Love It Or Leave It
Applebee’s has been around long enough to become a default choice—easy to find, easy to afford, and always promising something familiar. The menu covers everything, but doesn’t always deliver equally across the board. Some dishes surprise you in a good way; others make you question who even approved them. Still, it remains a fixture of America's chain restaurant culture. So, first, let’s take a look at ten things that make Applebee’s hard to defend.
1. Inconsistent Food Quality Across Locations
Customer feedback from Applebee’s restaurants across the country shows major inconsistencies in food quality. Signature dishes, in particular, vary widely—some locations serve tough steaks, and flavor profiles shift so drastically between restaurants that dining experiences feel entirely unpredictable.
2. Overcooked Or Dry Entrées
Across countless customer reviews, a clear theme stands out—Applebee’s entrées often arrive overdone and lacking moisture. Diners repeatedly mention ribs that taste “extremely dry and not enjoyable,” chicken tenders sealed in thick, hard batter, and mac and cheese missing its signature creamy appeal.
Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos on Wikimedia
3. Small Portions, High Prices
An in-depth look at Applebee’s marketing versus reality exposes a noticeable gap in portion expectations. Promotional photos showcase generous servings, yet customers frequently report disappointingly small portions in everything from salads to appetizers. This ongoing mismatch between imagery and experience fuels frustration over value for money.
4. Frequent Menu Failures
Across countless diner accounts, Applebee’s struggles with execution at the most basic level. Customers encounter soggy mozzarella sticks, limp fries, and, in some cases, Double Crunch Shrimp fused into dense battered clusters—clear signs of recurring preparation and kitchen consistency problems.
5. Slow Or Inattentive Service
In an industry where attentive service forms the backbone of dining satisfaction, Applebee's striking departure from these fundamentals raises eyebrows. While standard restaurant protocol demands regular table visits and proactive guest attention, diners consistently encounter a puzzling void.
6. Dirty Dining Areas
General dissatisfaction with Applebee's cleanliness has bubbled up through customer feedback, extending beyond basic complaints about food quality. These concerns gain credibility through documented reviews describing unclean tables and sticky floors at various locations.
7. Worn Or Broken Interiors
Nothing hurts a restaurant's bottom line quite like unhappy customers walking out and never returning. Unfortunately, that's exactly what's happening at many Applebee's locations, where diners frequently witness broken furniture, ripped booth seats, and generally worn-out interiors.
8. Confusing Or Misleading Promotions
Each promotional promise from Applebee's seems to evaporate like a mirage at the moment of truth. From phantom rewards cards that never materialize to advertised deals that mysteriously vanish at checkout, the restaurant's marketing facade crumbles beneath mounting customer testimonials.
9. Excessive Upcharges And Hidden Fees
What begins as isolated incidents of diners encountering unexpected charges at Applebee's has evolved into a documented pattern of customer complaints. Guests regularly face surprise fees for substitutions and add-ons, and undisclosed charges that significantly inflate final bills.
10. Little Originality In Menu Or Bland Flavors
Applebee’s menu reflects a troubling lack of creativity and flavor depth. Its dependence on generic, overused recipes results in meals that taste flat and predictable. Even the lighter options disappoint, as salads arrive buried under fried toppings instead of crisp, fresh ingredients.
Now, here are ten things that Applebee’s actually gets right.
1. Welcoming Neighborhood Grill Vibe
Step inside any Applebee’s and you’re greeted by walls lined with local memorabilia. This design philosophy, rooted in its early days as T.J. Applebee’s Rx for Edibles & Elixirs, fosters a sense of warmth, comfort, and genuine community connection.
2. Appetizers That Steal The Spotlight
Savvy diners know Applebee’s appetizer lineup offers unbeatable value with generous, shareable portions that cater to every craving. The creamy Spinach & Artichoke Dip and inventive Chicken Wonton Tacos have turned these starters into fan favorites, making Applebee’s a reliable choice for group gatherings.
3. Affordable Happy Hour Specials
As a cornerstone of after-work social culture, Applebee's has turned casual gatherings through its accessible happy hour program. The chain's discounted appetizers and beverage specials, including the breakthrough 2017 "Dollarita" at just $1, have made social connections more affordable.
4. Signature Riblets And Boneless Wings
While Applebee's signature riblets stand as a time-honored tradition that helped define the brand, their boneless wings represent a modern favorite that keeps the menu fresh and exciting. Together, these crowd-pleasing options create the perfect balance.
5. Family-Friendly Environment
Applebee’s dining rooms buzz with birthday cheers, family chatter, and shared laughter, creating a space that feels open and inclusive. This lively, multi-generational spirit comes from the brand’s core design—a casual setting paired with a broad menu crafted to welcome guests of every age.
Fernando Cesar Nox from Jundiaí, Brasil on Wikimedia
6. Late-Night Dining Availability
Craving a hearty meal after most places have shut their doors? Applebee’s keeps the lights on for night owls, with many locations staying open late—especially on weekends when the nightlife thrives. Depending on the area, guests can enjoy both dine-in options and enticing late-night specials.
7. Seasonal Menu Innovations
Throughout the year, Applebee's orchestrates a vibrant dance of seasonal flavors that keeps guests eagerly anticipating what's next. From summer sips to football season favorites, their kitchen constantly sparkles with fresh innovations, rolling out trend-inspired entrées.
8. Strong Community Involvement
Applebee’s does more than serve great food—it actively invests in the neighborhoods it calls home. Guided by a community-first philosophy, franchise owners regularly support local initiatives and host fundraising nights for schools and organizations.
9. Variety Of Drink And Cocktail Options
The viral success of Applebee's Dollarita promotion marked a pivotal moment in the chain's beverage strategy, catalyzing an expansive evolution of its drink menu. Today, the restaurant's comprehensive cocktail portfolio features signature margaritas, seasonal themed beverages, and specialty drinks.
Rusty Clark ~ 100K Photos on Wikimedia
10. Easy Online Ordering And Curbside Pickup
Between juggling work deadlines and everything else life throws your way, finding time for a sit-down meal isn't always possible. That's why Applebee's offers easy online ordering and convenient curbside pickup—bringing your favorite restaurant dishes right to your car door.
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