Applebee's Grill + Bar

I recently visited Applebee's, and I have to say, my experience was a bit of a mixed bag, but overall positive. First off, the wait was practically nonexistent—arrived, got a seat right away—but I noticed the place was definitely busy, which was a good sign. The restaurant had a lively vibe, though the atmosphere itself felt a little... lackluster. It wasn’t exactly a bad vibe, just kind of "blah" with nothing too exciting in terms of decor or energy. One of the standout changes was the revamped menu, which was a pleasant surprise. There are some great new options to choose from, and the food did not disappoint. The dishes were tasty, and I was impressed with the quality considering the affordable prices. I also decided to try a few mocktails, and they were excellent! Refreshing, flavorful, and definitely a nice touch for those who prefer a non-alcoholic option. The highlight of the meal for me was the Pecan Blondie dessert. It was delicious, rich, and sweet, though I have to say it was a bit too soft for my liking. I love a good dessert, but it was almost on the verge of being a little mushy. Still, it was a minor issue considering how good the rest of the meal was. Overall, Applebee's provides a solid dining experience with friendly service, a revamped menu, and a variety of affordable options. The atmosphere could use a little work, but the food and drinks were more than enough to make up for it. Worth a visit, especially if you're looking for something casual and budget-friendly.

We were pleasantly surprised. We ordered the two for $25 meal, and paid a little bit extra to upgrade to an 8 oz steak. The steak was done to our liking: medium rare, tender and tasty, the garlic mashed potato was delicious. We tried the boneless chicken wings (with Asian Chili sauce) as appetizer and really liked it. My husband took advantage of the Happy Hour and ordered beer. The total bill was reasonable for a nice meal. They also have weekday lunch specials. We will definitely come again.

The host was very sweet and kind, Ashley the bartender came to our booth and served us on a short staffed Monday with exceptional service. It’s clear she’s an asset and is great leadership material as well. Will definitely come back and bring friends, first time here.

Last night, my adult kids and I decided to give Applebee’s on Gandy in South Tampa a shot. We don’t usually go to Applebee’s, but we heard they had good margaritas and thought, why not? Big mistake. We got there around 7 p.m., sat in the bar, and immediately noticed Ashleigh, the bartender, and her trainee Madeline were drowning with way too many tables. After 10 minutes, they finally took our first order—margaritas and a couple of appetizers. Drinks and apps took another 15 minutes. The margaritas and food were great, but that’s where the good part ends. Ashleigh was so overwhelmed we never even got to place a dinner order. She walked by us five times, promising to come back, but never did. It felt like we were invisible. Eventually, we gave up. When we asked for the check, she practically threw it at us—no apology, no thank you, nothing but attitude. My kids, who had been chill up until then, were furious. We left disappointed and hungry. It’s a shame because the food and drinks were good, but the service was a disaster. Whoever runs this place needs to get their act together—hire more staff, train the ones you’ve got, and teach them some basic manners. 2 stars, only because the margaritas deserved better than the service we got.

I had really great time here with my son’s soccer teammates we were 15 people, and the amazing services of Christina was fast, pacience and food was delicious.