APPLE Bees da Place to Go. Here's Why!!
Written: Apr 12 '04 (Updated Sep 06 '05)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Good overall atmosphere and hustling waitstaff.
Cons: Hit and miss on some items.
The Bottom Line: I like Applebee's for an outing with the family or a chain restaurant dinner with my wife. Though I struggled with some elements, I rate this a four-star, above-average rating.
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| popsrocks's Full Review: Applebee's |
My wife and I have gone to our local Applebee's a number of times alone and with our family. We happened to have dinner there again a few nights ago.
THE ATMOSPHERE
I consider this a bit more family oriented than a TGI Fridays, yet fine for couples and groups. It is also surprisingly a little quieter atmosphere that of a TGI's or Outback.
Our particular Applebee's, which I am very familiar with and will base this review on, sets its tone with the hustle of it's workers. I'll get to service in a bit, but the personal attention they give promotes my positive feeling of this place and its overall feel.
Walking in you immediately see the decor of Tiffany like lamps above the light-coloured, butcher block tables with paper mats that have wooden chairs around them. The flooring is a mix of green carpeting that shows the wear of the day but was otherwise clean. There could be a bit more maintenance with a vacuum and broom during the day. A fork on the floor was walked past time and time again. Besides keeping the customer in mind with good service, this kind of eyesore needs to be given attention too.
A bar dominates the middle of the restaurant. It seems that it is from here that much of the business radiates. The back half of the bar is a busy place that I do not find relaxing.
The walls are filled with sports memorabilia. Much of it is local. Pictures of All Long Island ball players and news clips from local sports pages are framed and hung between sports pieces of equipment. We see a big poster of the Wantagh Warriors and such. Other items like a carousel horse are scattered about the rooms too.
One thing I do like is that one of the sections is glassed off from the other parts of the room. I believe this helps keep the quieter over-all sound of the place. This is good.
THE SERVICE
The service has always been good in this place. Though there are lines at peak times, the wait is rarely long. Tables are cleared and reset quickly. I'll also note that the overall service is fast but not rushing you out the door. Quick service to the tables and timely presentations of the courses and drinks, moves things along. This gets more use of each table every night. At the same time we have leisurely eaten at the restaurant and never felt like they were trying to "move us out".
One thing we have found is that the manager walks around checking on service. He came to our table three times. The first two times were courtesy stops, "Is everything all right". On the second stop we did tell him that on one of our orders there was a problem and that the meat was undercooked, but our waitress seemed to be concerned about it and was hustling to have the matter resolved. After it was taken care of the manager did return to ask once again if all was OK and to apologize for the wrongly cooked item.
Earlier my wife had alerted the waitress as to the meat being much to rare and also having an unappealing look to it. The waitress went, got another plate, removed the meat from my wifes platter, and came back with a new steak that was properly done in a very timely fashion. When she was attending us she was walking and working in double time to get the order out A/S/A/P. Her interest in our comfort and dining experience made her effort a five star rating even though the kitchen failed their initial part of the deal.
OUR FOOD THIS TIME
Our waiter like all of them are always striving to pad the bill with add-on orders of drinks and appetizers. We passed on the first serving of food but did order Long Island Iced Tea,$6.00. For those who have never had the stuff, it can sneak up on you. Their's is made with top shelf product, a mix of three or four liquors. They don't mix Tequila in their's, some places do, but it's still very good.
Last night we ordered their special of Coconut Shrimp and Teriyaki Steak, $12.99. This came with smashed potatoes and grilled veggies. The veggies were good, the potatoes, the best in the world! I happen to like red potatoes. They have a great taste and consistency. These potatoes, some in small chunks with a delicate skin and the rest mashed with garlic in them, are heavenly.
The Coconut shrimp was a disappointment. The initial wonderful taste of the crunch was lost to a feel of soft batter within. Besides that the shrimp did not have good body or flavour.
The steak and Teriyaki sauce was very good. My wife echoed my the same thoughts on all items. Ha, I usually follow her lead.
With dinner plates a salad can be added at a special rate. We both had garden salads. Caesar salad or soup are other choices for this add on $2.00 price. An additional .50 gets you French Onion soup.
My blue cheese dressing and salad was good, though the tomatoes were hard and what I call "plastic". My wife was satisfied with her choice. Though the salads are not gourmet, neither is the price. I feel they are a good value. The lettuce, though mostly iceberg is fresh and crisp. The dressing was chunky and flavourful. There are some very nice salad choice for dinner. I'll get to them in a bit.
We finished with their "Blonde" dessert. It was very good. I can only describe it as a cookie doughy cake with chips and nuts in it, topped with vanilla ice cream and a side of a sweet buttery sauce. We shared it, it was enough for two, and it was outstanding. They have many tasty and rich desserts on the menu.
OTHER EXPERIENCES
We have enjoyed the Belmore, Long Island location many times. With the family we generally order an appetizer or possibly two to share. We like the Spinach and Artichoke dish that sells for $5.99. Also good is the Chicken Quesadilla Grande, with chicken $8.99 without $6.99.
