Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in New Boston

Definitely one of the least enjoyable meals since moving to Ohio. The food is exactly what you’d expect with it being a chain restaurant; wasn’t terrible but wasn’t worth bragging on either. Giving 2 ⭐️ because he did say his steak flavoring was mighty tasty but this is definitely not a steakhouse so we knew going in that it’s not going to be a high quality steak.

My biggest issues with this location were from the moment we arrived. Walked in around 9p (closes at 11p) and chairs are already up on the tables. There was no one at the hostess station so we stood there about 5 minutes while ladies working the bar just kinda glanced our way... no “hello”, no “someone will be with you in a moment”. Just ignored. A gentleman finally arrived and seated us.

We waited a few minutes for our waiter who took our order. It seemed to take a while to get the food out (unusual because it wasn’t that busy) but we weren’t in a hurry, so no big deal. I requested a change on my order and he said it would be an up charge, told him it was fine. Got my order and it wasn’t changed. He never came back so I just dealt with it. By the end of the meal our waiter shows back up. I ask for box and to-go cup. He returns with a check. I asked again for a box and to-go cup.... 15 minutes later a lady came and brought them to the table, set them down, and walked off. Not a single word.

Overall, a sub-par meal with an entire staff of employees that could use a much-needed training class in customer service.

Overall, wish I had stayed home and...

Took the kids. They got kids meals and I got the pick 2 lunch, 3 cheese chicken penne and honey pepper chicken. We were seated immediately. The restaraunt was kind of dead when we got there looked like they had just gotten through a rush, dirty tables, dishes everywhere. I noticed staff eating before bussing their tables. We order, our order gets put in immediately. I watched the server put it in the computer. As soon as she put in our order, her section got sat again. She took their order and immediately put it in. This happened three more times. I watched as food started coming out and being delivered to tables. I was concerned when I saw two steaks go out to a table that came in after us, then it hit me, our food is back there sitting under that heat lamp. Just as I was getting ready to ask she came out with our food. By this point my kids were foaming at the mouth ready to eat. Their food seemed fine. My pasta was hard on top from sitting under a heat lamp too long, the bottom was cold. My honey pepper chicken was one actual chicken strip and two boneless chicken wings disguised as a honey pepper chicken strip. My fries were old and hard. The one chicken strip I got wasn't bad, it would have been better eaten at the correct temperature. Besides the fact it took almost an hour for our food to get to our table after the order was put in, the kids and I still had a good time...

We have a reliable and decent Applebee's in New Boston.

With my most recent visit, the grill cook was on his A-Game, I had a darn good steak come off the grill. I don't usually set my standards unreasonably high for a quick and affordable sit down meal, but their grill cook raised the bar that night. Vegetables were fresh, and my family enjoyed their food.

Our server was hovering a bit too much, but, having been in his shoes before, I understand that it can be difficult to walk that fine line between providing proactive, adequate service, and not being bothersome. He did a fine job, and got everything out very quickly. With some time or guidance, he'll find some balance.

As far as the atmosphere, it was a bit loud that evening with other customers crosstalking each other across the restaurant, and staring at us. It can be tough to keep rude customers in check, so I can't fault the restaurant too much for that. I avoided allowing for these customers to affect my scoring, though. They were a variable.

Food is quick and tasty, and they have a talented grill cook on staff. Wait staff was on the ball, if not too much so.

The restaurant was clean and comfortable, despite having a few loud, obnoxious customers with a staring problem.

I go here regularly, and have no intention of ever stopping. It's a good local option for...