We snagged Applebee's Date Night Pass and ate there 'once a week for a year'. Our menu hacks saved us $1,500
A North Dakota couple saved more than $1,500 on eating out after snagging one of the coveted Applebee's Date Night Passes.
Like most Americans, Emily and Bill Brooks, of Fargo, have been feeling the weight of inflation, especially when it came to eating out.
So when they snapped up one of Applebee's limited $200 Date Night Passes, they were shocked not only by the savings, but the places the pass - which offers 52 discounted meals - would take them.
'We really want to use them all,' Emily, 44, told the Wall Street Journal (WSJ).
The idea of the pass was to offer a weekly date night that wouldn't break the bank and keep customers regularly filtering through the chain's doors.
The couple, who have two children, went beyond just 'eatin' good in the neighborhood' and used the pass in three different states, including at the Times Square location in Midtown Manhattan.
They started at their local location in Fargo, ordering their favorite menu items: Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burgers, Pub Pretzels, and the Riblet Plate, they told the outlet.
Eventually, they made their way to Grand Forks, where they treated their son to dinner while visiting him at college; in Bismarck when their daughter had a school government meeting at the capital, in the Minneapolis area while visiting family for the holidays, and of course, the Big Apple while on vacation.
Emily and Bill Brooks, of Fargo, was one of the lucky were managed to snag Applebee's Date Night Pass, which offered a discount on 52 meals and saved them more than $1,500
'We really want to use them all,' Emily, 44, said. They started at their local location in Fargo, ordering their favorite menu items: Bourbon Street Mushroom Swiss Burgers, Pub Pretzels, and the Riblet Plate
Applebee's is offering the deal again to a lucky 3,000 who manage to grab the exclusive deal. However, the deal is only good once-a-month, rather than weekly
Despite the premise that the pass would be used one time each week for a weekly date night, the Brooks went a little off course.
With the goal to use all 52 passes, they found themselves with plenty left to use when December rolled around - their pass expired at the end of January.
They went to the establishment up to three times a week in December and January, but when they stumbled into the last week of January, they found themselves with five passes still to go, they told WSJ.
For their second to last visit, Emily wanted to go big or go home, so she donned a fancy red gown - complete with fur and a sparkly bag - and had her husband dress in a velvet black tux, tucking a to-go container in as his clutch.
The pair hired a photographer to capture one of their final moments of 'eatin' good.'
'I like making those moments shine a little brighter than they might normally would,' she told WSJ.
Their Date Night Pass had been through a lot with them, including navigating Bill's quest to lose weight.
And the small golden card even saw the couple pay as little as $15.79 - tip included - for a meal together. The deal offered a $30 discount each week.
The couple, who have two children, went beyond just 'eatin' good in the neighborhood' and use the pass in three different states, including at the Times Square location in Midtown Manhattan (pictured)
They even treated their kids (pictured with their parents) to the discounts
'I didn’t think it was that big a deal until I found out how big a deal it was,' Bill told WSJ.
'We have gotten some of that sticker shock when we go to other restaurants,' his wife said.
Applebee's is offering the deal again to a lucky 3,000 who manage to grab the exclusive deal.
The pass, which will start on March 1, offers up to $50 for food and non-alcoholic drinks once a month until the end of February 2026.
It will cost those who are randomly selected for it only $100, saving customers up to $500 over the course of one year.
To enter to win a Date Night Pass, one has to register to be a Club Applebee's member and an email will arrive on February 12 to sign up for the drawing.
But you're going to have to beat the Brookes, who are hoping to snag another year of Applebee's date nights.
The lucky 3,000 will be notified on Valentine's Day if they've won.
DailyMail.com has reached out to the Brooks for comment.
