Applebee's
How to Order Lighter at Applebee's
The standard advice — "just get a salad" — collapses immediately at most casual dining chains, because the salads are often the most calorie-dense items on the menu thanks to creamy dressings, candied nuts and fried protein. Applebee's is no exception. Here is what actually works.
Five lighter picks
- Caesar Side Salad — 220 cal, 5g protein
- 8oz Top Sirloin — 360 cal, 52g protein
- Brownie Bite Sundae — 390 cal, 4g protein
- Strawberry Balsamic Chicken Salad — 590 cal, 40g protein
- Triple Chocolate Meltdown — 640 cal, 7g protein
Five to plan around (or split with a friend)
- Four-Cheese Mac & Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken — 1610 cal, 2890 mg sodium
- Quesadilla Burger — 1430 cal, 3200 mg sodium
- Oriental Chicken Salad (Crispy) — 1370 cal, 1920 mg sodium
- Sizzling Steak Fajitas — 1340 cal, 3260 mg sodium
- Three Cheese Chicken Penne — 1340 cal, 2480 mg sodium
A couple of universal moves at Applebee's
- Skip the complimentary bread/breadsticks at the table — they are easily 300+ calories before the meal arrives.
- Order any creamy or vinaigrette dressing on the side; it usually doubles a salad's calorie count.
- When in doubt, swap fries for a side of seasonal vegetables or a side salad with vinaigrette on the side.
- Box half before you start. Restaurant portions are calibrated for sharing, even when they are not labeled that way.
Browse the full Applebee's nutrition guide on the brand page above for any item we did not call out here.