‘She just gave us Jell-O shots’: Texas Woman goes to Applebee’s. Then she discovers it gets lit when the sun goes down

‘It used to be called club apple.’
woman shares Applebee's experience (l) Applebee's entrance (r)

An Austin, Texas, woman is pleasantly surprised by the lively atmosphere of Applebee’s. Viewers echo her sentiment that the chain is the perfect affordable option for a night out.

On July 26, @steph99879 shared her experience on TikTok. “Why is Applebee’s such a vibe?” she asks.

Why Did the Woman Receive Jell-O Shots at Applebee’s?

The woman shares that she spent a night out at Applebee’s and was pleasantly surprised by the music, atmosphere, food, and beverages.

“They playing my jam,” she said.

“The food might take forever to come out, but at least you could pregame and buy it while you’re waiting,” she added.

Then, her server gave her table Jell-O shots halfway through the meal.

“They literally just came over here and gave us Jell-O shots,” she shared.

Many comments echoed the sentiment that the restaurant was an exciting night out. “Applebee’s is my jam,” added one commenter.

“Applebee’s is only a vibe when I’m drunk,” added another.

What Is Applebee’s Known For?

Applebee’s built its reputation around casual dining and affordable food and drinks. The chain began in 1980, when Bill and T.J. Palmer opened T.J. Applebee’s in Decatur, Georgia. The Palmers later sold the concept, which became Applebee’s Neighborhood Grill + Bar in 1986. The company went public in 1989 after opening its 100th restaurant.

Today, it describes itself as a neighborhood restaurant and bar. The company says its restaurants offer affordable meals, fun drinks, and a welcoming atmosphere. It operates more than 1,400 locations across the United States and abroad.

The woman’s lively experience is not an isolated one, as the company has spent decades promoting alcoholic drinks alongside its food. The chain introduced its signature Brewtus beer glass in 1992. It later became famous for aggressive drink promotions. The most famous example came in 2017. It introduced the Dollarita, a margarita that costs only $1. The promotion became a major part of the chain’s marketing strategy.

The company later expanded that strategy with other inexpensive cocktails. Those promotions aimed to bring customers into restaurants instead of ordering food elsewhere. Today, some locations advertise happy-hour-style experiences with food specials, beer, and cocktails. Others promote late-night dining and discounted appetizers.

The company has leaned heavily into affordability. In 2024, for example, Applebee’s introduced cocktails featuring Dos Hombres mezcal. The chain offered those drinks at an accessible $9 price point.

Subplot News reached out to @steph99879 for comment via TikTok direct message and comment, and to Applebee’s via email. We will update this. story if they respond.

@steph99879 Applebees is a vibe tn #fyp #atx #applebees @Applebee’s Grill + Bar ♬ original sound – Steph 💋✨

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