Military Salute

50 Veterans Day deals in Dallas-Fort Worth that honor military service members

Veterans Day offers a slew of deals for current and former military members.

Photo courtesy of Tarrant Co. Veterans Council

With Veterans Day coming up Thursday, November 11, we've unearthed some of the best deals around Dallas-Fort Worth to ease the strain on the bank accounts of all military veterans and current service members.

Below are the top Veterans Day deals to check out this week.

Babb Brothers BBQ: Barbecue restaurant at Trinity Groves is giving 20 percent off brisket, pulled pork shoulder, turkey, sausages, and sides. Veterans should show a valid military ID. Discounts exclude alcohol.
Barbecue at Home by Dickey’s Barbecue: From November 11-December 31, Barbecue At Home is taking 15 percent off all orders for veterans when they use the code VETERAN15. Barbecue At Home ships products nationwide.
Beck's Prime: The steakhouse chain, which has one location in Dallas, is offering all veterans and active duty military a free burger on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in and to-go orders only.
Bonefish Grill: The seafood restaurant chain, which has two locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, offers a Heroes Discount that gives 10 percent off for all service members, veterans, and first responders' checks all day, every day with show of valid ID.
Bowl & Barrel: The bowling alley/restaurant in Dallas is offering a free burger for all veterans with a valid ID on November 11.
Brakes to Go: The mobile brake repair company is offering veterans or people in active duty 10 percent off their entire brake repair service for the entire month of November with a valid military/veterans ID or VA benefits card.
Cantina Laredo: Mexican restaurant chain, which has five area locations, is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to a $20 value.
Carrabba's Italian Grill: The Italian restaurant chain, which has three locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering all service members, veterans, and first responders 10 percent off any visit to their local restaurant on November 11 and year-round with valid ID.
Cici's Pizza: The pizza chain, which has over 40 locations through Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free adult buffet with a valid military I.D. on November 11. The deal is good for dine-in only. Customers must show this coupon to get the deal.
Cotton Patch Cafe: The casual dining restaurant, which has 15 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Chicken Fried Steak or Chicken Fried Chicken for all veterans or active military on November 11 with proof of military service. The deal is good for dine-in only.
Dairy Queen: The fast-food chain, which has over 50 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free medium Blizzard for all veterans or active duty military on November 11 with proof of military service.
Dickey's BBQ: Barbecue chain, which has over 60 locations through Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Pulled Pork Sandwich to veterans who use the code VETFREE on November 11. Veterans can redeem the offer in-store for carryout and online for pickup all day at their nearest Dickey’s.
Dunkin': The doughnut chain, which has over 30 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and active duty military one free doughnut of their choice at participating locations. Check with your local shop before heading out.
Einstein Bros. Bagels: The breakfast/coffee chain, which has over 40 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free hot or iced coffee of any size with purchase when veterans show their ID. The deal is good at all locations except license stores inside colleges, hospitals, airports, and hotels.
El Chico: Mexican restaurant chain, which has four area locations, is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $20 in value.
El Chingon: The Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth offers veterans and active military duty an ongoing 10 percent discount all year long.
El Fenix: The Mexican restaurant chain, which has 13 locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and active duty military a free meal from a special menu on November 11 with valid ID. Veterans have a choice between three enchilada plates and two taco plates.
Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark: The indoor waterpark in Grand Prairie is hosting a week-long special in support of those who have served and are currently serving in the U.S. military. From November 8-14, all veterans and active military personnel can enjoy Epic Waters for free when they present their military ID in-park.
Fish City Grill / Half Shells: The sister restaurants, which have 10 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, are offering veterans and active-duty military personnel a free entrée (up to $20.99) with valid ID. This special offer is available with dine-in and to-go orders.
Freebirds World Burrito: The burrito chain, which has 16 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering free chips and dip (salsa, guacamole, or Queso Blanco) for all active military and veterans on November 11.
Golden Corral: The casual restaurant chain which has seven locations throughout Dallas Fort Worth that are currently open, has put on a Military Appreciation Night for over 20 years. They offer a free meal to any person who has served in the U.S. military on November 11 from 5 pm – close. The deal is only good for the military member, not guests.
Grimaldi's: The pizza chain, which has seven locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and active duty military 25 percent off their bill on November 11. If you can't make it that day, they also offer 15 percent military discount all year long.
Holy Crust: Pizzeria at Trinity Groves in West Dallas is giving 20 percent off food, including pizzas, starters, salads, sandwiches, and desserts.
Kolache Factory: The pastry chain, which has four locations in Collin County, is offering free breakfast to all veterans and active duty military on November 11. Those with valid ID will receive a free kolache and a cup of coffee.
Logan's Roadhouse: The casual restaurant chain, which has five locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free meal from the American Roadhouse menu between 3-6 pm on November 11 to all active duty and retired U.S. military personnel.
