Does Applebee‘s Grill Their Steaks? A Juicy, Flavor-Packed Guide

As your neighborhood steak expert, I‘m here to share an in-depth look into how Applebee‘s, America‘s largest casual dining chain, delivers exceptionally tender and delicious steaks. From their premium cuts of meat to high-heat grilling techniques, you‘ll learn why Applebee‘s should be your #1 choice for an amazing steak dinner!

The Applebee‘s Story – From Neighborhood Beginnings to Global Phenomenon

Applebee‘s first opened its doors in Decatur, Georgia in 1980 with just one local restaurant founded by Bill and T.J. Palmer. Their concept of combining friendly service, classic American fare, and great deals quickly caught on across the Southeast.

By 1989, there were 25 Applebee‘s locations doing over $125 million in sales annually. The chain began rapidly expanding nationwide through franchising. In the late 1990s and early 2000s, international growth took off as well with openings in Mexico, Canada, and the Middle East.

Today there are over 1,810 Applebee‘s restaurants across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam and 15 other countries, making it the largest casual dining chain in the world!

Over the decades, Applebee‘s has maintained their core focus – being your go-to neighborhood spot for enjoying quality American classics in a lively, welcoming atmosphere. Their innovative yet familiar menu keeps customers coming back to enjoy fan favorites like sizzling fajitas, juicy burgers, fall-off-the-bone ribs, crispy chicken tenders, and of course, mouthwatering steaks.

Signature Hand-Cut Steaks Headline the Menu

Steak has always been a staple on the Applebee‘s menu. Today, their steak lineup includes:

• 7 oz. House Sirloin – Rich, flavorful cut that‘s very tender
• 8 oz. New York Strip – Perfect balance of tenderness and bold beefy flavor
• Ribeye Steak – Most marbled for exceptional tenderness and juiciness
• Grilled Shrimp Skewer – Jumbo shrimp seasoned and fire-grilled

These favorites give you a choice of indulging in quality steak or succulent shrimp any night of the week. Prices range from $13.99 to $18.99 for an entree sized steak, making them a terrific value.

According to Applebee‘s Chef Stephen Bulmer, "Our steaks consistently earn high marks for tenderness, juiciness, and flavor. Steaks are what our guests crave from us."

And the numbers speak for themselves – over 105 million steaks are served at Applebee‘s every year!

Only the Freshest Premium Cuts

So what goes into making Applebee‘s steaks so mouthwateringly delicious? It starts with using only the freshest premium cuts of 100% USDA Choice beef.

USDA Choice is the second highest quality grade given to beef, above Select but below Prime. For a steak to qualify as Choice grade, it must have:

• Generous marbling throughout for tenderness
• Uniform white fat color instead of yellow fat
• Firm, fine-textured flesh
• Bright red lean color

This level of marbling makes Choice steak deliciously juicy and flavorful when cooked.

"We will never compromise quality by using frozen steaks. Our guests deserve – and expect – fresh steak every single time," said Applebee‘s Executive Chef Dan Langan.

In fact, 0% of steaks served at Applebee‘s are frozen. They adhere to strict receiving and storage protocols to ensure freshness. Steaks are also portioned and seasoned daily by prep cooks before hitting the grill.

Secrets Behind the Applebee‘s Grilling Process

All steaks at Applebee‘s are grilled to order over an open flame on state-of-the-art Woodstone infrared broilers. These commercial-grade stainless steel grills utilize high intensity infrared heat to deliver an unparalleled steakhouse-quality cooking experience.

Benefits of Applebee‘s Woodstone infrared grills:

• Uniform Heat – Grilling surface maintains even temperature across the entire cooktop

• Speed – Steaks grill up to 30% faster than traditional grills

• Juiciness – Infrared heat helps seal in natural juices

• Reduced Flare-Ups – No uneven hot spots that can dry steaks out

• Energy Efficiency – Uses up to 33% less gas than standard grills

This innovative grill technology allows Applebee‘s chefs to perfectly execute steaks to the requested level of doneness every time. The steaks are first seared at intense heat reaching over 500°F to caramelize the proteins and seal in flavorful juices.

