LongHorn vs Applebee’s is a common choice when you want a sit-down meal without fine-dining prices. Both are big American casual-dining chains, both started in Georgia, and both serve steak. But they are built for different nights out. LongHorn Steakhouse is a steakhouse first, with a menu centered on fire-grilled steaks. Applebee’s is a neighborhood grill and bar with a much broader menu of burgers, chicken, pasta, appetizers and drinks.
This guide compares the two on steaks, menu range, sides, kids, drinks and atmosphere, so you can pick the right one for your next meal. We do not list specific prices, because prices vary by location and change over time; check the restaurant’s own menu or app before you go. thelonghornsmenu.us is an independent guide and is not affiliated with LongHorn Steakhouse, Darden Restaurants, Applebee’s or Dine Brands.
LongHorn vs Applebee’s at a glance
| LongHorn Steakhouse | Applebee’s | |
|---|---|---|
| Style | Casual steakhouse | Neighborhood grill and bar |
| Parent company | Darden Restaurants | Dine Brands Global |
| Founded | 1981, Atlanta, Georgia | 1980, Decatur, Georgia |
| Restaurants | About 620 (company-owned, Aug 2026) | Nearly 1,500 in the US (Jun 2026) |
| Menu focus | Steaks, plus chicken, salmon, ribs | Burgers, chicken, ribs, pasta, appetizers, steaks |
| Best for | Steak dinners, date nights | Groups with mixed tastes, game nights, late snacks |
LongHorn is part of Darden, which also owns Olive Garden. Applebee’s sits under Dine Brands with IHOP. Applebee’s has more than twice as many US locations, so it is often the closer option, especially in smaller towns. Our locations page lists LongHorn’s major markets.
Steaks: the biggest difference
If steak is the main reason you are going out, LongHorn has the edge in range and focus. Its menu is built around legendary steaks such as the Renegade Sirloin, Flo’s Filet, the Outlaw Ribeye, the New York Strip and the LongHorn Porterhouse. Steaks are fire-grilled, seasoned and offered in several cuts and sizes, with toppings and add-ons.
Applebee’s does serve steak, usually a sirloin offered in a few styles, but steak is one category among many rather than the core of the menu. If one person at the table wants a ribeye cooked exactly medium-rare and everyone else wants burgers, Applebee’s can work. If the whole table wants steak, LongHorn usually offers more choice of cut and size.
Not sure how to order? Our steak temperature guide explains rare to well-done, and our comparison of the best steak at LongHorn ranks the cuts.
Menu range: who has more variety?
Applebee’s wins on variety. Its menu typically covers burgers, chicken tenders, wings, riblets, pasta, salads, sandwiches, Tex-Mex-style dishes and a long appetizer list, plus a rotating set of limited-time items. It is designed so a large group with very different tastes can all find something.
LongHorn’s menu is narrower but not limited to steak. It includes chicken and seafood such as Parmesan Crusted Chicken and LongHorn Salmon, baby back ribs, burgers, salads and soups. Our complete LongHorn menu guide lists every section.
Verdict: for broad variety, Applebee’s. For a focused steakhouse menu with solid non-steak options, LongHorn.
Appetizers
Both chains take appetizers seriously. LongHorn’s starters include the Texas Tonion, Wild West Shrimp, Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip and White Cheddar Stuffed Mushrooms. Applebee’s is known for a big sharing menu with wings, mozzarella sticks, dips and sampler platters.
If you mainly want shareable snacks with drinks, Applebee’s has the larger list. If you want a couple of starters before a steak dinner, LongHorn’s are designed to set up the main course. See all of LongHorn’s options on our appetizers page.
Sides and bread
LongHorn steaks come with a choice of sides, including the loaded baked potato, mashed potatoes, steamed asparagus, crispy Brussels sprouts and steakhouse mac and cheese. LongHorn also serves its warm steakhouse bread at the table.
Applebee’s sides lean toward classic grill-and-bar choices like fries, mashed potatoes, broccoli and coleslaw, and they vary by entrée. See our full LongHorn sides list for every option.
Kids and families
Both chains welcome families and offer kids’ menus with familiar options. LongHorn’s kids menu includes a kids sirloin, chicken tenders and mac and cheese. Applebee’s kids’ menu covers similar ground with burgers, chicken and pasta.
For families where some kids are picky eaters, Applebee’s broader adult menu may make it easier to please everyone. For families who want a steak night together, LongHorn’s kids sirloin is a nice option. Our family dining guide has tips on ordering for a group.
Drinks and happy hour
Applebee’s is a grill and bar, and its bar program is a big part of the brand, with promotional drink specials that vary by location and season. LongHorn offers a full drink menu, including the LongHorn Old Fashioned, sangrias and the Texas Tea, plus a happy hour at many locations.
