Guilty Eats
Fansided

Valentine’s Day: 25 restaurants where love will be in the air

By Kareem Gantt

WILTON MANORS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Sweetheart candy hearts are seen on the shelf at the To The Moon Marketplace on January 29, 2019 in Wilton Manors, Florida. William Newcomb who works at the store said, 'they stocked up early on the heart shape candy after learning that the Necco company had filed for bankruptcy protection and went out of business.' The Sweetheart candy was being made by Necco since 1886 and is in short supply after the company went out of business as Valentine’s Day approaches. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
WILTON MANORS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 29: Sweetheart candy hearts are seen on the shelf at the To The Moon Marketplace on January 29, 2019 in Wilton Manors, Florida. William Newcomb who works at the store said, 'they stocked up early on the heart shape candy after learning that the Necco company had filed for bankruptcy protection and went out of business.' The Sweetheart candy was being made by Necco since 1886 and is in short supply after the company went out of business as Valentine’s Day approaches. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 26
Next
Valentine's Day
COMMERCE TOWNSHIP, MI – NOVEMBER 11: Applebees® Neighborhood Grill & Bar aims to serve one million free meals to neighborhood military heroes this Veterans Day on Sunday, November 11, 2018 in Commerce Township, Michigan. (Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images) /

15. Applebee’s

Yep, we can’t forget about the granddaddy of casual restaurants — Applebee’s.

Love them or hate them, Applebee’s has been making Valentine’s Day memories for the past 38 years, and they have no intention of stopping those memories from flowing now. As much as people laud over TGI Fridays and Chili’s, no one can ever forget about the casual chain that took a risk on all markets and has come out on top.

Applebee’s came on the scene in 1980, about five years after Chili’s debuted in Dallas. While, on the surface, the two chains seem similar, there’s actually different in their approach to the fast-casual game. Whereas Chili’s has combined fast-casual with the feel of a full-service restaurant, Applebee’s is more of a bar and grill chain, as in, this is a place where you can come and watch sports, down some beer, and eat good food.

Over the years Applebee’s has seeded some of its power to the likes of Fridays and Chili’s, but there is something about the old Applebee’s that keeps people coming back. Is it the food? The service? The atmosphere? Who knows? What we do know, however, is that Applebee’s has remained a good place for couples to carrying on a great tradition.

Applebee’s has also been one of the best spots in the U.S.A. to spend Valentine’s Night. Though it may not carry the atmosphere of a Chili’s, Applebee’s has been equally effective in providing just enough atmosphere where couples are celebrated; and, besides, the TV will be in perfect view if the conversation gets boring.

Home/Restaurants