Applebee's 2 for $25 gets you one appetizer and two full-size entrées for $25, or two side salads in place of the appetizer. The newest entrée is the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, added August 31, 2026 and served in a skillet of molten queso. Drinks and dessert aren't included. On a typical order you save about $16.
How the 2 for $25 Works
- A starter. Any appetizer on the deal, or two side salads.
- Two entrées. Each person picks their own. They don't have to match.
- $25. That's $12.50 a person before drinks, tax and tip.
The entrées are the same size as the regular menu. Full deal terms and the fine print live on the specials and deals page.
This bundle is only one of the offers running at any given time, so before you order it is worth a quick look at Applebee's deals and specials to see everything currently live in one place.
The Side Salad Swap Most People Miss
You can skip the shared appetizer and take two side salads instead, at no extra cost.
It sounds like a small detail. It isn't. A shared appetizer runs 590 to 1,170 calories and is built for splitting, while a House Side Salad is 160 calories each. When both entrées already sit above 1,000 calories, choosing the salads is the biggest single change you can make to the meal. It also ends the argument when one person wants wings and the other doesn't.
2 for $25 Entrées in 2026
New this year
- O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger (new August 31, 2026, dine-in only). The Quesadilla Burger, with bacon and Pepper Jack, served sizzling in a skillet of molten queso and melted Cheddar, with white corn tortilla chips, pico and cilantro. If you order it, you're eating in.
- Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger. A beef patty stacked with four slices of American cheese and sweet and savory jam on toasted potato bread, with tomato basil soup for dipping. 1,420 calories.
- Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine. Breaded chicken, marinara and mozzarella over fettuccine, with a garlic breadstick. 1,480 calories.
- California Grilled Chicken Salad. Grilled chicken with avocado cucumber salsa, tomatoes, bacon and Parmesan. 920 calories, the lightest entrée on the deal.
Still on the deal
- Fiesta Lime Chicken. Grilled chicken with Mexi-ranch, cheese, tortilla strips and Spanish rice. 1,190 calories and 61g of protein. See chicken.
- Oriental Chicken Salad. Applebee's signature salad, and a trap for anyone ordering light. Crispy, it's 1,560 calories, heavier than a Classic Bacon Cheeseburger by 340. Grilled, it's 900. See salads.
- Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp. Cajun chicken and blackened shrimp on a sizzling skillet. 1,010 calories and 57g of protein. See skillets.
The line-up isn't identical everywhere. Franchisees pick which entrées they offer, and some charge a few dollars more to swap in a steak. The insert on your table is the final word.
Which 2 for $25 Items Carry an Upcharge?
Most 2 for $25 picks are included at the flat $25. Premium picks — steak swaps, ribs and a few premium dishes — can add a surcharge at some locations, typically $2.50 per item and $3.00 for the Riblet Platter. Applebee's publishes no national upcharge list, so the figures below are location-reported (FrugallyDelish, October 2026) and your local menu is the final word.
| Premium pick | Typical upcharge | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Whiskey Bacon Burger | $2.50 | Premium burger pick — verify on your local menu |
| Half Rack Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs | $2.50 | Premium pick — verify on your local menu |
| Riblet Platter | $3.00 | Highest flat fee reported on the deal |
| Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp | $2.50 | On the entrée list above, but reported as a premium pick at some locations |
| 3 Cheese Chicken Pasta | $2.50 | Premium pick — verify on your local menu |
| 8 oz Top Sirloin | $2.50 | Steak swap — verify on your local menu |
Everything else on the picklist is flat. The 6 oz Top Sirloin is included at the flat $25 where offered — it is a limited-time addition, so availability varies by restaurant — and the current deal appetizers carry no upcharge. Premium appetizers outside the picklist, such as Neighborhood Nachos, are not part of the deal at all rather than an upcharge on it. One tracker claims steak surcharges of $4–$6 per person; no current source verifies that figure, so it is not used here. Item-by-item detail is in the 2 for $25 upcharge guide.
