Memorial Day 2022 Restaurant Deals You Need To Know About

Memorial Day marks the unofficial start of summer. The holiday is in remembrance of soldiers who have died in war and a way to honor their sacrifices. Memorial Day is full of traditions that usually include cookouts, cold beverages, and enjoying the nice weather. In tandem with both the spirit of the long weekend and the traditions that come with it, many active military members, veterans, and their families can snag amazing deals at many popular restaurants. Some establishments even offer price cuts to everyone so that a holiday meal or treat can be enjoyed by all.

To help your narrow down your weekend meal plans, we rounded up some of the best discounts being offered at popular chain restaurants over the weekend. Whether it's a quick bite for breakfast or a sit-down steak dinner, there are plenty of ways to commemorate the day. The promotions come from restaurants with a wide option of cuisines, so odds are if you find yourself craving a particular type of food this weekend, there's probably deal to go along with it. 

If quick fried chicken is apart of your weekend plans, Bojangles' has a great meal deal going on that also benefits a great cause. The fast food chain is selling a Honor Our Heroes Camo Big Bo Box meal, which includes various combinations of chicken and sides. For the second year in a row, proceeds from the meal will be benefitting military families. Bojangles' is teaming up with Folds of Honor, a foundation that provides scholarships to spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members. 

Bojangles' will donate one dollar from every Camo Big Bo Box sold to Folds of Honor, with plans to donate up to $400,000. The promotion began at the beginning of May, but the chain plans on running it through Memorial Day weekend in most locations. Additionally, customers of Bojangles' are also encouraged to round up their meals to benefit the non-profit organization as an added way to give back. 

Bonefish Grill offers 10% off for first responders and military personnel at all times, so it's an easy stop to make over the weekend and get a deal if you qualify. The chain also is currently offering a promotion through June 19 that if you buy $50 in gift cards, you get an added $10 card to use as you please. So you can stock up on gift cards for the military service member in your life, or snag some cards for yourself to get some money back on your meal. Additionally, Bonefish has family bundles to go that start at $35 and include an entree, salad, bread and pesto, and cookies, if you're looking to cater your at-home celebration. 

If you've never been to Bonefish, its menu features an extensive list of grilled seafood and meat options. They also serve serious steakhouse sides like bacon mac & cheese and garlic whipped potatoes alongside their elevated craft cocktail menu.

If you're craving Italian instead of American, Carrabba's Italian Grill is offering an identical promotion. First responders and military personnel always get 10% off their check if they show valid ID, so it's a good deal to keep in mind. Additionally, now through June 19, if you buy $50 in Carrabba's gift cards, you get an added $10 card as well. It's a price cut that everyone qualifies for, meaning that the only thing between you and a satisfying bowl of pasta is a bunch of excuses. 

Carrabba's menu also contains some well-priced family bundles featuring Italian-American classic plates to share like chicken piccata, rigatoni campagnolo, and salmon capperi. With all of the savings, you might be able to fit in a cannoli cake for two at the end of your meal. It's a holiday, after all, and nothing sounds more celebratory than a decadent slice of cake enjoyed over a long weekend. 

Cracker Barrel is also prepared to do the cooking for you this Memorial Day weekend and it is even offering you free food as an enticing incentive. With every order of the Southern Fried Chicken Family Meal Basket, you will get a free side of baked beans with bacon (via Cracker Barrel). The offer is only available through May 30, so it's a must-grab this weekend if you need Southern food but don't want to put forth the tremendous effort to make it yourself. The meal comes with fried chicken, your choice of two sides, and an order of buttermilk biscuits for around $40. 

Also, in honor of summer and Memorial Day, Cracker Barrel has debuted a Rocket Pop Mimosa, which is a strawberry mimosa topped with a Rocket Popsicle. It's the only appropriate festive cocktail to be sipping on this weekend, even if it is a little satisfyingly childish, that pairs well with all of Cracker Barrel's comfort food. 

Firebirds Wood Fired Grill is showing its gratitude toward military personnel by giving active-duty members and veterans a free entree with the purchase of one regular entree on May 30. The only thing that your lunch or dinner date with a military background has to do is show a valid ID and their meal is on the house. Someone will still have to purchase one entree for full price, but it's still two for the cost of one (via Firebirds). 

The chain is a bit more on the upscale side, serving up steak and seafood meant for a celebration. Firebirds' menu features a long list of mouth-watering steaks, with even more decadent enhancements like lobster tails and grilled shrimp to add to the plate. They also have a solid list of entrees centering around pasta, chicken, seafood, and burgers. If you're dining with another person, the chain's shareable menu features some super decadent appetizers like lobster spinach queso and bacon deviled eggs. 

