Applebee’s To Go Menu 2026: Prices, Deals & the Real Curbside Pickup Fee
The full takeout menu, current prices, and a straight answer to the one question everyone asks: is there a curbside pickup fee?
2026 To Go Guide- Updated 2026 Menu ✓
- $0 Curbside Fee ✓
- Full Dine-In Menu ✓
To Go, at a Glance
Applebee’s To Go menu, the full takeout picture at a glance.
Last weeknight, I was too tired to cook, my kid was already asking “what’s for dinner” in that whiny voice, and a table-service dinner out was not happening. I pulled up the Applebee’s To Go menu on my phone, ordered a Family Bundle, picked Curbside To Go, and had dinner in the car within twenty-five minutes. The one thing I wanted to know before I hit “place order” was simple: would I get hit with a surprise curbside pickup fee at pickup? I didn’t find a clear answer anywhere, so I called the restaurant to check. This guide is the article I wish I had found that night.
If you’re planning more than just a pickup order, explore our complete Applebee’s Menu with Prices guide to see every appetizer, entrée, burger, pasta, drink, dessert, and the latest deals before you place your order.
Direct Answer
The Applebee’s curbside pickup fee is $0. Curbside To Go and walk-in carryout are both free at participating locations. The only charges you’ll see on a To-Go order are for delivery through the Applebee’s app or a third-party service like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub.
What’s on the Applebee’s To Go Menu
A lot of people think the Applebee’s To Go menu is a shorter, fast-food version of the real thing. It isn’t. Applebee’s, owned by Dine Brands Global, builds its takeout program around one simple rule: if it’s on the dine-in menu, it’s on the To-Go menu too. That covers steaks, sizzling skillets, ribs, pasta, salads, and even cocktails at most locations.
This matters most for busy parents, remote workers on a short lunch break, and anyone feeding a family on a weeknight. They all use the Applebee’s To Go menu the same way to get restaurant food and restaurant variety without the wait for a table.
Prices on the Applebee’s To Go menu usually match dine-in prices. The real differences are packaging and, in some states, limits on which alcoholic drinks can leave the building.
New additions worth knowing about include Loaded Potato Waves, Lemon Parmesan Chicken, and Four-Cheese Mac & Cheese, along with new fountain drink flavors. These rotate throughout the year, so check the app before you order if you’re chasing something specific.
Ways to Order the Applebee’s To Go Menu
You can reach the same Applebee’s To Go menu through more than one channel. Pick whichever fits your day.
- App Ordering: Built on the Olo ordering platform. Save payment details, reorder favorites, unlock Club Applebee’s deals.
- Website Ordering: Same menu, same prices, no download needed.
- Phone Orders: Best for large or custom group orders.
- Curbside To Go: Free curbside pickup with zero pickup fee. Park, check in, staff brings the order out.
- Delivery Partners: DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub. Expect delivery and service fees on top of menu prices.
How Curbside To Go Works, Step by Step
Curbside To Go is the part of the Applebee’s To Go menu experience that confuses first-timers most. Here’s the actual process at most US locations.
Order and choose Curbside
Build your order in the app or online, then pick “Curbside To Go.” Add your car’s make, model, and color, plus a pickup time.
Drive and park
Pull into a marked Curbside To Go spot. Some locations use numbered spots; others just want you near the entrance.
Check in
Tap “I’m Here” in the app or email, or call the number posted on the curbside sign.
Car delivery
A team member brings your sealed order to your car. Alcohol orders require a valid ID check at the window.
Applebee’s To Go pickup, from order to car: 4 steps, $0 curbside pickup fee.
Applebee’s added Curbside To Go company-wide in 2004, and some locations added drive-up pickup windows in 2022 for even faster service.
Applebee’s Curbside Pickup Fee: The Full Breakdown
This is the question most people actually came here to answer, so let’s be direct about it: there is no curbside pickup fee at Applebee’s. Curbside To Go and in-restaurant carryout both cost the same as the menu price you see, with tax added at checkout. No service charge. No parking fee. No “convenience fee” line item.
Where charges do show up:
- App or website delivery: a delivery fee plus a service fee, similar to third-party pricing.
- Third-party delivery apps (DoorDash, Uber Eats, Grubhub) charge their own delivery fee, service fee, and often a small markup on menu prices.
- Tipping: optional, but not a required “fee.” More on this below.
If your receipt shows an unexpected charge on a Curbside To Go order, it is worth a quick call to your local restaurant, since pricing and policies can vary slightly by franchise owner.
To Go vs. Curbside vs. Delivery Fees Compared
| Method | Fees | Typical Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walk-in Carryout | $0 | 20–25 min | No car, quick errands |
| Curbside To Go | $0 curbside pickup fee | 20–30 min | Families, no parking hassle |
| App/Site Delivery | Delivery + service fee | 30–40 min | Can’t leave the house |
| Third-Party Delivery | Delivery + service fee, often $3–$8+ | 35–50 min | No time or ability to drive |
Best Deals for Your Applebee’s To Go Order
Most Applebee’s specials aren’t locked to the dining room. The same deals you’d use at a table usually apply to takeout too.
