Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Cedar Rapids

Yikes. Where to begin? Our waitress was more worried about chatting with the table behind us than helping us. Despite us trying to get her attention 3xs concerning something- we were repeatedly ignored. Finally I went to the bar and the bartender told me she was hard of hearing. Cool. More understandable I guess and not being ignored?

Then when our food arrived, half the order was wrong. Half the order was cold. The sandwich bread was rock hard and when dropped on the plate, literally broke... Condiments were missing. We again had to go to the bar for help vs our server.

Finally we asked for the check. She asked if we needed boxes (as barely anything had been touched). I told her no, I was taking my family to get food we could actually EAT. She goes "ok", takes my card out my hand- and goes to run it.

At that point I probably wasn't the nicest person. I see a guy in a different colored shirt and if he's the manager. He confirms and I told him he was needed at my table, and walk back up to the table. He comes immediately and I address all of the above with him, and suddenly the waitress isn't hard of hearing at all. She claims she never heard me complain, and she brought out fresh fries when she confirmed ours were cold.

I told him the fact she took my card after me telling her I needed to take my family somewhere they could actually eat the food was not ok. Her first line of action should of been to get a manager... he immediately agreed and she claims she never heard us say that (wow suddenly she can hear everything!)

Manager even hacked the food at that point. Confirmed that bread was rock hard and should have never came out. The service definitely should have been way better. And that so many errors were made.

At this point, he offered to refund my card and we left.... an HOUR later, I look at my bank statement and instead of a refund, I've been charged DOUBLE. When I called back- this guy actually tells me that's normal when refunds are given. Not sure where he learned this, but I've never been charged double for a refund on a card.... seems more like this waitress gave herself a double tip.

Anyways. Avoid this place. Horrible food. Horrible service. And questionable charges on a bank card after it leaves your hands...

ETA: Attempted with the link they provided, and never heard from anyone. I doubt very seriously the local franchise cares in...

Second time coming here. First visit was bad, so I gave it a year and tried again. Here's what's wrong with this place.

Doors are zip tied open, one door doesn't even work. Does the owner not care about his business that you have to use zip ties just to keep your doors from locking?

Door greeter was sitting at a booth in the back. She may have a problem I don't know about, but the bartender had to tell her multiple times to get to the door.

I did notice the manager in a back corner booth, getting her hair braided by another worker for at least 20 minutes. I didn't know this was a hair salon. Should've gotten my beard braided while we were waiting for our food.

Server was okay. He was training someone tonight, when they entered in an Adios for my drink for the bartender, they made it "lit" meaning fireball was added. I don't care for the cinnamon flavor in that drink. Didn't even drink it. Server did not even ask if we wanted to speak to a manager, nor did he knock off any discount on the food and drink. I don't care about a discount, but at least get stuff right.

When food came out, it was cold. I received soggy fries once again like I did before. Burger was lukewarm, like it was sitting in a fridge after they cooked it. I ordered the "whole lotta bacon burger". It was missing the bacon jam on the burger and I had to ask for it. The server did replace my fries with a half order of "fresh and hot" fries. Also brought out a lil container of the bacon jam for me to put it on myself. My wife ordered the pretzels, the pretzels and the cheese dipping sauce were cold.

Something definitely needs to change at this Applebee's. It all starts with management and works it's way down. You definitely can tell with the atmosphere in there no one wanted to work or be there. I hope others don't have to deal with these experiences I have at this Applebee's. Heck, I have now put Wendy's and HuHot on Collins Road better...

UPDATED DOWN BELOW !! Went there Yesterday Oct. 13 abt 3:00ish. There were abt 10 ppl or so in the restaurant so we were seated right away we ordered our drinks we got them fairly fast. We ordered our food the soup was ice cold & waited & waited for our waitress to come bk to see how things were tasting no luck finally I got up & was heading toward a mgr when the waitress appeared I asked for my soup to be heated up. Soup get brought bk followed by our meal I asked for no seasoning on my fries that was fine. When she set our food down she made a comment abt at least the fries are fresh the fries may have been fresh but were Luke warm. After our waitress delivered our meal she never came bk not once to see how things tasted or if we needed anything else. We finally got the bill she said I put it all together I asked for it to be separated that was fine. This is the the worst service / food I’ve had at Applebees. We eat at Applebees in our home town & a manager or team leader always comes around to make sure everything is ok. I cld see if they were swamped but by no means was that the case. We won’t be bk to eat here.

ATT MGR: After tlking to a mgr we decided to take another chance on Applebees on Oct 23 it’s abt 3:30 ish this time aprox same amount of ppl in the restaurant as I stated above. This time service was great the young gentleman came around & refilled our drinks made sure everything was good asked if we needed anything else. Our food was hot & tasty my soup was piping hot just like I like it. This time you all get a thumbs up. Great job this time nxt time we are in Cedar Rapids we’ll stop in again. I know I said I’d touch base with a mgr but we were on a tight schedule so nxt time I will touch base with you. I do appreciate you giving me the time to tlk abt my pretty bad...