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Why I will never eat at Applebee's again....

marryingacoachmarryingacoach
in North Carolina Babies

We had a giftcard to Applebee's so we thought we'd go on Saturday. When we get there it's busy but not too busy, we are seated right away. We ask for non smoking. They take us to a table that is located right by the bar literally a table over is the bar. I specifically asked the hostess is this non smoking? She said yes it is. I even did a hand gesture to let her know I meant the whole area b.c we were so close to the bar. Grady needed to be changed I go to the restroom to do so.. they do not have changing tables. Ok so I make do on the counter.  Come back out and there is a lady smoking at the bar. Our waiter, who is making his presence known for the first time, my dh has been sitting there the whole time mind you, comes around and  I asked again if it was NS, he said well this table is but the bar isn't. I asked to be seated as far away from the bar as we could. They come back and tell us we will have to wait 20 mins. Needless to say, my dh and I got up and walked out and will never step foot in Applebees again.  I don't think we are missing a lot by boycotting it, but it sure did make me hot under the collar. 

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Re: Why I will never eat at Applebee's again....

  • mrsmikeymrsmikey
    I don't blame you.  And isn't it a law or something that places have to have a changing station in the restroom now?  I would definitely talk to a manager, even if you don't plan on going back.
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  • murph04murph04

    Ah, more anecdotal evidence that a smoking ban in NC restaurants might actually increase business, especially in "family" restaurants. :)

    Side note: In college we used to refer to Applebee's as "Crapplebee's."  Personally, I don't think you're missing much.

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  • Mrs_M&MMrs_M&M

    I agree with PP that you should talk to that location's manager, or the district manager. 

    I hate restaurants that have the non-smoking section so close to smoking - I experienced the smoke like you described twice lately - it's gross!  And especially if you are PG or have a kid with you, why would they put you so close to smoke!  Yuck!  Why even bother having a non-smoking section!

    And I'm shocked about the changing table too - I haven't had to deal with that yet, but I'd be pissed.  Sorry you had to deal with that!

    Maybe the manager will offer you a discount or coupon to come back, and you can use that with your certificate to get their "To-Go" food - you might as well use the certificate, even if you don't want to step foot back in their store.  Hopefully the manager helps you out and makes things right.

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  • surfnsandbridesurfnsandbride
    DH like to call places like Applebees "suburban food" because he says that's what people in the suburbs like to eat, he doesn't seem to realize we live on a culdesac!  We've got a few of those places around here, but to be honest, I can't remember the last time we ate at a place like that for the same reasons you're talking about, craptastic service from someone who doesn't want to be there, smoke filled, usually loud and the food is usually iffy.  (Okay, I swear we're not food snobs, but we've only got like three places like this to choose from here so we never go!).  I may still talk to the manager too, it sounds like you were really aggravated when you left!
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  • lah1177lah1177

    I worked at Applebees in high school and that is why I will not eat there to this day. But I do remember how the restaurant was set up and it was the same way back then, the non smoking section (to the right of the restaurant) was right next to the bar. I remember a lot of people complaining about that. This was in 1995, I cannot believe they have not changed their policies yet, yuck!

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  • elizabethswanelizabethswan
    imagelah1177:

    I worked at Applebees in high school and that is why I will not eat there to this day. But I do remember how the restaurant was set up and it was the same way back then, the non smoking section (to the right of the restaurant) was right next to the bar. I remember a lot of people complaining about that. This was in 1995, I cannot believe they have not changed their policies yet, yuck!

    Yeah the all the ones I have ever been to are still set up like this. It makes zero sense to have a "non-smoking" table 3' away from a smoking table.  
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  • MrsJones2005MrsJones2005
    The applebees around here have gone 100% nonsmoking...its one of the reasons we DO go there when we manage to go out. ?You can pass your gift card our way ;).
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  • dbertagnidbertagni
    We call it Barflebees at our house. I banned this place a long time ago because of the food and the service. I am glad you got up and left. I would have complained too, all though I doubt it will do much good.
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  • jenhumjenhum

    We ate there for lunch last weekend (we also had a giftcard to use) and I think I finally convinced DH not to go back. He always thinks I'm being snobby but I just think the food is mediocre at best and it's way overpriced! And the service is almost always bad.

    Luckily there was only one person smoking at the bar when we went, and they were on the opposite side of the restaurant. But if we had been on the other side, even in the "non-smoking" portion, we would've left too. I just couldn't believe that my chicken tenders (McD's chicken selects are way better) and french fries and DH's half-portion shrimp salad used an entire $25 giftcard. I guess I'm glad it did though, b/c I certainly don't want to go back!

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