We compared meals at Applebee's and Chili's - and the winner was obvious

Lindsey Updyke

The Cajun Chicken Pasta at Chili's.

• Applebee's and Chili's are trying to make comebacks after a disappointing couple of years.
• We visited both casual-dining chains to compare dishes and drinks from their new meal combination deals.
• Applebee's had impressive appetizers, but based on the rest of the meal - and the price - Chili's came out on top.

Like many other casual-dining chains, both Applebee's and Chili's are trying to make a major comeback in 2019.

The past couple of years have been tough for the two restaurants, as the chains have struggled to win over the appetites and wallets of millennial diners. Applebee's closed more than 100 restaurants in 2017 and 2018. Likewise, after cutting 40% of the items from its menu in 2017 and experiencing a data breach in 2018, the future of Chili's wasn't looking too bright either.

But monthly deals on drinks and meal combinations have proven to be both chains' saviors, and they're starting to win over the millennial market that was killing them before.

Read more: We compared meals at Applebee's and TGI Fridays as the chains battle for dominance, and the winner is clear

Last week, I visited both restaurants in hopes of finding the most delicious meals and best deals for my millennial wallet.

And, by the end of both of my visits, the winner was clear.