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Applebee's 3900 Merle Hay Road

APPLEBEE'S GRILL + BAR
Restaurant in Des Moines (Merle Hay Road)

3900 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA 50310
(515) 254-9330
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Restaurant Hours
Mon 11:00am - 11:00pm
Tue 11:00am - 11:00pm
Wed 11:00am - 11:00pm
Thu 11:00am - 11:00pm
Fri 11:00am - 12:00am
Sat 11:00am - 12:00am
Sun 11:00am - 10:00pm
Available At this Location
Carside To Go service
In a hurry? Place your order using our Carside To Go service and pick up your food without leaving your car.
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Neighborhood Favorites at Applebee's Des Moines

Neighborhood Favorites at Applebee's Des Moines

Applebee’s is an American restaurant and bar and grill in Des Moines, near the corner of Madison Avenue & Merle Hay Road. This Polk County restaurant sits in an area known for being the home of the Iowa State Fair, making it the perfect family-friendly place to eat for lunch, late-night dining, watch the game, or find happy hour or lunch specials in Des Moines. If dining in is not on the menu, this restaurant proudly offers restaurant delivery, takeout, and catering.

Whether grabbing dinner with friends, enjoying a family meal, or ordering takeout and delivery, you’ll love our delicious steaks, mouthwatering burgers, shareable appetizers, and famous boneless wings tossed in signature sauces. Returning from an evening flight from DSM airport? Applebee’s is open late just for you, with friendly bartenders ready to pour your favorite drink in a 16-oz glass or our special 20-oz Brewtus.

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Get to Know This Applebee's on Merle Hay Road

Applebee’s in Des Moines opened its doors on September 18, 1995. Experience what makes it a go-to destination for burgers, steaks, appetizers, and boneless wings, all available for takeout and delivery in Des Moines.

Our guests include military veterans, some of whom served at the nearby Camp Dodge. If you are a veteran or active-duty service member, we invite you to join us and take part in our annual Veterans Day free meal offer. We also welcome Des Moines City Hall and Northwest Community Recreation Center employees, along with those visiting after a day at the Polk County Courthouse.

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Get to Know This Applebee's on Merle Hay Road

Our Menu - Delicious Food Near You

From mouth-watering appetizers to flavorful entrees and tempting desserts, we offer a menu of dishes to satisfy every craving. Enjoy juicy burgers, fresh salads, and homestyle favorites. Visit your nearest neighborhood Applebee's location on Merle Hay Road and savor the flavors of our menu today! You can also enjoy the convenience of online ordering.

Appetizers
Appetizers
Pasta
Pasta
Sandwiches & More
Sandwiches & More
Steaks & Ribs
Steaks & Ribs
Seafood
Seafood
Salads
Salads
Chicken
Chicken
Handcrafted Burgers
Handcrafted Burgers
Cocktails
Cocktails

Irresistible Deals & Rewards At Applebee's On Merle Hay Road

At Applebee's, we offer irresistible deals, specials, and rewards to enhance your dining experience. Join us for Happy Hour in Des Moines and enjoy discounted drinks and appetizers. Take advantage of current Des Moines specials and promotions, and sign up for Club Applebee’s and receive exclusive perks.