Lucky's: Home-cooking diner on Oak Lawn Avenue is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $20 in value.
Luna Grill: The Mediterranean fast casual restaurant, which has eight Dallas-Fort Worth locations, offers veterans and active military 10 percent off their bill all year long.
McDonald's: The fast food chain, which is everywhere, is offering veterans and active duty military with a valid ID a free combo meal that can be redeemed during breakfast, lunch, or dinner on November 11.
Mimi's Pizzeria: Pizza restaurant off Northwest Highway is letting all active service members and vets with a military ID or other proof of service eat for free on Veterans Day. In addition to the special promotion, they will also be donating 30 percent of the proceeds from Veterans Day to Folds of Honor North Texas.
Mutts Canine Cantina: The Fort Worth location of the dog park/bar/restaurant is offering a free Day Pass to all veterans and active-duty military to the members-only dog park for their Veterans Day celebration on November 13. Those guests can also enjoy a complimentary signature MUTTS Burger at the restaurant.
Outback Steakhouse: Restaurant chain, which has 13 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free Bloomin’ Onion and Coke product to all active & retired military on November 11. That's in addition to their normal heroes discount, which gives all servicemen and women, police officers, firefighters, and first responders 10 percent off their entire check with a valid state or federal service ID.
Perry's Steakhouse & Grille: The steakhouse chain, which has three locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, is offering one complimentary dinner pork chop on November 11 to active or former military members when they’re accompanied by a guest that purchases a dinner entrée while dining in. Reservations and proof of valid ID are required.
Punch Bowl Social: The "foodertainment" venue in Deep Ellum is offering one hour of free activities to active duty military members and veterans with the presentation of a military ID or proof of service on November 11. Activities include bowling, ping pong, darts, and arcade games.
Red Lobster: The seafood restaurant chain, which has 12 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a free appetizer or dessert to veterans, active duty military, and reservists with a valid military ID on November 11. Not all appetizers or desserts are available; guests may choose an option from a special menu. The deal is available for dine-in only.
The Rustic: The bar/restaurant in Uptown Dallasis giving away a free Hot Chicken & Cheese to all retired and active military personnel with valid ID on November 11.
Silver Fox: The steakhouse chain with two area locations is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to a $45 value.
Simply Fondue: The fondue restaurant in downtown Fort Worth is offering veterans and military members 25 percent off their meal on both November 10 and 11. Guests must ask for the deal, which is good for the full four-course dinner only, when ordering. The deal is only good for guests with valid military ID.
Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza: The JFK assassination museum will offer $11 admission (normally $16-$18) for all veterans and active duty military personnel on November 11.
Snuffer's: The burger restaurant, which has nine locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and military members with valid ID a free Snuffer’s burger or sandwich on November 11.
Starbucks: The coffee chain, which is everywhere, is offering a free tall hot brewed coffee for veterans, military service members, and military spouses at participating locations on November 11.
Sum Dang Good: Asian restaurant at Trinity Groves in West Dallas is giving 20 percent off food, including dumplings, noodles, soups, buns, and entrees.
Terry Black’s Barbecue: The barbecue restaurant in Deep Ellum is offering veterans 30 percent off their entire order on November 11.
Texas State Parks: In honor of both active and retired military, daily entrance fees at Texas State Parks will be waived for all day-use visitors on Sunday, November 14. Visitors are encouraged to reserve their day passes in advance since some parks are expected to reach their capacity limit. Day passes can be reserved online though the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department website or over the phone by calling 512-389-8900.
Thirsty Lion Gastropub: The gastropub chain, which has locations in Irving and Euless, is offering all active and retired military members with a valid ID a free entrée and a nonalcoholic beverage on November 11.
III Forks: Frisco steakhouse is offering veterans and military members a free entrée on November 11, up to $50 in value.
Topgolf: The golf driving range game chain, which has four locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, has an ongoing Heroes Program in which military (active duty and veterans) personnel receive 10 percent off Topgolf game play, a 20 percent discount on select monthly memberships, and a 10 percent discount on events.
Torchy's Tacos: The casual taco restaurant chain, which has 18 locations throughout Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering a complimentary taco from Torchy’s special Veterans Day Menu and a non-alcoholic beverage to veterans and active U.S. military members on November 11. The deal is good only for dine-in and pick-up orders placed by phone or in-person. Guests must show proper ID.
Twisted Root Burger Co.: The burger chain, which has nine locations through Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering veterans and military members with valid ID a buy one, get one free deal for burgers or sandwiches on November 11.
Walk-On’s: The sports-themed restaurant chain, which has two locations in Dallas-Fort Worth, is offering all active and retired service members a complimentary Scholarship Burger & side of fries on November 11.
World of Beer Bar & Kitchen: The beer-focused restaurant chain, which has one location in Fort Worth, is offering all veterans and current service members $5 off their bill on November 11 by presenting a military ID, VA card, or proof of service.

