Best and Worst Kids' Menus: Applebee’s

[MamaMandee]

By: Toby Amidor, MS, RD and Karen Ansel, MS, RD

              

Thumbs Up: Kids Mini Hamburger
Forgo the cheese and choose the Applebee’s single mini hamburger featuring 100% fresh ground beef for 340 calories and 14 grams of filling protein. This burger is quite filling, so skip the fries and pair it with steamed broccoli for just 25 calories. If the Kids menu in your town offers fried shrimp or pasta with marinara sauce, consider one of these options. Both are lower calorie and fat choices with 230 calories and 360 calories, respectively.

Thumbs Down: Kids Grilled Cheese (on sourdough bread)
With loads of sodium (1,430 milligrams to be exact), this isn’t an ideal choice for a growing child. With a whopping 620 calories, this entrée has more than twice the calories of an order of kids’ chicken tenders. Ask for whole-wheat bread to up the fiber and pair it with a side of applesauce (as opposed to fries) so you don’t add even more sodium to the meal.

Photo Courtesy of Applebee’s

[TerriC]

My kids have never ordered a grilled cheese at Appleebee's.  I guess that is a good thing.  =-)

[dusky_rose]

My youngest son usually orders the chicken tenders and fries at Applebees, but I'm not worried about him getting too many calories as he is tall and slender.

[Vertical15]

I don't remember the last time we took the kids here but I could see one of them wanting a grilled cheese.  Its good to know to steer them away from it.  Thanks!

[kellynh]

Wow... Never knew it was s bad :(

[MichelleK41]

Our kids never really like Applebee's kids menus.

[Bob192]

It's been a long time since we've been there.

[mhmomma]

My ds always gets te burger. Yeah!!! No one has ever gotten the grilled cheese there hmmm

[KaylaMillar]

The applebees here stinks. The food tastes like its micorwaved (probably is)

[Madelaine]

thanks

[IandLoveandYou]

We aren't big on chain restaurants, so I don't think DD has ever been to one before.

All that in a little grilled cheese though?! Crazy!