Applebee’s Menu Prices & Half Price Appetizers (2023)

Are you ready to eat good in the neighborhood? Here are the Applebee’s menu prices for 2023 on everything from burgers to steaks and salad. I also share my favorite ways to save money when dining at Applebee’s including the half-priced appetizers.

• Applebee’s 2 for $25
• Appetizers
• Steaks & Ribs
• Sizzling Entrees
• Chicken
• Salads
• Pasta
• Seafood
• Burgers
• Sandwiches & More
• Under 600 Calories
• Kid’s Menu
• Half Off Appetizer Deals
• Ways to Save Money at Applebee’s

Applebee’s menu poster.

Appetizers

Steaks & Ribs

Sizzling Entrees

Chicken

Salads

Pasta

Seafood

Burgers

Sandwiches & More

Under 600 Calories

Extras

Kid’s Menu

Desserts

Beverages

When are Applebee’s appetizers half price?

At Applebee’s, you can enjoy its appetizers and pay only half its price. What’s more, is that you can do it twice a day, one from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM and from 9:00 PM until closing time.

As you can see, at 50% off the appetizer prices are significantly cheaper.

• Mozzarella Sticks — reg. $9.29, 50% off = $4.64
• Spinach & Artichoke Dip — reg. $9.59, 50% off = $4.79
• Chicken Quesadilla — reg. $10.59, 50% off = $5.29
• Boneless Wings — reg. $12.59, 50% off = $6.29
• Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip — reg. $9.99, 50% off = $4.99
• Chicken Wonton Tacos — reg. $9.99, 50% off = $4.99

Keep in mind that not every appetizer on the menu is 50%. Each Applebee’s location determines the menu items that are available for happy hour or late night.

Applebee’s boneless chicken wings.

What are the best ways to save money at Applebee’s?

Here are some of the most effective ways to save money on your next Applebee’s visit.

Discounted Gift Cards: Applebee’s regularly sells gift cards at a discount around the holidays. For example in honor of Father’s Day the restaurant is offering a free $10 gift card when you spend $50 on gift cards for dad (or yourself). This is a great opportunity to save money considering it’s like getting 20% more value for every $50 in spend you make. If you’re planning to dine at Applebee’s in the future this is a smart purchase.

Join the E-Club: Applebee’s offers an Email Club where you can receive exclusive deals and specials. They often send coupons to subscribers, and you also receive a free appetizer like Mozzarella Sticks, Classic Wings, or Quesadillas just for signing up.

On your birthday, you will also be eligible for a free dessert like New York Cheesecake, Carrot Cake, or Apple Pie à la Mode. Be prepared to show your Applebee’s server your Club Applebee’s email confirmation or driver’s license with your birthday.

Veterans and Military Discount: Applebee’s offers a 10% discount to active duty military, veterans, and reservists at participating restaurants. Every Veterans Day on November 11, vets and active-duty military are given a free meal with proof of service as a special Veterans Day military offer.

Happy Hour Specials: Applebee’s offers happy hour specials twice a day, from 3pm to 6pm and from 9pm to close. During these times, you can enjoy discounts on appetizers, drinks, and desserts. The appetizers specifically are half-priced.

• Appetizers: Half-price on select appetizers, such as mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, and quesadillas.
• Drinks: $3 beers, $5 wine, and $2 cocktails.
• Desserts: $2 off on select desserts, such as cheesecake and carrot cake.

Daily Specials: Some locations have daily specials that are available for a short period of time. For example, all summer long Applebee’s is offering a $6 Sips on the Beach promotion where diners ages of 21 years of age and older can get a Mucho Mai Tai made with Captain Morgan and Passion on the Beach made with Tito’s Vodka.

Kids Eat Free on Wednesdays: Applebee’s offers a Kids Eat Free promotion on Wednesdays from 4pm to 10pm. During this time, children 12 and under can get a free kids meal with the purchase of an adult entrée. Make sure to call ahead on this one as not every location offers this deal.

2 for $25 Deals

Applebee’s often runs promotional deals such as “2 for $25” deals where you get two entrées and an appetizer for a set price. The current 2 for $25 deal allows you to choose two entrées and one full-sized appetizer for just $25.

Pick Two Entrées: Choose from the following entrées: 6 oz. Top Sirloin, Riblets Plate, Classic Burger, Classic Cheeseburger, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Grilled Oriental Chicken Salad, Oriental Chicken Salad.

Pick 1 Appetizer: Buffalo Boneless Wings, Crunchy Onion Rings, Spinach Artichoke Dip, Mozzarella Sticks, or Two Side Salads.

