Sometimes the Lunch Ladies need to get out of the office. But deciding where to go to get a healthy meal can be difficult, especially when one of the ladies is following the Weight Watchers plan to shed some extra pounds.

Enter Applebee's. The restaurant launched a special menu in May 2004 that lists calories, fat, fiber and Weight Watchers Points for each of its 10 items. Web site: www.applebees.com/menu/menu_ww.php ONION SOUP

AU GRATIN Beef broth with caramelized onions, topped with a crouton and reduced-fat cheese.

Price: $3.49

Texture/taste: The crouton came separately in the to-go order. So when we got to the office, we plopped it on top the way it's served in the restaurant. Unfortunately, this caused the crouton to become soggy. The soup's flavor was a bit salty, but overall delicious, with just the right amount of cheese.

Gretchen: I suggest ordering the crouton on the side when eating in the restaurant, too. That way you can dip it sparingly.

Kimberly: This was my favorite of the Applebee's items. It tasted like the real deal and had only 150 calories.

Score: 4 lunch bags (out of 5)

PER SERVING: Cal 150; Fat 8 g; Fiber 1 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 3. GRILLED SHRIMP

SKEWER SALAD Marinated shrimp skewers served on a bed of mixed greens; tossed with a lemon-herb vinaigrette, sugar snap peas, tomatoes and red onions.

Price: $8.99

Texture/taste: The best part of this salad was the scrumptious shrimp. We think they marinated them in ambrosia. Seriously, they were that good. The crunchy snap peas were also a bonus.

Gretchen: I've gotten really tired of Italian dressing, the only light option on many restaurant menus. So this tangy, lemony vinaigrette was a pleasant change. And look below - only 3 points for the whole meal! Hallelujah!

Kimberly: Gretchen's right - the shrimp were perfect, and there were a lot of them. I would have liked to have seen some fresher and greener greens.

Score: 4 lunch bags

PER SERVING: Cal 170; Fat 1 g; Fiber 7 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 3. GRILLED TILAPIA WITH MANGO SALSA Seasoned grilled fish topped with mango salsa, served over rice pilaf with steamed vegetables.

Price: $7.99

Texture/taste: The fish had a mild flavor; a squeeze of lemon helped it out. The steamed carrots, squash and broccoli were cooked perfectly and even held up when reheated in the microwave.

Gretchen: The mango salsa kept this dish from being boring.

Kimberly: I don't think the fish was seasoned, but the salsa saved the day.

Score: 4 lunch bags

PER SERVING: Cal 340; Fat 8 g; Fiber 4 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 7. SIZZLING

CHICKEN SKILLET Strips of grilled, marinated chicken breast served in a skillet with steamed peppers, squash, mushrooms and onions; served with pico de gallo, roasted tomato salsa, salsa ranch dressing, shredded lettuce and wheat tortillas

Price: $8.99

Texture/taste: Of the two sauces, the roasted tomato salsa was the best. The salsa ranch dressing was fake-tasting. This entree brought many co-workers into the break room wondering what smelled so good.

Gretchen: If you're not a vegetable fan, you may be disappointed. There were a lot more of them than chicken.

Kimberly: This was superb and didn't taste like a low-calorie meal at all.

Score: 4 lunch bags

PER SERVING: Cal 360; Fat 4 g; Fiber 10 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 7. CHOCOLATE

RASPBERRY

LAYER CAKE Chocolate cake covered in a light cream cheese glaze, powdered sugar and raspberry sauce.

Price: $3.99

Texture/taste: Who would ever think that chocolate could be bad? The cake was dry, and the cream cheese was rubbery.

Gretchen: What a letdown.

Kimberly: This was the most heinous dessert I've ever tried and was revolting beyond words.

Score: 1 lunch bag

PER SERVING: Cal 230; Fat 3 g; Fiber 3 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 4. BERRY LEMON

CHEESECAKE Lemon cheesecake served over strawberry slices and topped with raspberry sauce.

Price: $3.99

Texture/taste: The texture was moist and creamy - not as firm as regular cheesecake, which is probably why it didn't come as a slice. Warning: This dessert is only for those with an intense sweet tooth.

Gretchen: As someone who prefers to eat only the icing on her cake, this was right up my alley.

Kimberly: Normally I would say this dessert was too sweet, but I owed it great thanks for cleansing my palate of the unwelcome but lingering chocolate raspberry nastiness.

Score: 5 lunch bags

PER SERVING: Cal 230; Fat 7 g; Fiber 2 g; Weight Watchers Winning Points 5.