You’re looking for Applebee’s coupons?  I’m sorry.

Seriously, consider an alternative eatery.  No matter where you live, there is undoubtedly a better option than Applebee’s.  Someone else will prepare a better meal.

If you haven’t guessed, I’m not big fan of Applebee’s.  Or Chili’s.  Or Friday’s.  Or any other generic suburban replacement for an actual diner or restaurant.  The food is uninspired.  Quality takes a backseat to making something that everyone from toddler to senior citizen can comfortably gum without the risk of encountering flavor.  Oh, at least one Applebee’s had an issue spreading shigella.  Shigella?  Seriously, folks.

Oh, and there was that episode in which the lizard corpse mysteriously appeared in a salad.  Yum!

But I know something.  I know that I could present an ironclad argument against Applebee’s–an attack so honest, fierce and well-developed that no one could overcome it.  And even if I did that, some folks would tell me to take a hike as they negotiated their local suburban roads in hot pursuit of boring chicken fingers with equally boring honey mustart dipping sauce (or mega-sweet “BBQ” sauce for the daring).

I don’t understand the appeal of Applebee’s, but they don’t have nearly 2,000 locations because people agree with me.  Some folks love it and they’re out there looking for coupons.  Who am I to stand in their way, right?

So, here’s the scoop on finding coupons for Applebee’s.

Look locally. The national chain doesn’t seem to offer many online coupons.  Local franchises, however, may very well hook you up with a better-than-menu-price deal.

Buy ‘em. People find print coupons for Applebee’s every once in awhile and then sell them via eBay and other sites.  It may feel strange to pay for a coupon, but if your five bucks will save you ten, it’s a winner.

Check the regular sources. Go ahead and check all of the usual online coupon sites.  Once, in a great while, an actual Applebee’s coupon or coupon code will show up.  I gotta tell you, though, it’s rare.  You’re more likely to find entries that “sound” like coupons but actually end up being nothing more than mentions of Applebee’s national specials, which don’t require anything more than a willingness to show up.  Some of these deals are pretty decent—two full meals for twenty bucks, for instance–but they’re not actual Applebee’s coupons, per se.

Stick your hand in the horse’s mouth. You might want to visit Applebee’s website.  I have no evidence to suggest that they send subscribers to their email list coupons, but they might.  And, if you’re a fan of Applebee’s, you’ll want the information they do provide.  They describe their mailings like this:

If you’d like to receive our email updates featuring new menu items, special events, and other news, enter your information below.

If you like the place, you should sign up.

Now, there are a handful of ways to find the coupons you want.  Now it’s time to mention a popular offer for a free Applebee’s gift card that is not worth your time or effort.

For whatever reason, Applebee’s has been the repeated target of a scam email that promises readers a gift card in exchange for forwarding the email to a specified number of other people.  This offer is compete and utter nonsense.  It’s been annoying enoug to the folks at A-bee’s that they’eve even dedicated web space to explain that the whole thing is a hoax.  Don’t fall for it!

If I managed to talk you out of eating at Applebee’s (that dead lizard story is at least a little persuasive, I hope), I’m happy to have provided a valuable service.

If you’re still sold on the idea of eating there, I hope that the advice herein can at least save you a few bucks!