Rib Entrees at Applebee’s

Sticky, sweet, and made for sharing, ribs have been an Applebee’s favorite for decades, and checking applebees rib entrees prices before you go is the easiest way to plan a dinner that fits your budget. The star of the section is the riblet: a tender, bite sized piece of rib meat that is slow cooked until it nearly falls apart, then glazed in a sauce that ranges from classic honey barbecue to sweet and spicy Asian inspired flavors. Most rib dinners arrive as full platters with two sides, which makes them filling enough for even the hungriest guest at the table. In this guide from The Menu Vault, we break down typical price ranges for every rib plate on the menu, spotlight the most popular picks, and share simple ways to pay less without giving up the flavor you came for. If you are comparing options across the full lineup, start with our Applebee’s menu prices overview or head to the Applebee’s hub for the big picture.

Riblets earned their place as a neighborhood grill icon because they deliver the full rib experience in an easy to eat format. There is no wrestling with a full rack or working around bones the size of drumsticks. Each piece is glazed, caramelized at the edges, and ready to pick up with your fingers, which is exactly how ribs should be eaten. Families love them because kids can handle the smaller pieces, groups love them because a platter disappears fast when everyone digs in, and budget minded diners love them because applebees rib entrees prices tend to sit lower than steakhouse rib prices while still feeling like a treat. The sauces do a lot of the heavy lifting here. Honey barbecue brings the classic sweet and smoky profile most people picture when they think of ribs. Sweet Asian chili adds a gentle heat and a glossy finish. A bourbon style glaze leans rich and slightly sweet with a deeper, darker flavor. Most locations let you pick your sauce or try a mix, so you are never locked into one taste.

Knowing what affects applebees rib entrees prices helps you order with confidence. Portion size is the biggest factor. A full dinner platter with two sides costs more than a smaller riblet basket served as an appetizer, even though the flavor is the same. The cut matters too. Baby back style ribs and half racks usually sit at the top of the price range because they use a premium cut and a larger portion of meat. Combination platters that pair riblets with chicken tenders or tenders with a different protein land in the middle, giving you variety for a moderate price. Your choice of sides can nudge the total up or down as well. Standard sides like fries, coleslaw, and steamed broccoli keep the bill near the base price, while swapping in a premium side or adding extra sauce cups adds a little to the check. Location plays a role too, since menu prices shift with local food and labor costs. A rib platter in a big city often runs a few dollars more than the same plate in a smaller town. Finally, limited time sauces and seasonal specials can carry a small premium, though the classic glazes stay at the regular price. None of these swings are dramatic, which is part of the appeal. Ribs at Applebee’s stay in the casual dining sweet spot no matter which way you order.

Applebees Rib Entrees Prices: Typical Ranges

When people look up applebees rib entrees prices, they usually want one thing: a realistic number before they sit down. Here is how the ranges typically break out across most markets. Full riblet dinner platters, the core of the section, usually run $13 to $18 and include two sides. That plate is the best apples to apples comparison if you are weighing ribs against other entrees. Smaller riblet baskets, often listed among the starters, typically run $9 to $13 and make a smart light dinner or a shared appetizer. Half rack baby back style rib dinners sit higher, usually $16 to $22, reflecting the premium cut and the generous portion. Rib and chicken combination platters generally land at $15 to $19, giving you two proteins and sides on one plate. Bourbon style glazed riblets and other specialty sauce versions typically fall at $14 to $18. These are typical ranges, not promises, since every location sets its own menu prices and limited time offers can shift the numbers.

It helps to compare these ranges with the rest of the menu. The famous 2 for 20 deal often includes a riblet entree option, which can bring the per person cost of a rib dinner well below the regular platter price when two people dine together. Against the chicken entrees, riblets usually cost a dollar or two more, which feels fair given the slow cooking involved. Against steak, ribs are the clear value play. A rib platter delivers that same hearty, grilled satisfaction for noticeably less than most steak dinners. Sauce choice rarely changes the price, so pick the flavor you actually want rather than the cheapest one. Extra sauce on the side is usually free or costs very little, and it is worth asking for if you like your ribs extra glazed. If you are feeding a group, two full platters plus a basket for the table often costs less per person than everyone ordering individual premium entrees, and nobody leaves hungry.