Fogo de Chão is offering free delivery throughout the holiday weekend so you can have the ultimate Brazilian steakhouse experience from the comfort of your own home. The menu includes a full package of pre-cooked meals, or a grilling-at-home package with raw meat to bring the full experience of the lively chain to your own backyard. Each option still comes with a variety of cuts of meat, sides, and dessert to make sure no one leaves your party with an empty stomach. 

Additionally, if you purchase $125 in e-gift cards from now until June 19, Fogo de Chão will give you a bonus $25 e-gift card to use for yourself (or to add to your gift for someone else, if you're feeling generous). A hearty meal is a great way to show appreciation to the service members in your life or recent graduates who show up to your Memorial Day cookout that you want to commemorate. 

If sushi rolls and margaritas are more your style, Kona Grill has quite the Memorial Day party planned for May 30. Veterans, active duty members, Gold Star families, and frontline essential workers will received 20% off their check in honor of Memorial Day (via Kona Grill/Linkedin). If sushi rolls aren't for you, the Kona Grill menu is massive with tons of starters, entrees, and desserts that you're bound to find something appetizing. No one can resist ribeye meatballs and avocado egg rolls, especially if you get them for a discounted price. 

As for everyone else, they can enjoy $12 red, white, and blue margarita flights all weekend long. Who doesn't love a festive cocktail? Plus you get to sample three beverages for the price of one, so Kona Grill is practically begging you to spend the weekend with them. All you have to do is make a reservation, show up, and enjoy the rest. 

Long John Silver's finds a way to honor members of the military every time that they decide to grab food from one of its nautical-themed establishments. Every Monday, including this upcoming Memorial Day, former and current military personnel receive 20% off their order with a valid ID. If you can't make it on Monday, don't fret — the chain offers 10% off for members of the armed forces every other day of the week (via Long John Silver's). 

The fast food seafood joint is also encouraging you to go big or go home with Memorial Day weekend orders. Long John Silver's is offering a free cake, either lemon or chocolate flavored, with the order of a 10-piece meal or larger for a limited time only. That sounds like a great excuse to get dessert and have the whole family chow down on some fried fish and the chain's classic side dishes. 

Red Lobsters and Mondays should go hand-in-hand more often considering the chain's amazing deals, so why not start with Memorial Day? The seafood restaurant offers 10% off meals on Mondays for active and veteran military members. Additionally, Red Lobster has endless shrimp specials on Monday going on at the moment, meaning that you can get a double discount by celebrating the holiday with some Cheddar Bay Biscuits and crab legs. Red Lobster isn't cheap, so take advantage while it lasts. 

Even though Memorial Day is in honor of military members, Red Lobster also has a sweet sale for teachers to kick off summer the right way. Teachers are able to get buy-one, get-one-free entrees until June 5 with the purchase of a valid school ID. It qualifies for any entree that costs $20 or less, so it's another great way to get a meal hooked up if you qualify. 

Ruby Tuesday restaurant chain has a promotion going on for Memorial Day weekend through June 5 that gives to-go customers free delivery when they order online. Yes, you're literally being encouraged to order a juicy loaded cheeseburger and some BBQ chicken street nachos to chow down on a lazy Sunday. To add on to the long list of dishes on the American fare menu, the chain now has Tex-Mex specialties for a limited time only. The menu includes fajitas, a taco and quesadilla mash-up called the Tacodilla, and Sonora-seasoned wings. 

The promotion sounds like the perfect excuse to order-in from home, and you won't even have to leave your couch to get it thanks to free delivery. It's still important to tip your delivery driver, especially those working a holiday weekend, so keep that in mind. Besides, you're saving money anyway, so you have a little extra to show your gratitude. 

Shoney's has a menu full of American classics for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's one of those places you can get a hand-dipped milkshake, pancakes, a double-decker cheeseburger, and a plate of baked spaghetti all on one table. Shoney's also has a fresh food bar full of meat, seafood, sides, salads, soups, and breakfast staples that's easy to get lost in. If you're in the mood for an indulgent meal and happen to be what Shoney's calls a "hero in uniform," you're in luck. 

Luckily, those who are members of the military, fire department, police department, or EMT get a 15% discount at all times whenever they dine-in at one of the chain's locations. If you're looking for a low-key experience that's guaranteed to be accompanied by delicious food, make it a Shoney's Memorial Day weekend and have no regrets about it, especially if you qualify for a markdown. 