Chefs continually monitor thickness and flip steaks to the ideal amount of char on both sides. Finishing temperatures:

• Rare – 120-125°F
• Medium Rare – 130-135°F
• Medium – 140-145°F
• Medium Well – 150°F
• Well Done – 155-160°F

After grilling, steaks are topped with savory garlic herb butter. My personal favorite is the juicy Ribeye steak cooked medium rare, brimming with flavorful marbling.

Signature Sauces & Seasonings Bring Depth of Flavor

To take their steaks to the next level, Applebee‘s created an array of crave-worthy Signature Sauces. From zesty Bourbon Street to savory Parmesan Peppercorn, these sauces complement and enhance the natural flavor of the steak.

• Bourbon Street Steak Sauce – Sweet and tangy with New Orleans style seasonings
• Three Cheese Bacon Sauce – Cheddar, Asiago, Romano, and smoky bacon
• Parmesan Peppercorn Sauce – Cracked peppercorns and shaved Parmesan
• Chimichurri Sauce – Fresh parsley, garlic, shallots, olive oil, and vinegar

In addition to sauces, a key component of Applebee‘s succulent steaks is their proprietary Steak Seasoning blend. This house seasoning contains:

• Kosher salt
• Black pepper
• Granulated garlic
• Onion powder
• Red chili pepper
• Ancho chili pepper

Rubs are applied generously to steaks before grilling to form a flavorful, caramelized crust when cooked over the high heat.

Why Applebee‘s is My Top Choice for Steak Dinners

Here‘s why I confidently recommend Applebee‘s as a great option for high-quality steak meals:

• Fresh cuts – Only fresh, never frozen USDA Choice steaks
• Grill technology – Infrared grills evenly seal in juices
• Cooked-to-order – Grilled precisely to your temperature preference
• Craveable sauces – Unique signature sauces kick up the flavor
• Value pricing – Quality steaks at budget-friendly prices
• Knowledgeable chefs – Highly trained in grilling techniques
• Friendly service – Attentive staff enhances the experience
• Fun ambience – Lively, welcoming atmosphere for all

For a consistently gratifying steak dinner, I suggest giving Applebee‘s steaks a try. The sizzling plates of tender, juicy steak never disappoint!

A Quick History Lesson on Restaurant Concepts

As a successful national chain, Applebee‘s puts careful thought into their restaurant concept. But where did the idea for chain restaurants even come from?

Eating establishments can be traced back to Ancient Rome, but restaurants as we know them today emerged in France in the late 1700s. The pioneering concept of restaurants quickly spread throughout Europe and then to America.

By the 1920s and 30s, diners and luncheonettes serving quick bites were popping up along major highways in the U.S. Franchising then accelerated growth of chains like McDonald‘s and Howard Johnson‘s across post-war America.

In the 1970s and 80s, chains expanded to offer greater menu variety and a more family friendly dine-in experience. Focus turned to consistent execution through concepts like Applebee‘s, Chili‘s, TGI Fridays, and Ruby Tuesday.

Keen attention to evolving consumer preferences, pricing, and generous portions helped make casual dining chains a mainstay of American dining culture. In 2018, the top 500 U.S. restaurant chains totaled over $285 billion in sales!

Why Go to a Chain Instead of an Independent Restaurant?

While I love supporting small businesses, chain restaurants do offer certain advantages:

• Familiarity – You know what you‘re getting wherever you go
• Consistency – Results are reliable across all locations
• Value pricing – Large volumes allow lower menu costs
• Atmosphere – Chains attract crowds, creating energy
• Technology – Integrated systems improve operations
• Marketing reach – Broad campaigns connect with consumers
• Training – Comprehensive programs develop skilled staff

For many guests, attributes like these allow chains to outshine independent eateries. But fortunately, there‘s room for both in the diverse American dining landscape!

Let‘s Sum It All Up!

Hope this provided an appetizing glimpse into how Applebee‘s grills up incredible steak entrees using top-notch ingredients, innovative equipment, and skilled techniques. When you‘re looking for amazing steak flavor at amazing prices, look no further than your local Applebee‘s.

For quality, taste and value, Applebee‘s steaks have certainly earned this neighborhood steak lover‘s seal of approval. Thanks for taking the time to learn a bit about one of America‘s most iconic restaurant chains. Until next time, happy grilling!