Image of Applebee’s Wing Deals - Score 6 Free Boneless Wings Weekly | Limited time at participating locations. Valid Sunday through Thursday 9/13/26 - 1/10/27 for orders via the Applebee’s website/mobile app. Minimum of $15 excluding alcohol, tax, gift cards, delivery and service fees, and gratuity. Limit one order per week. Other restrictions may apply. Image of Applebee’s Wing Deals - Score 6 Free Boneless Wings Weekly | Limited time at participating locations. Valid Sunday through Thursday 9/13/26 - 1/10/27 for orders via the Applebee’s website/mobile app. Minimum of $15 excluding alcohol, tax, gift cards, delivery and service fees, and gratuity. Limit one order per week. Other restrictions may apply.
Become An
NFL Season Wing
Ticket Holder
Get 6 Free Boneless Wings To Go
every week, Sunday through Thursday
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Image of Applebee's® 2 for $25 - Featuring the NEW! O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger! | Limited time. Price, participation and selection may vary. Tax and gratuity excluded. O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger and O-M-Cheese Burger are available for dine-in only. © 2026 Applebee's Restaurants LLC Image of Applebee's® 2 for $25 - Featuring the NEW! O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger! | Limited time. Price, participation and selection may vary. Tax and gratuity excluded. O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger and O-M-Cheese Burger are available for dine-in only. © 2026 Applebee's Restaurants LLC
Limited time. Price, participation and selection may vary. Tax and gratuity excluded. O-M-Cheese-adilla Burger and O-M-Cheese Burger are available for dine-in only. ©2026 Applebee's Restaurants LLC
The New
O-M-Cheese-adilla
Burger
Let the cheese pullllll you in.
Now on Applebee’s 2 for $25 menu.
Find My Applebee's
Image of Applebee's® To Go | To-Go may not be available in all locations. Price and participation vary by location. Select items available for a limited time only and while supplies last. ©2026 Applebee's Restaurants LLC. Image of Applebee's® To Go | To-Go may not be available in all locations. Price and participation vary by location. Select items available for a limited time only and while supplies last. ©2026 Applebee's Restaurants LLC.
Get It To Go, Your Way
Skip the cooking, still get all the
flavor.
Order online and pick up or have
it delivered.
Order To Go
Image of $6 Spooky Sips at Applebee's - Halloween Cocktails & Mocktails | Must be 21+. Void where prohibited. Tax & gratuity excluded. Dine-in only. Participation may vary. While supplies last. ©2026 Applebee’s Restaurants LLC Image of $6 Spooky Sips at Applebee's - Halloween Cocktails & Mocktails | Must be 21+. Void where prohibited. Tax & gratuity excluded. Dine-in only. Participation may vary. While supplies last. ©2026 Applebee’s Restaurants LLC
Must be 21+. Void where prohibited. Tax & gratuity excluded. Dine-in only. Participation may vary. While supplies last. ©2026 Applebee’s Restaurants LLC
NEW $6 Spooky Sips
Overpriced cocktails are officially dead.
Long live $6 Spooky Sips
Find My Applebee's
Club Applebee's

Join Club
Applebee's Today

Enjoy exclusive deals, specials, and more. Plus, a special Welcome
Offer for new members.

Tips for New Visitors to Applebee's Des Moines

Check the weather before you come to eat with us. In Des Moines, we get as many as 35 inches of rain annually and average temperatures around 10.2°C/50.3°F. Summer highs are near 30.5°C/86.9°F, and winter lows are around -10.2°C/13.6°F. Dress accordingly!

Need An Excuse to Go Out to Eat?

Need some excuses to get out today? Head out for a picnic at Water Works Park, Greenbelt Park, or Prospect Park with our Fiesta Lime Chicken or Salads to-go. Or, after a hot day near Des Moines River or Raccoon River, stop in for an Applewood-smoked burger and a cold draft beer.

Culture lovers touring Urbandale Historical Society or seeing a performance at Hoyt Sherman Place can cap the day with one of our signature cocktails at the bar. Students from Drake University, Iowa State University, and Grand View University make us their favorite study-break spot, while shoppers at Merle Hay Mall appreciate our convenient location.

Local events such as Beaverdale Fall Festival and Des Moines Arts Festival bring the community together, and fans of Iowa State Cyclones and Iowa Central gather here before heading to the big game at McGrane Stadium and other popular arenas. If you decide to leave your car at home, the nearest bus stop is at Douglas Avenue and 57th Street.

Des Moines Essential Services

Essential services like Des Moines Fire Department Station 9 and Des Moines Police Department are only blocks away, and you’ll find neighbors from Windsor Heights, Urbandale, Johnston, and Clive just down the road.

FAQs About Applebee's Off Merle Hay Road

Applebee’s in Des Moines is open during the hours posted above. We recommend calling ahead during holidays and seasonal events.

This Applebee's is approximately 8 miles miles from Des Moines International Airport. Stop by before or after your flight to fill up on your favorite things to eat at Applebee's in Des Moines.

Applebee’s makes it easy to serve crowd-pleasing favorites for parties, office lunches, team meals, family gatherings, and events in Des Moines. Visit our catering page to view available options and place your order.

Happy hour in Des Moines is generally from 3 PM to 6 PM on weekdays and from 3 PM to 6 PM on weekends. We recommend calling the restaurant, as times can change.

The Applebee’s located near the corner of Madison Avenue & Merle Hay Road offers both takeout and delivery through our online ordering system and third-party partners.

Our team at the Des Moines Applebee's may be hiring cooks, servers, bussers, hosts, or managers. Visit our careers page or inquire in person about restaurant jobs in Des Moines or for application details.

Applebee's does not accept reservations, but feel free to call ahead to check wait times.

With our rotating drink menu, you never know what you'll find at Applebee's in Des Moines, alongside our signature cocktails. Give us a call to hear what's on tap today.

Thinking of hosting a private event or holiday party at the Applebee’s located off Merle Hay Road? Contact our events team at this location to get started.