Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in New York

I had an extremely disturbing experience at this specific Applebee's location where my friend and I were immediately disrespected by the hostess. It was so bad that we had to immediately get up and leave. This happened on Friday June 21, 2024 at approximately 5:20pm.

Upon arrival, the hostess was pleasant and seated us right away. The restaurant wasn't busy at the time (perhaps about 1/5 full). She seated us next to a pay terminal/supply station. Since there were so many empty tables, I asked if we could please sit at another table (even if it was just by one table over) where our backs would not have to awkwardly face the pay terminal. I anticipated how staff would have to frequently walk through and access it. She said "No" but assured us that very few staff would use it and that we wouldn't notice.

Immediately after she walked away, however, 2 staff accessed the pay terminal, got supplies from the cupboard, and chatted right behind us. My friend asked the hostess again if we could please move. This time, she agreed but told us it would be a table at the other side of the room. We said that was totally fine and thanked her for agreeing to move us.

So we got up and followed her over to the other side of the restaurant where it was completely empty with many table options. She picked a table, however, that was right next to the kitchen opening and up against an old dehumidifier unit with hoses that were sticking out behind the chair I would be sitting in... My friend and I were so shocked by this blatant act of passive aggression and disrespect. Out of the 30+ empty tables in the restaurant?!? We can only assume she was intentionally making sure we were uncomfortable...

We were so bothered that we had no choice but to get up and leave. We did not make a scene on our way out. In fact, we walked past the hostess who also did not seem bothered by our choice to leave. I am so completely shocked by this individual's behaviour... She was also training a new hostess at the time, whom I guess was being taught how Applebee's staff treats their customers...

This brief but extremely upsetting interaction with the hostess quite literally ruined our evening. We don't know why she decided to treat us this way... I can only attribute it to racism, sexism, and/or prejudice against tourists. I am extremely disappointed and disturbed.

I've had good experiences visiting Applebee's in NYC in the past, but will now be avoiding this franchise...

Another restaurant that has become enslaved to excessive price increases simply because it's located in Manhattan.

I think most people know about the 2 for $20 at Applebee's. Maybe it's 2 for $24 at some locations now or maybe even 2 for $26? No big deal. Prices have been going up everywhere, I get it.

But 2 for $37? At APPLEBEE'S? If this wasn't stupid enough, out of the 12 entrée options they offer, only TWO of the options are ACTUALLY 2 for $37. The other 10 entrée options have an additional $3.99 or $4.99 charge. So the 2 for $37 can quickly become a 2 for $47 simply if you order 2 burgers. The appetizers are no better. $17.49 for the spinach dip with chips.

Anyways, since we didn't want to pay $47 for a couple of burgers, it made more sense to go for the steak. As far as steaks, go, mine wasn't terrible. I got it cooked medium and it was cooked medium and tasted like what you'd expect from Applebee's.

The second steak, however (which was also supposed to be medium) was VERY rare. So we were like okay, fine whatever. Mistakes happen. Told the waiter about the problem and he said he would recook it (kinda weird to re-cook a steak in a restaurant). He ended up bringing a new steak (don't know why he said they would re-cook it in the first place lol). Anyways, the second steak was just as rare and so we had given up and just took it to go and re-cooked it at home.

I'm also very skeptical that the second piece of steak wasn't even top sirloin, but I don't know enough about steak to know for sure. Also, the waiter (who unfortunately shares the same name as me) wasn't very attentive either and would consistently leave the table without saying anything, not even an "okay".

On the bright side, the restrooms were clean and the coleslaw was great and I'm not even a coleslaw person. The boneless wings were also good, but definitely not worth the money if you want to buy...

We were there for New Years Eve! I was with my best friend. We got the VIP tickets to the 3rd floor. Once we were let in, we got a glass of champagne and taken up to the 3rd floor. Our table was set up nice. Once we sat down we found out the table was lopsided. We almost spilled our champagne because the table was so bad. After speaking to the manager we were able to move tables and the 2nd table was fine. My issue with the tables was it was one on top of the other. You basically touched the person's chair behind you. There wasn't much space. It was difficult to get in and out to use the restroom and get your food.

It was not the best experience for me. In my opinion the DJ was horrible on New Years Eve! The DJ kept repeating "Energy, Energy, Energy" and "whose ready for 2024" a million times! The DJ had the music up so LOUD I wasn't able to understand some of the words to the songs. His song choices were not my favorite. (He only played 1 hip hop song for 30 seconds.) Most of the songs he played was only 30 seconds of a song and then he changed it to another song. You wasnt able to enjoy an entire song. I also lost my voice because i had to scream to talk to my best friend that sat at my small table with me.

The food was okay. Didn't get any dessert because it was gone once I got up there.

The drinks were good. The BEST part of the night was our server Matthew! We didn't go thirsty and he took great care of us!

Overall, I was disappointed in the experience. Other than our server, the best part of the night was walking outside to watch the ball drop! We were the last people on the street so we weren't smashed and surrounded by a bunch of people. We were pretty far back from the ball drop, but was...