Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Virginia

I'm also including a picture of my most recent visits to this restaurant. The amount of reviews I've made do not reflect the amount of times I come here. I will no longer be supporting this establishment until they make significant changes.

UPDATED JAN 2025

NEW OWNERSHIP. Decided to come in and see my favorite bartender, Oscar, and server, Ashley.

Had a great conversation with Phil, one of the new owners. They have some really promising goals and expectations. Can't wait to come back again and see the changes later!

Updated July 2024

I'm including a picture this time.

My wife and I came and ordered a 2 for $35.

First of all, I arrived first before my wife. I was sat at a booth and promptly ignored for around 3-6 minutes. I eventually stood up and walked over to the bar with my menu and utensils.

When my wife arrived we ordered a garden salad and a Caesar, then we ordered an 8oz sirloin and a 6oz. The salads never came until we reminded them AFTER we got our steaks.

The picture provided is from the 8oz, which was supposed to be medium rare (it was still mooing when it arrived... Even on the refire).

Additionally, the entire meal that I had tasted like butane / gas (seriously, it was like I did a whipit with a butane lighter).

When the "refire" came out, it was cooked LESS than the original and it still smelled like gas. They also didn't bring me ANY of my sides (pictured), despite me eating 3/4 broccoli pieces (like 4 broccoli pieces), none of the mash and about 2 bites from the steak.

I'm done with this place. Do not go here. Avoid like the plague. Go to Chili's or Stafford Wings.

Or McDonald's. They're all better.

Also, Asia is the bomb.com - come in and see her now (if you do come in still, despite my history of comments here).

Connie quit and so did a bunch of the other good staff. Turn over is ridiculous. This place definitely has issues for years now.

Updated review June 2024 It's time for an update.

Leadership has pivoted to make positive changes. There are still areas of opportunity, but they are moving in an upward direction.

If you wrote this place off, you should come back and check them out.

While yes, turn over is still a problem, the current staff (as of writing this) is amazing.

My current favorites are Ashley and Connie. When Connie's behind the bar you know you're gonna have a good time!

Ashley normally works the left side of the house and has the most bubbly and fantastic personality, definitely a diamond in the rough!

Overall cleanliness and atmosphere has improved. The HVAC could use some help, but it's still bearable with this heat wave.

No need to skip anymore.

Keep this momentum!

Old review below, from Jan/Feb 2024 I've been living in Stafford since 2017. I used to frequent this place at least once a week for about a year. Then something happened and it tanked.

I know the pandemic messed up the restaurant business pretty good, but the food here is inconsistent and always has been. The place is 50/50 dirty with tables almost never turned over.

But most importantly, the service is horrifically slow and most of the staff is very apathetic. Occasionally we've had some amazing servers, but they usually don't last long and we never see them again.

Do yourself a favor and go to Chili's (literally next door to it). It's not much better, but it's still better. Or bdubs (also right next to it).

I remember going once after arriving home from a flight (around 11pm). There was a woman sitting at the bar drinking with her kid in the stool next to her (probably around 11).

Just...

On Wednesday Dec. 6 , 2017 , my grandson Robert McGhee, wife Ashley and I, chose this Applebees for dinner. What a mistake! Worst meal I have ever had served to me in my 66 years. Are you ready for this. My grandson ordered a steak "medium" when it was served, it was in a puddle of blood on his plate, and when he picked it up the red blood ran off of it. That was for starters. Ashley ordered the "4 cheese-Mac&Cheese with chicken tenders. I was not too hungry so I just ordered the "side" Four cheese mac & cheese. When our Mac & Cheese was served, there were 2 Mac & Cheese with chicken tenders. I thought "well what I do not eat, I will just take home". Right away I noticed the macroni noodles looked a little dry, but thought that was just the baked on cheese. So I tried stirring it to mix up the cheese. Was hard to do , because there was a very small ball of what I guess was cheese, about the size of a walnut, in the entire bowl. But guess what I did find? a puddle of water in the bottom of my bowl, you could actually pick up the bowl and pour the water off. Ashley's was the same. We called the waitress and showed it to her. She was very accomadating and nice and said she would take it back to the kitchen. We were skeptical, we know what cooks can do to peoples plates that return food. She said they would completely re-do our meals and not just "fix up" the ones we sent back. 30 minutes later when she finally brought the replacement meals, they were no different, just the same as we had sent back. By then Rob was done with his "raw steak". He paid the bill, much to Ashley's and my protest. My grandson is a soft spoken man and does not like to make a scene. But I am GRANDMA, and I am not so complacent . I was ready to flip out when I saw him sign the check for $96.+ Oh my God!! that was highway robbery for a meal that was not fit to eat. Applebees , I gave you the date and time of service, and what was ordered, I know you can check your records and refund my grandsons money, just re-credit his ATM card. That was my First and Last time to eat at your, or anyother Applebees. ...

My daughter and i went out for some drinks and appetizers we were sat inside the bar area and the hostess walked back upfront. Didnt seem like he wanted to inform anyone of seating us. the waitress came over after a few mins and apologized for the wait said she would be right back with us. She came over after a few more mins and took our drink or and out food order. we received out beverages after about 10 mins but the bartender was new and we were told that right away. 30mins goes by and NO food the bartender can see me getting upset and said she would go check on the food. she said it was still being prepared. the waitress came over and let us know that there kitchen staff was training and that is why it was taking so long. meanwhile the manager was behind us sitting at a table talking to friends so i asked the waitress to have the manager come over. She walked over there and the manager still did not come to my table for another 30 mins by this time it had been over since i requested her to come over by this time our food just hit our table and SANDY the manager on shift came over and was like hi how is everything knowing everything wasn't good at all and when i questioned why she was sitting at a table laughing and having a conversation while her kitchen had an hour check for 2 deep fried apps she told me i was raising my voice which i was not. and wanted to take no accountability for her actions or why it took me an hour to get 2 appetizers. she just smiled and laughed like it wasnt a big deal. i will never go back to this establishment and will never recommend...