A handful of restaurants in Houston and one in San Antonio are banding together to encourage patrons to honor veterans and active-duty military personnel with a complimentary lunch on Veterans Day. On Friday, November 11, anyone can offer a heartfelt "thank you" to the men and women who guard America’s freedom by taking a soldier to lunch at one of the participating restaurants, and the restaurant will buy the entrée of equal or lesser value than that of the soldier. (Military guests must provide a government issued military photo ID.)  

2011 participating restaurants in Houston include Arcodoro, Drew's Pastry Place, Fernando's Steakhouse, Fratelli's, Authentic Italian Cuisine, Giacomo's cibo e vino, Las Ventanas, Pradaria, Todai and Zelko's Bistro and Zocca at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio.  


One of the many notes received last year was from Chris M. in Houston. He wrote:  

Dear Thank a Soldier:

I took my girlfriend out to dinner for Veterans Day to Fernando's in Sugar Land. I recently returned home from a tour in Iraq, and we are still getting reintegrated with each other. I put on my dress uniform and she wore a beautiful dress. We normally would not have the opportunity to dine at such a nice place. It was so great! Thank you so much for taking care of our dinner. It was such a memorable night. The manager/owner of Fernando's was amazing. He personally took care of everything and went above and beyond what would ever be expected. We plan on going back to Fernando's for our next special occasion. Again, thank you for making this veteran's night. We appreciate everything you have done for us.

Respectfully,
Chris M.

Thank a Soldier, Buy ’em Lunch is a community organization that is sponsored by 002 magazine, Ace Mart Restaurant Supply, Encore Loyalty, Houston Entrée, Tinsley PR and The Epicurean Publicist.