One more thing that shapes applebees rib entrees prices is timing. Lunch visits can be cheaper when the restaurant runs midday specials, and some locations discount select entrees on slower weeknights. Prices also tend to creep up slightly during peak dinner hours in tourist heavy areas, though the menu board price is the menu board price wherever you sit. The takeaway is simple: expect a full rib dinner to land in the mid teens, a smaller basket near ten dollars, and a half rack in the high teens to low twenties. That predictability is exactly why ribs remain one of the most ordered sections at Applebee’s. You know what you are getting, you know roughly what it costs thanks to published applebees rib entrees prices, and the plate rarely disappoints.

Most Popular Rib Entrees at Applebee’s

The rib menu is not huge, which is actually good news. A short list means every item has earned its spot, and the kitchen cooks each one constantly, so quality stays consistent. Below are the plates guests order again and again, with typical applebees rib entrees prices noted so you can plan your spread. If you want to see how these stack up against grilled options elsewhere on the menu, the steak entrees page makes a useful comparison.

Classic Honey Barbecue Riblets Platter

This is the riblet that started it all and still the top seller in the section. Tender riblet pieces are slow cooked until soft, then basted in a honey barbecue glaze that caramelizes into a sticky, sweet coating. The platter comes with two sides, and most guests pick fries and coleslaw for the classic barbecue joint feel. Typical applebees rib entrees prices for this plate run $13 to $17 in most markets. It suits first time rib orderers perfectly because the flavor is familiar and crowd pleasing, with no heat to worry about. Kids tend to love it, which makes it a safe pick for family dinners. The honey barbecue sauce is also the most widely available glaze, so you can count on finding it at nearly every location. If you only try one rib plate at Applebee’s, make it this one. It is the benchmark everything else in the section is measured against, and its applebees rib entrees prices set the standard for the section.

Sweet Asian Chili Riblets

For guests who want a little excitement, the sweet Asian chili glaze is the move. It keeps the same tender riblets as the classic platter but finishes them in a glossy sauce that balances sweetness with a mild chili kick. Sesame seeds and sliced green onions often top the plate, giving it a fresh look and a bit of crunch against the soft meat. The flavor lands between barbecue and takeout style glazed ribs, which makes it a fun change of pace without going too far from comfort food. Expect typical applebees rib entrees prices of $13 to $17 for the full platter with two sides. This version pairs especially well with steamed broccoli or a side salad, since the lighter sides balance the sweet heat of the glaze. It is also a strong pick for sharing, because the distinctive flavor gives the table something to talk about. If your group orders two rib platters at typical applebees rib entrees prices, make one of them this one for variety.

Smoky Barbecue Half Rack Baby Back Ribs

When only a proper rack of ribs will do, the half rack dinner delivers. These are baby back style ribs with more meat per bone than riblets, smoked and grilled flavor built in, and finished with a classic smoky barbecue sauce. The portion is generous: a half rack plus two sides is a serious dinner that most guests cannot finish without a to go box. Because it uses a premium cut, this plate sits at the top of the typical applebees rib entrees prices range, usually $16 to $22. It suits the dedicated rib lover who wants the full rack experience without the steakhouse price tag. The meat pulls cleanly from the bone when it is cooked right, which is the sign of a well handled rib. Garlic mashed potatoes make an excellent side here, soaking up any extra sauce that slides off the rack. Order this when you are truly hungry and want the most rib for your money in a single plate, even at the top of the applebees rib entrees prices range.

Riblets and Chicken Tenders Combo

Cannot decide between ribs and chicken? This combo plate ends the debate. You get a serving of glazed riblets alongside crispy chicken tenders, plus two sides, all on one platter. It is one of the smartest orders in the section because it covers two cravings for a price that usually undercuts ordering both items separately. Typical applebees rib entrees prices for combos run $15 to $19, placing this plate right in the middle of the range. The contrast works well: sticky, saucy riblets next to crisp, golden tenders with honey Dijon or barbecue for dipping. It is a great pick for indecisive diners, for couples who want to share, and for anyone who likes variety on the plate. The portion is large enough that lighter eaters sometimes split it and add a side salad. If the combo sounds good but you want to compare tenders on their own, the chicken section has the details. For current numbers, check the latest applebees rib entrees prices before you visit, since combo pricing shifts with promotions.

