Applebee’s Ultimate Trio
Price, every appetizer and sauce option, the best combos to build, and everything else you need before you order.
Appetizer Sampler Guide- Price $14.99
- Appetizer Choices 10
- Sauce Choices 10
The Sampler, at a Glance
The full picture at a glance.
I used to order the same appetizer every time I sat down at Applebee’s, mostly because picking one felt like a commitment I did not want to make. Then a friend ordered this sampler and I watched three different apps and three different sauces land on one table for less than what I usually paid for one plate. That changed how I order every time since.
Here’s the thing about a build your own sampler: it sounds simple until you realize there are over 80,000 ways to build it. This guide breaks down the full price, every appetizer and sauce option, the combos that actually work together, and how it stacks up against ordering apps separately. For pricing on everything else Applebee’s serves, visit the Applebee’s menu prices home page for the full breakdown by category.
Prices reflect current national listings. Your local restaurant may run slightly different pricing or a limited selection depending on the season.
Direct Answer
Applebee’s Ultimate Trio, the build your own appetizer sampler, costs $14.99 and lets you by choosing 3 appetizers and 3 dipping sauces from a list of 10 apps and 10 sauces. That works out to more than 80,000 possible combinations, available for dine-in, To Go, or delivery.
What Is This Sampler, Exactly
This is Applebee’s build your own appetizer sampler. Instead of picking one fixed platter, you choose three appetizers and three dipping sauces from a set list, and the kitchen builds it exactly the way you picked it. Applebee’s calls it an option play, which fits since the whole point is picking your own lineup rather than getting whatever the menu photo shows.
It leans into shareable, game day style eating, but it works just as well for a table of two who cannot agree on one appetizer. Everyone gets a say, and the plate ends up with real variety instead of three of the same thing.
Price and How It Works
This appetizer sampler is priced at $14.99, flat, no matter which three appetizers or three sauces you pick. There is no tiered pricing based on which apps you choose, so picking the shrimp costs the same as picking the pretzels. Tax and gratuity are not included in that price.
Ordering is straightforward: pick your first appetizer, your second, your third, then repeat the process for sauces. You can repeat a sauce across multiple apps if you want more of one flavor instead of three different ones. It is available for dine-in, To Go, and delivery, so you are not limited to eating it in the restaurant.
⚠️ Note: This is a limited time offer, and pricing, participation, and selection can vary by location. Confirm current availability with your local Applebee’s before planning an order around it.
All 10 Appetizer Options
Here is the full list of appetizers you can pick from, straight from the current lineup.
| Appetizer | What It Is |
|---|---|
| Boneless Wings | Classic breaded wings, tossed or served with sauce on the side |
| Mozzarella Sticks | Breaded and fried mozzarella, served with marinara |
| Chicken Quesadilla | Grilled tortilla filled with chicken and melted cheese |
| Crunchy Onion Rings | Beer battered onion rings, fried to a deep golden crunch |
| Chicken Wonton Tacos | Crispy wonton shells filled with chicken and slaw |
| Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip | Warm soft pretzels served with a beer cheese dip |
| Applebee’s Riblets | Applebee’s signature riblets, portioned for sharing |
| Double Crunch Shrimp | Crispy fried shrimp with a double breaded crunch |
| Waffle Fries | Thick cut, waffle grid fries built to hold sauce |
| Crispy Pickle Fries | New addition, Tajín and chile lime seasoned pickle fries |
Selection can vary by location. Confirm current appetizer choices with your local Applebee’s before ordering.
All 10 Dipping Sauce Options
Once you pick your three appetizers, you get to pick three dipping sauces from this list.
| Sauce | Flavor Profile |
|---|---|
| Classic Buffalo | Traditional tangy heat |
| Honey BBQ | Sweet and smoky |
| Sweet Asian Chile | Sweet with a light chile kick |
| House-Made Ranch | Cool and creamy, the safe crowd pleaser |
| Bleu Cheese | Sharp and tangy, built for wings |
| Honey Dijon Mustard | Sweet mustard with a bit of bite |
| Marinara | Classic tomato base, best with mozzarella sticks |
| Chipotle Lime Salsa | Smoky and citrusy |
| Cocktail Sauce | Sharp and tangy, built for the shrimp |
| BLUE MOON White Cheddar Beer Cheese | Rich, cheesy, beer forward dip |
Sauce selection can vary by location. Confirm current sauce choices with your local Applebee’s before ordering.
New: Crispy Pickle Fries
The newest addition to this lineup is Crispy Pickle Fries. They are golden fried pickle spears tossed in Tajín and chile lime seasoning, served with Mexi-ranch for dipping when ordered on their own. Inside the sampler, you can pair them with any of the ten sauces above instead.
If you have not tried them yet, they are worth using one of your three appetizer picks on, especially if the rest of your trio leans heavy and fried. The tang from the pickle and the citrus kick from the seasoning cuts through richer picks like the pretzels or the mozzarella sticks.
Best Combos to Build
With 80,000-plus combinations, most people freeze up trying to pick. Here are combos that work well together based on flavor balance, not just picking three random favorites.
The Classic Three
Boneless Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, and Crunchy Onion Rings with Classic Buffalo, Marinara, and House-Made Ranch. Nothing risky, everyone at the table eats this without complaint.
