Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Apple Valley

I’ve always been slightly unimpressed with the Apple Valley location and prefer to go to the Lakeville location, but after this past Saturday I will not return to the Apple Valley Apple Bees. When we walked in the host was about to suggest a high top table, I had two 4 year olds and a one year old with me, so when she started looking that way I quickly asked for a booth. We were walked back to the booth and sat down. I quickly remarked to her that the table was filthy as I picked up a chunk of food and threw it to the floor, nothing was ever done about this nor was I ever brought a booster or high chair for my one year old. The waiter seemed to take some time to get to us even though there were only a handful of other patrons there. I ordered a mudslide for myself, a soda for my son, a water for my daughter and a chocolate milk for my toddler. My 4 year olds were brought their drinks in the big adult cups….anyone with young children knows what a disaster that could be. No cup was provided for the toddler’s milk. And, for my second visit in a row, my mudslide had what appeared to be freezer burnt ice chunks in it. The waiter eventually made his way back to the table (he was very inattentive and seemed quite distracted, not to mention not very hospitable) and my friend brought to his attention how inappropriate it was that my 4 year olds were given such big glasses, his only excuse was that I wasn’t charged for an adult drink, I had to force him to take away my son’s drink because there were chunks floating in it!! We ordered our food after about 20 minutes of being there (and for how slow it was I was less than happy it took him so long to take our order). When our food arrived my drink had been empty for some time, I was never asked if I would like another….I had to ask our waiter to bring me a soda. I had ordered the appetizer sampler (something I order every time I go), my dip was easily considered room temp and I received less than a handful of chips  My friend’s meal was supposed to have lovely vegetables with it, she got 3 zucchini and some ridiculously large slices of onions. By the time the waiter finally checked back my soda was empty…..I never did get a refill. He dropped off our check and scurried off. Over 15 minutes later he finally came back to collect payment, in which we asked to speak to a manger. He sent out the manger in training who was unable to help us and had to waste more time getting the actual manager, whom in our hour and a half at the store I hadn't seen on the floor even once. He was polite and offered to make things more acceptable for us. The worst, for me, came after all that. I took my daughter to the restroom and the hostess (who handled my children’s crayons and menus) came in, blew her nose, and left. The manager in training came in after that to use the restroom so I filled her in on the fact that after blowing her nose the hostess failed to wash her hands. The manager in training gave me some line about how it was because she was going off line so she would wash her hands in the back and turn in her mic. Imagine my surprise when I exited the restroom and this “off line” hostess was at the front pedestal with her mic still attached!!! Over an hour and a half on a Saturday afternoon (not even lunch or diner rush) to get in and out. Never again will I walk into that Apple...

My wife, child, and I were at this Applebee's on Saturday night 03/09/24. Of course we expected it to be busy as we had gone during dinner so that isn't the issue. We got sat right away, which is nice, and quite honestly unexpected as we thought we would have to wait. The host said they ran out of high chairs. Right after she told us that, a busser had commented that he could go grab one that is done being used. The host continued to say no we don't have any more. Both of them went back and forth in front of my family, us just standing there, watching them argue about the situation. We then get sat and all is great (busser brings over that highchair even)! I ordered a blue lemonade, however it just came as a blue drink with no actual lemonade in it (guessing they were just out of flavoring and i got unluckiy which happens sometimes). My wife ordered a perfect margarita that apparently comes with chips and salsa. Well we didn't realize it came with chips and salsa as no one told us when ordering and it wasn't until after our main entre of food came out (after ordered appetizers) that a different server came out with the chips and salsa. We refused them as we didn't know it came with the drink. The server continued to try and force the chips on us, not paying attention to how close she was holding them to our son (year and half old) my wife tried to warn her but our son got ahold of the plate and almost caused a mess (quick hands by mom caught him in the act preventing the whole plate from potentially falling on our child). In-between all that the service was mediocre. Forgot drinks half the time and if the margarita came with chips and salsa why didn't they come out with the drink? Or at least inform the guest it was coming? My wife wanted to watch the MSHSL Hockey championship game on a TV near us and asked the server to have the channel changed. We had to ask twice for it and as she had gotten the manager to change the channel we could hear the manager questioning her and being rude to the server about it. I'd say if your server comes to you and asks to change a TV channel for a customer you should just do it with joy and a smile on your face and not act like your server is the one that wants it changed. We are finishing up our meal and I wanted desert. Before our server came back another manager came to our table and with no introduction or context, rudely asked to see a coupon for a dessert that we have yet to order at the time that we knew nothing about. I told him we didn't even order desert yet but he continued to try and see a coupon. Our server then told the manager he had the wrong table. At this he just huffed off without so much as an apology for the intrusion.

Long story short don't go to this Applebee's when it is busy. It was very apparent that there was no structure and it was every man for themselves. It...

Was it Jerky or Baby Back Ribs?

Writing a review is something I find extremely important as a consumer. I read countless of reviews to determine if I’m going to purchase a product or visit a place or restaurant. I think we owe it to each other to give an honest experience to help the other consumer make an educated determination if they will visit or buy a product. I avoid petty complaints like “the windows outside were dusty” or “the hostess didn’t smile at me.” While those things are important, I focus on quality of service and food. So let’s begin.

I was at Applebee’s in Apple Valley MN and my server Melissa A was a delight that evening but that is where it all went downhill. I ordered the Baby Back Ribs, and to say it was ‘Horrible’ is putting it lightly.

When ordering Baby Back Ribs, the first thing that comes to my mind is juicy and ‘Falling-Off-the-Bone’ tender with a delicious BBQ sauce. Well they got the sauce correct but the ribs was by far the toughest I have ever had…hence the jerky reference.

My ribs were so tough that I didn’t even finish them. To add insult to injury, two ladies seated behind me also ordered the Baby Back ribs and experienced the same horror. After a couple of bites I could hear their complaints and engaged them in conversation. Attentive Melissa A, our server, was right there to put out the flames of disappointment as best she could and offered replacements or a do over. One lady opted for a new dish and the other a do over. I completely lost my appetite.

I paid my bill, wished the ladies well and gave Melissa a little more than 20% tip because she did her job well and tried her best to make up for the horrible meal the 3 of us experienced eating the Baby Back Ribs. Was it jerky or Baby Back ribs? It didn’t even taste good enough to be considered jerky but it darn sure was tough like it. FAILED!

Pros: Melissa A our server. The Manager on duty that took $10 off our meal ticket Cons: Probably the worse Baby Back ribs I have ever tasted Recommendation: I would hate to penalize an entire restaurant for one meal but in good conscience I COULD NOT recommend this restaurant based on my meal experience. Hopefully they relieved the cook from his/her duties and hire someone else, but I won’t be...