Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
chain restaurants!

I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.

He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and soup
thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the menu,
but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little pepper
rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much chicken,
lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.

I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.

Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.

Just thought I would share. FWIW.

cybercat wrote:

> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.


I thought your sort of "client" preferred something more akin to the Hot
Sheet Moe - tel...

;--D


--
Best
Greg

"I am smarter than you think I am"
- Maryanne "Loafhead" Kehoe to me
in alt.gossip.celebrities

"cybercat" > wrote in message
...
> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
> chain restaurants!
>
> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.
>
> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and
> soup thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on
> the menu, but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green
> little pepper rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not
> much chicken, lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on
> the side.
>
> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
>
> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.
>
> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
>


I've been to Applebee's. One time, it was good. Next time, it was just OK.
Next, not good. Then, good. Two more times, passable. Next time, boring. The
time after that, fabulous, although the margaritas might've had something to
do with it. Last time, boring. I'm thinking that the next few visits will be
assorted, in terms of quality, too.

"Michael "Dog3" Lonergan" > wrote in message
...
> "Gregory Morrow" > dropped this
> turd hlink.net: in
> rec.food.cooking
>
>>
>>
>>
>> cybercat wrote:
>>
>>> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
>>> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I
>>> say.
>>
>>
>> I thought your sort of "client" preferred something more akin to the
>> Hot Sheet Moe - tel...
>>
>> ;--D
>
> Take heart, IHOP has either bought or is trying to buy Applebees. Tyler
> couldn't help Applebees pull out of it. I still like IHOP now and then.
> Maybe they'll improve Applebees.
>
Does IHOP still use nasty tasting margarine to do the eggs in, I wonder?

Michael "Dog3" Lonergan wrote:

>
> Take heart, IHOP has either bought or is trying to buy Applebees. Tyler
> couldn't help Applebees pull out of it. I still like IHOP now and then.
> Maybe they'll improve Applebees.
>



IHOP isn't bad, but we LOVELOVELOVE the Original Pancake House chain for
breakfast. We first discovered it in the San Diego area and now there
are two in Denver. I'd love to go every weekend but the closest one is
farther away than Dear Husband thinks is reasonable to travel for
breakfast (6 miles, maybe?)

It's hard to pick a favorite. Lots of combinations: eggs, meat and
pancakes or waffles. Swedish pancakes. Dutch Baby. Apple Dutch Baby.
Cherry Kijafa crepes. Tahitian Maiden's Dream (crepes with bananas,
pineapple, and real whipped cream. Incredible pecan filled pancakes
with pecan laden maple syrup. I can't remember even a small part of the
huge menu. Bowls of fresh mixed berries that look as though they're
direct from the garden. Delicious coffee with heavy cream.

Yummy.

gloria p

cybercat wrote:
>
> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
> chain restaurants!
>
> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.
>
> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and soup
> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the menu,
> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little pepper
> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much chicken,
> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
>
> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
>
> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.
>
> Just thought I would share. FWIW.

My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.

Pete C.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
> cybercat wrote:
>>
>> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
>> chain restaurants!
>>
>> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
>> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.
>>
>> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and
>> soup
>> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the
>> menu,
>> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little pepper
>> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much
>> chicken,
>> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
>>
>> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
>> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
>> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
>>
>> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
>> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.
>>
>> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
>
> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>
> Pete C.

We have one at the end of the block and based on how jammed it always is I
would guess it is pretty popular in Lexington. Now to be honest I don't
remember ever going into one, but then we rarely go out to eat except when
traveling. Most of these places aren't very good regardless so I tend to
avoid them. There are a few exceptions like a couple of times a year we
might have a breakfast at Cracker Barrels or an Outback. When we travel we
tend to pick out something along the road and take my chances.

