Yes, you can eat out on Lenten Fridays: Here’s what to order at these popular chains

Picture this: It’s been quite a week, so on Friday evening, you’re looking forward to eating dinner out with your family. Then you remember: It’s Lent! You can’t eat meat today. So what can you order at your favorite family-friendly restaurant?

Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. We’ve scouted the menus at the some of the most popular family restaurants in America, and we’ve got a great meatless recommendation for anywhere you go. 

You can’t go wrong with Grilled Cheese and Creamy Tomato Soup from Panera. For a lighter option, check out the yummy and vegetable-filled Mediterranean Bowl. 

Our pick is the Honey-Glazed Salmon Salad. The New Orleans Seafood Platter and Coconut Shrimp Platter also look delicious.

This breakfast chain serves food 24/7, so breakfast for dinner is the way to go! Our Denny's picks are the Loaded Veggie Omelet or the Fit Fare Veggie Skillet.

Five Cheese Ziti Al Forno or Giant Cheese Stuffed Shells are meat-free, or you may want to order Olive Garden's robust Famous Jumbo House Salad which comes with bread sticks and serves 6! 

We think the Classic Blackened Shrimp Alfredo or Hand-battered Fish and Chips from Applebee's look especially appetizing.

There aren’t a ton of meatless options at Boston Market, so your best bet is the Side Item Sampler, which allows you to choose 3 out of 10 meatless sides as your meal. 

Hashbrown casserole or three-cheese squash casserole are delicious meatless options at Cracker Barrel. Don’t forget the classic buttermilk biscuits!

Friday’s does seem like the perfect place to go on a Friday, and the meatless options include gems like Dragon-Glazed Salmon or the Fried Shrimp Plate.

There aren’t many meatless options, so your best bets are the Veggie Burger or the Fish Sandwich. 

Order a tasty Pizza (meatless flavors include Serious Cheese or Very Vegy) at Red Robin, or get the classic Lenten fish with Red Robin’s Arctic Cod Fish and Chips.

You’ve got some solid options at Chili’s, including the Chipotle Shrimp Fresh Mex Bowl, the Ancho Salmon, or Spicy Shrimp Tacos. 

You’re in luck if you head to Maggiano’s, thanks to their abundant meatless options! Choose an appetizer for a smaller portion, such as the Calamari Fritte, Classic Tomato Bruschetta, or Spinach and Artichoke Al Forno. Or order an entree like Gnocchi in Vodka Sauce, Mushroom Ravioli Al Forno, or Eggplant Parmesan, Taylor Street Baked Ziti, or Fettuccine Alfredo. And that’s not even getting to the Seafood section of the menu, where our pick is the Linguine di Mare. 

There’s an entire seafood section and lots of meatless dishes on the Cheesecake Factory menu, so you’ve got ample options! We’re partial to the Shrimp Scampi, the Margherita Flatbread Pizza, the Vegan Cobb Salad, and Evelyn’s Favorite Pasta. 

Of course, pancakes and waffles are the stars of the menu at IHOP (formerly called International House of Pancakes). But if those seem a little indulgent for a Lenten Friday, our pick would be the Spinach and Mushroom Omelette or the Four-Cheese Melt Sandwich. 

Just about the entire menu is seafood, so Red Lobster is the perfect restaurant for a Lenten Friday! Our picks are the Crispy Cod Sandwich, the Sesame-Soy Salmon Bowl, or the Baja Shrimp Bowl.