Applebee's Grill + Bar — Restaurant in Winter Haven

We have been to Applebee's quite often but it has been several years ago. It was one of our favorite places back then. Unfortunately, times change things. We were seated by a pleasant host. We sat and slowly perused the menu as we weren't familiar with it now. Many things are the same but there are some new items too. We had decided what we wanted so we sat and waited for someone to come and take our order. We waited and waited. Maybe 30-45 minutes. The people on our right came in after us, had their drink order taken, received and their food order taken before we had anyone come over. Finally, we asked about it to some worker who happened to come by. In a few minutes a server came over and profusely apologized. He said there was confusion with the host and he would take our order now. He did and said he would be right back with our drinks. By now the people to our right were enjoying their food. We waited about another half hour for our drinks. Again the server profusely apologized. We finally received our food. My sister ordered the lime chicken in the 2 for... Menu. She said it was delicious 😋 (I had had a friend say the same thing when she came with me.) I ordered the 6oz sirloin, garlic mashed potatoes and green beans (I think) in the 2 for ... Menu. It was cooked excellent and was very good. Except I asked for A1 sauce and didn't get it until the last quarter of my steak. Both meals came with a large Caesar salad. We could have gotten a tossed salad but opted for Caesar. Or we could have gotten 1 appetizer to split instead. I think the salad was a good option. My son ordered the Big Burger, (I don't remember the exact name of it). It had 2 patties, lettuce, tomatoes and cheese plus pickles on it on the picture. It looked like a handful. In reality he got what looked like a slider size burger. It might've had 2 patties, I couldn't tell. It was full of lettuce, there was cheese and no tomato. He didn't want pickles. The amount of fries he got was like someone took their fingertips and picked up some fries and put them on his plate. It looked like a child's meal. My son, although special needs, is a full grown man. He was still hungry and wanted me to buy him a chicken tenders meal, which unfortunately I didn't have the money for. We didn't try to get someone to take it back because we couldn't find ANY servers or anyone coming over by us. The couple of times throughout the night that the people to our right, who got wonderful service, had someone come there and we tried to get the server's attention before they left, we were completely ignored. Our server barely showed up. When our server did show up he looked at my sister, who was aggravated and figured she better not say anything at this point. He would ask her if everything was ok, she would just look at him. He'd ask if we needed anything else and she would just look at him. Then he would look at my son and I on the other side of the table and say well good. If you need anything else let me know. Before I could open my mouth he would be gone. I never got to get my son anything else. I had thought I could get him a side or a dessert to fill him up. Although my sister's and my my meals were delicious, we had come for my son and let him pick the place to go to eat. With him going away hungry, I was hugely disappointed and all the other problems compounded that feeling. I can't say I will never go back again but I can say it will be a long time before I do. I hope they read this review and do something to correct...

I was hoping google wouldnt send me the review. I certainly know this establishment can do much better. And I certainly love the cooks at Applebee's. I arrived wanting patio seating as I was activating my new phone with a rep on the line. Didn't want to be rude talking on my phone inside... Ok, so I worked at places that if you come sit on the patio, you are greeted and asked if you want anything (not everyone's policy tho).. I did step into the restaurant w an attempt to flag someone down...nobody at bar, nobody at hostess desk. There was approx 5 tables with people and about 6 people at the bar. I retired outside to wait as I was on the call. granted after 20 min.. a lady who came outside (customer that wanted a smoke) told me I have to tell them I want service, she said she would let them know for me (ty) as I was still on my call. After 5min a waitress came out to inform me of the same thing. Ok! No prob.. she brought a menu (I had already knew what I wanted) but she indicated that the waitress would be right out to see me now that I know the rules... 30min went by (Seriously) and I was practically flying the menu around outside. When I had just had enough of bad service. As a previous waitress, I can't stand bad service. And what was the excuse this time??! I left after writing a hangry note of how bad service was and indicated it should be given to a manager. (BC I Do like Applebee's, and I Know they can do better). I left hungry and upset and took my business elsewhere as the waitress wasn't interested in making the way above average tip that would have been made while I conducted my business. Instead a wonderful NICE waitress at beef o Brady's made that $20 tip. Which was deserved bc I was half checked out on a call and I can't help as a previous waitress, giving back when it's deserved!! Sucks I couldnt enjoy the awesome food from Applebee's tho, I love those bowls! Cooks amazing... But it's got to go through the servers first. :/ Sorry Applebee's.. I know you guys are capable of getting 5 stars back w me. But at least treat me like I'm there, when I'm there. Total time spent: 50min No food No drink A lovely menu to look at........ Yippee...lots of good that did. (No offense to the hostess that brought the menu... She did apologize for my experience but I was done and more than...

Hands down worst service I've ever had from a restaurant. My husband and sister in-law went in for dinner tonight and oh my goodness. I don't even know where to begin. We had this waiter, Juan and I'm sorry but I don't know if it was his first day on the job or if he was just having a bad day or what but it was ridiculous. First off, for starters I ordered a simple water. Tell me how you mess this up. Ok, this guy comes out with what he called a "soda water" Nastiest thing I ever had. Then he totally went off the grid. We had to ask another waitress if he was still here & then he comes back after being out for 20 minutes & of waiting we finally were able to place our order. We had gotten an appetizer and 3 entrees. One of which entree was their buy 1 for $14.99 then mix and match all you can eat ribs, chicken, or shrimp. Our waiter specifically asked us if we wanted our appetizers before the food came out and clearly that didn't make a difference. All 3 entrees came out and THEN the appetizers. Food was good but appetizer was a joke. We got the boneless wings and typically those are my favorite things. It looked as though I got the bottom of the bag. Nothing but sauced up crumbs, barely any meat in the wings. That was a huge let down for me. We had also ordered drinks and of course, one was supposed to be an Apple Sangria and they forgot my FRUIT! Come on people, how do you forget to add the apple slices and the garnishes?! At this point we had already talked to the manager about the service and he was very kind about the inconvenience. But THEN OMG so my husband ordered another round of ribs and you've got to be KIDDING me. I went off! So what is pictured below is what was brought to my husband when he ordered a second round. It was a ONE SINGLE curled up rib! SERIOUSLY. I'm paying $15 for all you can eat ribs and you have the audacity to bring me ONE shriveled up rib. WHAT A JOKE. So again, manager comes out and is fully aware of the situation. At that time, the table across from us too also decides to talk to him about issues they've been experiencing with their same service. I have never been so let down by a restaurant. Manager was very nice and all about the mishaps but I'm sorry, they just could not get it together...