Why some locations charge more
- Nearly every Applebee's is franchise-owned. The operator sets local prices, including which premium picks carry extra.
- Applebee's publishes no national upcharge list. There are no official per-item figures to compare against, which is why deal trackers report location by location.
- The official disclaimer covers all of it: "price, participation and selection may vary."
Upcharge vs the 2 for $30 tier
Two premium picks at +$2.50 each take a $25 deal to $30 — exactly the price of the 2 for $30 tier, which folds steak picks like the 7 oz Top Sirloin into a flat $30 with no per-item surcharge. If you are ordering premium picks anyway, ask whether your restaurant runs the $30 tier: it is the cleaner route to steak and ribs, though it runs at select locations only.
2 for $25 vs 2 for $30: The Premium Tier
| Tier | Appetizer | Entrées | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 for $25 | 1 full-size shareable from the deal appetizer list (or two side salads) | 2 from the classic list — burgers, chicken, pasta, salads | $25 flat; premium picks can add $2.50–$3.00 each at some locations |
| 2 for $30 | 1 shareable, same appetizer picklist | 2 from the premium list — 7 oz Top Sirloin, Double Crunch Shrimp, Oriental Chicken Salad, Riblet Platter, Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne | $30 flat, no per-item surcharge |
The $30 tier is not a nationwide promotion like the $25 deal — it is a limited-time premium variant at select locations only, so confirm your restaurant runs it before you plan on it. The premium picklist above is the consensus across independent menu trackers (checked October 19, 2026, per our 2 for $30 menu guide); Applebee's own 2 for $25 page, re-checked October 28, 2026, confirms the $25 tier's structure (1 full-size appetizer and 2 whole entrées for $25) and publishes no national $30 tier, which is why the $30 row carries the select-locations caveat.
How to avoid a surprise at the register
- Check your local menu first. Enter your ZIP code on applebees.com — upcharge items are marked on the restaurant's own menu.
- Ask your server which picks carry extra before you order. Thirty seconds, no surprise.
- Remember tax and gratuity are never in the $25. The deal price is the food subtotal; everything else stacks on top regardless.
2 for $25 Appetizers
| Starter | Regular price | Calories | Protein |
|---|---|---|---|
| Two side salads | $9.98 | 320 | 12g |
| Chicken Wonton Tacos | $11.49 | 590 | n/a |
| Mozzarella Sticks | $9.99 | 860 | 41g |
| Spinach & Artichoke Dip | $10.49 | 990 | 21g |
| Boneless Wings | $12.99 | 1,080–1,260 | 40–42g |
| Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip | $10.99 | 1,160 | 34g |
| Chicken Quesadilla | $11.99 | 1,170 | 49g |
Applebee's also pushed the Bacon Cheeseburger Wonton Tacos as a new 2 for $25 starter in 2026: wonton shells filled with seasoned beef, cheddar, bacon and pickles. Ask if your restaurant still has them.
Which starter to pick: For value, the Boneless Wings. At $12.99 they're the most expensive appetizer on the list, so they get you the most out of the $25. For protein, the Chicken Quesadilla at 49g. For a lighter meal, the side salads, and it isn't close.
What You Actually Save
A typical order saves $16–$24 off regular menu prices, more if you pick the priciest appetizer and entrées. See the full savings math on the specials and deals page.
How Many Calories Is the 2 for $25?
It swings by more than 1,600 calories depending on what you pick. Two real orders from the list above:
- Lightest: two side salads (320), California Grilled Chicken Salad (920) and Fiesta Lime Chicken (1,190). That's 2,430 calories for two people.
- Heaviest: Boneless Wings (1,080), a crispy Oriental Chicken Salad (1,560) and a Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger (1,420). That's 4,060.
The starter is the biggest lever. Swapping a 1,000-calorie appetizer for two side salads changes the meal more than any entrée swap. The second lever is grilled instead of crispy chicken, which takes 660 calories off the Oriental Chicken Salad alone. Full nutrition is on the nutrition page.
