Eatery Honors Veterans With Free Meals Tuesday

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Since 1919, the United States has honored those who defend and have defended our country.

Local restaurants planned to honor veterans with free meals or free options as Veterans Day approaches.

NBC 4 reported with the FAST FACTS.

A Central Ohio restaurant was thanking service men and women in its own special way Tuesday.

The special way may be small, but service members said it couldn’t mean more.

At Pataskala’s Nutcracker Family Restaurant, the food is hot and the coffee is hotter.

Both were being served with a big side of thanks Tuesday—thanks to those who put their lives on the line for our country.

“I don’t think it’s ever too hard to tell somebody you appreciate what they’ve done for you,” owner Steve Butcher said.

Butcher is retired from the United States Air Force and is the small town east of Columbus’ mayor.

Veterans were to eat free until closing at 8 p.m. Tuesday. That’s because the restaurant was to be closed Wednesday or Veterans Day.

Butcher and his staff have done the same thing on both Memorial Day and Veterans Day during the past eight years.

He said it isn’t uncommon for them to give away more than 1,000 meals. 

“We’re on our 16th, 17th time. There’s never a time we don’t have a veteran who walks up—and some with tears in their eye—and says, ‘You know, this is the first time anybody has ever said thank you to me,‘ ” Butcher said.

Not only is the restaurant giving veterans free meals, it’s taking 10 percent of all proceeds and donating those to the USO.

“It’s more than just saying thank you. It’s also providing some additional services,” Butcher said.

“I just feel it’s great,” Navy veteran Mike Canale said. “It gives a guy a lifting boost. Show your appreciation for your country.“

While a couple eggs, some sausage and toast may not seem like a big token of appreciation, Canale said it meant a heck of a lot to him.

“I served several years ago, and it still chokes me when you hear when (soldiers) do get hurt or killed. It gets to you. It gets to me,” he said.

The restaurant is at 63 E. Broad St. or state Route 310 in Pataskala. The phone number is 740-964-0056.

The Nutcracker Restaurant isn’t the only restaurant offering veterans freebies.

Applebee’s Bar and Grill was to give veterans and active duty personnel a free entree and side dish Wednesday.

Outback Steakhouse also was offering a free bloomin’ onion and beverage Wednesday. Veterans should be prepared to show proof of military service.

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