Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in North Township

Being a former employee I had high expectations for this place. When I worked here Don was the general manager and crystal was just a manager there. Now crystal is the general manager and everything is down hill. I was surprised even hearing she was the Gm due to her always being mean to her employees and short tempered with everyone. I walked in and sat at the bar. The person who was hosting I guess was also the bartender. She wasn’t bad my issue wasn’t with her honestly. She took good care of me. But failed to bring me a plate so I can scoop my appetizers on there. I ordered the new margarita and it had a SUPER nasty had an off taste. I politely asked her to make me something different with a preference of the patron margarita. She said she wasn’t sure if she could take the first drink off the bill because there’s a “ new state of Indiana law “ saying they can’t remove drinks from the bill. I already knew that was bs. I always drink in indiana and when I receive a drink that’s not good or what I know it should taste like I never had a problem getting it removed. Went outside to take a picture of the sign and it clearly states it’s an APPLEBEES policy. That’s confusing because the one in Merrillville doesn’t have this sign posted. The manager comes.. that btw he clearly hates his job. And says once again it’s a new state of Indiana law that says he can’t take it off the bill or else he’ll get “ in trouble”. I questioned if I was supposed to drink and pay for a drink I did not like. He pretty much said yes. And in returned I asked him if I could just pay a difference for a drink that I actually like and know what it taste like. So he did. I paid 6.75 for the first margarita then $5 extra for the patron margarita. As a general manager now myself never would I have a customer pay more money for something knowing the taste was off of the first item they ordered. Minutes later you hear him in the back going back and forth with someone on the phone. Clearly arguing. He comes out front and starts gossiping with the employees about another employee trying to call off of work. I was just disgusted with this kind of management. A customer later tells him to have a good day as they’re leaving. After they were out of ear distance he says “ I will when I get out of here “ I spent $70 for food that was cold. Didn’t complain because clearly they have an issue making sure guest are happy here. I don’t understand why people work at companies you don’t like ? For money I guess. It’s very displeasing money is hard to come by already and when you go out to eat you expect service and food to be up to par. Well I made sure everyone I know will not be giving there money here like I did. Go to chilis at this point way better...

If I could give this Applebees zero stars I would. After experiencing a terrible experience at the Crestwood location I say maybe it’s just one location but NO. On my daughter’s birthday last night I left the Indiana location absolutely disgusted! We are seated right away. For our waitress to come over take our order with NO notepad. That was the first red flag because I knew that was recipe for a disaster but I still gave it a full chance. I ask the waitress do they serve STRAWBERRY frozen margaritas. She says yes. I order one starting off. My drink was brought to the table and it was regular lemonade she tells me that’s what I ordered and I tell her for a fact I said strawberry. So the waitress takes the drink pour some out and squirt strawberry’s syrup in my drink. Now the drink wasn’t even frozen and I did not want it. Then she brings our salads out I reach for a fork. ALL 4 forks were completely filthy you can literally see the food stuck on the utensils. So we ask for plastic silverware. As I bite into the salad I notice the lettuce is brown and it tastes warm like it’s been sitting out for hours. Now I’m completely upset and the waitress catches an attitude because I tell her I don’t want any of my food but my kids and my cousin did. She gets the manager I explain everything and how I only wanted 3 of the 4 orders. They come out with only the kids food and charge only the kids food. My cousin did not receive his food. And he was pissed because we were out all day with my daughter for her birthday. She didn’t get the experience of getting sung to and the entire dinner was ruined because the terrible customer service we received from employees that clearly need to be let go. I will NEVER dine out at this restaurant again in my life. I couldn’t help but notice the attitude Wendy had after she completely ruined our dinner she didn’t finish servicing us but she was hugging and talking in the back with a guy at work. How helpful. I will be reaching out to corporate about this matter. -Signed a...

This is really the only Applebee's I go to. They remodeled recently and it's nice but don't order to-go. Ever. Go in and place your order and sit at the bar and wait. It'll be MUCH EASIER. Ordering online used to be good. Then during COVID it got crazy, which I TOTALLY understood. But now, on three separate occasions, I ordered online, was given a pick up time of approximately 30ish minutes and each time I've gotten there I STILL WAIT another 15-20. The other day was my final straw. I ordered before I was done working. Pick up time was 7:37pm. I ended up getting stuck at work a little longer but I figured it would be fine because I usually wait longer anyways. On my way there I get the Text at 747pm saying 'save time, click link upon arrival for your food pick up". I did not. I got to the restaurant at 756pm. The hostess was cleaning a table, came over and greeted me and I told her I had a to go. She said"ok I will let them know" but then went BACK and finished cleaning the table though there were NO GUESTS waiting to be seated. Then went to the kitchen. Then wandered around a min. And then came back and said "it's not ready they're getting it now, sorry". I was a little pissed since it's already been over 30min since my time I was told. Not to mention there was another guy waiting for his stuff and he said he was dealing with the same thing. About 6min later she brings my order and the other guys order. When I get home, now at 830(restaurant is 6min fm my job . And 6min fm my house) the food is ICE COLD and I'm pretty sure I had the other guys appetizer of Quesadillas bc I didn't order any, they weren't on my ticket, but I had a bonus order of quesadillas). It was NOT BUSY. and my order was a simple two for 25. Everything I ordered was stuff that's already ready. Chicken salad, chicken breast and mashed, chicken wings and an order of pub pretzels. ...