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Movie Review

Much-anticipated film sequel Gladiator II tells a very familiar story

Photo courtesy of Paramount Pictures

Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.

There are some films for which making a sequel is natural, and others where a follow-up is wholly unnecessary. Gladiator, which made both tons of money and was named Best Picture at the Oscars, told an impactful stand-alone story that ended with the protagonist dead and no real loose ends. And yet because there’s always more money to be made, here we are 24 years later with Gladiator II.

The lead character this time around is Lucius (Paul Mescal), a general in a North African army who becomes a prisoner of war when the Roman army led by Marcus Acacius (Pedro Pascal) bests him and his troops in battle. Taken back to Rome, he is put in the pool of captured men forced to fight at the Colosseum for the amusement of twin emperors Geta (Joseph Quinn) and Caracella (Fred Hechinger).

Lucius is controlled by Macrinus (Denzel Washington), an ambitious schemer who bets liberally on his prized fighter and always has an eye to move up in the world. Meanwhile, Lucilla (Connie Nielsen), the sister of Emperor Commodus from the first film, is now married to Marcus Acacius and has a unique connection with Lucius that is fairly obvious from the get-go.

Directed once again by Ridley Scott and written by David Scarpa, the film commits a number of sins throughout its 150-minute running time, the most blatant of which is that, aside from a few embellishments, it essentially tells the same story as the first film. Lucius, like Maximus, is a deposed military leader who’s out for revenge on the person who killed his family. Instead of one obnoxious emperor, there are now two. And the only way for Lucius to earn his freedom is to fight his way out.

Stories told in the same world can echo each other and, if done well, overcome those similarities. But Gladiator II is shockingly boring for a purported sword-and-sandals epic. Scott and his team try to introduce new elements to the fights, like a gladiator riding a rhinoceros or a ship battle inside the Colosseum (with sharks!), but most of the sequences are inert with no propulsion to them.

The action fails because none of the relationships in the film amount to much. There are stand-out characters like Macrinus and the twin emperors, but instead of creating antipathy or strong feelings of triumph or defeat, the story just kind of happens without any sense of excitement or importance. Much of that issue lies at the feet of Lucius, who simply doesn’t inspire in the same way that Russell Crowe’s Maximus did.

Mescal is a fine actor who’s done good work in more intimate roles, but he’s not up to the task of being an action star, at least not in this film. Any bombast he shows with the character feels forced, and the story doesn’t give him enough opportunities to counteract that lack. Washington, however, fills up the screen with his charisma, and it’s during his scenes that the film comes closest to being rousing. Quinn and Hechinger are a lot of fun as the twin emperors, but in the end they feel like retreads of Joaquin Phoenix from the original.

Any sequel should have a purpose that sets it apart from what came before, but Scott, Scarpa, and the rest of their team fail in that respect in Gladiator II. It’s a mostly lifeless film that delivers scenes that would be exciting if they had any kind of good story to back them up.

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Gladiator II opens in theaters on November 22.

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