2 for 20 at Applebee’s

The applebees 2 for 20 is one of the most famous value deals in casual dining, and it has earned that reputation over many years. One shared appetizer plus two full entrees, all for one fixed price. This bundle turns an ordinary weeknight into an affordable night out, and it has made the restaurant a go-to spot for date nights, dinners with friends, and family meals that need to stay on budget. If you have ever wondered whether the applebees 2 for 20 is actually a good deal, this guide walks through everything: how it works, what it typically costs, which menu picks give you the most for your money, and how to order like someone who has done it a hundred times.

The idea behind the deal is simple. Instead of pricing every item separately, the restaurant bundles a starter and two mains into a single package price. You still get to choose what you eat, but the math is done for you. The applebees 2 for 20 has survived menu refreshes, price increases, and changing food trends because the core promise never changes: a complete dinner for two at a price that feels fair. Regulars plan their visits around it, and first timers often become converts after one meal.

This guide from The Menu Vault covers the popular dinner bundle in full detail. You will find typical price ranges, the appetizers and entrees that usually participate, strategies for picking the highest value combination, and answers to the questions guests ask most. For the bigger picture, see our Applebee’s menu prices overview and the Applebee’s hub for everything else the chain offers.

Applebee’s 2 for 20: Typical Prices

The applebees 2 for 20 typically runs $20 to $25 in many markets for the full package. That single price covers one shared appetizer and two entrees, each served with a side where the dish normally includes one. Tax and tip sit on top of the fixed price, and beverages are separate unless your location runs a drink special alongside the deal.

To understand why this bundle feels like such a bargain, compare it with ordering the same food separately. A shared appetizer at Applebee’s typically runs $7 to $13 on its own. Individual entrees like burgers, chicken dishes, and riblets usually land between $11 and $17 each. Ordered a la carte, the same three plates would often total $30 to $45 before tax. The fixed price compresses that into a single number, and the savings are real.

Prices vary by market. Restaurants in higher cost cities sometimes price the deal a few dollars above the national advertised figure, while suburban and small town locations tend to stick close to the base price. The offer is generally available every day at participating restaurants, though a small number of locations restrict it during peak holiday periods or special events. Calling ahead takes thirty seconds and removes any doubt.

What the Fixed Price Includes

The bundle price includes exactly three plates: one appetizer to share and two entrees. Each entree comes with its standard side, such as fries, broccoli, or a side salad, depending on what you choose. The appetizer is the shared starter course, and the two entrees are full size, the same portions you would get ordering off the regular menu. Nothing about the portions is downsized, which is part of why regulars trust the applebees 2 for 20.

What the price does not include: drinks, desserts, tax, and gratuity. Upgrades can also add to the bill. If you swap a standard side for a premium one, or add extra toppings to an entree, the upcharge appears on the check. None of this is hidden, but it helps to know before you order so the final total matches your expectations.

How Prices Have Moved Over Time

The deal has carried its name through several price eras. The “20” in the name reflects the original fixed price, and while the actual number has crept upward in many markets, the structure has stayed the same. Even at $22 or $25, this remains one of the strongest per-person values in sit down dining, because entree prices elsewhere on the menu have risen too.

When you evaluate the value, compare it against current menu prices rather than the nostalgic original figure. The bundle still discounts the a la carte total by a meaningful percentage, and that is the number that matters for your wallet. Guests who remember the early days sometimes grumble about the higher price, but the math still favors the bundle in almost every comparison.

Most Popular Applebee’s 2 for 20 Picks

The participating menu changes over time, but certain items appear again and again because guests love them. Here are the appetizers and entrees that typically anchor the deal, with notes on what makes each one a smart pick.

Boneless Wings

Boneless wings are one of the most popular appetizer choices. They arrive tossed in your choice of sauce, with celery and a dipping sauce on the side. As a shared starter, a basket of boneless wings splits easily between two people and sets a fun tone for the meal. On the regular menu, boneless wings typically run $9 to $13, so choosing them as your included appetizer captures solid value inside the fixed price.

Mozzarella Sticks

Mozzarella sticks are a crowd pleasing starter that rarely disappoints. The portion is generous enough to share, and they pair well with just about any entree that follows. They are a safe pick for tables where not everyone agrees on adventurous flavors. They typically cost $8 to $11 a la carte, making them a respectable value play.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

The spinach and artichoke dip is a warm, creamy starter served with chips or bread for scooping. It is one of the heartier appetizers in the lineup, and two people can easily make a dent in it before the entrees arrive. Fans of this dip often call it the best starter value in the deal because it is filling, shareable, and satisfying. Expect $8 to $12 for this dip ordered separately.

