Applebee's

Taste Tested: Appetizers at Applebee's
slashfood

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly Appetizers at Applebee's

Ever wanted a recommendation within a chain restaurant?
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WingsEver wanted a recommendation within a chain restaurant? Well, with its new Best of the Menu series, Slashfood (and sister site KitchenDaily) are hoping to heed the consumer call. First off: the appetizers on the menu at nationwide chain Applebee's.

To find out how the starter portion of the menu fared, Slashfood sampled 13 appetizers from a local Applebee's, from Dynamite Shrimp to Potato Twisters and Queso Blanc. Which offerings made the top — and the bottom — of the list? Head over to Slashfood for the full story.

While Casual Chains Drop Prices, Fast Food Trades Up
Trends

While Casual Chains Drop Prices, Fast Food Trades Up

Regardless of its location, price point, or popularity, no restaurant has remained untouched by the deteriorating economy.
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Regardless of its location, price point, or popularity, no restaurant has remained untouched by the deteriorating economy. While many high-end restaurants have made adjustments, some of the most drastic changes taking place are happening between fast and casual food chains.

Casual restaurant chains such as Applebee's, Chili's, and TGI Friday's have desperately tried to keep sales steady with bargain deals. Applebee's started the trend by appealing to cash-strapped diners with a limited-time offer for a large appetizer with two entrees for just $20. Chili's joined in soon after with a "ten under $7" value menu. Earlier this week, TGI Friday's slashed the prices of all sandwiches and salads to a mere $5.Ironically enough, fast food chains have focused on premium items. Late last year, Burger King aimed to go higher-end with a new line of ribs, and this August, McDonald's is coming out with a one-third-pound Angus beef burger that's priced at $3.99. The number one fast food chain has also been selling specialty coffee drinks at its McCafé stores.

As both segments expand their food offerings, the casual chain and fast food sectors have become somewhat redundant. Have you frequented more fast food or casual chains lately? Which do you think has a better business model?

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Would You Send This Back?
Poll

Would You Send This Back?

Some poor souls were in search of sustenance and so they stopped by their local Applebee's in Woodland, CA.
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Some poor souls were in search of sustenance and so they stopped by their local Applebee's in Woodland, CA. They ordered the Bruschetta Burger — after all the photo looked great — and waited for their meal. However when their food arrived, they were presented with the most extreme ad vs. reality ever. Instead of garlic parmesan fries served in a ramekin, they were served a "cylinder of slimy, greasy fries with a couple pieces of parmesan cheese on top." Talk about crazy! I'd like to think I'd take a pic and then complain to the waitstaff, and then never head back again. What would you have done?

Source: Consumerist

Applebee's Ditches Trans Fat!
Trans Fat

Applebee's Ditches Trans Fat!

Applebee's, the nation's largest casual dining chain of restaurants, has announced that it is no longer using trans fat frying oil at its more than 1,800 restaurants.
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Applebee's, the nation's largest casual dining chain of restaurants, has announced that it is no longer using trans fat frying oil at its more than 1,800 restaurants.

Trans fatty acid, also known as trans fat, is made when hydrogen is added to liquid cooking oils. This process turns the once free-flowing oil into a solid to be used for baking and to give products a longer shelf-life. These "partially hydrogenated oils," clog your arteries, and increase your risk of heart disease, stroke, Type 2 diabetes and other ailments.

Applebee's is now planning on using a blend of 2 soybean oils, and claims that the taste, texture, and quality of its food won't be compromised. In fact, they said that in some cases, the trans fat-free oil actually enhanced the flavor. Nice!

In the next few weeks, Applebee's is working on replacing the pan and grill oil it uses to cook fish and shrimp. They are also working with suppliers to remove trans fat from the processed foods they use, such as some desserts and appetizers.

Well, I give Applebee's a thumbs up. Hopefully other restaurants will jump on the healthy bandwagon and ditch their trans fat too.

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