IHOP | Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in San Antonio

When we walked into Applebee’s, no one greeted us—even though there were only four tables occupied and plenty of staff available. The only person who helped us was a lady who was clearly on break, sitting in the front seating area on her phone. She had to get up, interrupt her break, and check us in.

Once we were finally seated, our server/bartender was absolutely amazing—attentive, friendly, and the only bright spot of our visit. Unfortunately, the rest of the staff appeared to be doing nothing. People were standing around in the back, not picking up tables or engaging with guests. My husband even went to the restroom and found a server standing inside texting on his phone.

When our food came out, it was cold and soggy—not fresh at all. To make matters worse, there was no food runner, so orders sat in the window for several minutes at a time. Even with only a handful of tables occupied, service outside of our bartender was nonexistent.

Cleanliness was also a problem. The table behind us had dirty dishes sitting on it the entire time we were there, even though the restaurant wasn’t busy. When we walked in, the first thing we noticed was an overflowing trash can in the entryway—definitely not the impression you want to make, especially considering this location just had its grand opening.

The TVs were another disappointment. Most of them weren’t working, displaying connection error messages across different sections of the restaurant, including six TVs grouped together on the IHOP side, multiple screens at the bar, and others throughout the dining area.

During our meal, multiple people walked in and stood waiting for five to ten minutes before anyone bothered to greet or seat them. Just like us, they were left standing awkwardly at the entrance while staff lingered in the back.

Overall, this Applebee’s felt dirty, unkept, and poorly managed. Staff were disengaged, some even hiding out in the bathroom, and no one greeted us or made us feel welcome—except for our server/bartender, who truly did an excellent job despite everything else. Unfortunately, one great employee can’t make up for an entire restaurant running this poorly, especially right...

I was there 2 days ago for bottomless pancakes. Granted, I was there all day for a challenge, but that shouldn’t be an excuse. So, the morning crew was awesome. Great service from Carla, the other waitresses were very friendly. Great vibes all around.

Then the swing shift guy came in later, and was not great. Started off with him only coming around to the table 1 time every hour. And every time I put in an order, even if it was just a water refill, I would be answered with “sigh ok, sure”. Not friendly and not good service. He finished his shift around 9pm or so, and that’s when I closed out my tab with him as my server, and expected to get a new one with the night crew.

Never happened. Once he left, the nigh crew waitresses came in around 10pm or so. No one ever walked up to my table. There was a pregnant lady with some tattoos on her arm, and another lady blonde who seemed in pretty good shape and wore glasses. They say in a booth from 10pm to about 11:30pm just talking, on their phones, and eating. At this point, it’s 11:00 and another couple walks in the place. The new couple and I are the only people in the place. I still haven’t had anyone walk up to my table since 9pm. The new couple gets waited in and is out by 11:45pm. Now, it’s 11:45pm and I STILL haven’t been approached. At midnight, I finally ask to put an order in. Once I asked that, the blonde lady with glasses and the pregnant lady look at each other, smile and laugh, and proceed to tell me they won’t serve me.

The pregnant lady is the one who speaks to me and her reason being was that I “wasn’t in her section.” And I’m literally the only person in the restaurant at this point. It’s just them two and I. And then they say that they would rather me not move to their section or to a different table because “they’ve already cleaned off all the tables, and if I went to sit at a new table they would have to clean it off once I was done.” So I left. They are lazy and terrible at their jobs.

After 4 hours of no service and hearing that lame excuse, I left. I wish I remembered their names so I could...

I was very disappointed with this IHOP. I was staying in the Homewood Suites near by. I walk over on Friday afternoon, and first thing I notice is how dirty the outside windows are. Dirty to a point where people are writing messages in the dirt. But I still decided to go inside. The front door windows are just as smudged and dirty as well, I go inside and the inside at least looks clean.

When I get inside there is on family sitting in a booth, a gentleman waiting at the counter to be seated. The young woman who was the hostess came and gave the gentleman a seat then came and seated me. She was a very nice lady, the server on the other hand not so much. The server who had very lovely shade of pink hair, went to the table with the family and gave them their food, went to the table with the gentleman and his group and took their drink order then just looked at my table and walked into the back. Now not a big deal maybe she forgot something or needed to get something. Around this time about 10 minutes has passed, and a woman and her daughter come in and the hostess seats them. The hostess then comes and ask me what I would like to drink, I order sweet tea and she brings it to me.

The server who has still not acknowledged that I am there, goes to the table with the woman and her daughter which is 6 feet from my table and takes their drink order. I have been sitting here now about 15 minutes. The server comes back with their drinks and still has not acknowledged me, the server then takes out her order pad and takes their order. I then stand up collecting my stuff and start walking toward the door to leave, the server at this time actually looks at me and still does not say a word as I leave. Not sure maybe I reminded her of an ex boyfriend but I assure you I have never seen her before. So all said and done I cannot tell you if the food was any...