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5 Family Chain Restaurants Go Under The Microscope

DENVER (CBS4) - Eating out can really add up for a family, but there are ways to enjoy dinner for four without breaking the bank.

The website cheapism.com reviewed five national chain restaurants looking for the best deals and places for the family.

"Kids menus, lunch offerings, friendliness to special diets, happy hours," were the things cheapism.com CEO Max Levitte said were important to the rankings.

The site looked at Applebee's, TGI Friday's, Chili's, Ruby Tuesday, and Outback Steakhouse.

The reviewers had a menu of a cheeseburger, a chicken dish, an entree salad and a kids meal at each restaurant.

Applebee's topped the list of cheapest bill with the tab coming in at $36.74. Outback Steak House had the highest price for the same meal at $41.44.

But when the taste and quality of food is factored in, Chili's takes the top spot, pushing Applebee's and Outback down the list.

Chili's also got good marks for healthy choices on the kids' menu.

Cheapism says you may just want to just avoid Ruby Tuesday and TGI Friday's. It called the food at Ruby Tuesday "run of the mill" and said the food at TGI Friday's was higher priced and of lower quality.

But what about Levitte? Where is he heading to dinner.

"My son is a big sushi fan, so we're going to go have sushi."

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