Kitchen 86 Honors Veterans With Free Memorial Day Meals

Kitchen 86 + Bar continued its annual tradition of providing free breakfast and lunch to veterans at its location along El Paseo, welcoming dozens of former service members and their families.

With American flags lining the street, veterans gathered to enjoy meals and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day — a holiday dedicated to honoring military members who lost their lives in service.

Restaurant management says the tradition has continued for nearly a decade as a small gesture of gratitude for the sacrifices made by veterans and military families. Officials estimate around 60 veterans and more than 100 total guests, including family members, participated in this year’s event.

Veterans who attended said the free meal was appreciated, but many emphasized that the recognition and outreach meant even more.

Customers also praised the restaurant for giving back to the military community, saying acts of appreciation like this help honor those who served and sacrificed for the country.

Kitchen 86 says it plans to continue the Memorial Day tradition for years to come, serving veterans as a way to say thank you for their service.