Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in South Lake Tahoe

I think we visited during a bad night, because service was rough. Our server was nice, but she seemed incredibly overworked. 100% not enough staff here in general. It was noticeable during arrival, seating and getting our order taken, but the mood really shifted negatively for us when our server quite literally disappeared for just over 14 minutes.

We were sitting outside, and most tables were full so she was already busy, but suddenly she was nowhere to be seen for almost 15 minutes. I could see into the place, and before she was walking around bringing out orders, seating other people, etc, but all of a sudden she was a ghost. I even heard the other tables around us questioning where she went. Unfortunately, this happened exactly as we were ready to go, and we were already waiting for about 10 minutes for her to come to our table so we could ask for the bill. She was quite busy for those 10 minutes so we were okay with waiting. But after those 10 minutes, and then her disappearing for another 15... after 25 minutes we were extremely frustrated, because we had other places we were committed to being and now we were late.

We left our table and went straight to the front to ask for our bill. The front seating desk worker was a bit startled and confused by that, but understood after we explained why we were asking. After waiting another 5 minutes at the front, the server came and she was clearly overwhelmed.

I suspect that she was either outside taking a break, or just needed time to herself for a bit because she was being overworked. Clearly the place was understaffed from the beginning of our visit, and she was likely stressed to the max. So yes, I blame the server a bit for disappearing without a word, but I also blame this location for not having enough staff available to work. I understand that people call in sick, but it was obvious that there could have easily been 4-5 more servers on staff.

Lake Tahoe is one of my favorite destinations to visit, and I've visited multiple times in the last few years, but as for food I will not be revisiting this location and will choose other options...

The server was Thalia, she said she has only been there 4 months, I really hope you don’t get her, the service was HORRIBLE, the food was mediocre. When we were ordering, she was having a very hard time with the substitutions (they were not super complicated, something like shrimp on the side) when she finally finished the order, she forgot a couple people in my party and then she said to us “you should’ve told me” she never repeated the order to us. First of all one of the kiddos meals got to us at the end even though you should always make sure that the kids are eating before the adults, the food came out before the drinks and when we asked for refills on our chips, she literally brought them out at the end of our time there we asked for Tabasco it came towards the end. We never got drink refills, and when we asked her towards the end of our time there, if she can separate the checks, even though she did ask us at the beginning and we said no she claimed that there was no way of doing that even though we asked the bartender and she said there was a way of doing that and when she heard us asking the bartender, she’s like if you have a problem, ask the manager he’s right here oh, and by the way, the manager never came to see us even though we were a party of 17, all the other servers were wearing AirPods the whole time. They just really looked like we were a burden to them. My cousin’s food was so gross he threw up after, they did comp it, but it was just really really bad also one of my kiddos wanted more strawberries and when my niece asked for an order of yogurt and strawberries minus the yogurt and she told her “thats ridiculous its 4 slices of strawberries” why would she care we are paying for them. Mind you the restaurant was not busy at all. It was 8:10 PM by the time we left. I really hope I can get contacted with corporate or somebody that can actually make me feel like I’m appreciated and my money is well...

Yuuuum-eee! Note - this review is from a perspective of a young, easily satisfied UK traveller.

I had to try Applebee’s when visiting US! Congratulations Lake Tahoe, you were the one to provide me with my first wonderful experience. Having heard “Applebee’s” in so many TV shows and films, I came here not that hungry (that matters when doing food review, trust me) and I was wowed. We were greeted by a lovely lady, whose name I forgot - sorry - who sat us at a table with a good view of the screens (I love that you guys have TVs in all your food places to enjoy either baseball, basketball or nfl). I treated myself to a Bahama Mama (not so easy on the mama) and I LOVED it. The glass, or should I say, mini fish tank was incredible - perfect size for someone who was avoiding alcohol majority of the trip and finally decided to treat themselves. It was so lovely to pair it with my Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp. The food was great, but having been in New Orleans few days prior, I couldn’t compare the shrimp to NO ones. But it was still yummy :)

I have to comment on the choice of music in the background. To some people it doesn’t seem to be that important, or maybe American’s don’t notice as it’s just standard to have great music play in the restaurants, shops etc. I come from London, where my ears have to go through torture of listening to what’s recently been a “hit” on the radio. That’s why I no longer shop and have things delivered to me (it’s not because I’m lazy, it’s because the experience is horrendous). Anyyyway, great music choice; indie, rock, 80s! Ah the wonders!

Thank you for providing me with great first experience of Applebee’s. Love, crazy...