Applebee's vs Red Robin: Menu Prices Compared (2026)
The short answer
Red Robin is the cheaper of the two. Of the 3 directly comparable items we could match across both menus, Red Robin is cheaper on 3 of them, by an average of $0.83 per item.
Make Applebee's and Red Robin at Home
Whichever of the two wins on price, cooking the favorites at home beats both. These are the sauces, mixes and kitchen tools that get closest to the real thing.
Deals Worth Knowing at Both
Applebee's
- The 2 for $25 menu — an appetizer plus two entrees — is roughly $10 below ordering the same three items separately and covers most of the popular dishes.
- The $9.99 weekday lunch combo pairs a half sandwich or salad with soup or fries and is the cheapest sit-down lunch at any national casual chain.
- Applebee's runs $1 and $5 cocktail promotions several times a year; the Dollarita in particular is the cheapest drink at any chain restaurant.
Red Robin
- The Big Yummm Burger deal — a burger, a bottomless side and a drink — costs about $12, well below the menu price of the same meal.
- Bottomless sides, sodas and Freckled Lemonade mean one burger is often enough food for a full meal.
- Red Robin Royalty members get a free burger for their birthday and a reward after every ninth burger.
Applebee's vs Red Robin — FAQ
Is Applebee's cheaper than Red Robin in 2026?
Red Robin is cheaper on most matched items — 3 of 3. Across the whole menu Red Robin is the lower-priced of the two, at $13.49 for a typical item against $15.49 at Applebee's.
What is the price difference between Applebee's and Red Robin?
On matched items the average difference is $0.83, or about 21% overall. Applebee's averages $14.56 across 42 priced items; Red Robin averages $11.49 across 27.
Which has the cheaper entry price, Applebee's or Red Robin?
Applebee's starts at $1.00 (Dollarita (limited promotion)) and Red Robin at $3.99 (Bottomless Soda).
Are these prices the same at every location?
No. Both chains let franchise owners set prices, so figures move by a dollar or more between markets and run highest at airport, stadium and highway locations. Treat these as the typical U.S. price, not a quote.