Applebee's chicken southwest salad is a party on your palate

Applebee's southwest chicken bowl (Rochester Voice photo)

BIDDEFORD, Maine - Whoever is the driving force behind Applebee's menu items knows what they're doing.

Maybe it's because it's one of Tom Brady's fav foods, but if a restaurant can put guac on it, they do, and we're glad of it, because it does elevate pretty much any dish, especially salads.

And Applebee's southwest chicken bowl (part of its Irresit-A-Bowls menu, is no exception.

This humongous salad ($10.59, 820 calories) is one of seven such selections we chose from at their Biddeford location, but you will find the same exact options at the Dover restaurant as well.

Martha was smitten by this well conceived plate that was so copious that half was left for the doggie bag to be enjoyed at a later hour.

Between the guac, the pico de gallo and fresh cilantro this is a party on your palate you won't soon forget. It is absolutely delicious.

It also come with mixed greens, cilantro rice with house-made pico de gallo, black bean corn salsa topped with chimichurri trotiall strips and a fresh lime wedge.

It's gluten friendly, calorie friendly and in these inflationary times, the price seeks to holds the line. As the financial experts say, I'd get this now before it goes up. Too bad you can't hoard these in the cupboard. If you could I'd get a bunch.

Meanwhile, I got the grilled chicken breast with broccoli and garlic mashed ($11.29, 550 calories), equally stunning in visuals and taste. The broccoli tasted amazingly fresh, the garlic mashed was delish and the grilled chicken was tender yet crispy on the edges.

To top it off right now you can get one of their humongous margaritas for just $5, just 50 cents more than a draft beer.

These menu items are also available at their Sanford and Dover, N.H., locations.

Service ★★★★

Food ★★★★

Atmosphere ★★★★