The deal is available in-restaurant or with carside pickup, delivery. The deal is not available with other discounts or promotions.

For a little bit more, you can order premium items with the 2 for $25 deal. For example you could upgrade to an 8 oz. Top Sirloin ($2.50 more), Riblets Platter ($3.00 more), Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp ($2.50 more), Classic Bacon Cheeseburger ($1.00 more), and the Whiskey Bacon Burger ($2.50 more). For each premium item you increase the price tag of the deal by 4% – 12% depending on the upgrade you select.

How is Applebee’s food made? Are Applebee’s meals frozen?

Applebee’s, like many chain restaurants, uses a combination of fresh and pre-prepared foods in their kitchens. For operational efficiency and consistency across all locations, certain elements of their dishes may be prepared in a central kitchen, frozen, and then shipped to individual locations. These items might then be cooked from frozen or refrigerated states.

Related Reading: Texas Roadhouse Menu Prices + New Discounts 

However, Applebee’s also uses fresh ingredients in their kitchens. For instance, vegetables may be delivered fresh and then chopped and prepared in the kitchen. Steaks, for example, are typically delivered to the restaurant fresh and then seasoned and cooked to order. The balance between fresh and pre-prepared ingredients can depend on the specific dish and individual restaurant location.

There is a benefit to this approach. The process ensures consistency across all locations – when you order a particular dish at an Applebee’s, the goal is that it should taste the same whether you’re in California or New York.

Does Applebee’s use beef or pork ribs?

Applebee’s is well known for its Riblets, which are made from pork, not beef. A Riblet is a smaller cut of rib with meat on both sides of the bone. These Riblets are marinated and slow-cooked to become tender. The meat is cooked finished on the grill with a variety of different sauces, such as honey barbecue or spicy Texas barbecue for enhanced flavor.

A true classic: Applebee’s Classic Bacon Cheeseburger.

Are Applebee’s riblets real ribs?

Yes, Applebee’s Riblets are made from real ribs. They come from a section of the pork rib known as the button rib. The button rib is a flat, circular section of the rib bone surrounded by meat, typically found towards the backbone and including part of the back ribs. It’s a smaller, more compact cut than what you might picture as a traditional rib.

This part of the rib is often left behind when the back and spare ribs are cut from the pig. Riblets are smaller than full-size ribs, but they’re still real ribs with meat on the bone.

Is Chilis or Applebee’s cheaper?

Applebee’s and Chili’s generally have similar price points as they both operate in the casual dining sector. The cost can vary slightly depending on the specific menu items, the location of the restaurant, and any current promotions or specials.

Both chains offer a variety of entrées, appetizers, and desserts with prices typically ranging from about $10 to $20 USD for main dishes. They also both often run deals, such as combination meals or discounts on certain days of the week, which can provide additional value.

A crowd favorite: Chicken Fajita Rollup.

Does Applebee’s serve ribeye steaks?

Applebee’s does offer a Ribeye steak on their menu. Their Ribeye is a 12-ounce cut that is seasoned and grilled to the customer’s preferred level of doneness.

Applebee’s is better known for it’s lower priced steak options like the top sirloin available on the 2 for $25 menu.

Why is Applebee’s so expensive?

The perception of Applebee’s as “expensive” may be subjective and depends on what you’re comparing it to. Applebee’s is categorized as a casual dining restaurant, which is a step above fast food in terms of both price and service.

Applebee’s is generally comparable in price to similar casual dining chains. Restaurants like Chili’s, TGI Friday’s, and Outback Steakhouse offer a similar range of prices for similar meals.

For instance, main courses at these establishments typically fall within the $10 to $20 range, depending on the specific dish. Of course, premium dishes like steaks or seafood can cost more. Appetizers, desserts, and beverages also add to the total cost.

All of these chains often run deals that provide an appetizer and two entrées for a set price. These kinds of promotions can provide significant value and can make the pricing more competitive compared to fast-casual or fast-food restaurants.

A feast waiting for you: Shrimp Parmesan Sirloin.

Here are a few factors that might contribute to their pricing:

Quality and Variety of Food: Applebee’s offers a wide range of dishes, from salads and sandwiches to seafood, pasta, and steaks. The ingredients needed for these meals, and the processes to prepare them, can cost more than the simpler fare offered by fast food restaurants.

Labor Costs: Casual dining restaurants like Applebee’s typically provide a higher level of service than fast food or fast-casual establishments. This includes hosts, waitstaff, and bartenders, all of whom need to be paid.

