Hey, let’s face it: There are those that would say that Applebee’s isn’t a fine dining experience. It’s true; they’re out there. The place sure has its critics, but in the end, Applebee’s has been around for as long as it has for a reason: Consistent food, served to a happy clientele that keeps coming back for more. Today we’ll be looking at the top 10 menu items you need to get at Applebee’s.
As a child of the eighties myself, I know full well that trends and/or businesses that started in such a boom period for the economy, the arts and the world, was made to pretty much last, and the same can be said for this restaurant chain.
It was founded in 1980 by Bill and T. J. Palmer, and it certainly made a name for itself and certainly was, or rather became an institution for families and groups of friends to eat, drink and… well, you know the rest.
But what Applebee’s menu items have stood the test of time? What new menu items are the best to sample?
10. Quesadilla Burger
So how about this for a combo of cuisines? Eh? Talk about Tex-Mex, right dear readers? Here you’re combining the quesadilla for all it’s worth, and inside you’re placing a hamburger, and well, it’s nothing short of perfect really. Good if you’re feeling adventurous but at the same time know you’re guaranteed to like it. If you love Tex-Mex and burgers, it’s a go for sure.
9. BBQ Brisket Tacos
Again the combo of Tex and Mex is present here, big time. Brisket is a southern specialty and really the addition of the tortilla here takes this one over the edge, adding the crispiness to the brisket that is smoked and braised, and really those are the two greatest ways to prepare a meat in order to attain maximum flavor over time.
8. Crunchy Thai Salad
Hey, everyone’s watching the weight and the old cholesterol, so a salad every now and again is definitely good for you, right? But who says it has to be boring or tasteless? Here, shrimp, which some have called the bacon of the sea, makes this dish not only endurable, but delicious and something you’ll definitely be going back for.
7. Four Cheese Mac and Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken Strips
I mean, it’s right there in the title isn’t it? First off, you’ve got your mac and cheese, and really what more can you ask for in a pasta, right?
But then you add the wonder that is the delicious chicken strips… oh yeah, and the honey pepper extra kick that takes this dish to the moon and stays there…. It doesn’t even come back, not even for holidays. This one’s a rocket for the taste buds for sure.
6. The Tipsy Zombie
And hey, who says you can’t enjoy a good cocktail, two or three? Just in time for Halloween. If you make it to your local Applebee’s this weekend (as of this writing), or even just after the 31st, you’re bound to get this hilariously appropriate drink as a pre-dinner item to get you in the right mood for a delicious meal.
Just don’t have too many, or you’ll be the tipsy zombie on your way out the door…ah, I finally get the name of the drink. Funny.
5. Dulce De Leche Cheesecake
Popular in South America, Dulce de Leche is prepared by heating milk and sugar, but different from a crème anglaise, where it’s whisked in a double boiler a la minute, this preparation takes a longer time…the milk and sugar is heated over a long period, slowly…several hours in fact, and this garners a delicious taste.
Essentially it’s like a good tomato sauce…a 30 minute sauté will never taste like a sauce that boils for hours; any Italian grandma will tell you. Anyways, this cheesecake here has the typical dulce de leche flavors present in it. Wonder if they have it shipped from South America? Regardless, they nailed the flavor and it’s one of their better dessert menus.
4. Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp
The theme of this piece or of the Applebee’s menu in its entirety is this: Combos that’ll have your mouth watering and your stomach a rumbling. They’ll hear you coming from a mile away after you read this, your stomach rumbling like Godzilla in Manhattan, tearing through the traffic on your way to try these dishes.
This one here is the perfect surf and turf pairing two of the greatest things on earth…chicken and shrimp, and with a side of their delicious mashed potatoes…you’ll go home a lot gentler than when you walked in all Godzilla-like.
3. Spinach and Artichoke Dip w/ Nachos
Okay, so an item like this goes a long way; especially if you’re going for drinks and don’t want an entire bulky meal to go along with those drinks. The dip is the star here. Nacho chips are plain but effective for sure; but the dip is the star attraction here.
2. Spicy Maple-Glazed Popcorn Shrimp
Okay…so shrimp have made an appearance again on this list and for the third time…forgive me, but like I said, bacon of the sea, right?
Popcorn shrimp certainly are easy to eat. They’re in the bowl there, and you dig in, maybe while in conversation or watching the game on TV, or heck, even Dancing With The Stars, and next thing you know, they’re gone.
Dangerous is the name here, and oh-so-hard to resist. Add a maple glaze to the works, and you have a recipe for disaster that no amount of time on the Stairmaster can resolve. Applebee’s dudes…what are you doing to me, man??
1. Classic Bacon Cheeseburger
And we’ll end the piece with a classic. I referenced bacon enough times on this list, and so we end it with the most OG of all dishes and perhaps the simplest but most appropriate…the bacon cheeseburger. Applebee’s does the classic justice. Simple, garnished perfectly, and with a side of golden fries. Accompany this one with your favorite beverage and you’ll be home.
What are some of your favorite items you can find on the Applebee’s menu?