Another higher-end chain restaurant offering military discounts this upcoming Memorial Day is STK Steakhouse. Veterans, active duty service members, frontline essential workers, and Gold Star families will get 20% off their checks on May 30. They will also have happy hour specials and a red, white, & blue lobster topping for any steak that will cost $19.95 (via STK Steakhouse). How often do you get to commemorate a holiday with an American flag-inspired lobster tail? You have to take advantage when you can. 

STK Steakhouse's menu features some of the finest entrees you can imagine, such as wagyu beef topped with truffle butter and king crab Oscar. The menu also boasts a mac & cheese trio featuring plain, bacon, and lobster versions, which is the thing of dreams for cheese lovers. Get a dry-aged tomahawk steak, a luxurious shellfish platter, and a decadent order of lobster linguini all in one place. It's important to treat yourself, and that's what holidays are for. 

It's always a good idea to make a pit stop at the Sonic drive-in, especially if you're looking for a deal on a Memorial Day barbecue staple. Over the holiday weekend, the fast food chain will be offering buy one, get one free hot dogs to all of its customers. The promotion runs from May 27 to May 30, you can get two for the price of one hot dogs whether they be the plain All-American franks or chili cheese Coney dogs. If you order through the app, you also get half-priced drinks and slushes all day long, so you can get a markdown on your entire meal (via Atlanta on the Cheap). 

With all of that cash saved, you'll have enough to get a side of tater tots, onion rings, and French fries for you and your crew to share. Or, if dessert is more of your thing, grab a hot fudge sundae for the road. 

Another Brazilian steakhouse providing a discount for service members is the popular Texas de Brazil. Every time service members, teachers, or EMS dine in at the chain, they get 15% off their meal. The offer is valid on checks of up to four people per table, so it's only proper to take advantage of whenever the mood for chowing down on meat strikes (via Texas de Brazil). Eating at Texas de Brazil is an experience, as they have endless kinds of meats cooked over an open flame. The sides, drinks, salads, and desserts sweeten the deal even more. 

Additionally, if you patronize Texas de Brazil before May 31, you can make a donation to support the Honor Foundation for veterans. The organization conducts programs to help members of the U.S. Special Operations Force transition to life after service. Your donation in its entirety will benefit the nonprofit, and you can receive $5 in certificates for every $5 donated (with a maximum of $50 in certificates). 

Another easy option if you're not trying to chef up food for a crowd this weekend is grabbing party platters and meal bundles from TGI Fridays. Throughout the entire Memorial Day weekend, the bar and restaurant chain is taking 25% off all orders for a crowd. The deal applies to online or call-in takeout orders (via FSR magazine). The TGI Fridays menu options include trays of various wing, whiskey glaze & barbecue ribs, appetizer sampler platters, and dessert. You can also pick up bundles with entrees, sides, and drinks as part of the special. 

If you need more convincing, TGI Fridays is partnering with Coca-Cola to do a giveaway for music festival tickets. If you buy a Coke at the restaurant, you're given the chance to enter and win tickets to some of the biggest summer music events, like Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits (via Instagram). 

If a quick bite from Wendy's is calling your name this weekend, the brand has a sweet selling point to further convince you its the right idea. If you order a meal on the app, you can get a free Wendy's Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger and $0 for delivery for a limited time only. It's not limited to anyone with a military background — Wendy's is just feeling like spreading the good summer vibes to everyone. Wendy's even provided some inspiration to spruce up your fast food for the holiday via Instagram, where they did a tutorial on how to make a charcuterie board out of Wendy's menu items. 

Veterans do get exclusive offers on Memorial Day if they sign up for the company's WendyMail newsletter. The fast food company partnered with Veterans Advantage, an organization that helps connect military veterans and their families to various rewards and benefits (via Wendys). 

If you're in a part of the U.S. with a Ninety Nine Restaurant and Pub location, they're offering up exclusive discounts to military personnel not only over Memorial Day weekend, but every day. The 99 Restaurant recently tweeted that members in active duty and veterans get 10% taken off their check anytime they dine-in and present a military ID. The pub chain also has happy hour specials, family meal deals, and other various menu specials to take advantage of over the weekend. 

Ninety Nine's menu reads like a long, mouth-watering novel in the best way. They have super filling options like chicken parmigiana, sirloin tips, seafood chowder, stuffed shrimp, shot rib mac & cheese and more. Their cocktail list is just as enticing, with family-sized portions to share with four people. Since it's a holiday, it's only right to top off this feast with a skillet cookie or Towering Midnight Fudge Cake.