Applebees

[smartie]

well it's been a long time but tonight we tried it again. They now have points cards so you get $10 with every 100 points but that's an aside.

The menu had quite a few new items.

Draft beer was $1! perfectly good and cold and at that price ........
For $11 I had steak with Asiago cheese melted on top, garlic mash and very nice vegetables (not overcooked). Hubby had a club sandwich. Dinner for 2 was around $25 incl tip and 2 beers. It really was ok.

[rasputina]

I'm not a fan, but when we were out of town there was one right next to our hotel and my husband wanted to relax and have a beer so we went there. Hadn't eaten at one in a long time. They had these wonton tacos that were really good.

[FoodPopulist]

Applebee's is in the eye of the beholder. As an option at 6pm on a Friday, it is horrible. As a place for a late dinner for a party of four who want a sit-down dinner (not fast food) at 11pm in a small city not known for its restaurants, it might be your best choice.

[LikestoEatout]

I swore off Applebees years ago but recently went because a friend chose it. I had a peppercorn steak off their Under 500 calorie menu and it was quite good! The nice vegetable medley that came with it were perfectly cooked. Went back again with a different friend, had another steak off the under 500 menu and it too was perfect. My friend had a pasta dish and said it was one of the best she had had in a while, perfectly cooked with a nice creamy sauce.

[lreynolds]

I waited tables at Applebees while I was in college, and can't eat their food since. Nothing wrong with it, just around it way too much.

I always liked the salads and crispy orange chicken bowl. The "riblets" were strangely addictive.

[laststandchili]

I did the all you can eat riblet thing once many years ago, and flustered the waitress by inquiring what specific cut of meat "riblets" came from (the little round bones are just odd). Never got an answer and she was notably hostile for the rest of the meal.

In my area Applebees is the worst of the generally mediocre to bad collection of Fridays, Tuesdays, Chilis etc. Swore all of them off completely years ago. I'd personally prefer to indulge the occasional fast food craving at Taco Bell, Popeyes, or BK before patronizing the Four Horsemen of the Fast Casual Apocalypse.

[fara]

i agree with that last sentiment. it's almost like before eating Popeye's you tell your body "this is not really food, get ready." but when you sit down for fast casual, your body gets confused and expects a "restaurant" meal, one that is reasonably healthy and delicious. i also think the ingredients in the sauces,etc at the fast casual are somehow less healthy than popeye's which is mostly just grease and salt.

[Funwithfood]

Used to go occasionally but a couple years ago I'd had it with the worsening quality of the food. Have they improved in the last couple of years?

[Oboegal]

I really like their salads with pieces of cripsy chicken, or even grilled.

[libgirl2]

Once I ordered a salad while on vacation and my lettuce was brown.

[al b. darned]

They may be "improved," but I gave Applebee's several "last chances" over the last few years and they failed. There are just too many good restaurants in my area to bother with them.

[marciab]

Al,
I have to agree with you. I've been to Applebee's plenty of times with work groups and never feel that food is very good. And there are so many other, good choices I don't see the point to spend my money there.

[lergnom]

I try to eat lunch one weekend day with my youngest daughter - a tradition that has been slipping as she gets older. We try different places. The weirdest has been Applebee's, mostly because every item we had - and many at the tables around us - had its own kind of plate. Sort of a packaging. The food was bland but the place was busy. She won't go back. We say, "Applebee's: It's Almost Food."

[joe777cool]

Applebees = Worst Chain in America

or am I not allowed to say that?

[bermudagourmetgoddess]

When I lived in the states, yes I used to eat at Applebees and Ruby Tuesday's for that matter, but there are no chains in Bermuda and when I go home now there are so many other places to check out I always look over them.

Who knows maybe next time I will give them a try for lunch

[HungryinBmore]

I really miss their Apple Chimi Cheesecake Dessert. I think that was like one the few good things on the menu...and it is still gone :(

[Ima Wurdibitsch]

After several really awful experiences there, I gave up on them for years. A few weeks ago, I was coerced into going for lunch. I was very pleasantly surprised with the food. I had the shrimp diavolo and it was really tasty. Plus, it was a reasonable portion (not oversized). I would have liked it if the vegetables had been cut a little larger but the flavor was just right.

The service, on the other hand, was horrible. I could see picking up a to-go order of the shrimp.

[southernitalian]

You all sound REALLY enthusiastic.

[milkyway4679]

I've had Applebees many times, and have rarely been that badly disappointed. I usually end up getting the appetizer trio or a burger, and honestly, they are never bad. I like the spinach and artichoke dip a lot. It's a bit pricey for college students, so it's where we go for the date nights, but overall, it's a great option for quick and easy food.

[sockii]

That spinach/artichoke dip is my chain food crack. I seriously crave it sometimes.

Honestly don't think Applebee's is as horrid as many make it out to be. I tend to rather like their salads (though with dressing on the side so they're not drowning). I stick with those or a steak and find it generally ok for what it is.