Since 2008, Applebee’s has honored America’s veterans and active-duty military by offering them a free meal on Veterans Day. One of the first and largest national efforts of its kind, the program was created as a simple way of saying thank you to Neighborhood Heroes.

Over the past 10 years, Applebee’s has served more than 8.3 million free meals to veteran and active-duty military, and expects to serve close to 1 million more in 2017. Buffalo-area Applebee’s will continue the tradition on Veterans Day — Saturday, Nov. 11.

Complimentary meals from the Veterans Day menu will be available for dine-in only at Buffalo-area Applebee’s. In order to receive a free meal on Saturday guests need to provide proof of military service, which includes: U.S. Uniform Services Identification Card, U.S. Uniform Services Retired Identification Card, Current Leave and Earnings Statement, Veterans Organization Card, photograph in uniform or wearing uniform, DD214, Citation or Commendation.

Applebee’s special Veterans Day menu includes seven of its signature dishes, including:

¯ The American Standard Burger — Juicy all-beef patty with seared-in bacon, diced onions and pickles topped with melted American cheese, our signature sauce and a Brioche bun. Served with fries.

¯ Butcher’s Meat and Potatoes — USDA Choice top sirloin, tomatoes, mushrooms, stout gravy, garlic mashers and crispy onions.

¯ Three-Cheese Chicken Cavatappi — Asiago, Parmesan and white Cheddar are mixed with corkscrew cavatappi pasta in a rich Parmesan cream sauce and then topped with grilled chicken, bruschetta tomatoes and basil.

¯ Chicken TendersPlatter — Crispy breaded chicken tenders are a grill and bar classic. Served with fries, slaw and honey Dijon mustard.

¯ Fiesta Lime Chicken — A celebration of flavor, this dish delivers on every level. Grilled chicken glazed with zesty lime sauce and drizzled with tangy Mexi-ranch is smothered with a rich blend of Cheddar cheeses on a bed of crispy tortilla strips. Served with Spanish rice and house-made pico de gallo.

¯ Double Crunch Shrimp — Crispy battered shrimp are fried golden brown. Served with cocktail sauce, tartar sauce, slaw and fries.

¯ Oriental Chicken Salad — A long-running favorite, crispy breaded chicken tenders top a bed of Asian greens, rice noodles and almonds tossed in our Oriental vinaigrette. Also available with Grilled Chicken.