- 2 for $25 Meal Deal: two entrées plus one appetizer or two side salads. One of the most-ordered combos for pickup.
- Lunch specials: an entrée and a side under $10, typically offered late morning through mid-afternoon.
- Club Applebee’s: offers a free loyalty signup with app-only offers, a birthday reward, and early access to new items.
- Military and senior discounts are often 10–15% off; ask if it applies to takeout before checkout.
Family Bundle Meals for Takeout
Family Bundle Meals are built for feeding a group without cooking. A bundle usually includes one main entrée, chicken tenders, riblets, or pasta, plus a shareable side and breadsticks, sized for four to six people, for roughly $25.99 to $35.99.
- Cheaper per person than ordering separate entrées
- Packed for easy reheating, so leftovers get eaten
- Good for weeknight dinners or last-minute guests
Alcohol To Go: What You Need to Know
Applebee’s takeout can include beer, wine, and cocktails, but only where state and local law allows it.
- You must be 21 or older with a valid ID checked at pickup
- Alcohol must be purchased with a food item
- Drinks are sealed for transport to meet open-container laws
- Some states don’t allow to-go alcohol at all. The app hides the option automatically if yours doesn’t
Tipping for Curbside To Go
There’s no required curbside pickup fee, but tipping is a separate, personal choice. The team member packing and running your order is usually handling several orders alone. Most regulars leave $2–$5 or around 10% for a standard order, more for large Family Bundles or bad weather. It is never charged automatically unless a specific promotion states otherwise.
Insider Tips for a Smooth Order
- Order through the app to unlock Club Applebee’s deals faster
- Build in an extra 10 minutes during the dinner rush
- Request sauces and dressings on the side, they travel better
- Confirm alcohol-to-go availability before adding drinks
- Bring a drink carrier if picking up a Family Bundle, plus extra beverages
📌 Article Summary
- The Applebee’s To Go menu is the full dine-in menu, nothing is cut down for takeout
- Prices generally match dine-in prices, ranging from about $2.99 to $35.99+ per item or bundle
- The Applebee’s curbside pickup fee is $0 for Curbside To Go and walk-in carryout
- Fees only apply to the app, website, or third-party delivery
- The 2 for $25 deal and Family Bundle Meals usually carry over to takeout orders
- Tipping for Curbside To Go is optional but appreciated
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a curbside pickup fee at Applebee’s?+
No. Applebee’s does not charge a curbside pickup fee for Curbside To Go or walk-in carryout. Fees only apply to delivery orders.
What is included on the Applebee’s To Go menu?+
The entire dine-in menu, including appetizers, burgers, steaks, pasta, salads, kids’ meals, desserts, Family Bundle Meals, and alcohol where allowed by law.
How does Applebee’s Curbside To Go work?+
Order online or in the app, choose Carside To Go, add your vehicle details, park in a marked spot when you arrive, check in, and a staff member brings your order to your car.
Is Applebee’s To Go menu the same price as dine-in?+
Yes, in most cases. Prices match the dine-in menu, with the only differences being packaging and, occasionally, state alcohol rules.
Do I have to tip for Applebee’s Curbside To Go?+
No, tipping is optional. Most guests leave $2–$5 or about 10% to thank the team member handling the order.
Can I get alcohol on an Applebee’s To Go order?+
Yes, at most locations where state and local law allow it. You must be 21+, show ID, and buy a food item alongside any drink.
Does the 2 for $25 deal work on To Go orders?+
Yes, it’s usually available for Curbside To Go and carryout at participating locations, in addition to dine-in.
Is Applebee’s delivery more expensive than curbside pickup?+
Yes. Delivery through the app or a third-party service adds a delivery fee and a service fee, while Curbside To Go and carryout carry no curbside pickup fee at all.
Conclusion: Is the Applebee’s To Go Menu Worth It?
After using the Applebee’s To Go menu for family dinners, road trip stops, and more “I don’t feel like cooking” nights than I’d like to admit, my honest take is this: it earns its reputation. You get the full restaurant menu, dine-in pricing, and a Curbside To Go option with no curbside pickup fee, which beats paying delivery charges for the same food.
My advice, from someone who has made every mistake in the process at least once: order through the app, choose Curbside To Go when you can, and don’t skip the 2 for $25 deal or a Family Bundle; they almost always carry over to takeout. Whether it’s a quiet weeknight or a packed weekend, the Applebee’s To Go menu still does what a neighborhood grill should: real food, fair prices, and a pickup process with no curbside pickup fee that actually works.
