Applebee's — Restaurant in Ontario

I'm very torn regarding this review as our experience ranged from 1 to 5 stars depending on the moment. We had 6 pm reservations for 4 on New Year's Day. The good: No wait to be seated, server was attentive, helpful and friendly and the food, for the most part was quite flavourful and portions were more than adequate.

The not so good: We were seated in a booth that would only be comfortable for a 6 yr old, and a very thin one at that. We are not huge people but the booth space was rediculous, particularly with purses and coats. The aisle was so narrow only one person could get down at a time and the waiter actually dropped a plate of food as someone in the party beside us shifted in their chair as he walked by...yes it is that tight for space. The restaurant was not at all busy but we waited much too long for our food, had to ask for utensils twice , (after our food was on the table) then for gravy and mayonnaise (requested when ordering as sides) 3 times. The waiter was lovely, but clearly very distracted. I ordered the 7 Oz sirloin steak, medium well. It came cooked long past well done. Because we had waited so long for our food in the first place, I didn't send it back , but did mention it to the server, who was quite apologetic. Flavor was still good, just dry and a tad tough from overcooking.

So....would we go back? Hard to say. We didn't leave unhappy, but not particularly...

Went to this Applebees and this popped up asking me to share a photo of my experience so I took a photo of the bar. 2 minutes later the Manager comes up and accuses me of taking a photo of the servers ass. So I showed him the photo which clearly is more of the bar than anything. He apologizes but by this time it's too late as everyone around me heard what he was saying and the fact that he had already CLEARLY embarrassed me in front of half the restaurant. So just as my order was coming to my table I left. Won't EVER go back there and as you can clearly tell my review is nothing but BAD!!! I HOPE someone got stuck paying the bill

UPDATE: Called Applebee's HQ and filed a Complaint in regards to this Happenstance. They offered to "TALK" to the Staff about making such accusations without KNOWING FOR SURE! Then they tried to buy me off with a $20 Gift Card. I told the guy EXACTLY Where he could SHOVE his "Gift Card" and repeated myself about NEVER going back to Applebee's! AND Telling everyone I knew and anyone else who asked me about this place this story. Maybe I can save them from being Accused of Something they did NOT Do and then be accused of it while 20 other patrons are within Earshot so they can ALL Hear what is being said EVEN though its UNTRUE it doesn't matter ....by that time the DAMAGE has...

We do eat at Applebee's Grill + Bar on a fairly regular basis. I have met some very nice staff at this restaurant and the one and only time that I had an issue with a staff member the Manager was all over it and apologized and made sure that we knew it was addressed. We ate there again on Sunday March 27th and it was very good, our server (Shylah) was really great and on top of everything. She was very pleasant and professional and really added to an overall good experience. The food was good, I love the ribs there the best and it was a very pleasant experience.

We have had another experience with one of the wait staff her name is Kelly R., she is excellent, on the ball and thinks of all the little things that others don't, e.g. when we ordered something with mash potatoes, she brings butter, is making sure you enjoyed the meal and checks up just enough. Great person, really like her attitude and her great energy.

Had dinner here again on June 5, 2025, our server was Taylor S. and she did a great job. Although very busy, she made sure we were taken care of and checked on us to make sure everything was good. ...