Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Lansing

Worst dining experience I’ve ever had here.

Where do I start? My wife and I went to two other restaurants before here. One of them not serving alcohol, and the other with a 1.5 hour wait. So we “settled” on Applebee’s knowing that they’re usually pretty decent.

First, we waited 30 minutes to get a seat. No big deal. It’s the night before Valentine’s Day, and they only have a 25% capacity limit. So we get it.

We finally got seated and we ordered the sample platter for an app, and I ordered a beer and my wife ordered a cocktail... 30 minutes passed with no drinks and no app. The waitress came by and said the bar was backed up. There were 5 drinks in front of ours. So we figured 5-10 more minutes... I’ll come back to the drinks.

We then watched another couple come in after that 30 minute period of waiting and they ordered the same app as us (with different wings). The lady came out and gave our app to them. (Which was 5 minutes after they ordered it) So we let them know and we were told they’d let the manager know. About 20 or so minutes later our app came out. We got the Wrong wings, the spinach dip and the quesadilla were actually cold. Not warm... COLD! Wanna know why? Because they gave us THEIR APP! So it was just sitting there. So the manager finally came out, comped the app and then said he’d get us the correct wings. Then the girl came out 15 minutes later and STILL tried to give it to the other table. I literally had to raise my voice (not yelling. Just enough to get her to hear us because she wasn’t paying attention) in front of everyone to let her know those were ours... I do appreciate the comped app though. (The only reason it’s getting 2 stars)

Then our Main courses came out. Mine was hot, My wife’s was not. Hers was room temp I’d say, but she didn’t want to deal with waiting any longer so she ate what she could tolerate. We’re about an hour in now, still no drinks... how long could 5 drink tickets possibly take..? I mean seriously. I have friends who tended bar in college and I’d watch them fly through tickets. So that was completely ridiculous. There was also a couple that was there before us that were STILL waiting on their drinks when we were about done eating. So We just cancelled the drinks, got a Togo box, paid the bill and left. We also witnessed two other tables literally get up and just walk out because of the lack of service.

Look, I get you all have been closed for dine in for a while, and with COVID restrictions things can get a bit hectic. I get it.. But you guys were COMPLETELY scattered and unprepared. There was no communication between staff until management needed to get involved. Which could’ve been avoided entirely if you your staff had the proper game plan in place for dinner service. What a let down. Won’t...

First of all I’d like to say I’m not usually one to put a bad review of any place. But this was an exceptionally terrible experience and I need to warn anyone that might be looking to purchase any form of steak from this location. I came in starving ready to eat a nice steak but when my steak was brought to me I could already tell by the top something was wrong. When I cut into the meat it looked almost like a bruise and was super dark and purple and almost reflective. I was obviously upset by this and ordered a second one. Just to find out that this one is also OLD starting to ROT. This was absolutely diabolical and the fact that 2/2 steaks were very visibly moldy dark and shiny looking. I’ve genuinely never been so disgusted by something that has come out to me on a plate. So at the end of the meal when I ask for the bill I asked if I could get a discount since everything possible was messed up I was given a whopping $4.67 off my meal! Thanks so much!! that should’ve been completely free! The fact that I still spent 30$ for an hour of waiting for non moldy food is insane and was even sub par when I had to order a burger because there wasn’t any non molded steaks left!! Like are you Kidding me?!? Please please please if you go here to eat make sure you triple check the meat they serve you so you don’t get sick! Lastly I’d like to say our server was great and I feel bad for her that she has to deal with such terrible kitchen staff that really probably kills her tips due to lack of care about anything that exits...

Experience the experience was okay it was not Applebee's best. This was my first time dining at this location on this side of town normally I prefer to go to the location off of lake Lansing.

Our waitress seemed distant stopping by rarely. To be honest it was quite confusing on who the waitress was, every dish that got brought to the table was brought by a different person.

I will say this, the manager was exceptional. We ordered two steaks well done they came out absolutely dry enough to start a fire in the middle of the woods with, one guest at my table made the comment "I thought you ordered a steak not beef jerky"

The manager made sure the stakes were cooked fresh to replace the first round and then the manager stood there to make sure that the stakes were to our liking.

I definitely do not try to be one of those people who is overly critical of food however traveling with and dining with a pregnant wife it was important that the steak be cooked a specific way and it was very nice of the manager to stay there make sure the steaks were okay and acceptable he did not have to do that and the manager definitely deserves five stars

Room for improvement? Absolutely the waitress could stop by more often, my cup of coffee remained empty after about 5 minutes I'm used to the Applebee's standard of if your coffee cup is empty they are right there with a refill or asking at least. I think she asked one time if I needed more coffee just need to pay...