The kids have always enjoyed the ribs. These are offered in a variety of ways. When we are trying to keep the bill down we, at times, have said burgers only. Applebee's makes a good Cowboy Burger and excellent Portobello Swiss Burger. They also have a good Bacon Burger. These come with fries that don't last long on the plate. All burgers, priced in the $6.00-$7.50 price range, are grilled to 158 degrees unless specifically requested different. They have chopped lettuce tomato and pickle on a toasted sesame bun. They will substitute a turkey burger or veggie burger with the same toppings on most burger offerings.
Drinks for the kids are varied and it's good to know that refills are free. The restaurant staff was quick to do this.
There are also kids special meals, crayons and pictures to keep them busy and a bouquet of helium balloons at the front door. They are given away for the asking as kids leave. Except for a birthday group one time I never noticed the balloons being given out unsolicited.
MORE ON THE MENU
Applebee's has what I would think of as mix of traditional American fare, some with a touch of Mexican and Tex Mex, some with Oriental mixes, and some with an Italian flair. This starts with the appetizers and continues through salads and is evident in the almost fifty entres.
Appetizers
Besides the couple I mentioned earlier the appetizers, that are in the $6-$7 price range, include Buffalo Wings, regular and the boneless with white meat strips, Jalapeno Poppers, Potato Skins, and their Appetizer Sampler that is $9.99. Nachos Nuevos and the new to their menu Mozzerella Sticks are available too.
Salads
The salads reflect diversity too. The Santa Fe Chicken is described as a southwest plate of grilled chipotle chicken served on a bed of greens tossed with cheeses, pico de gallo and tortilla strips. This is topped with guacamole, sour cream and Mex-Ranch dressing. $7.99
The Oriental Chicken salad that I can personally tell you is excellent is an Asian greens dish topped with golden fried chicken, toasted almonds and crispy noodles. This is tossed with their Oriental vinaigrette and sliced scallions.$7.99
Blackened Chicken sounds good too along with the selections of Grilled Italian Chicken Caesar Salad, Steakhouse Salad and their Low Fat Blackened Chicken salad has a fat free honey mustard dressing rather than the hot bacon-mustard dressing.
Steaks
On the menu you'll notice pictured red apples next to some offerings. These are the tried and true selections that have been around a while. You'll find the Bourbon Street Steak and Applebee's House Sirloin with these markings. Other items may be marked with a "New" flag in front of them. The Steak 'N' Baby Backs and Madeira Steak Tips selections are ready to be tried by us.
Chicken
A large variety of chicken dishes dot the menu. Items like Chicken Parmesan, Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Alfredo sound good. the Crispy Orange Chicken Skillet, Chicken Pot Pie, Chicken Fingers Platter, and Fried Chicken also are tempting.
Grilled Choices
Rounding out the menu are Chicken, steaks, and fish that are grilled and served in a variety of sauces and presentations. Two old timers are Fiesta Lime Chicken and Applebee's Riblets. New to the line is Honey BBQ Baby Backs.
Another special at Applebee's is a combination of favorites where you chose two and put them together at a price of $13.99.
In closing
Over the years I have found most of the choices very good. At times there will be something that doesn't live up to expectations but for the most part the food can be recommended. The portions are generous, the presentations good, and the taste good to excellent. I give the extra star for their service. They always move promptly and seem concerned of the customers needs. I believe Applebee's is a good value.
Just a quick mention for anyone visiting NYC that there is a new Applebee's in the Times Square area. It's on 50th near where 7th Ave and Broadway intersect. It has two levels, a small downstairs and a large upstairs area with elevator access. I haven't tried it. The line was an hour wait last time we went by. This is in a great spot with a terrific view of the streets below. I used to frequent the same location when it was a Lundy's Restaurant.
More chain eateries by popsrocks
Applebee's / Romano's MACARONI GRILL / KFC / OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE / Wendy's / OUTBACK Restaurant / Cozymel's / Cheesecake Factory / McDonald's / Taco Bell / Checkers Burgers / Red Lobster / The White Castle / TGI Friday's / Charlie Browns / Burger King / Arthur Treacher's Fish and Chips / Dunkin' Donuts / Starbucks / Ralph's Famous Ices / Cold Stone Creamery / CARVEL Ice Cream / Boulder Creek Steakhouse / Waffle House / Krispy Kreme / Friendly's / Nathan's / Jillian's / Blimpies / Quizno's / jumba juice / Subway / Ruby Tuesday
NYC eats
Tavern on the Green and The Boathouse Cafe Romantic restaurants in Central Park / Stardust Diner Eats and entertainment before a show. Aspiring actors are here / The Manhattan Chili Company good quick eats before a show. / ESPN Zone A sports bar, arcade, and MORE! / TGI Friday's Times Square and Downtown locations. / Pig'n'Whistle, a great Times Square Pub / Ollies, Broadway / Osteria Stella Fine Northern Italian in Times Square / Sylvia's, a southern soul restaurant in Harlem / Fraunce's Tavern Lower Manhattan. GW ate here. / Katz's Deli A NYC landmark
Manhattan reviews by Popsrocks
New York City The Greatest City in the World
Times Square!!!
Recommended:
Yes
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