Applebee's is a chain of family restaurants with locations throughout the United States and in 17 countries outside the U.S.; it advertises itself as the "largest casual dining chain in the world." The restaurant's fare includes a plentiful array of sandwiches, including burgers and chicken options, fries, beef, chicken and seafood entrees, appetizers and salads, and a small menu of desserts. Many of Applebee's selections contain large amounts of fat and calories, but the chain does offer an "Under 550 Calories" menu and Weight Watchers-endorsed dishes. Menus vary based on location.
Main Menu
Applebee's serving of Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs is among the highest-calorie entrees; served with a side of fries and cole slaw, this entree comes with the diner's choice of sauces, and contains between 1,240 and 1,460 calories, depending on the sauce, with 73 to 75 g total fat, 23 to 24 g saturated fat, and between 2,500 and 3,620 mg sodium, more than the USDA-recommended amount of 2,300 mg sodium. The ribs and sides together contain between 87 and 129 g carbs, 7 g fiber and between 61 and 70 g protein. Reminiscent of General Tsao's chicken of traditional Chinese restaurants, Applebee's Crispy Orange Chicken is a sweet and spicy lower-calorie and lower-sodium option. Served on a base of almond pilaf and veggies -- including bok choy, snap peas, water chestnuts and broccoli -- the dish is topped with toasted almonds, an Asian-inspired orange glaze and crispy noodles. At 570 calories, the dish contains 23 g total fat, 2.7 g saturated fat, 584 mg sodium, 69.7 g carbs, and 21 g protein.
Under 550 Menu
Applebee's Quesadilla Burger features Angus beef; it substitutes a quesadilla for the traditional hamburger bun and is topped with pepper jack and cheddar cheese, salsa, lettuce and ranch dressing. The burger contains 518 calories, with 30.9 g total fat and 14.8 g saturated fat. The sandwich is low-carb, with only 14.3 g carbohydrates. Sodium content is moderate at 559 mg; protein content is 42.9 g. The quesadilla burger supplies about one-fourth of the total DV for calcium and iron. The Teriyaki Shrimp Pasta features grilled shrimp in teriyaki sauce accompanied by whole wheat noodles, mushrooms and a variety of veggies, including carrots, broccoli, snap peas and water chestnuts. At 460 calories and only 9 g total fat, it's low-calorie and low-fat, but has 3,250 mg sodium, along with 77 g carb. The dish contains 31 g protein. Rice pilaf and veggies accompany Applebee's Weight Watchers-approved Cajun Lime Tilapia, flavored with black bean and corn salsa and lime juice. Only 310 calories, this fish entrée has only 6 g total fat, 1.5 g saturated fat and 39 g carbs, along with 2,160 mg sodium and 36 g protein.
Sides
In addition to the side dishes that come with Applebee's sandwiches and entrees, the restaurant offers sides that can be ordered separately or substituted for the standard sides. Applebee's House Salad, without dressing, includes lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded cheddar cheese, bacon bits and croutons, and contains 230 calories, 15 g total fat, 7 g saturated fat, 390 g sodium, 12 g carbs and 13 g protein. Add some Bleu Cheese Dressing, and you add 240 calories, 25 g fat and 250 mg sodium. A bowl of chili is 420 calories, 28 g total fat, 14 g saturated fat, 1,060 mg sodium, 15 g carbs and 28 g protein. If you substitute French fries for Loaded Mashed Potatoes, you'll save on calories and fat: the fries contain 430 calories and 26 g total fat, while the mashed potatoes, with sour cream, jack cheese and bacon bits added, have only 146 calories and 4 g fat.
Desserts
Topping off the dessert menu in terms of calories is Applebee's Chocolate Chip Cookie Sundae. With 1,580 calories, it represents more than three-quarters of a day's 2,000-calorie diet; it contains 76 g total fat, 46 g saturated fat, 940 mg sodium, 218 g carbs and 18 g protein. Applebee's recommends sharing the dessert with friends; split among four people, the dessert registers at just under 400 calories each. The chain's Sizzling Apple Pie with Ice Cream is a hefty 1,086 calories -- 910 calories without the ice cream -- with 56 g total fat, 14 g saturated fat, 579 mg sodium, 146 g carbs and 14 g protein. The Hot Fudge Sundae Shooter is a miniature version of traditional soda fountain hot fudge sundaes, with vanilla ice cream, hot fudge, whipped cream and a cherry on top. At 380 calories and 20 g total fat, 14 g saturated fat and 49 g carbohydrates, it's not diet food, but healthier than indulging in a full-size sundae. The shooter also has 4 g protein.
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