Dine-In, To Go and Delivery
The 2 for $25 works for dine-in, Carside To Go and delivery through Applebee's own app. The exception is the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, which is dine-in only because it arrives in a hot skillet. For how the channels compare, see Applebee's delivery options, fees and apps. Full to-go and delivery rules are on the 2 for $25 value guide.
What to Know Before You Order the 2 for $25
The strongest pair is the Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp and the Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine. The skillet shows up sizzling, with charred Cajun chicken and shrimp over potatoes that soak up the garlic butter. The fettuccine has thick noodles and properly crispy chicken. One of each and you've ordered the best of the deal.
The O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger is a lot of cheese. It's messy, the tortillas soften in the queso, and you'll finish it with a fork. Order it for the experience, not for a neat burger. Asking for less queso keeps the chips and tortillas from going soggy.
Fiesta Lime Chicken is bright, the rice less so. The lime and pico keep the plate fresh, but the rice can come out dry. Swap it for another side if your restaurant lets you.
Think twice about the crispy Oriental Chicken Salad. The dressing is heavy and it's 1,560 calories. Order it grilled and it's lighter and better balanced.
For the starter, pick Mozzarella Sticks or Boneless Wings. They're the most reliable. The Spinach & Artichoke Dip changes the most from one visit to the next.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's on the Applebee's 2 for $25 menu?
One appetizer, or two side salads, plus two full-size entrées for $25. Entrées in 2026 include the new O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, Grilled Cheese Cheeseburger, Chicken Parmesan Fettuccine, California Grilled Chicken Salad, Fiesta Lime Chicken, Oriental Chicken Salad and Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp.
Can I get side salads instead of an appetizer on the 2 for $25?
Yes. Two side salads can replace the shared appetizer at the same $25 price.
What is the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger?
The Quesadilla Burger with bacon and Pepper Jack, served sizzling in a skillet of molten queso and melted Cheddar, with tortilla chips, pico and cilantro. Applebee's added it to the 2 for $25 on August 31, 2026, and it's dine-in only.
Are drinks included in Applebee's 2 for $25?
No. Drinks, dessert, tax and tip are extra. The $9.99 Really BIG Meal Deal is the Applebee's deal that includes a drink.
Which entrées cost extra on the 2 for $25?
Most entrées are included at the flat $25, but premium picks can carry an upcharge — typically $2.50 to $3.00 at some locations (for example, a steak swap or ribs where offered). The menu in your restaurant lists which items carry the extra charge, so check before you order.
How much is the upcharge on Applebee's 2 for $25?
Typically $2.50 per premium pick and $3.00 for the Riblet Platter, at some locations (per FrugallyDelish, October 2026). Most items carry no upcharge at all. Your local menu marks which items carry extra, and the full list is in the upcharge section above.
Is the steak included in Applebee's 2 for $25 or does it cost extra?
The 6 oz Top Sirloin is included flat where offered — it is a limited-time addition, so availability varies by restaurant. The 8 oz Top Sirloin can carry a $2.50 upcharge at some locations. If your local menu shows steak in the 2-for-25 list with no asterisk, it is the 6 oz flat.
How much do you save with the 2 for $25?
A typical order saves $16–$24 off regular prices. See the full savings math on the specials and deals page.
Can one person order the 2 for $25?
Yes. Nothing stops you, and the second entrée makes tomorrow's lunch. Pick pasta for the leftover. It reheats better than anything fried.
Is the 2 for $25 available for delivery?
Yes. The 2 for $25 works for delivery through Applebee's own app, as well as dine-in and Carside To Go. The one exception is the O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger, which is dine-in only because it arrives in a hot skillet — so a delivery order cannot include it.
More Deals Worth Comparing
For one person, the $9.99 Really BIG Meal Deal is cheaper. Eating between 3:00 and 6:00 PM? Half price apps start at $5.00. For the smartest picks on the deal, the 2 for $25 value guide ranks the best combos by savings, protein and calories. Every running offer, with end dates, is on the specials and deals page.