Chicken Quesadilla

The chicken quesadilla brings grilled chicken, melted cheese, and pico de gallo in a pressed tortilla, cut into shareable wedges. It eats almost like a small meal on its own, which makes it a strong pick when your table is hungry. A la carte, it usually runs $9 to $12.

Burgers

Burgers are the backbone of the entree lineup. The participating burgers are full size, served with fries or another side, and they are the same burgers sold at full price on the regular menu. A classic cheeseburger or a specialty burger with bacon and extra toppings both work well here. Since burgers typically cost $11 to $15 on their own, picking burgers as your entrees locks in strong value.

Grilled Chicken

Grilled chicken entrees offer a lighter path through the meal without giving up the bundle savings. The chicken is seasoned and grilled, served with two sides, and it appeals to diners who want a full dinner that does not feel heavy. Typical a la carte prices for grilled chicken run $12 to $16.

Riblets

Riblets are a signature Applebee’s item and a frequent headliner. The platter arrives saucy and satisfying, and riblets feel like a treat, which makes them a popular choice for date nights. Ordered separately, riblet platters usually land between $13 and $17, so they are among the highest value entrees you can choose.

Chicken Tenders

Chicken tenders are the comfort pick of the entree list. Crispy, dippable, and universally liked, they are the easiest choice for tables with picky eaters. The portion is generous, and the tenders hold up well as leftovers if you cannot finish. Expect $11 to $14 for tenders outside the bundle.

Best Value in the Applebee’s 2 for 20

Not all combinations are equal. The bundle price is fixed, so your savings grow when you pick the priciest eligible items. This is the central strategy for maximizing value, and regulars use it instinctively.

Start with the appetizer. Compare the a la carte prices of the participating starters and choose the one that costs the most on its own. The chicken quesadilla and the spinach and artichoke dip often top the list. Avoid picking the cheapest starter if a pricier one appeals to you equally, because the bundle erases the price difference entirely.

Do the same with entrees. Riblets and specialty burgers usually carry the highest individual prices, so they deliver the biggest discount inside the fixed price. Grilled chicken is delicious but typically cheaper, so it saves you less in bundle terms. This is not a reason to order food you do not want, but when you are torn between two entrees, the pricier one is the better deal.

The Math of Maximum Value

Consider a high value order: spinach and artichoke dip ($10 a la carte), a riblet platter ($15), and a specialty burger ($14). Ordered separately, that is $39 before tax and tip. Inside the bundle at $22, you save $17, a discount of more than forty percent. That is the ceiling of what the applebees 2 for 20 can do for your wallet.

A lower value order might be mozzarella sticks ($8), grilled chicken ($12), and chicken tenders ($12), totaling $32 separately. At the same $22 bundle price, you save $10. Still a good deal, but the gap shows why picking higher priced items matters. Either way, ordering as a bundle beats ordering separately, but smart picks widen the margin.

When the Deal Shines Brightest

The bundle delivers its best value when both diners are hungry enough for a full appetizer plus an entree. If one person eats lightly, the per person savings shrink. The deal also shines for groups that split into pairs, with each pair ordering their own bundle and sharing appetizers family style across the table.

Think of it as a template rather than a rigid rule. Some couples order the bundle and add a side salad to round out the meal. Others use it as the base and let each person order a happy hour drink alongside. The flexibility is part of its lasting appeal, and it is why the applebees 2 for 20 remains popular year after year.

How to Save on the Applebee’s 2 for 20

The bundle is already discounted, but a few habits push the total even lower. These strategies stack with the fixed price rather than replacing it.

Drink Smart

Beverages are the fastest way to inflate the check. Cocktails and specialty drinks can cost as much as an entree. Ordering water, or timing your visit to overlap with happy hour drink specials, keeps the beverage line reasonable. Many locations run late afternoon drink deals that pair naturally with an early dinner. Check our Applebee’s happy hour guide for typical timings.

Skip the Upgrades

Premium side swaps, extra toppings, and add on proteins each carry a surcharge. The standard sides are perfectly good, and the entrees are designed to satisfy without extras. If you want to customize, ask what is included before you commit, so a two dollar swap here and a three dollar addition there do not quietly erase your savings.

Join the Email Club

Applebee’s runs an email club and periodic promotions that can layer with everyday value. Birthday offers, limited time coupons, and app exclusives appear throughout the year. While these rarely discount the bundle price itself, they can cover appetizers on a future visit or add a free dessert to the current one. Signing up costs nothing and the offers are genuinely useful for regulars.

Split Strategically

Two light eaters can sometimes split a single bundle, sharing the appetizer and each taking one entree, then adding a side salad if needed. More commonly, the leftovers strategy wins: portions are generous, and dinner often produces lunch for the next day, which cuts the effective per meal cost dramatically.

