Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Virginia

Stopped here just before lunch rush. It was clean and fairly quiet from customers. I decided to sit at the bar. There was no bartender but I was greeted by the hostess. She was very nice.

She asked what I needed to drink and said that someone would be with me soon. I asked if she could dim the bar lights or lighting overall as it was lit up like a tanning booth in there. I just had come from the eye doctor and it was bad enough already.

She comes back and said the manager said, "There is no way to turn them down". Now, I been in the hospitality/service industry all my life and know for a fact that this was a straight up lie. Come on man, the lights only work on full blast??

In fact there is a way, its on the dimmer and they have that capability but simply want you to feel at home inside their bright interrogation room. Anyways, its no wonder companies are failing when you cant make simple adjustments or have common knowledge of how to run a dinning room. We are not there to catch this summers tan, we are there to relax, unwind and grab some grub all without getting sun stroke.

If you own a bar or restaurant and you think the lights should be turned up on max during opening hours, there is a chance your management should be running a spotlight on a police helicopter not your local watering hole.

Simply put, It was a clean but a slow establishment. No service at the bar despite being dead. I left with no lunch and a bigger headache than when I arrived. All I kept thinking of were the songs, "TURN DOWN FOR WHAT" and "BLINDED BY THE...

Our second trip to this Applebee’s proved to be our last. The service was terrible. The young man who waited on us was nice, but clearly did not pay attention to the details of our order. He delivered onion soup that had barely melted cheese on top. I asked that it be returned to the broiler until browned on top. This was not delivered back to me until about 5 minutes after the meals. We had ordered extra sauces and dressings at the time the order was placed, but none of those things were delivered with the food, despite his having noted it on the order. The steamed broccoli was not well prepared, and not well steamed. 2 of us ordered ribs, both with the sauce on the side. One order was burned, not at all meaty and lacking in flavor. The other was not as burned, but also not very meaty. Applebees has great potential, but needs to hone in on presenting a good product, even when it is somewhat busy. Further, training the wait staff would be greatly helpful, and teaching them to communicate with one another would be helpful as well. When spending my hard-earned money on a restaurant meal, I expect good service and decent food. This meal lacked both…so much so, that we went to the IHOP next door for dessert where we were treated very well and the food...

Our waiter "Bagel" (nickname) was very good. He was attentive without ever hovering and I never got to the bottom of a glass before another was set down. He did exactly what he was expected to do at exactly the right time. No more, no less... which is what I want.

The garlic-parm bites as an appetizer had way too much butter/oil as a coating so would not recommend but the wings themselves were great; I just wish I ordered in a different flavor. I would try Asian/buffalo next time I think.

Burger as the entree was average (which kinda means a let down doesn't it?) though the bun was buttered and grilled making it crispy which is good. I think applebee's, unless I missed it, could benefit from having a special burger sauce. Even just a spicy ketchup option. Fries also are maybe unique in their cut but not anything more than average and no tasty seasoning.

Applebee's could easily improve their menu with some better spices/sauces and if they already exist, then some better education to the customer.

The atmosphere was fine but not a whole lot of patrons for dinner hour and time of year (early fall, weekday).

Prices are reasonable.

Summary: I would eat here again, good service, but the menu needs some TLC if they want me to make it...