Bourbon Style Glazed Riblets

The bourbon style glaze is the grown up option in the riblet lineup. It is rich, dark, and slightly sweet, with a deep caramelized flavor that feels a step fancier than standard barbecue. The riblets get the same slow cooked treatment, then lacquered in the bourbon style sauce until the edges turn sticky and dark. This is the pick for guests who find honey barbecue a little too sweet and want something with more depth. Typical applebees rib entrees prices for this specialty glaze run $14 to $18 for the platter with two sides. It pairs beautifully with garlic mashed potatoes or loaded mashed sides that echo the rich flavor. Because it is a signature style sauce, availability is strong but not quite universal, so it is worth a glance at the menu when you sit down. Try it once and it may become your regular order, and the applebees rib entrees prices for this glaze stay fair for a specialty item.

Riblets Basket

The riblets basket is the section’s best kept secret for budget diners. It is a smaller portion of the same glazed riblets, often listed with the starters, and it delivers the full signature flavor at an appetizer price. Typical applebees rib entrees prices for the basket run $9 to $13, making it one of the cheapest ways to eat ribs at a sit down restaurant. Order it as a light dinner with a side salad, split it as a starter for the table, or pair it with a soup for a filling meal that stays near ten dollars. The bar snacks and appetizers menu sometimes features riblets in shareable form too, so check both sections. The basket is also a smart move for kids and smaller appetites who want the real rib taste without the full platter commitment. Do not overlook it just because it sits outside the entree list. Regulars know it is one of the best values in the building.

Best Value Picks for Applebees Rib Entrees Prices

If you want the most rib for the least money, start with the applebees rib entrees prices attached to bundle deals rather than single platters. The 2 for 20 deal is the headline act. When riblets appear in the entree choices, two people can each enjoy a rib dinner plus a shared appetizer for a fixed price that usually beats two separate platters by several dollars. It is the single best value in the section whenever it is available. Next best is the riblets basket ordered as a meal. At a typical $9 to $13, it costs less than most handcrafted burgers while delivering the restaurant’s signature flavor. Add a side salad and you have a complete dinner for roughly the price of a fast food combo, eaten at a real table with real plates.

Combination platters earn their value rating by replacing two orders with one. The riblets and chicken tenders combo feeds a big appetite for a mid range price, and couples often split it with an extra side for a dinner that costs less per person than two entrees. Splitting any full rib platter works the same way. Rib dinners come with two sides, so one platter plus one extra side order can comfortably feed two moderate eaters. Compare that with ordering two full dinners and the savings are obvious. Timing matters too. Lunch specials and weeknight promotions can shave a few dollars off the regular applebees rib entrees prices, so a rib craving satisfied at noon often costs less than the same craving at seven in the evening. Finally, do not forget the finish. A shared dessert after split rib platters keeps the whole outing feeling indulgent while the per person total stays friendly. The pattern is consistent: bundle, split, or go small, and ribs become one of the cheapest hearty dinners on the menu.

How to Save on Applebees Rib Entrees Prices

Bringing down applebees rib entrees prices is mostly about ordering smart, not ordering less flavor. These tactics work at nearly every location.

The cheapest rib dinner you can order

Put it all together and the lowest cost rib dinner looks like this: a riblets basket during happy hour with water, or a split full platter with a friend. Both approaches land near the bottom of typical applebees rib entrees prices while delivering the full sticky, smoky experience. It is proof that the best tasting order and the cheapest order are often the same plate.

Use the bundle deals first. The 2 for 20 is the obvious one, but watch for limited time rib specific promotions too. Applebee’s runs rib focused deals several times a year, and the promotional price can undercut the regular applebees rib entrees prices by a few dollars. Check the current offers before you decide what to order.

Time your visit around happy hour. While Applebee’s happy hour centers on drinks and snacks, the cheaper appetizer prices during those hours make the riblets basket an even better deal. A happy hour basket plus a discounted drink can be the cheapest rib dinner in the building.

Drink water or pick one drink. This sounds small, but beverages are where casual dining bills quietly grow. A rib platter with water costs meaningfully less than the same platter with two specialty drinks. If you want a drink, enjoy one and savor it rather than ordering refills of pricey options.

