Everyone feels the need to splurge once in a while and when it comes to food, some restaurants make it so much easier than others. Not all chains are created equally and appetizers are certainly a guilty pleasure. As of late, comfort food comes without the calories (not really, but for the time being we're definitely not counting them) which means naughty foods are 100% something to celebrate.
So, it's time to pick your poison: Will it be a totally sinful pasta dish? A traditional bar favorite that's been loaded with all things indulgent? Or perhaps even a new twist on pizza that has our worries and anxiety simply melting away? Appetizer culture is making a comeback and in the face of true sinful delights, apps are the reigning kings of making us feel all kinds of warm and fuzzy. Move aside, dessert, there's a new decadent pleasure coming through.
Lasagna Fritta From Olive Garden
This app is arguably the most unhealthy of all chain restaurants but that doesn't mean it's not delicious. We're not recommending indulging in something this heavy multiple times a week but it's definitely a once in a while-type of decadence. It starts with lasagna that's breaded and fried with parmesan, and then it gets topped with even more cheese. Layers of a tasty, creamy alfredo sauce and even more parmesan adorn cascade over a flawless marinara sauce. It's considered to be a baked lasagna but as far as we're concerned, it's a perfectly-baked piece of heaven on a plate... Just don't think about the (one-thousand plus) calories as you're inhaling it.
Bloomin' Onion From Outback Steakhouse
The most indulgent thing about the Bloomin' Onion - Outback Steakhouse's most signature appetizer - is the fact that it's deep-fried which also accounts for much of its unhealthy factor. However, that doesn't keep it from tasting as comforting as it sounds and a big part of that is the secret sauce that's served alongside it (which really isn't so secret anymore). This app is perfectly crispy on the outside with a delicate, tender onion strip on the inside, creating possibly the greater onion ring-inspired app that has ever been eaten. Sure, there are plenty of copycat recipes but there's nothing like getting it straight from the source... and it's half the work.
Langostino Lobster Artichoke Seafood Dip From Red Lobster
Seafood sounds healthy until a whopping load of dairy is added to it. The combination of this buttery langostino lobster and slightly tangy artichokes makes is an undeniable favorite with a well-balanced flavor profile. While it's served in something akin to a small pie dish, it's easy to want to lick the bowl clean when all is said and done. To make this dish even more decadent is the addition of three different types of cheeses as well as a topping of pico (which is probably the healthiest part). It's served with warm, crispy tortilla chips and could probably be a meal in itself except for the fact that, well... it's only an appetizer.
Pizza Skins From Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Uno Pizzeria & Grill is definitely not messing around when it comes to this heavy-hitting app. Not only does this dish contain all the ingredients needed for pizza (including the crush) but it also contains a healthy dose of cooked potatoes plus all the toppings needed for a loaded baked potato. It's reminiscent of a deep-dish pizza and the crust serves as the base for cooked potatoes, which are then topped with a whopping layer of cheddar before crumbled bacon is added to the mix. Those who order this are likely well prepared to board the one-way train to carb city but oh, boy, is this one heck of a satisfying, hybrid guilty pleasure.
Texas Cheese Fries From Chili's
No guilty pleasure list would be complete without some type of french fry appetizer and Chili's is knocking this one out of the park. The Texas Cheese Fries are so much more than just cheese - they combine perfectly crispy and salty fries with a topping of melted cheese, bacon, green onions, jalapeños, and even ranch on the side. It's a delight that can only be appreciated by those who truly love their fries in loaded form and we're not denying it's like a fry lover's dream come true. The Southwest kick to it all is just the cherry on top - or the jalepeño on top, in this case - and it's nearly impossible to stop after just one bite... Guilty as charged!