Here are Modesto area restaurants offering food meals for vets on Veterans Day

A grateful nation thanks veterans for their service this weekend, and hopes to show it by giving them full bellies.

Several local and national chains are offering free meals and other specials for Veterans Day this year. Here's a roundup of some of the area's eateries giving thanks with food to active and non-active military members this year; veterans should be prepared to show military ID or other verification at most locations and then tuck in for some treats:

Applebees (Modesto, Riverbank, Turlock, Merced): Free meal from a special menu on Saturday.

BJs Restaurant and Brewhouse (Modesto): Free entree under $12.95 on Friday and Saturday. Community members can also "Buy A Beer" for veterans though a local and national fund at www.bjsrestaurants.com/hero.

Buffalo Wild Wings (Modesto, Turlock): Free one small order of traditional or boneless wings and a side of fries Saturday.

Chili’s (Modesto, Turlock, Los Banos): Veterans will get a free meal from a special menu on Saturday.

Chuck E. Cheese (Modesto): Free personal pizza on Saturday.

Dennys (all locations): Free Build Your Own Grand Slam from 5 a.m. to noon Friday.

Dunkin' Donuts (Modesto): Free doughnut of your choice on Saturday.

Farmer Boys (Riverbank): Free Big Cheeseburger on Friday.

Galletto Ristorante (Modesto): Offers 50 percent off all regularly priced entrees Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Golden Corral (Modesto): Free Military Appreciation Thank You Meal including buffet and beverage from 5 to 9 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13.

Hula's (Escalon): Free meal and non-alcoholic beverage for dine-in on Saturday.

IHOP (Modesto, Turlock, Merced): Free stack of Red, White and Blue pancakes from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday.

Krispy Kreme (Riverbank): Free doughnut and small coffee on Saturday.

Olive Garden (Modesto, Turlock): A free meal from a special menu on Saturday.

Red Robin (Riverbank, Turlock): Free Red's Tavern Double Burger with Bottomless Steak fries on Saturday.

St. Stan's Brewery (Modesto): 50 percent off on all 12-oz beers Friday and Saturday. Community members can also Pour It Forward to purchase a ticket that can be redeemed by a veteran.

Starbucks (all locations): Free tall coffee for active duty and military veterans and military spouse on Saturday.

Texas Roadhouse (Modesto): Free lunch from a special menu and non-alcoholic beverage Saturday.

Wienerschnitzel (Modesto, Oakdale): Free chili dog, small fries and a small soda on Saturday.

Yogurt Mill (Modesto, Turlock): Free small yogurt on Saturday.

This story was originally published November 8, 2017 at 4:46 PM with the headline "Here are Modesto area restaurants offering food meals for vets on Veterans Day."