Skip the premium add ons. Extra meat, premium side swaps, and add on sauces nudge applebees rib entrees prices upward a dollar or two at a time. The standard platter with standard sides is already a full meal. Save the upgrades for a special occasion.

Split and share. Two people can share a full rib platter and one extra side, or split a combo platter, and both leave satisfied. Ribs are naturally shareable food, so this never feels like a compromise, and it is the fastest way to beat standard applebees rib entrees prices.

Join the email list and app. Applebee’s regularly sends coupons and birthday offers to members, and rib platters show up in those promotions often. A coupon that takes a few dollars off an entree stacks nicely with the already fair applebees rib entrees prices. It takes a minute to sign up and the savings repeat all year.

Frequently Asked Questions About Applebees Rib Entrees Prices

What are riblets at Applebee’s?

Riblets are smaller cuts of rib meat, slow cooked until tender and finished in a sweet or savory glaze. They deliver the classic rib flavor in bite sized pieces that are easier to eat than a full rack. Think of them as the most approachable way to enjoy ribs at a restaurant. The meat is soft, the sauce caramelizes on the edges, and you eat them with your fingers like all good ribs. They are the foundation of the rib section and the reason applebees rib entrees prices stay friendly compared with full rack dinners elsewhere, which is why so many diners look them up before choosing a restaurant.

How much is a full rib dinner at Applebee’s?

A full riblet dinner platter with two sides typically runs $13 to $18 in most markets. Half rack baby back style dinners run higher, usually $16 to $22, and combination platters with chicken generally land at $15 to $19. These typical applebees rib entrees prices can shift a few dollars by location, and limited time promotions sometimes lower them further. The riblets basket, a smaller appetizer sized portion, typically costs $9 to $13 if you want the flavor for less.

Are rib entrees included in the 2 for 20 deal?

Riblets have appeared in the 2 for 20 entree selection many times, though the participating items change with each promotion cycle. When they are included, it is one of the best values on the menu, since two rib dinners plus a shared appetizer cost less than two regular platters. Ask your server which entrees are in the current deal, because the lineup varies by location and by month. Even when ribs are not in the bundle, the regular applebees rib entrees prices remain reasonable for the portion.

Which rib sauce should I try first?

Start with honey barbecue. It is the classic for a reason: sweet, smoky, and loved by nearly everyone. If you like a little heat, sweet Asian chili is the next one to try, with its glossy finish and mild kick. Bourbon style glaze suits guests who want a deeper, richer flavor. Most locations let you mix sauces or order extra on the side, so you can sample more than one. Sauce choice does not usually change applebees rib entrees prices, so pick based on taste alone.

Can I order rib entrees to go?

Yes, rib platters travel well. The riblets hold their texture in a to go box better than many fried items, and the sauces stay glossy rather than getting soggy. Order an extra sauce cup on the side if you like them extra glazed, and reheat gently in the oven if they cool down on the drive home. To go pricing matches the dine in applebees rib entrees prices at most locations. Ribs also make a strong family takeout order: two platters plus a basket can feed four people at home for less than most delivery options.

Does Applebee’s have baby back ribs or only riblets?

Both have appeared on the menu. Riblets are the year round staple and the heart of the section. Baby back style half racks show up as a premium rib dinner at many locations, sitting at the top of the typical applebees rib entrees prices range. Availability of the half rack can vary more than the riblets, so check the menu at your local restaurant. If you are curious about off menu possibilities, our secret menus guide covers how to ask about unlisted favorites at chain restaurants.

Keep Exploring Applebee’s Ribs and More

Ribs are just one delicious corner of the menu, and smart diners compare applebees rib entrees prices with the rest of the lineup before deciding. The full Applebee’s menu prices overview puts every section side by side, from burgers to pasta. The Applebee’s hub rounds up everything we have written about the chain, including deals and ordering guides. If you time your visit right, the Applebee’s happy hour page shows when drinks and snacks go on special. For the wider world of chain dining, browse our menu prices pillar for hundreds of price guides, peek at secret menus for off menu ideas, or check happy hours to plan a cheaper night out. And you can always start fresh from the homepage whenever a new craving strikes. The Menu Vault keeps every guide updated with typical ranges so you always know what dinner should cost before you order it.