Boston Mag's Top 50 Restaurants + Possible Denny's Closures: Food Week

MASSACHUSETTS — Welcome to Patch's weekly round up of food and restaurant news in Massachusetts, where we review openings, closings and more in the state's dining scene.

This week, we learned that Denny's plans to close 150 restaurants across its portfolio by 2025. Though a full list of locations wasn't available at the time of publication, Denny's does operate four restaurants in Massachusetts.

Boston Magazine also released its annual top 50 restaurants piece, which was published alongside a collection of the best new restaurants in the Greater Boston area.

Here's what was cooking this week in Massachusetts:

• Hungry Pot Opens In Natick
• Denny's To Shutter 150 Restaurants By 2025: See MA Locations
• Trick-Or-Treat: Kids Eat Free At MA Applebee's On Halloween
• Framingham Health Experts Make The Case For Pumpkin As A Superfood
• Milford Youth Center Receives Snacks Donation
• Boston Magazine's Top 50 Restaurants

Freebie Of The Week

Kids can fuel up for free at Massachusetts Applebee's this year before trekking around their neighborhood for trick-or-treating.

The chain announced in a news release that diners can get up to two kids' meals for free throughout the day on Oct. 31 this year. Those kids meals can be had alongside the purchase of a regular entrée, company officials said.

Kids under the age of 12 are eligible for the deal, which comes with an entrée, side and beverage. The deal is only able to be redeemed for in-person dining, not takeout.

All 24 Applebee's locations are participating in the deal.

In addition to the deal for kids, Applebee's has brought back its special $1 cocktail, plus a lineup of other themed drinks.

The Dollar Zombie is a mix of rum, passion fruit, pineapple, cherry, lime and a gummi brain garnish for just $1. They've also launched a "Spooky Sips" lineup that includes $10 bucket drinks.

The "Franken-Mama" is the chain's take on the Bahama Mama cocktail with Bacardí Superior Rum mixed with Applebee’s signature blue tropical mix and a gummi brain garnish. The "Dracula’s Juice" Bucket is made with Patron Silver Tequila and Ole Smoky Blackberry Moonshine with triple sec, strawberry and lemon.

For those who aren't looking for their cocktails in a bucket, the chain has launched a $5 "Boo Lagoon" cocktail with Bacardí Superior Rum, Malibu Coconut Rum, blue curaçao and pineapple juice.