Drink specials, hours and availability vary by location and local law, so check with your local restaurant. Our happy hour guide covers what to expect at LongHorn.
Atmosphere
LongHorn has a warm, ranch-inspired steakhouse feel, with wood, leather and a slightly quieter dining room. It suits date nights, small celebrations and business lunches; our date night guide has ideas.
Applebee’s is a lively neighborhood bar and grill, often with TVs showing sports. It suits game nights, groups of friends and casual meals.
Healthier choices and special diets
Both chains publish nutrition and allergen information, which makes it easier to plan around a diet. At LongHorn, a plain grilled steak or salmon with steamed vegetables is a simple high-protein, lower-carb meal. Our guides to the high-protein menu, keto-friendly menu, low-sodium menu and LongHorn nutrition list the best choices, and the nutrition calculator helps you add up a full meal.
Applebee’s menu is broader, so it has more lighter dishes and more indulgent ones. Many of its entrées are larger, sauce-heavy plates designed for sharing, so checking the posted nutrition before you order is worthwhile.
For allergies, both chains provide allergen guides, but neither can promise a kitchen free from cross-contact. LongHorn’s allergen menu and gluten-free guide explain what is available. Always tell your server about a serious allergy.
Lunch and quick meals
Both chains serve lunch, and both can work for a quick midday meal. LongHorn’s lunch menu includes smaller steak portions, salads and sandwiches, and our lunch specials guide explains the options. It is a solid choice for a business lunch because the dining room is quieter.
Applebee’s is often the faster option for a casual lunch with coworkers, with burgers, wraps and salads that come out quickly.
Birthdays and celebrations
LongHorn is a popular pick for birthdays, anniversaries and graduations because it feels a little more special than a typical grill. Our LongHorn birthday guide explains what to expect, and the desserts page lists the sweet finishes, including the famous Chocolate Stampede.
Applebee’s suits casual celebrations with a big group, especially when people want to share appetizers and watch a game.
Value: what to consider
Value depends on what you order and where. In general:
- Steak value: LongHorn tends to offer more steak choice for the money, especially if you watch for lunch portions. See our best value steaks and lunch menu pages.
- Deal value: Applebee’s often runs bundled meal promotions and limited-time deals, which can make it a budget-friendly group option.
- Rewards: both chains have offered loyalty or email programs at times. Our LongHorn rewards guide explains LongHorn’s current options.
Prices vary by location, so compare menus in your area. Our price comparison tool can help with LongHorn items.
Ordering online and takeout
Both chains offer online ordering for pickup and delivery through their own websites and apps, and through third-party delivery services in many areas. LongHorn’s online ordering guide explains how to order steaks to go, and our takeout menu post covers what travels best. Steak is best eaten fresh; if you take it home, our reheating guide helps.
Service and the overall experience
At LongHorn, servers are trained around the steak experience: they will ask how you want your steak cooked, suggest sides and check that the temperature is right when it arrives. If a steak is not cooked the way you asked, it is normal to let your server know. Our server secrets post shares tips for a smoother visit.
Applebee’s service is built for speed and volume, with quick turnover at busy times. Both chains can be busy on weekend evenings, so plan ahead for large groups.
Which should you choose?
Choose LongHorn if:
- Everyone wants steak.
- You want a choice of cuts and sizes.
- It is a date night or small celebration.
- You want a quieter, steakhouse-style dining room.
Choose Applebee’s if:
- Your group has very different tastes.
- You want a long appetizer and drink list.
- You are watching the game with friends.
- It is the closest sit-down option where you live.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is LongHorn better than Applebee’s for steak?
For most diners, yes. LongHorn is a steakhouse with several cuts and sizes, while steak is one of many categories at Applebee’s. If steak is the priority, LongHorn usually offers more choice.
Who owns LongHorn Steakhouse and Applebee’s?
LongHorn Steakhouse is owned by Darden Restaurants. Applebee’s is part of Dine Brands Global, which also owns IHOP.
Which chain has more restaurants?
Applebee’s. It had nearly 1,500 US locations in mid-2026, compared with about 620 LongHorn Steakhouse restaurants.
Is Applebee’s or LongHorn better for families?
Both welcome families and have kids’ menus. Applebee’s broader menu suits picky eaters; LongHorn is great for a family steak night with options like the kids sirloin.
Which is cheaper, LongHorn or Applebee’s?
It depends on what you order and where. Applebee’s often runs bundled deals, while LongHorn offers good steak value, especially at lunch. Check local menus for current prices.
Did LongHorn and Applebee’s both start in Georgia?
Yes. LongHorn opened in Atlanta in 1981, and Applebee’s began in Decatur, Georgia, in 1980.