Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Porterville

From the moment I stepped into Applebee’s, I was embraced by a warm, welcoming atmosphere that felt like coming home to family. The hospitality was nothing short of extraordinary—every team member wore a genuine smile that radiated kindness, care, and pride in their work. The service wasn’t just attentive; it was heartfelt, thoughtful, and full of joy, with staff going far beyond expectations to make every guest feel seen, appreciated, and cared for.

Now let’s talk about the food—an unforgettable sensory experience. The chicken fingers were golden perfection: crispy on the outside with a tender, juicy center that practically melted in the mouth. But it was the spicy dipping sauce that stole the show. A deep amber hue, flecked with herbs and glowing with chili warmth, it offered a layered kick of sweetness, tang, and heat that complemented the chicken’s savor beautifully.

The coleslaw was a cool, crunchy contrast—freshly shredded cabbage and carrots tossed in a creamy, peppery dressing with just a hint of vinegar to brighten each bite. Every forkful was a refreshing burst of flavor and texture, making it the perfect balance to the bold main dish.

The drinks were just as impressive. I ordered an ice-cold sweet tea, and it arrived shimmering with condensation, its golden-brown hue sparkling in the light. Crisp, clean, and just sweet enough, it was the perfect refresher—inviting and thirst-quenching with every sip.

Dessert was an elegant finale. I opted for the warm butter pecan blondie, served sizzling on a skillet, topped with cool vanilla ice cream and drizzled in a buttery caramel glaze. The aroma alone was intoxicating. The blondie’s chewy, nutty richness, combined with the cold creaminess of the ice cream and the luxurious sauce, created a texture and flavor contrast that was utterly indulgent.

Every course—each side dish, every sauce, every detail—was crafted with care. The menu reflects a true love for bold flavor, satisfying comfort, and creative expression. From the perfectly seasoned fries to the tangy BBQ glaze options, to the way even a simple Caesar salad arrives crisp and generously dressed, it’s clear that quality and joy are built into every dish.

Dining at Applebee’s was more than just a meal—it was a celebration. A celebration of good food, of warmhearted service, and of the human connections that make going out to eat something memorable. I left full, happy, and already eager to return. Hats off to the incredible Applebee’s family—thank you for such a...

I don't normally leave bad reviews but after four attempts of trying this place they earned it. The first time I came here I was served frozen spinach and artichoke dip, the next visit was my birthday and my dad took me there to grab a beer together. They told me we couldn't just get a beer so we ordered an appetizer to share, they said that didn't count as a meal and we could not get beer without ordering two complete meals so we left. And last night I stopped in with three friends we wanted to sit at the bar and have a drink. It was about 9:30 pm and there was only about ten other people there eating. We all stood at the front door for five minutes and then we thought we would just grab a bar table. The table was dirty but since we seated ourselves it was no big deal. The waitress was cleaning another table and we figured she would wipe ours down when she was done. Instead, she walked over to our table and said, " Can you move to the clean table?". I replied, " Well we want to sit at the bar, can you just wipe this table off." She said, " Fine, but you will all have to get up." At this point we just left. I don't mind moving out of the way but I figure with an attitude like that I would have the same service as usual. After many failed attempts I will never try again. Sadly, it is not the chain restaurants fault, and I feel bad leaving a poor review but this location has the most rude staff I have...

My 2 daughters and I went tonight and to start off a bad experience I had to wait for the hostess to come check us in we waited 10 minutes then I asked a server if someone was up here about that time the hostess came she took my name said 5 minutes after about 5 minutes she ask if I wanted to sit by bar at the high top tables I said no I wanted a booth she said then you have to wait another 5 minutes so I asked about the big area away from bar she took off like I said nothing then about 5 minutes later she calls other people 3 or 4 times and sits them in that big area then says follow me and sits us at a booth right next to bar behind 3 guys at the bar that living it up and loud as heck my daughters and I were having a hard time hearing each other the waitress was very nice and took our drink order then came back 5 minutes later and took food order while we were waiting it got louder and louder so I ask the waitress to cancel our order and we left after about 30 minutes I called them and asked for the manager but got told they were super busy and she( the manager) was helping with food orders I needed to call back in an hour or so.... I have eaten at alot of Applebee's even during happy hour and never had this type of experience... if they are shot staffed..hire...other wise maybe retraining...