Time Your Visit

Visiting during off peak hours can improve the experience even when the price is the same. Shorter waits, more attentive service, and a relaxed pace make the meal feel like an even better deal. Weekday evenings are often calmer than Friday and Saturday, and the food tastes just as good on a Tuesday.

Who Should Order the Applebee’s 2 for 20

The applebees 2 for 20 is not for everyone, but it fits a lot of dining situations remarkably well. Couples on date night are the classic audience: the applebees 2 for 20 delivers a full shared appetizer plus two entrees at a price that leaves room in the budget for a drink or dessert. The fixed price also removes the awkwardness of splitting a check, since the core of the meal is already bundled.

Friends catching up over dinner love the applebees 2 for 20 for the same reason. Everyone orders what they want from the participating list, the appetizer becomes a shared conversation starter, and nobody has to do math at the table. Families with teenagers find the applebees 2 for 20 practical too, since the hearty portions satisfy big appetites without the big bill that usually comes with them.

The applebees 2 for 20 is less ideal for solo diners, since it is built for two, and for anyone who only wants a light meal. If you just want a salad and water, ordering a la carte will cost less than the bundle. But for any pair that wants a real dinner out, the applebees 2 for 20 is one of the easiest yes decisions in casual dining.

Large Groups and the Applebee’s 2 for 20

Groups of four or six can order multiple applebees 2 for 20 bundles and turn the table into a feast. Two bundles for four people means two shared appetizers and four entrees, which is plenty of food and variety. The applebees 2 for 20 scales cleanly this way, and splitting the total evenly is simple because every bundle costs the same. For birthday dinners and office outings, this approach keeps things easy for the organizer and affordable for everyone.

Applebee’s 2 for 20 FAQs

How does the applebees 2 for 20 work?

You choose one appetizer to share from the participating starters, and each diner chooses one entree from the participating mains. The restaurant charges one fixed price for the whole bundle, typically $20 to $25 depending on the market. Drinks, tax, and tip are extra, and premium upgrades may add a surcharge.

Is the applebees 2 for 20 available every day?

At most participating locations, yes, it runs daily. A small number of restaurants restrict it during holidays or special events. If you are planning around it, a quick call to your local restaurant confirms availability.

What appetizers are included in the applebees 2 for 20?

The lineup changes over time, but it usually includes favorites like boneless wings, mozzarella sticks, spinach and artichoke dip, and chicken quesadillas. Your server or the menu will show the current participating starters, since the exact list varies by location and menu cycle.

What entrees can I choose in the applebees 2 for 20?

Typical participating entrees include burgers, grilled chicken, riblets, and chicken tenders, each served with a side. The exact selection rotates, so check the current menu. Higher priced entrees like riblets and specialty burgers give you the most value inside the fixed price.

Can I substitute items in the applebees 2 for 20?

Side substitutions are often allowed, sometimes with a small upcharge for premium sides. Swapping the appetizer or entree outside the participating list usually is not permitted, or it voids the bundle pricing. Ask your server before customizing so there are no surprises on the check.

Is the applebees 2 for 20 actually a good deal?

Yes, for most diners it is a strong deal. Ordering the same three plates separately typically costs $30 to $45, so the $20 to $25 bundle saves a meaningful amount. The value is strongest when you pick higher priced appetizers and entrees and skip paid upgrades. Even a conservative order beats a la carte pricing, which is why the applebees 2 for 20 has lasted so long.

Does the applebees 2 for 20 include dessert?

No, dessert is not part of the applebees 2 for 20 bundle. The fixed price covers one shared appetizer and two entrees. If you want something sweet to finish, desserts are ordered separately, typically $6 to $9. Some guests find they are too full for dessert after the applebees 2 for 20 anyway, given the generous portions.

Can I get the applebees 2 for 20 to go?

Takeout availability for the applebees 2 for 20 varies by location. Many restaurants offer it for curbside pickup or delivery orders, packaged as the appetizer plus two entrees. If you are planning a takeout night around the applebees 2 for 20, call ahead or check the online ordering menu to confirm it is offered to go at your location.

Keep Exploring

This famous deal is the chain’s best known value, but it is far from the only way to save at Applebee’s. The applebees 2 for 20 leads the value lineup, and the rest of the menu has plenty to offer too. Browse the full Applebee’s menu prices guide for every category, from handcrafted burgers and chicken entrees to fresh salads, desserts, and sides. Check Applebee’s happy hour for drink deals, visit the Applebee’s hub for the complete overview, or compare menu prices across all chains. Whether you come for the applebees 2 for 20 or explore the full menu, you can also peek at the secret menus collection and the happy hours hub for more ways to eat well for less, or return to The Menu Vault homepage to start fresh.