans Day any day this month by picking up a free promotional card good for a free lunch or dinner buffet meal and beverage throughout November. Multiple locations

Hooters Their queens of wings will offer a free entree from the Hooters Veterans Day Menu by presenting proof of service or a military ID and purchase of a beverage. Multiple locations

IHOP If you read the acronym and immediately suspected that an order of their red, white and blue pancakes is up for grabs on Veterans Day (7 a.m.-7 p.m.), you’re right. Multiple locations

Jobsite Theater Hey, a non-food-and-drink option! The Straz Center’s resident theatre troupe offers 50 percent off “rush” tickets (that’s half an hour before the show) to active-duty military personnel, veterans and their families — year ‘round. 1010 N. MacInnes Place, Tampa

Joe’s Crab Shack Veterans can take 20 percent off their bill for parties up to four. 2730 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater

Krispy Kreme One doughnut and a cup of coffee will be available free to military personnel on November 11. Multiple locations

Little Caesars Pizza Veterans and active-duty personnel can grab a free lunch combo — four slices of Detroit-style deep-dish pizza and a 20-ounce Pepsi — from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. Multiple locations  

Macaroni Grill This Italian chain will be giving away a free spaghetti-and-meatballs entree to those with military ID. Multiple locations

Outback Steakhouse The Australian-themed fast-casual chain, founded right here in the Bay area, is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coca-Cola product on Veterans Day. Multiple locations

Pilot/Flying J These “travel centers” (read: truck stops) are giving vets and active-duty military members a $10 free meal credit, but you’ve gotta go through their mobile app. Multiple locations

Pollo Tropical The chicken chain pays tribute to vets and those in active duty with a free Quarter Chicken Platter with two sides. Dine-n or drive-thru. Valid ID required. Multiple locations

Quaker Steak & Lube The famously patriotic fast-casual spot is offering a 50% off any entree to all Veteran & Active Duty Military Personnel at participating locations. 10400 49th St. N., Clearwater

Red Lobster The Big Red Bug also specifically mentioned reservists alongside active-duty personnel and veterans and will offer a free appetizer or dessert from a special Veterans Day menu. Multiple locations

Red Robin The fast-casual burger-forward franchise is letting vets or active duty military folks who are Red Robin Royalty members “redeem their tavern double burger with steak fries” November 12-30. Multiple locations

Smashburger Get smashed with a free Single Classic Burger this Thursday. Multiple locations

Smokey Bones Both active-duty personnel and veterans can grab a free dessert at this barbecue chain on Veterans Day from 11 a.m. until 11 p.m. on November 11 Multiple locations

Smoothie King Got a military ID? Get a free 20-ounce smoothie on Veterans Day. Multiple locations

Tijuana Flats The ubiquitous taco/Mexican restaurants will be home to a 50 percent discount on entrees — whether ordered in-house, to go or online — on Veterans Day. Multiple locations

Village Inn The venerable gathering place is probably most famous for breakfast, which makes its Veterans Day special — a free V.I.B. Breakfast — that much tastier. Multiple locations

Wawa Everybody’s favorite gas station and convenience store (unless you’re trying to get free air out of a broken machine) is giving away free coffee to veterans, military personnel and their families on November 11. Multiple locations

Wendy’s The nationwide fast-food chain will give veterans a free small breakfast combo (no other purchase necessary) during breakfast hours on their day. Multiple locations

Yogurtology Active-duty personnel and vets who enjoy their frogurt with a galaxy of toppings can get a free five-ounce frozen yogurt this Thursday. Multiple locations

Zaxby’s This chicken-forward franchise is giving away a FREE Signature Sandwich Meal to all current and former military folks this Veterans Day. Multiple locations