#applebees

#applebees

What better way to celebrate friendship than by sharing a glass or two of your favorite boozy beverage with your best pal? If you ask Applebee's, that's the ultimate toast to friendship, and I can hardly disagree. To capitalize on the concept of enjoying drinks in community, Applebee's has added two new gin-based cocktails to its menu, and the "Still Together Sips" are must-tries, even if you're not typically into gin.

Few pleasures compare to that of biting into a warm, fresh, fluffy breadstick, flavored with tasty parmesan, garlic, and oregano. Perhaps you like to dip yours in some type of pasta sauce, like marinara or Alfredo. Maybe you're a ranch fan, or you prefer classic garlic butter. Either way, not all breadsticks are created equal. To make sure you're getting your money's worth and avoid disappointment, it's handy to know which chain restaurants serve the best breadsticks - and which should be avoided.

Spend happy hour sipping at Chili's, and cocktails are limited to the $6 Margarita of the Month or $7 Tequila Classic Marg. Grab a table at Applebee's, and cocktails drop to $4 or $5. Beers at both chains sit roughly on par, at $3 to $4. It doesn't sound hugely drastic, but every dollar counts - especially if you're sipping multiple Long Islands.

My husband and I have never been big on chain restaurants, but our teenagers love visiting them, so we've tried quite a few in recent years. Luckily, plenty have pleasantly surprised us, from upscale steakhouses like Ruth's Chris to surprisingly affordable spots like Waffle House. Now, we sometimes even look forward to checking out different chains - especially on double dates with our son and his girlfriend. The four of us regularly go to see a movie and get dinner at a restaurant near the theater.

Red Lobster's closure of the Ultimate Endless Shrimp has left fans yearning, but Applebee's is stepping in with an all-you-can-eat shrimp offer for $15.99.

According to Applebee's website, the chain restaurants use "shared cooking and prep areas, including common fryer oil," so even though certain foods are tagged with the tiny, black and white "GS" label, there is no guarantee that it's entirely gluten-free. For people with serious gluten intolerances or celiac disease, even small traces of gluten can lead to serious health issues or medical emergencies.