Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Upper Macungie Township

Disappointing Experience at Applebee’s

I visited Applebee’s on a Thursday afternoon around 1 PM. The restaurant was fairly empty, with only about three other tables occupied. Unfortunately, from the moment we walked in, the experience was less than welcoming.

The host seemed visibly irritated when we entered, as she had to get up from a booth and put away her phone. Her demeanor worsened when she noticed our young son, who was excited about the Valentine's-themed Christmas tree. When he pointed at it, she reached to grab him away from it, which felt unnecessary and uninviting. However, our son innocently mistook her action for an attempt to hold his hand, which softened the moment for us.

We were seated in the back of the restaurant, which, in retrospect, felt like an intentional decision based on an assumption about us. Once at our table, we allowed our 5-year-old to use the tabletop tablet to play games. Almost immediately, both the host and our server rushed over to inform us—rather condescendingly—that the games required payment, as if assuming we couldn’t afford it.

We ordered mozzarella sticks as an appetizer. Instead of simply taking our order, the server suggested we opt for the "2 for" meal deal on the back of the menu, emphasizing the lower cost in a way that felt like an assumption about our budget. While we appreciate menu recommendations, the delivery of this suggestion felt off-putting.

The food took about 30 minutes to arrive, which was fine, and it tasted good. However, the level of service throughout the meal was disappointing. Our server was attentive to other guests but was noticeably less engaged with us. When my husband showed interest in dessert, she returned to the table but seemed to be rushing us along instead of offering recommendations or up-selling. The overall service lacked warmth and attentiveness.

As a restaurant manager myself, I understand the importance of guest experience, and this visit fell far below expectations. We felt unwelcome and rushed, leaving without dessert and with no desire to return.

Hopefully, this was an off day for the staff, but based on this experience, I wouldn’t recommend...

"See you tomorrow" is their slogan. And as far as I'm concerned, tomorrow will never come. The waitress seemed friendly enough, until she snarked about how I "need to grow some facial hair" for me to look anything like my brother. (A completely uncalled for remark, not even sure where it came from.) We ordered burgers from their American classics menu, and kept overriding our requests for well done to 'no pink'. When I relayed to her that they were the same thing, she informed me that I had two options: pink or no pink.

I understand that the general public might not understand the variety of doneness levels of meat, but simply writing 'well' next to the item.. I would hope the kitchen staff would be able to decipher it. I asked for no pickles on my burger, and my brother requested no sauce. Easy enough, right? Less work for the people on the line. You'd think, anyway.

Our appetizer (mozzarella sticks) were cold in the middle, sauce was extremely sweet.

I decided to order an Angry Orchard to go with my burger. She scoffed, laughed and demanded ID. Upon producing it, she looked at me and asked me if it was real and if she should bother swiping it. (It was a legitimate ID, by the way.) At this point our lunch was ready. It came to the table incorrect. In fact, there were extra pickles on my burger and extra sauce on my brothers. The fries were stone cold, and soaked with pickle juice. Not to mention that she pandered more to my brother than to me, who I'm guessing she suspected was paying. Unfortunately for her, my brother has been broke and jobless for a year and a half, while I have a full time job. Her face was pretty great when she realized who was paying and who wasn't getting a tip.

All in all, the experience sucked. The hostess was pretty...

When we came in and the hostess was wearing a full length parka it should have sent us right back out as a sign of what was to come. We sat down and it was literally freezing in there. I had to ask to have the heat turned up and almost got a standing ovation from the other patrons. Our waiter "Joseph B" came and took our drink orders and placed plastic ware wrapped in the "togo" logo plastic baggie. We ordered drinks and he returned with them and left the entire try on the table and said "here's your drinks" and walked away. We ordered food and a different person brought my sister's boneless wings out and she stood away from the table and yelled "boneless wings" when we asked which ones she held them out and shrugged her shoulders. Noone else's food came out yet. Several minutes later two more entrees came out and she said "barbecue boneless" which noone ordered and we asked what kind are they and she said "try em" put them down and walked away. I asked the waitress why our food was coming out like this and she said we can only bring two plates out at a time. My shrimp was the next to come and she announced chicken tenders. I asked where my nephews steak was and she walked away. When Joseph came back and asked if everything was okay I asked where the steak was and he said, " I gave it to someone, I know i brought it out" he left and came back with it. My nephew had to eat a sirloin steak with a plastic knife and fork. Some of us were done eating while others had to wait for their food. I told the waiter and he laughed. MOST BIZARRE EXPERIENCE I...