Applebee’s

I didnt used to be a fan of applebees but have recently started going back as their food selection appears to have gotten better. The boneless wings are delicious! The atmosphere is kept at a dull roar with the bar being the focal point of the restaurant. Staff is hjt and miss, recent visit delt with «alex» who seemed to have issues making basic change and was pushy when asked questions about selections on the menu. Otherwise its been pretty good.

I am a big Applebee’s fan, but recent visits have made me question their mission.
They have a new self ordering system which is confusing and unnecessary, the server is spending too much time showing everybody how the new system works instead of connecting with the customer and doing the ordering for them, which is why people go out to eat.
Remember, people go back to restaurants because of a good experience which is often times the result of having a great server. I suppose this new system might work if the servers aren’t very good, or if there are a lot of tech-​savvy younger customers.

Server was fabulous. Manager came around talking to guests. Had some minor issues with food but they politely fixed it and then it was fine.

This is a tough review to write. It’s one of those experiences that it’s hard to describe. First I will say — my lemon chicken was good. But beyond that, it went downhill. I think I will list the «little things» that equalled a negative experience.
1. They don’t really have a hostess station — so the hostess and the waitresses just kind of hang out at a table by the door. Unfortunately, we were seated at the table on the other side of the partition right next to where they hang out and overheard all the bitchen’ about their tables.
2. Sitting at this table also meant our table got to have the nasty rag they used to wipe tables right at the elbow of one person in our party. Made us realize how when they cleared tables it was probably unsanitary because that white towel they continued to grab and use was pretty stanky.
3. My husband’s Hog Wild sandwich was missing a main ingredient — the meat! Yes, it had a slice of bacon and 2 slices of processed ham — but those were condiments to a pulled pork sandwich… of which there was none! We asked the hostess on the other side of the partition if we could see a menu to make sure he ordered the right thing… OMG, you would have thought it would take some effort to hand us a menu over the partition. Finally, one of the waitresses came over to hang out with her and we asked her for a menu, and luckily her arm was long enough to be able to reach over and hand us one… realize the hostess wouldn’t have even had to of moved from her leaning spot to have done this. Our waitress brought a container with pulled pork for my husband to put on the sandwich, with a «Gee, they must have overlooked this»
4. No visit from a manager, if you leave the main item off a plate a good manager stops by and says «I’m sorry» maybe even comps one beer or appetizer… but just the I’m sorry would have been appropriate.
5. Finally, the new menu is confusing! Even our waitress agreed, she said they had a lot of people order wrong because it’s extremely unclear what’s included and what’s a premium side with a $ 3.49 up-​charge.
Cookie cutter, nothing spectacular, would have been okay if service was better… and service meaning more than our server as she was adequate. Service being — everyone aware of how their job impacts the whole experience.
Just an FYI — the pictures on this page are stock pictures, nothing came out looking like this, or like the menu pictures.

Now this place has the best customer service I have ever experienced. You can tell they work really hard at it, which is surprising considering most customers are travelers. Our waiter was outgoing, shook our hands, checked on our table very frequently, and was very genuine. Not only did the manager come by to every table to ask if anyone needed anything, but so did any staff member that was passing by. Truly a great, clean environment and the food was just a good. The 4 cheese mac and cheese was very popular amongst our table and others surrounding. There is nothing I would change about this place!

Fast and a good value. But cookie cutter routine heat and eat meals.
Great for a quick beer with friends. Nice staff too.

One would think that after such an awful experience at a restaurant and notification to the Corporate Offices, someone would address the management issue here (or at least the concerns of a former long-​time customer) but no one has followed up! This is sad but even just a little research on Google reveals that this company really doesn’t care about customer feedback. Quite sad.

Always greeted by an energetic host, and sat in a clean booth with the server very close behind. The server is always attentive to detail and the good comes out hot and as ordered. I took my friend’s six year old daughter here and she loved it. A great Applebee’s for any occasion.

This is a regular spot for my family. Always quick service, good food. Recently redecorated and much more aesthetically pleading. Last time I was there they had a free app for people who check in on Unilocal,great deal. Manager greeted us and was friendly, server was efficient and quick.

We are giving this Applebee’s a 5 star review because the people here are amazing! Most chain restaurants don’t care about the quality of food or service but Michael Huber the manager and Amit, our waiter, went above and beyond our expectations to take care of us. My wife and I will be back again and again because we appreciate businesses that care about us as customers.
Thank you Mike for being an exemplary leadership example for how to take care of customers and thank you Amit for working hard I make our night great.
Sincerely,
Mat Koenig
CEO
KonigCo
The #1 Mobile Marketing Company for Automotive Dealers in the U.S.

This place is the best. I recommend the bourbon street steak and the tortilla soup is awesome!

Nice service &I like the half price appetizers at night.

Been to this location a few times (also tried several other locations around town)
Have always got fantastic service!
Aside from the 9oz steak being a little small I’ve consistently been wow’d by the service. I usually sit in the bar where the bartenders are extra friendly/​talkative. Tends to be busy but food is good.

I’m usually not a fan of chain restaurants anyway but I have been to this location a few times (at the request of others) and each time has been kind of a mess. Orders are constantly messed up and are often served cold (on all occasions people that I am with have had to send back food for either being too cold or being the wrong order.) Granted the staff is always apologetic but just get it right in the first place and it’s not an issue. I think they are just lacking in talented cooks/​chefs. Also the service is really slow. not the fault of the wait staff but again that can be blamed on the cook line.
I also really wish there were more vegetarian options… or any vegetarian options for entrees for that matter.

So i’d just done some shopping at the nearby Target and Gamestop, and I was feeling that urge in my stomach. You know, that urge that can only be satisfied with something nice and cheesy that fits on a bun… yep. It was cheezburger time.
Not really being in the mood for a fast-​food cheezburger, well, I decided to take a shot in one of the few sit-​down restaurants. I chose the neighborhood Applebee’s.
Have to admit, though, the place was crowded– and somehow I ended up at my own small table, even though there were couples waiting to be seated. The table itself was sticky and a few crumbles of cheese were left on it, apparently from the last diner (–1 star for that). So I get a look at the menu, and order the mozzarella sticks as an appetizer, and a cheezburger combo with Mountain Dew to drink.
The drink and sticks come first, and I have to admit– they were pretty good. They’d be better if I didn’t have to choke blazing hot cheese down with only a drip or two of liquid while I waited for my waitress to show up with a refill. That took about ten minutes. (–1 star for inattentive waitstaff)
So, finally, my cheezburger came, and it was actually decent– the fries were almost covered in some kind of tangy cheese-​like product– I expect it either to be blue or feta cheese from someone else’s dish. It was okay, I guess.
Finally, as I was leaving, I paid with my last $ 20– hey, dinner was $ 18, and now the waitress who gave me crappy service is eyeing the pair of ones in my hand like a hungry shark. When I put them back in my pocket, I get a dirty look. I’m sorry, but tips are for people who do a GOOD job. (–1 star for greedy waitress)
That leaves us with a rating of two stars. If you have to come here, at least bother the management to get some Western Michigan gear to put on the wall.