Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Virginia

Walked in at lunchtime and they were not busy. First red flag. Four dirty unoccupied tables. Second red flag. Plates on dirty tables had a lot of food left on them. Third red flag. Went to the lower level because our objective was to have lunch and watch planes. We were told it was closed for only large groups even though only one of the three occupied tables had more than two. Fourth red flag. We were then directed back to the front to wait on a table. Waited fifteen minutes with no response. Fifth red flag. Walked two feet over to the bar to ask if we were allowed to sit there since it was only me and my 13 year old grandson. Bartender went to other end and started washing glasses and talking to a customer. Never acknowledged us. Sixth red flag. While we waited another ten minutes a woman and young boy seated themselves at a table in the larger party only area. I walked over to ask if we may sit there since they were not turned away. Waiter informed us they were waiting on the rest of their party and he was the only server and would get a table cleaned for us after he put in their order. Seventh red flag. I told him no hurry we were leaving. Now if he were by himself I would imagine he would prefer all his occupied tables close together. I don’t understand why he didn’t ask the bartender to assist. She could have easily helped rather than be on her phone. What do I know? The only reason I waited as long as I did was because I drove 50 miles to take my grandson to watch planes and have lunch. He was majorly disappointed. The management needs to make some changes. AND wash the floor! Our shoes kept sticking while standing there. I think it was Devine Intervention that we did not end up...

I haven’t eaten at an Applebees in 10 years and today I was reminded why. Just had the worst service and not for lack of trying on behalf of (most) of the staff. It’s so obvious this location is SEVERELY understaffed. We were told by the manager that we couldn’t sit at any of the window seats because that section was closed we then sat and watched that manager sit in the “closed” section on the computer/phone watching as her staff ran around like they were on fire trying to keep a sinking ship from going under. Why was the host also my waitress AND the bartender for the restaurant? I understand that paperwork is important to any business but you cannot convince me that rush hour at an airport while understaffed and overrun was the best use of time. I watched several tables sit then walk out all while in the view of the manager doing NOTHING to help her team or customers. What is the point of having a manager if they can’t manage anything?

Brittany is CARRYING that restaurant on her back and ol dark hair w/glasses sat right there and watched. Y’all are paying the...

I had a two hour delay so I figured I would grab something at a familiar restaurant. It was not crowded but service was a bit slow after placing my order. Chicken quesadilla, and a Caesar salad. I later ordered a plain margarita from the bar, which tasted like pure sugar and no alcohol. When the food arrived it was hot but I had chicken on my salad and very few pieces of romaine lettuce, with a ton of dressing on the side (which I didn’t mind). The server explained the chef added it but they didn’t charge me for it. My guess is it was close to closing so they were feeling generous? There was an annoying fruit fly that I was swatting at but the food was not bad, or so I thought until the next morning. I didn’t have anything else to eat when I got home and only had water on my flight. I had the worst case of food poisoning. It lasted an entire day where I could barely get out of bed to relieve myself. Perhaps I should have refused the free chicken or the lettuce was bad. Either way, I’d avoid it...