The Seafood Lean
Double Crunch Shrimp, Chicken Wonton Tacos, and Waffle Fries with Cocktail Sauce, Sweet Asian Chile, and Honey BBQ. A lighter, brighter trio than the classic fried lineup.
The Spicy Pick
Boneless Wings, Crispy Pickle Fries, and Chicken Quesadilla with Classic Buffalo, Chipotle Lime Salsa, and Bleu Cheese. Built for guests who want heat in every bite.
The Cheese Forward Trio
Mozzarella Sticks, Brew Pub Pretzels, and Chicken Quesadilla with Marinara, BLUE MOON White Cheddar Beer Cheese, and House-Made Ranch. For guests who never met a cheese pull they did not like.
How It Compares to Ordering Apps Solo
Boneless Wings alone typically run around $12 to $13 on their own. Mozzarella Sticks and Onion Rings each land in a similar range individually. Order three separate appetizers on their own and you are realistically looking at $30 to $38 before tax, gratuity, or any sauce upcharges. This sampler gets you three apps and three sauces for $14.99, which is the real value case for ordering it this way instead of picking one app at a time.
| Order Method | Estimated Cost | Sauces Included |
|---|---|---|
| Ultimate Trio (3 apps, 3 sauces) | $14.99 flat | 3 sauces included |
| 3 separate full appetizer orders | ~$30 to $38 | Usually 1 sauce per app, extra sauces may cost more |
📌 The Sampler at a Glance
- Flat price of $14.99 no matter which apps or sauces you pick
- Choose 3 appetizers from 10 total options, including the new Crispy Pickle Fries
- Choose 3 dipping sauces from 10 total options
- More than 80,000 possible combinations between apps and sauces
- Available for dine-in, To Go, and delivery
- Limited time offer, confirm availability at your local Applebee’s
Smart Ordering Tips
Mix Textures, Not Just Flavors
Pick at least one crispy fried app, one saucy or cheesy app, and one lighter option like the shrimp or wonton tacos so the plate does not feel one-note.
Repeat a Sauce If You Have a Favorite
You are not required to pick three different sauces. If everyone at the table loves ranch, use it across more than one app.
Order It For Groups of Three or More
The portion is built for sharing. A table of two can make it work, but it stretches best across three or four people.
Check Availability Before You Plan Around It
Since this is a limited time offer, confirm with your local Applebee’s or the app that it is still running before you build a whole order around it.
Common Mistakes People Make Ordering This
❌ Mistake 1: Picking three fried apps and no contrast. Three heavy fried items with no lighter option gets repetitive fast. Balance it out with the shrimp or wonton tacos.
❌ Mistake 2: Forgetting sauces can repeat. Guests often assume they must pick three different sauces. You do not, repeat your favorite if you want more of it.
❌ Mistake 3: Not asking if Crispy Pickle Fries are included at your location. Since this is the newest addition, some locations may still be rolling it into their lineup.
❌ Mistake 4: Treating it as a full meal for one person. This is built for sharing. Ordering it solo before a full entrée usually means way more food than one person needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Applebee’s Ultimate Trio?+
It is Applebee’s build your own appetizer sampler. You choose 3 appetizers and 3 dipping sauces from a list of 10 options each, for a flat price of $14.99.
How much does the Ultimate Trio cost?+
It costs $14.99, no matter which three appetizers or three sauces you pick. Tax and gratuity are not included in that price.
What appetizers can you pick for the Ultimate Trio?+
You can choose from Boneless Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, Chicken Quesadilla, Crunchy Onion Rings, Chicken Wonton Tacos, Brew Pub Pretzels & Beer Cheese Dip, Applebee’s Riblets, Double Crunch Shrimp, Waffle Fries, and the new Crispy Pickle Fries.
What sauces come with the Ultimate Trio?+
Sauce options include Classic Buffalo, Honey BBQ, Sweet Asian Chile, House-Made Ranch, Bleu Cheese, Honey Dijon Mustard, Marinara, Chipotle Lime Salsa, Cocktail Sauce, and BLUE MOON White Cheddar Beer Cheese.
Can you get the same sauce twice on the Ultimate Trio?+
Yes. You are not required to choose three different sauces. You can repeat a favorite across more than one appetizer if you prefer.
Is the Ultimate Trio available for delivery?+
Yes. It is available for dine-in, To Go, and delivery, so you are not limited to ordering it inside the restaurant.
How many people does the Ultimate Trio feed?+
It is built as a shareable sampler, best suited for three to four people. A table of two can share it comfortably as a starter or light meal.
Are Crispy Pickle Fries part of the Ultimate Trio?+
Yes. Crispy Pickle Fries are the newest addition to this lineup, tossed in Tajín and chile lime seasoning, and can be picked as one of your three appetizers.
Final Verdict on This Appetizer Sampler
After building more combinations of this than I can count, my honest take is that Applebee’s Ultimate Trio earns its spot as one of the better value plays on the menu. Three appetizers and three sauces for $14.99 beats ordering apps one at a time by a wide margin, and the build your own format means nobody at the table has to compromise on what they actually want to eat.
My advice: pick at least one lighter app to balance the fried options, do not be afraid to repeat a sauce you love, and confirm with your server that Crispy Pickle Fries are on the current lineup before you plan your trio around them. It is a limited time offer, so check availability at your local Applebee’s before you head in. For pricing across the rest of Applebee’s menu, from appetizers to entrées to drinks, the Applebee’s menu prices home page covers every category in one place.