Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Sonora

Obviously, it's not fine dining but it is solid comfort food at affordable prices with great service. We came in later in the night, when sometimes servers can be exhausted and less enthusiastic but this was not the case. Our waitress was very friendly and attentive. Our drinks never got more than half empty before she was checking if we needed more.

I was actually pleasantly surprised how clean the restaurant was. Given the reviews I expected it to be dirty and rundown, but our booth was in great shape. The table was clean and the carpet in good shape. No sticky feet here.

The food is basically exactly what you would expect from Applebee's. I've been told they mostly warm up their food but it's got good flavor and definitely worth the price. They are currently running a deal for $9.99 that includes a bacon burger (or chicken sandwich) with bottomless fries and a drink. The burger tasted to me like it was cooked on the grill and was actually medium (there was pink in the middle and juicy). Fries were crispy and totally worth every penny.

Their desserts are where it's at. Their milkshakes are extra tick and they definitely use real ice cream. The apple crisp was probably the best thing we got. It was served in a cast iron skillet and came straight from the oven. It has caramel, ice cream and candied pecans. For $5.99 this tasted like a dessert you would pay $15 or more at a fancier restaurant.

Sure, you're never going to have a Michelin star dish here, but if you want good service, good comfort food with quick and attentive service you can't go wrong.

They also have lunch deals, haven't tried them but they have meals starting at $8.99 and steaks...

I'm not a big fan of Applebee's. For the longest time, I've said they don't even have a kitchen, but a bank of fryers and microwaves. So I wasn't thrilled when that's where we went to eat after spending several hours ice skating.

I ordered the Prime Rib Dipper, which is their version of a French Dip sandwich. Holy moly, but it was really good! A perfectly toasted but still soft cheddar roll piled with prime rib, grilled onions and cheese, with a cup of delicious au jus. And fries. I loved the sandwich. It was flavorful, not over-salted, and was a good portion. So good that I didn't even eat the fries.

We had quite a large group and expected our food to be served in spurts, some eating and the rest waiting. But, surprisingly, it all came out together. Drinks were refilled promptly. Our server was very accommodating and friendly and just overall very good. When someone does their job so well and effortlessly, you know they're in the perfect job. She'll run that place some day.

I love being able to change my mind about places and this particular Applebee's...

Wow. What a terrible way to start the year. everything was going fine until I came here. I've never have at such crappy service in an Applebee's like this one. The bring me my beer almost at room temperature and with very old lemon wedge in it. the edges of the lemon were Brown already and you could smell the rancid of how old the lemon was. They bring my children meal all wrong they were supposed to bring the correct one and they never did. I order my steak medium rare and it came out well done they never brought me a-1 stake sauce even though I asked for it twice; had to get up and get it myself from the bar and my bread arrived almost when I was done eating. I complain to the bartender about the terrible service she said somebody will be there to talk to me but no one did. I saw the manager tending the complaint of an older white lady sitting behind me. They took care of her made sure that she was happy and it was a nice thing to see. But not me and my family probably because we were the...