Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Bozeman

Normally I would not write a review but I have to express my concern for the way my 81 yr old father was treated a the Bozeman Applebee's on Aug 5th 2014. My father has cancer and is a brittle diabetic. I gave him a 50.00 gift card to Applebee's as a birthday gift. My folks being on a very tight set income this was a huge treat for them. Dad doesn't get out much with is health but had a doctors appointment so mom and dad left early so that they could go to Appliebees' for a birthday dinner before his appointment. After they sat down and their order was taken the place started getting busy.. No one came to re-fill their drinks.. and after waiting for over an hour for their (avacodo/strawberry salad and a order of fish and chip) and others that came in after them were served and had left .. their order was delivered by a second waitress. The salad was limp and the fish was room temp and soggy.. My 78 yr old mother told the waitress about the salad being limp and the waitress asked if she was going to eat it.. Mom said it wasn't edible the waitress took the salad. didn't offer to bring her another one or something else.. so Mom didn't eat. Dad's being diabetic he had to eat and even though they told the waitress that the meal was cold and soggy she didn't offer any solution to the issue.. Dad ate one peice of fish and left the rest of his dinner.. They did asked to speak to the manager.... They voiced their complaint about the service and the food coming out cold and the manager said he would look into it.. however, never offered to fix the issue.. he did take the cost of the salad off the bill but my folks were charged the full price for the fish and chips dinner that dad was only ate one piece of fish. leaving all the fry's and coleslaw and the other peice of fish.. I am very angry as this was a gift that I gave my elderly folks as a special treat and not only was the service poor, the food served cold and the management no concerned. They now have a gift card with just under 40.00 left on it, and not likely to use it... I tried to call and speak to the manager myself about the situation and was put on hold for over 20 mins. When I called back I got disconnected. So I came home and called the customer service number on the webpage. I have filed a formal complaint and have a case number and I am told that SOMEONE will call me back between today 8/6/14 and next Tuesday 8/12/14. I am very disappointed in the way this situation was handled. Our entire family has loved going to Applebee's for special occations.. This was handled poorly and I feel that not only should this elderly couple get an apology from the company for the way their were treated.. (which I personally feel would have been handled differently if they were not a frail elderly couple) I think that they shouldn't have been charged for the entire fish and chips meal that was not fit to eat. I totally understand that services have bad days and mistakes happen.. it is how management handles those times that shows professionalism and customer service. I give out gift card to Applebee's pretty regularly... Depending on how corp. handles my complaint will determine if I start giving out gift card to Famous Dave's in the same parking lot...

Too often, places like Applebee's get criticized in Bozeman for no other reason than the fact that it's a national chain despite having local people manage and work that the restaurant. I have to say, my experiences at this Applebee's over the years has been overwhelmingly positive and generally more acceptable than most "local" restaurants. This was highlighted again last month when the staff went out of their way to help me plan a special evening for my wife on her birthday. She's had a tough year and she chose Applebee's as the place for dinner on her birthday. Each of the managers I spoke with were very helpful, but not simply helpful, but EXCITED to help. While they don't take reservations, they worked with me to make sure we had flowers on the table, a table large enough to sit other people (we had friends coming to surprise her after dinner for cake), they kept the cake in the fridge for me. They were remarkable to work with and I look forward to my next trip to eat there. Exceptional location operated by great...

This was the most disappointing, disgusting and unprofessional establishment I have ever been too! We sat at the bar top with a very inattentive bartender, drink ratios were off (liqour to mixer), ice was scooped from the ice bin with glass cups, nothing was ran through an actual sanitizing dish washer just dipped in "sanitized water". I didn't see the bartender wash his hands once while constantly wiping his sweat, and snot from his nose all while grabbing garnishes for drinks with his bare hands! I ordered the cajan blacked salmon with garlicky green beans and waffle fries, my salmon was dry and way over cooked, my beans tasted as if they have been freezer burt and my waffle fries weren't cooked all the way. I also went to the restroom before leaving and there was literally vomit on the wall and behind the toilet! Lastly they have a dresscode issue as one of the servers was wearing see-through leggings.. this place is disgusting and needs management to step in and correct issues before the health department does...