IHOP's Free Veterans Day Pancakes for 2023

For Veterans Day, IHOP is giving out complimentary pancakes to honor the service of our veterans and active military men and women.

This year, the free IHOP meal on Veterans Day will be given out on Saturday, November 11, 2023.

There are often lots of other restaurants giving out free food on Veterans Day, too, like Red Robin, Denny's, Texas Roadhouse, T.G.I. Friday's, Chili's, BJ's, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Golden Corral, LongHorn Steakhouse, Outback Steakhouse, O'Charley's, and Applebee's.

When Veterans Get Their Free Pancakes at IHOP

In honor of Veterans Day, IHOP is giving out free stacks of Red, White & Blueberry pancakes, or a Pancake Combo, on Veterans Day. In 2023, it falls on Saturday, November 11. The pancakes are buttermilk pancakes with glazed strawberries, blueberry compote, and a whipped topping.

There are hundreds of IHOP restaurants that span across the country, but not each one is taking part in this offer. It's important that you call ahead to your ​local IHOP restaurant to see if they are.

See these frequently asked questions about Veterans Day free meals for answers to some questions you may have on how free Veterans Day offers work.

Who's Eligible for the IHOP Veterans Day Free Pancakes

All active military members and any veteran can visit a participating IHOP to get free pancakes, but only if they can provide valid proof of their service (there's more on this below).

This restriction means that any other guests that come along must pay for their meal like they would any other day. 

What You Need to Take With You to IHOP

Eligible customers can receive their free Veterans Day food at IHOP only if they bring along proof of military service. This can include any of the following:

US Uniformed Services ID Card, US Uniformed Services Retired ID Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement (LES), veterans organization card (American Legion, VFW, etc.), a photograph of yourself in US military uniform, wearing a uniform, DD214, military dog tags, and citation or commendation.

This type of proof is a normal thing for restaurants like IHOP to require of their customers to be sure of their identity. However, if you for some reason can't provide any of the above, I suggest you contact your local IHOP to see if there's something else you can provide as proof.

IHOP's Veterans Day Free Food Restrictions

Remember that this free Veterans Day meal at IHOP is for military members and veterans only. Friends, family, co-workers, etc. can't take part in this offer unless they, too, can provide proof of military service.

Not every IHOP location is giving out free pancakes for Veterans Day. If yours is, remember that IHOP is having this free meal deal on Veterans Day only. Since it falls on Saturday this year, the free food offer is valid on that day only, and it's from 7 AM through 7 PM (dine-in only). You can't visit IHOP on a different day and expect to receive the same Veterans Day offer.

Veterans and military men and women should understand that they can't pick any menu item from IHOP. It's only the Red, White & Blueberry Pancakes or the Pancake Combo that are being given away for free.