Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Florida

It is now 11:10 Sunday night 12/22/2024. I was just at the store on county line road in spring hill. I am there 3-4 times a week every week. My daughter is autistic and with that comes some crazy sleep cycles. By time we are up most everything is closed even shopping so we stop there for something to eat for our long nights. As I was removing what i didnt want and preparing what I did want on my burger i noticed it felt cold. Thought maybe it was just from the toppings. Took 1 bite and was cold but figured it probably sat in the window for to long before served to me. I have worked in restaurants since 1996. I even worked at applebees in Arizona in 2012. I won several plaques for employee of the month. I worked Host, Server, Car side, Expo, Dish, Prep cook, and did Fry side for 1 night due to no employee to cover that shift. I am well familiar with the business. But much to my surprise as I took my second bite it was completely raw. When I say raw I mean raw. cold, squishy, and stringy. My server just happen to be right there so I told her "this is cold and raw". She said "no problem I will have you a new one made." Within a minute the manager came to the table. He said " i heard your burger came out a little under cooked." I said "It was undercooked it was completely raw." He said "We have a new one making for you now but im going to have to ask you not to swear at my employees." Utterly confused I said "what do you mean swear at your employees?" Now i have my 4 year old daughter sitting right next to me. He said " the server said you were swearing at her and im not going to tolerate that here." I said "I didnt swear at her I told her the exact same thing I told you." He says "look at you raising your voice" I said "of course cause now I'm upset." being accused of doing something I did not do. Who wouldnt be upset. I even asked the tables next to me "did any of you hear me swear her out?" they all said "no". Now that really upset the manager that I had proof that I didnt swear at anyone. Now I am back home. I spent over an hour there. Did not get anything to eat. And now it is to late to do any type of shopping. So I get to sit here for 12 hours with nothing to eat. I am beyond upset and you will be losing a loyal customer that is there more days then not. I will be going back in tomorrow to talk to some of the servers that usually have me. The servers name was delores. Not sure the managers name but that can easily be checked with the info I have given. There were other issues as well but this was the reason for...

I came to Applebee's with a goal in my mind. There was a particular song that Applebee's had payed six digits for the singer to endorse, and that was a Bourbon Street steak with an Oreo shake. I had to see what this was all about. Soni gathered a few friends and I made my way to Applebee's. Upon sitting down, the waitress was very friendly and got us drinks very fast. Of course, an Oreo shake took much longer to make at the bar, but that's perfectly okay. When it came to me, I got my order in for the Bourbon Street steak. Then, it was time to taste the first half of this specialty combination. The Oreo shake was rich, smooth, and creamy. I took sips at it and before long, there was nothing left than the abundance of whipped cream they had generously topped me off with. I unfortunately did not get to see how it paired necessarily with the Bourbon Street steak but that's alright. 5/5 on the Oreo shake. Now, the Bourbon Street steak. When it first arrived it looked well seasoned, and the wood block beneath the dish alongside the mashed potatoes and it looked very bar-esque. When I first tasted it, I thought surely that I was mistaken. This was not what I had imagined it would taste like. A bitter spice filled my mouth and the divine steak I was expecting had turned somehow into over seasoned, slightly overcooked bar food. I would give it a 1/5 if not for the mashed potatoes they gave me. Overall, 7/10 order. I ended up finishing my friends fried fish along with it and that was relatively yummy. Is this Bourbon Street Steak a testament to the inevitability that bar food will always remain bar food? Or is there yet to be a hidden gem, a food there at Applebee's that surpasses that which I've ever dreamed? Perhaps this is Applebee's take on what a steak should be, a magnum opus of steak, a brave new take on the fine meat. If so, it is not for me. Until next time Applebee's...we...

The waitress took a ridiculously long time to take both our drink order and then didn't come back for our food order until a long time later. So much so that the table that was seated next to us (and seated about 30 minutes AFTER us) got their drinks and food before us. 3 of us ordered they're 3 cheese Mac n' cheese. We were told they were waiting on the pasta, that's why it was taking so long...when the food came out the pasta was COLD. I ordered the rib/8oz sirloin combo. Ordered the sirloin rare, it was practically well done. We ordered my 6 year olds 4oz sirloin well....he got his medium rare/rare. The manager comes over, we explain the issues...SHE BASICALLY SHRUGGED HER SHOULDERS AND HAD THIS LOST LOOK ON HER FACE. If you're going to be a manager, then please be prepared to act like one. 2 of my friends were so hungry they ate the cold pasta and the other one took it to go to reheat it at home. They cooked me another steak.... practically well done AGAIN. I just gave up, asked for a box, took it to go but I chose to toss it because basic rule of food service....NEVER SEND YOUR FOOD BACK. I've been to other Applebee's before without issues. The Bahama Mamas were watered down and you could taste any of the alcohol but they were flavorful. Other then the drinks, this place...