Applebee’s is bringing back a fan favorite cocktail — the Dollarita.
Diners who are 21 and older can enjoy the $1 classic margarita all July long, Applebee’s announced Monday.
The deal is certain to attract budget-conscious consumers as the cost of eating out rises.
In May, the cost of restaurant food increased 3.5 percent from the same time last year, according to the Consumer Price Index, which the government uses to track the cost of goods and services over time.
“An American original, the Dollarita has become a true cultural icon,” Michelle Chin, Applebee’s chief marketing officer, said in a statement.
“This July, we’re bringing it back – by overwhelming demand – for just $1, giving guests 21+ the perfect way to celebrate summer with unbeatable value at Applebee’s.”
The Dollarita was first introduced in 2017, and the restaurant chain has occasionally brought it back since then.
Applebee’s, like other chain restaurants, has been leaning into their classic promotions as Americans struggle with high inflation.
In May, Applebee’s brought back its “All You Can Eat” menu for a limited time. Diners were offered endless boneless wings, pork riblets and its “Double Crunch Shrimp” to go along with the bottomless fries for just $15.99.
Endless shrimp returned to Red Lobster in April for a limited time, despite the promotion driving the restaurant into bankruptcy in 2024.
Chili’s also announced a change to its “3 For Me” promotion in April. The restaurant added its “Big Crispy” and “Spicy Big Crispy” to the $10.99 meal deal, which includes a side of fries, endless chips and salsa and unlimited sodas.
It has long been assumed that eating out is more expensive than cooking at home. But that may not always be the case anymore.
“I feel like now it’s easier to kind of just go out to eat instead of buying groceries because it’s just going to cost just the same,” Phoenix shopper Jessica Gavilanes told AZ Family earlier this month.
The cost of groceries went up 2.7 percent year-over-year in May, according to the Consumer Price Index. While the cost of eating at home didn’t increase as much as the cost of eating out, it’s still a significant increase from last year.
Overall, the annual rate of inflation increased 4.2 percent in May — the highest since 2023 — mainly driven by high energy costs brought on by the Iran war.