Overhead Costs: The cost of running a full-service restaurant — which includes utilities, rent, licensing, insurance, and maintaining the dining space — can be quite high. These costs are often factored into the price of the meals.

Profit Margins: Like any business, Applebee’s aims to make a profit. While they strive to keep prices as competitive as possible, they also need to ensure they’re earning enough to cover all their costs and make a reasonable profit.

Location: Restaurants in areas with higher costs of living, like big cities or popular tourist areas, might have higher prices to offset the increased cost of doing business in those areas.

If you find Applebee’s too expensive, there are several ways to save money, such as taking advantage of their “2 for $20” or “2 for $25” deals, eating during Happy Hour, or joining their e-club to receive coupons and learn about special promotions. You can also consider sharing an entrée or appetizer, as the portion sizes are typically quite large.

Does Applebee’s have MSG in their food?

Applebee’s, like many other restaurant chains, does not make a blanket statement about the use of monosodium glutamate (MSG) in their food. Some of their dishes or ingredients may contain MSG, while others may not.

If you’re concerned about MSG in your food due to sensitivity or for other health reasons, it’s always a good idea to ask the restaurant directly about the ingredients in the specific dishes you’re interested in. You can also often find allergen information on the restaurant’s website, although this may not always include specific information about MSG.

A serving of Applebee’s Chicken Tenders.

Does Applebee’s serve sweet potatoes?

Applebee’s does not typically list sweet potatoes as a standard side option on their menu. They offer a variety of sides such as fries, garlic mashed potatoes, steamed broccoli, coleslaw, and others, but sweet potatoes have not one of those options.

Does Applebee’s serve potato soup?

No, Applebee’s does not serve potato soup.

Does Applebee’s have baked potatoes?

Applebee’s used to serve baked potatoes but has since discontinued it. On a Facebook post in 2018, a user commented about missing Applebee’s baked potatoes which the chain replied to saying “We’re sorry to hear you’re missing our baked potatoes, Coleen. We like to keep a variety of potato options on our menu. We will let our Food & Beverage Team know you’d like to see the baked potato back on the menu!”.

Who owns Applebee’s?

Applebee’s is owned by Dine Brands Global, which also owns IHOP (International House of Pancakes). Dine Brands Global is one of the world’s largest full-service dining companies and operates more than 3,500 restaurants under these brands.

Originally, Applebee’s was started by Bill and T.J. Palmer. They opened their first location in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1980. The Palmers sold the business concept to W.R. Grace and Company in 1983, and Bill Palmer was named president of the Applebee’s Division, an indirect subsidiary of W.R. Grace and Company. He became an Applebee’s franchisee in 1985 and today owns more than three dozen Applebee’s restaurants.

In 2007, IHOP Corp. purchased Applebee’s International Inc., originally planning to turn the company around by selling company-owned restaurants to franchise owners. IHOP Corp. then changed its name to DineEquity Inc., which was later rebranded to Dine Brands Global.

Why is Applebee’s so expensive? Have prices gone up?

Applebee’s president John Cywinski said that restaurant raised prices by 7% since the second quarter of 2021. In 2022, CEO John Peyton said that they are making an emphasis on the value of their products.

Applebee’s has positioned itself as a value-oriented casual dining restaurant where customers can enjoy “delicious food and generous proportions in a wonderful environment at an affordable and approachable price at times like these when economics are tough for our guests.” You can see these value oriented offerings in action with the happy hour, late night specials and 2 for $25 meals.

Although Applebee’s has increased its prices, the chain mentioned that they have seen an increase in sales and that despite seeing a drop in sales for people making under $50,000 a year, it did not significantly impact the company’s quarterly results.

Applebee’s is a popular American company that operates a chain of casual dining restaurants. It was founded by Bill and T.J. Palmer in Decatur, Georgia on November 19, 1980. The Palmers designed a restaurant that focused on casual dining, with a menu that included a variety of appetizers, entrées, and desserts. They aimed to create a neighborhood grill and bar-type atmosphere, which is why the full name of the restaurant is “Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar”.

Related Reading: Outback Steakhouse Menu & Price Increases 

After opening their first location and finding success, the Palmers sold their restaurant concept to W.R. Grace and Company in 1983. From there, the chain began to grow rapidly, with the first franchise restaurant opening in Kansas City, Missouri in 1985.

Applebee’s has grown into a globally recognized brand. There are more than 1,700 Applebee locations worldwide, including restaurants in Canada, Mexico, and various countries in the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, in addition to its many locations throughout the United States.