Exploring the Vegan Appetizers and Starters
While many of Applebee's appetizers are not vegan by default, several can be easily modified to fit a plant-based diet. The key is to communicate clearly with your server about the necessary changes to ensure your meal is animal-product-free. Remember that a shared fryer is used for some items, which is a consideration for strict vegans.
- Brew Pub Pretzels & Marinara: Order the pretzel sticks without the beer cheese dip and honey mustard, requesting marinara sauce instead for a delicious, savory appetizer.
- Chips and Guacamole or Salsa: The chips themselves are vegan, but you must ask for guacamole or the chipotle-lime salsa instead of the standard queso dip, which contains dairy.
- Breadsticks with Marinara: Ensure the breadsticks are ordered without the standard garlic butter or Alfredo sauce and instead ask for the marinara dipping sauce.
- Fries and Waffle Fries: Both the classic fries and waffle fries are vegan-friendly, but for the strictest vegans, be aware that they are cooked in a shared fryer.
Hearty and Customizable Vegan Entrees
For a more substantial meal, several of Applebee's entrees can be transformed into delicious vegan dishes with a few simple modifications. The addition of an Impossible patty is a great way to add protein to a bowl or pasta dish.
- Impossible Burger: This is one of the most straightforward vegan options. Simply order the Impossible Cheeseburger and ask for no cheese. The brioche bun is vegan, making this a solid choice.
- Irresist-a-Bowls (Modified): Both the Southwest Chicken Bowl and the Tex-Mex Lime Shrimp Bowl can be made vegan by omitting the meat. You'll still get a flavorful mix of cilantro rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and black bean and corn salsa. For a heartier meal, ask to add an Impossible patty.
- Create-Your-Own Pasta: Applebee's marinara sauce and noodles are vegan. You can order a custom pasta dish with marinara and add steamed broccoli (without butter) and an Impossible patty to create a filling and satisfying meal.
Fresh and Crisp Vegan Salads
Salads are a great starting point for a vegan meal, but always remember to specify no cheese and to request a vegan-friendly dressing. Applebee's offers a couple of reliable choices in this category.
- House Salad (Modified): Order the house salad without cheese or croutons and ask for a vegan dressing like the Italian or Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette.
- Strawberry Balsamic Salad (Modified): Skip the chicken and the breadstick, but keep the greens, almonds, and strawberries. The Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette is the perfect vegan pairing.
Side Dishes and Dressings
Some of the most basic side dishes are vegan, provided you request them without any butter or cheese. Always confirm with your server before ordering.
- Baked Potato: Ask for it plain, with no butter, sour cream, or cheese. You can top it with black bean and corn salsa or guacamole for extra flavor.
- Steamed Broccoli: Ensure you specify no butter when ordering this side.
- Dressings and Sauces: Vegan-friendly options include Italian Dressing, Lemon Olive Oil Vinaigrette, Marinara, Guacamole, and Chipotle Lime Salsa.
The All-Important Vegan Comparison Table
When dining out, it's essential to understand the modifications required for each item. This table provides a quick reference for making the right choices.
| Menu Item | Standard Ingredients | Vegan Modifications | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Impossible Cheeseburger | Impossible patty, American cheese, brioche bun, toppings | Omit cheese | Brioche bun is vegan; add vegan toppings. |
| Southwest Chicken Bowl | Chicken, rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa | Omit chicken; add Impossible patty (optional) | Flavorful, balanced bowl even without meat. |
| Brew Pub Pretzels | Pretzels, beer cheese dip, honey mustard | Omit cheese dip & honey mustard; sub marinara | Classic pretzel taste with a tangy dip. |
| House Salad | Mixed greens, tomato, cheese, croutons, breadstick | Omit cheese and croutons; add vegan dressing | Great light option with an Impossible patty added. |
| Baked Potato | Potato, butter, sour cream | Omit butter and sour cream | Top with black bean salsa or guacamole for flavor. |
Final Takeaway
While Applebee's isn't a dedicated vegan restaurant, it's possible to build a satisfying plant-based meal with careful ordering and modifications. By leveraging the Impossible Burger and customizable bowls and salads, you can find a suitable option. However, diners with strict dietary needs should always be aware of the potential for cross-contamination from shared cooking surfaces and fryers. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is always best to consult Applebee's official allergen guide or speak directly with your server.
Conclusion
For those asking "is anything vegan at Applebee's?", the answer is a definitive yes, with caveats. The restaurant offers a variety of customizable dishes, including the Impossible Burger, salads, bowls, and sides like fries and baked potatoes, all of which can be made vegan with specific requests. The key is to communicate clearly with your server, asking for dairy and meat to be omitted and specifying vegan dressings or sauces. While cross-contamination is always a risk in a shared kitchen, a little planning allows for a pleasant and satisfying plant-based dining experience at this popular chain.
