The Apple Basket Cafe — Restaurant in Macon

This restaurant has undergone an Owner change, major remodeling and even painted the front. The problem is, the prices of the food have went up (and down and back up some again) in the past year and the amount and quality of food have gone down. I was just in here after not being here for a few months (the last time I was here the prices were way too high $18.99 for a Wrap and Side???) because the prices have come back down some. We'll, unfortunately the quality of the food is not the same. And, I've been coming here for years. The Chicken Strips were ok. The Mashed Potatoes were a watery, instant that just dripped through your fork they were so thin. The white gravy was a think mix gravy with little flavor. I got the baked apples as a side (used to be so good and flavorful) and they tasted like they just opened a can and dumped them in something to warm them up. Another in my group got a Half Hot Turkey and it was so small. Not like the portion size you used to get. Plus her mashed potatoes were the same way, thin, watery and flavorless. We went on a Saturday close to Noon when they used to be so busy but they weren't even close to half full, which was very odd. Plus, with the new flooring and new metal/tin ceiling, there's nothing to muffle sounds and if there's a couple people talking, their voices echo over the whole front half of the restaurant. It's very loud and that was with not even half the tables being used. I am very disappointed. Me and my family used to love to come here to eat (usually every other week or once a month at the latest) but since they raised their prices the first time at the end of 2024 it just hasn't been the same. I could handle the higher prices if the food quality was still there but...

What a disappointment! I have dined at Apple Basket dozens of times in the past 12 years, but today's visit (Saturday, Oct 1, 2022, 1315 (1:15pm)) was terrible. Sure, the "Walton's" (TV family) were in town and coming to the restaurant later, but still... I was seated within a couple of minutes; it was a full eight minutes before my server appeared. She promptly brought my drink (sweet tea), and I asked a couple questions about the sauces on their hot wings, then ordered those as an appetizer and the Tenderloin Supreme sandwich (grilled, not fried) which I have had many times before. Then the wait began. FORTY-FIVE minutes later, the wings and the sandwich came out together. Both were lukewarm which told me they'd been sitting awhile in the kitchen. Although they weren't hot, the wings were tasty. The sandwich was served on a flattened hamburger bun (supposed to be sourdough bread) with no cheese. I was hungry so ate it all. A different server asked if I wanted dessert; I said I didn't want to wait another 45 minutes. My server walked by and put my bill on the table. My "Tenderloin Supreme" order had somehow morphed into a "small tenderloin sandwich". The bill also included a 4% charge for a credit card fee. As I was paying cash, the cashier removed the fee, and took off the tea charge since I'd waited so long. I don't really know why I left a tip... I feel this visit was an anomaly, and I will give them another try some...

I’m all about supporting local restaurants like Apple basket but I’m just tired of paying the prices that they ask, for example the large Cobb salad with chicken was $11. It came with probably one quarter of a chicken breast on it no hard boiled egg and even less lettuce. The small Cobb salad was $8.50 and just as sad looking. If you purchase a hamburger or wrap from Apple basket for 8-10 dollars they don’t even include fries into that price you pay for the fries separately. The above mentioned order was called in as takeout. I went in and paid for it and when I got my receipt it had a takeout fee 3%, I asked what a takeout fee was and they said it goes towards paying for the to go container and plastic bag, so I asked if I was dining in and got a doggie bag to take my leftovers home would I be charged a takeout fee and she said no, I was told because If I was dining in I would probably be tipping there for there would be no fee for the to go box. Also there was a delivery fee on the receipt for$1.34 which I was told was the card fee (because using a debit card is such a rarity these days). Take care of your customers Apple basket because they solely are...