Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Melbourne

This is my first visit to an Applebee's in the Melbourne area, but the service and food quality leave a bit to be desired.

I'll address three main items in my review: False Advertising, Food Quality, and Service.

False Advertising: The table has an promotional flyer indicating that if one of three specific items is not offered, then you receive free crunchy onion rings. As our entrees arrived, and we had not been provided this invitation, we chose to invoke the request for the free onion rings. Our server Courtney informed us: "We actually have until we bring you your check to make the offer... but if there's anything you need, or if you'd be interested in a Strawberry Lemonade, I'd be happy to assist you".

To this, I have a couple comments... The terms don't specify any part of her comments at all. This indicates that Applebee's is encouraging servers to (potentially) promote the purchase of an alcoholic beverage prior to their departure (driving). This is a concerning and strange paradigm. The promotion does not say "on your next visit", which means if you're required to wait until you've received the check, that means you have to sit there for an extra 15-25 minutes for them to make the onion rings after you were about to leave. Maybe this is the primary goal, to get people who don't really want to wait. If I'm about to receive my check, why would I want to order another drink? after the table has already been served?????

Terms of Promotion (per attached photo): "If we don't suggest a strawberry lemonade or a... MEGA BEER ...you receive free crunchy onion rings. Fine Print: Offer only valid for guests 21 & older. Blue Moon and Leinenkugel's are alcoholic drinks served only to guests 21 & older. Only one free sample size order of Crunchy Onion Rings per table if a Blue Moon, Leinenkugel's or Strawberry Lemonade is not suggested. Offer not valid with take-out service. Drink Responsibly. Drive Responsibly.

Food Quality: I ordered the Four Cheese Mac & Cheese with Tenders tossed in Honey Pepper Sauce, a favorite dish I hadn't ordered in a year (so it's likely there have been changes). There were no longer any photos of the item in the menu.

The nutrition information in the menu for this item is approximately 300-400 calories different than the same item listed on the website. Theoretically, if two locations make the same exact item per their menu prep guidance, they should be the same... right? ....right??? So which one is correct?

The pasta used in the mac & cheese is no longer the spiraled pasta, it is a hollow Ziti. The pasta was under-cooked, with hardly any sauce in it. The sauce tasted more like an Alfredo than the creamy and delicious mac & cheese it used to. Chicken was cooked well, but had hardly any sauce on it so I requested a side of honey pepper sauce which was provided.

There was also a bread stick served with the entree, that wasn't mentioned anywhere... (Is this the 300-400 calorie differential?)

Service: Our server, Courtney, was generally speaking fairly polite and courteous. Timely with check-ins at the table. Repeatedly asked how things tasted. Clarified the confusion over the pasta change on the mac & cheese. However, she didn't seem entirely genuine when 'clarifying' the onion ring terms... and as nothing is written confirming her claim, I can't fairly say if she was being genuine or if the cards are simply out of date.

Overall, it was an "alright" experience... But the food quality and incorrect information listed on menu items and current promotions left quite a lot to be desired.

I used to eat at an Applebee's in Orlando at least once a week for lunch, and never ran into the same issues... So I'll probably give it another chance. But for now......

Applebees Grill & Bar, 3001 West Eau Gallie Boulevard, Melbourne, FL - 4-Stars (Chain Restaurant Rating)

Why review a chain like Applebees? Why not? There are over 1,500 restaurants in Brevard County, and everyone can't afford fine dining, especially with this inflation. In fact, I will be releasing two new "Big Boy Top Five" Lists, one for "Best Chain" and one for "Best Fast-Food" in 2023.

Jen is my server, and she may very well be the friendliest waitstaff I have ever encountered. She amiably and efficiently carried out a few pre-order requests.

I do have to warn you that the tableware was filthy. Either the dishwasher that night was lazy, or the machine was not working properly.

I ordered the Shrimp 'N Parmesan Sirloin and I must give them credit. The entire plate was well seasoned, including the accompanying broccoli, which looked fantastic. The 8-ounce top sirloin steak may have been just average compared to what you might find at a finer restaurant, but at this level, I was happy.

Next, I tried the Quesadilla Burger, described on the menu as "Part burger, part quesadilla, all taste." And I'll tell you what, cooked medium rare, this was indeed a tasty real burger. Yes, perhaps the standard side of fries were just plug-and-play, but this was Applebees. My expectations weren't that high. Good enough.

The Big Boy says, "If you are on a budget but still want flavorful, delightful food, you can't go wrong...

Late night options are hard to find! Being a very late evening eater, options are limited! Applebees is luckily just around the corner for those late night cravings or nights I just don’t feel like cooking. I ordered a lot this go around (pick up order) Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard which was my least favorite in the order. The chicken was dry inside but crispy. It lacked flavor on the breading but the honey mustard was creamy and very heavy on the mustard. Very good. Next was the boneless wings in medium sauce which were fantastic! Perfectly breaded, coated in sauce that was rich and had a good kick with tender juicy meat on the inside! Last was the steak (cooked rare) with the fried shrimp, garlic mash potatoes and broccoli. A rare steak is hard to get a outside char on without overcooking the inside. Well… they did it! A fantastic steak for the price and cooked just the way I like it! The mash was chunky but hot and smooth. The broccoli was steamed which is my least favorite way of cooking veggies but the options are limited. It was surprisingly not too soggy and held the flavor in each bite! Applebees I’m not a place I consider often but when I do I am rarely disappointed. It’s no fine dinning, it’s casual for those southern greasy foods at a good price. For what it is, I love it! Sometimes.. you just...