Christmas 2016 is upon us and most people have finished their shopping and holiday baking—and they are ready to make the big Christmas Day dinner with all the trimmings and fixings.
Making a holiday dinner, whether it is for four or 20, involves a lot of preparation, shopping, planning, and time spent in the kitchen. Applebee’s, one of America’s favorite restaurant chains, is keeping Christmas hours this year as always and most locations will be open.
Most Applebee’s restaurants are open on the following holidays, including Christmas Eve, but it is best to call the location you want to visit to make sure they are open when you plan on going. They typically run holiday hours, but that varies from location to location so pick up the phone before getting in the car and wasting gas.
- New Year’s Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Valentine’s Day
- Presidents Day
- Mardi Gras Fat Tuesday
- Patrick’s Day
- Tax Day
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Easter Monday
- Cinco de Mayo
- Mother’s Day
- Memorial Day
- Father’s Day
- Independence Day (4th of July)
- Labor Day
- Columbus Day
- Halloween
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Black Friday
- Christmas Eve
- New Year’s Eve
Applebee’s has such a wide variety of items on its menu that it is sure to please most everyone in your party, including fussy kids. From burgers to sandwiches, soups, salads, and a two-for-$20 menu, there is something for everyone at this restaurant chain.
Remember that the people working at the restaurant probably have family they left at home while they go to work, so be extra nice and cheery and help create a truly warm and pleasant atmosphere for them and everyone else in the restaurant.
Recreating Some of Your Favorite Dishes
After you’ve gone to Applebee’s and enjoyed the food, you can try a few “copycat” recipes and recreate the dishes at home. Here’s one to get you started.
Green Goddess Wedge Salad
To make the dressing you will need:
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 cup plain yogurt
- 1 Tbsp chopped parsley
- 1 Tbsp chopped chives
- 2 tsp lemon juice
- 1/8 tsp garlic powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp black pepper
To make the salad you will need:
- 4 slices bacon
- 1 large head iceberg lettuce
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
Combine all of the dressing ingredients in a blender or food processor. Add 1 Tbsp water and blend until smooth. Cook the bacon until crispy.
Cut the lettuce head into quarters. Remove the inner portion of each wedge and any limp leaves that are on the outside. Chop or crumble the bacon. Put the lettuce wedges on a plate, and top with dressing, blue cheese, pecans, and bacon. Enjoy!
Sources:
“Applebee’s Holiday Hours Open/Closed,” Holiday Shopping Hours web site; http://holidayshoppinghours.com/2016-holiday-restaurant-hours/applebees-open-closed-hours/, last accessed December 23, 2016.
McLaughlin, J., “21 Insanely Good Applebee’s Copycat Recipes,” Homemade Home Ideas web site, January 16, 2014; http://www.homemadehomeideas.com/21-insanely-good-applebees-copycat-recipes/, last accessed December 23, 2016.
