In alphabetical order:

Applebee's (www.applebees.com ). It's currently running a 2-for-$20 deal which consists of one sharable-size appetizer and two entrees. There are 1,600 Applebee restaurants in 49 states.

Chili's Grill & Bar (www.chilis.com ). As with Cheesecake Factory, there are may more dishes here than the restaurant's name implies. If you go for the Bottomless Express Lunch you get to select a soup and either a Caesar or House salad. This deal comes with special chips and house-made salsa. And there are unlimited refills! (After 4pm, add $2.00.) Soups include: baked potato soup, southwest vegetable soup and chicken enchilada soup. This weekend, some locations will have a new Ten Meals Under $7 special. Note: In addition to its U.S. locations, Chili's has 191 locations outside the country.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant (www.olivegarden.com ). Olive Garden has one of the best children's menu of this group. Specials are locally and seasonally inspired rather than being universal. In some locations, for example, the Sampler Italiano, a create-your-own dish is priced at $10.95 while the Grilled Chicken Flatbread is only $9.75. All entrees include soup or salad and home baked garlic breadsticks.

Outback Steakhouse (www.outback.com ). Since February, this chain, which makes everything from scratch, has been offering 15 Meals Under $15. They actually start at $9.95 and entrees include: steak, pork, chicken and shrimp. This Australian-themed company, with restaurants all across the U.S., has a great motto: "Down Under With Prices."

T.G.I. Friday's (www.tgifriday.com). This family-friendly chain continually offers value-priced meals. Currently it's featuring 10 Entrees For $9.99. But go soon - this particular deal ends April 8th. Among the 10 classic entrees are Bruschetta Chicken Pasta and Prime Rib Stroganoff. Soup or salad is $1.99 extra.

$TIP: If you like T.G.I. Friday's, consider joining its Give Me More Stripes guest recognition program (www.givememorestripes.com ). Its 730,000 members are notified about member-only specials and are entitled to free goodies, such as $8 off for every $100 spent, ex-cluding alcohol. 

Texas Roadhouse (www.texasroadhouse.com). This chain, with 310+ restaurants in 44+ states, is expanding. Right now it has an Early Dine For $7.99 Monday through Thursday. Entrees include steak, chicken and pork. And you get a choice of two homemade sides as well as a bottomless bread basket and peanuts.

                        Other Dining Out Moneysavers

1) Check your newspaper for ever-changing specials offered by local restaurants.

2) If you're taking your kids along, select a restaurant with a children's menu; you'll 20% or more.

3) Dine early. Many restaurants offer reduced prices if you're willing to come in before the crowd. Lunch is also less pricey than dinner.

4) Share large portions, even if there's a small fee for doing so.

5) Be a frequent diner. If the maitre ‘d, hostess or waiters get to know you (and you're not a miserable tipper), you may be treated to a free glass of wine or beer now and then or perhaps coffee and dessert.

This is true at one of my favorite restaurants that's also within walking distance of where I live and work in New York City. Mumbles, on the east side of Manhattan at Third Avenue and 17th Street, is very kind to its regular customers. In addition to excellent food (its shrimp dishes are among the best in the city) and generous drinks (wine glasses are filled almost to the top; none of this one-third full so it can breathe nonsense!), this Union Square/Gramercy Park area bistro has a friendly bar, similar to the neighborhood pubs in the UK. If you're in New York City, check out the daily early bird specials at: www.mumbles.com  or call: 212-477-6066.

6) Tell the date of your birthday. No need to confess the year! A growing number of restaurants, like Mumbles, offer a discount or a free entrée if you dine within 30 days of your birthday.

Bon Appetite!