Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Harlingen

This Applebee’s location is way behind the times. Especially in the ability to allow patrons like myself to pay with ease through the Applebee’s app (iOS/GooglePlay). It’s sad to see that their customer service isn’t what it should be with waiters/waitresses having brash attitudes and no regards for knowing the menu and the ingredients of each item made. No sense of pride in service nor the ability to give patrons what they ordered. But this isn’t the only place that provides the “TAKE IT THE WAY WE MAKE IT” approach. If you have an establishment that renders into the “short order” way of cooking, the kitchen staff should be able to make food EXACTLY the way its order unless the patron is ok with the way it’s prepared and served BUT please provide the customer with the courtesy of being asked instead of being greedy for tips by serving 20 plus people when you best provide your best wait service at 12 people. In the end you’ll only realize that neglect of your customers while waiting for their orders will only result in one time visit customers who’ll take the time and provide reviews in which the company will see this as a chance to re-train staff to avoid future issues of the same nature and thus reprimanding the employee(s) who in turn continue to allow their disposition @ this location slip into obscurity. I urge the Manager Ray/Rey to please retrain your waitstaff so that they be in full understanding of the menu and each and every ingredient of EVERYTHING prepared be the kitchen. When it comes to the food I ordered, the chips were stale, the queso was served as if it was sitting for a good period of time, and the chicken from my bacon ranch chicken sandwich was overcooked as well as applewood smoked bacon. I asked for leaf lettuce and expressed that I do not want iceberg lettuce (after being told that this location indeed “serves” “leaf lettuce”) and the waiter (Jose M) returns with a “leaf” of “iceberg lettuce” to replace the “chopped” “iceberg lettuce” the sandwich originally came with. So very disappointed. To the owner of this establishment (who may respond with a review apology), I do not wish to be contacted further by a representative from your company in response to this incident by “copying & pasting” a weblink (in which I believe may have malware for besmirching the establishment in a act of revenge) in my browser for further assistance and rectification in response with...

We go after 9 pm for the half-price appetizers. Food and service are always good.

Edit #3: Went back for Father's Day. Our server was awesome. On top of that, the neighboring server was really nice about our toddler being in the way. AND another staff member (maybe manager) overheard us talking about how the toddler was going to be difficult while she waited for her food, so he went and grabbed us an applesauce during his meal break. The host was fine this time, and the food from the 2 for $20/$25 menu was excellent. Definitely makes up for the bad host and disappointing wings from before.

Edit #2: The boneless wings aren't that great anymore. Maybe a new cook. The table next to us was pissed about their food too. They didn't eat and demanded their money back. If it's not good next time, we're not going to go here anymore.

Edit: New hostess has an attitude problem. We didn't want to sit our baby in front of the door on a cold night, so she got pissy, even though we only asked to be in the section they've always put us in. When we asked for a high chair, she pulled the one from the dirty table next to us. The waitress had to take the time out to get a clean one. Still had a good time, but...

A little disappointed. Arrived there and we're seated right at 6. We figured we could still order the happy hour appetizer. We didn't get a server til about 6:06. When we asked for the appetizer, the server advised it ended at 6. Lo and behold we were there on time, just didn't get service til way after. I'm not one to make a fuss so I didn't say anything. Figured they shouldn't be pushed into doing the right thing. We ordered an app anyway and just payed full price. On to the meal, We initially decided to go there because of the commercials advertising their irresista-bowls. They were not as described. Much smaller than advertised. I ordered the homestyle chicken bowl... chicken tasted like it was cooked with burned out shortening/oil along with the onion strings it was topped off with. It was also very soupy. Wife had the orange chicken bowl. It was ok, a little too sweet but ok. Service was good. Hadn't been there in a while. Probably won't be back for another while. 1-25-24 visit, this one was a lot better. Wife order an appetizer sampler as a meal and I had the all you can eat ribs, shrimp and boneless wings. It was delicious. They redeemed themselves. Service was great....