We usually stay away from chain places but decided to go to Applebees with a group so that everyone could find something they wanted to eat.
I arrived early to secure a table for 6. I requested a table rather than a booth because a table offers more comfortable seating for several members of my group. I was told by the hostess there were no tables and was led to a corner booth. I knew there would be no way a few members of my ground could slide back in the corner and fit in this booth and again was told that was our only option. I waited about 10 minutes before anyone asked if I wanted something to drink. When a waitress did appear, I asked her about moving to a different seat. They were not busy at all and there were several more suitable places available. I explained the situation and was promptly taken to a more comfortable option. The new option still wasn't ideal and required that 3 people had to slide around the table and into a back both. The other people had higher chairs. Our waitress mentioned that they'd had quite a few complaints about their new remodel and the lack of various seating.
Okay, once we got settled, things improved for a moment. Drinks and appetizers were ordered and the atmosphere allowed us the chance to talk. Appetizers arrived and were good. My boyfriend had the new pretzel sticks and I had a wedge salad. The salad was good but a little small for the $5 charge. The pretzel sticks were great.
Our food arrived before anyone was done with appetizers. Our table had no room for all the plates and the server tried to take the pretzels, my salad, and my friend's salad before we were 1/2 finished. We managed to rearrange things in order to give us more room. I had my standard fiesta lime chicken. It is good each time. However, I did not get the sliced avocado I ordered with it. That arrived about 5 minutes later. One member of my group did not receive her order with the rest of our food. We started eating and when it became a little awkward, we asked about her meal. We were told someone else had taken her food and that her order would be ready soon. It arrived when the rest of us were almost done. She'd ordered her burger well-done but it was still pink throughout. I am assuming the kitchen wanted to get her food out to her in a hurry. They took her meal off the bill.
Our waitress was good about asking if we needed drink refills but took my beer glass when there was still about an inch of beer left. Not good!
Yes, Applebees has a wide selection and is good when some people in a group do not want to be limited to a certain type of food. Something for everyone here, right? There are just better options out there. I often find myself thinking, "Wow, that doesn't look anything like the glossy picture in the menu." I have always felt as if the prices at Applebee's are a bit high, particularly for alcoholic drinks. I also prefer Coke products vs. Pepsi when I am having soft drinks, but that's a matter of personal preference.