Clever Ways To Get Discounted Meals At Your 9 Favorite Chain Restaurants

Who doesn't love a good deal? Knowing that you're paying less for something that usually costs a whole lot more can be one of life's simple pleasures. And when you're getting a discount at one of your favorite chain restaurants, life can be very, very good. 

Most Applebee's locations offer a 15 percent discount to seniors over the age of 60; just call ahead to make sure your local outpost participates. If you sign up for their E-club, you'll have access to special perks, like free food on your birthday. Keep an eye on their website for promotions; right now, for example, you can get half-price appetizers after 9 p.m. 

The best way to get discounted grub at Chili's is to join their My Chili's Rewards program, which awards you points for each dollar you spend with them. The 60 points you earn when you sign up will get you a free menu item, and you get a free appetizer or dessert on your birthday. 

Most Denny's locations offer a 15 percent discount if you present your AARP card. Their loyalty program also doesn't require any purchase for you to start receiving benefits; when you sign up, you begin receiving coupons and info about new promotions. 

If you're over 55, you'll get access to IHOP's 55 Plus menu, which offers smaller portions and reduced prices from the regular menu. For everyone else, if you join their eClub, you'll receive a free meal when you sign up, every year on your birthday, and every year on the anniversary of your sign-up. 

Olive Garden offers a rotating selection of specials; keep tabs on their website's specials page to stay on top of all the deals and promotions. When you join their eClub, you'll get a free appetizer or dessert with the purchase of two entrées, and will also receive emails about new offers from Olive Garden as well as other Darden restaurants, including Longhorn Steakhouse, Bahama Breeze, and the Capital Grille. 

Outback's coupons page is where they promote all of their coupons and featured specials, and if you join their Outback 365 program, you'll receive exclusive email deals and discounts. 

The best way to get discounts at Panera is to sign up for their MyPanera card. It gets swiped every time you make a purchase, and you'll be rewarded with complimentary items based on your preferred purchases, exclusive previews and tastings, and special event invitations. 

If you join Red Lobster's Fresh Catch Club, you'll receive a birthday coupon, alerts about events at your local Red Lobster, and additional surprise perks. 

TGI Friday's offers a wide variety of daily specials, like heavily discounted drinks and appetizers that are good to know about (especially if you're a regular customer). If you join their Give Me More Stripes club, you'll get perks like free food and event invitations.