Applebee's Takeout & Carside To Go 2026

Applebee's Carside To Go is the fastest and most affordable way to enjoy Applebee's food without dining in. With no service fees, no platform markups, and a typical wait time of just 15 to 20 minutes, Carside To Go beats third-party delivery on both speed and cost. Available at every Applebee's location in the United States, you can order through the Applebee's mobile app, the Applebee's website, or by calling your local restaurant. This guide covers everything you need to know about Applebee's takeout and pickup in 2026 (prices may vary by location).

What is Applebee's Carside To Go?

Carside To Go is Applebee's curbside pickup program. When you arrive at the restaurant, park in one of the designated Carside To Go parking spots — they are marked with red and white Applebee's signage near the front entrance of most locations. A team member comes out to your car with your order, confirms your name, and hands you your food. You never need to leave your vehicle or enter the restaurant. There are no minimum order requirements and no service fees for Carside To Go.

How to Order Applebee's Takeout — Step by Step

Carside To Go vs Delivery — Which Is Better?

Carside To Go wins on cost and speed in nearly every scenario. Here is how they compare:

Best Menu Items for Applebee's Takeout

Not every Applebee's menu item is equally suited for takeout. Here are the items that travel best and stay fresh during the drive home:

• Handcrafted Burgers: Applebee's brioche buns hold their structure well in to-go containers. Burgers stay warm wrapped in foil and the classic-cut fries stay crispy in vented to-go boxes.
• Boneless Wings & Appetizers: Crispy fried appetizers like Boneless Wings, Mozzarella Sticks, and Chicken Wonton Tacos travel well. Request sauce on the side to keep items crispy during transport.
• Chicken Tenders Platter: Hand-breaded chicken tenders stay crispy and the sides (fries, coleslaw, broccoli) are packed in separate compartments to maintain texture and temperature.
• Pasta Dishes: Classic Broccoli Chicken Alfredo, Three-Cheese Chicken Penne, and other pasta dishes travel well in sealed containers. The breadsticks come separate and stay warm.
• Salads: Request dressing on the side and your salad arrives fresh and crisp. Oriental Chicken Salad and Grilled Chicken Caesar are popular takeout picks.
• Avoid for Takeout: Sizzling skillet items (Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp, Fajitas) lose the sizzle during transport. Items with heavy melted cheese toppings can separate and cool down. These are best enjoyed dine-in at the restaurant.

Applebee's Takeout Phone Ordering

Every Applebee's location accepts phone orders for takeout. Call your local Applebee's, tell the host you would like to place a takeout order, and read your order over the phone. The restaurant will give you an estimated pickup time and a total. Payment is made at pickup — cash, credit, and debit cards are accepted. To find the phone number for your nearest Applebee's, browse our Applebee's locations directory where every location page includes the direct phone number, address, and hours of operation.

Takeout Tips for the Best Experience

• Order 20-30 minutes before you want to eat. Place your order before you leave home or the office so it is ready when you arrive.
• Order during off-peak times. Ordering at 2PM to 4PM or after 8PM on weekdays means shorter wait times. Friday and Saturday dinner rush (5PM–8PM) has the longest waits.
• Request sauces and dressings on the side. This keeps fried items crispy, salads fresh, and lets you control portion sizes.
• Check your order before leaving the parking lot. Make sure all items, sauces, napkins, and utensils are included. It is much easier to fix an issue while you are still at the restaurant.
• Use the Applebee's app for rewards. Earn points on every takeout order through the Applebee's rewards program. Learn more about Applebee's rewards.
• Add a drink to your order. The new Dirty Fountain Sodas and Lemonades travel perfectly and are cheaper through takeout than delivery — no delivery markup on beverages.
• Compare deals before ordering. The 2 for $25 deal and current specials are available for takeout at most locations. Check what is on offer before you order.

Carside To Go vs. Traditional Takeout Pickup

Traditional takeout means parking your car, walking into the restaurant, and picking up your order at the host stand or bar. Carside To Go is Applebee's enhanced curbside service where a team member brings your food directly to your car in the parking lot. Both options cost the same — there are no extra fees for either — but Carside To Go adds the convenience of staying in your vehicle. If the Carside To Go spots are full or the restaurant is very busy inside, traditional pickup at the host stand may actually be faster since you are not waiting for a runner. Most regular customers prefer Carside To Go for the convenience, especially with kids in the car, in bad weather, or during late-night orders after 10PM when you may not want to enter the restaurant.