Queens Tribune

61-48 188th St., Fresh Meadows
(718) 264-1222
HOURS: Sun.-Thurs. 10 a.m. midnight; Fri. and Sat., 11 a.m.-1 a.m.
CUISINE: Contemporary American
PARKING: Off-street lot
TAKEOUT: Yes
DELIVERY: No
CREDIT CARDS: All major

Even an American institution like Applebee’s needs to reinvent itself now and then – about seven times a year, to be exact.

While serving essentially the same core items customers have come to rely on – house sirloin, crispy buttermilk shrimp and honey BBQ ribs – the restaurant keeps the menu fresh every few months with a series of themed special items.

To open up the summer, Applebee’s offered a list of crisp, refreshing new salads. But now that it’s started to heat up, next week the restaurant will introduce a Southwest Fiesta menu, which blends classic Tex-Mex dishes with a twist of classic American fare.

Take the Quesadilla Burger, for example, which replaces the typical bun with two crispy, buttery tortillas, using a mix of cheeses to hold the entire package together. Bacon chips and a tasty southwest sauce add an almost smoky spice to the dish, making it a unique variation on the traditional, boring cheeseburger.

In addition to enhanced versions of typical fajitas and nachos, the menu offers a southwest feel to unexpected entrees, like the Margarita Shrimp Kabobs – plump shrimp flavored with lime, garlic and cilantro, served on a skewer with rice and vegetables. The Chicken Tostada Salad, which combines a southwest salad and grilled chicken topped with cheese, also sounds tasty.

If you walk in with an appetite, try the Three Course Combo: a mixed fiesta salad, followed by beef enchiladas (with both jack cheddar and pepper jack cheeses), and finished off by a Key Lime Surprise cheesecake.

To cool down on a hot summer day, especially after some fiery salsa, order a Red Apple Sangria, an impressively large alcoholic beverage served with ice and fresh fruit. The drink is served in a goblet-like glass, both heavy and cool to the touch. The pleasant but mild wine taste gets enhanced with a tart sour apple flavor, giving the beverage a nice kick.

At the Fresh Meadows location, stop by and enjoy half-price appetizers in the restaurant from 3-6 p.m., Monday-Friday, and at the bar from 10 p.m. until closing, Monday-Thursday. Try classics like Onion Peels, Coconut Shrimp and Mozzarella Sticks, which are lightly fried and light on grease.

Whether a regular Applebee’s customer or just stopping by for a bite, it’s worth dropping in to try the Southwest Fiesta menu. It’s enough to make a eater cry, “Ole,” and come back for more.