Joe Cilinceon

Joe Cilinceon wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
> > cybercat wrote:
> >>
> >> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
> >> chain restaurants!
> >>
> >> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> >> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.
> >>
> >> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and
> >> soup
> >> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the
> >> menu,
> >> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little pepper
> >> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much
> >> chicken,
> >> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
> >>
> >> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
> >> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
> >> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
> >>
> >> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
> >> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.
> >>
> >> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
> >
> > My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
> > the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
> > overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
> > so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
> > point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
> > customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
> > wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
> > Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
> >
> > Pete C.
>
> We have one at the end of the block and based on how jammed it always is I
> would guess it is pretty popular in Lexington. Now to be honest I don't
> remember ever going into one, but then we rarely go out to eat except when
> traveling. Most of these places aren't very good regardless so I tend to
> avoid them. There are a few exceptions like a couple of times a year we
> might have a breakfast at Cracker Barrels or an Outback. When we travel we
> tend to pick out something along the road and take my chances.
>
> Joe Cilinceon

None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.

Pete C.

"Pete C." > wrote
> None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
> usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
> where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
> for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
> you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
> and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>

The only reasonable "charm" of a chain restaurant.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
> Joe Cilinceon wrote:
>>
>> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > cybercat wrote:
>> >>
>> >> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but
>> >> crappy
>> >> chain restaurants!
>> >>
>> >> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
>> >> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I
>> >> say.
>> >>
>> >> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad
>> >> and
>> >> soup
>> >> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the
>> >> menu,
>> >> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little
>> >> pepper
>> >> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much
>> >> chicken,
>> >> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
>> >>
>> >> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
>> >> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted
>> >> red
>> >> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
>> >>
>> >> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being
>> >> crowded
>> >> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this
>> >> restaurant.
>> >>
>> >> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
>> >
>> > My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I
>> > blacklisted
>> > the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>> > overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one
>> > month,
>> > so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>> > point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
>> > customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire
>> > train
>> > wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>> > Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>> >
>> > Pete C.
>>
>> We have one at the end of the block and based on how jammed it always is
>> I
>> would guess it is pretty popular in Lexington. Now to be honest I don't
>> remember ever going into one, but then we rarely go out to eat except
>> when
>> traveling. Most of these places aren't very good regardless so I tend to
>> avoid them. There are a few exceptions like a couple of times a year we
>> might have a breakfast at Cracker Barrels or an Outback. When we travel
>> we
>> tend to pick out something along the road and take my chances.
>>
>> Joe Cilinceon
>
> None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
> usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
> where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
> for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
> you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
> and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>
> Pete C.

I agree Pete with one exception. My wife worked for Gilbert Robertson chain
Fedora's in South Florida. They where better than most 5 star restaurants
I've ever eaten in. All food was cooked in plain view of the customers, high
quality ingredients, the wait staff had to know every single ingredient as
well as the calories etc. It was if not still a very high end place with
prices compatible with places like Outback and Cracker Barrels. They also
had a very large diverse menu with my favorite Maui onions with balsamic
vinegar.

Joe Cilinceon

Joe Cilinceon wrote:
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
> > Joe Cilinceon wrote:
> >>
> >> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> >> ...
> >> > cybercat wrote:
> >> >>
> >> >> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but
> >> >> crappy
> >> >> chain restaurants!
> >> >>
> >> >> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> >> >> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I
> >> >> say.
> >> >>
> >> >> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad
> >> >> and
> >> >> soup
> >> >> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the
> >> >> menu,
> >> >> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little
> >> >> pepper
> >> >> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much
> >> >> chicken,
> >> >> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
> >> >>
> >> >> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
> >> >> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted
> >> >> red
> >> >> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
> >> >>
> >> >> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being
> >> >> crowded
> >> >> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this
> >> >> restaurant.
> >> >>
> >> >> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
> >> >
> >> > My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I
> >> > blacklisted
> >> > the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
> >> > overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one
> >> > month,
> >> > so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
> >> > point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
> >> > customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire
> >> > train
> >> > wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
> >> > Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
> >> >
> >> > Pete C.
> >>
> >> We have one at the end of the block and based on how jammed it always is
> >> I
> >> would guess it is pretty popular in Lexington. Now to be honest I don't
> >> remember ever going into one, but then we rarely go out to eat except
> >> when
> >> traveling. Most of these places aren't very good regardless so I tend to
> >> avoid them. There are a few exceptions like a couple of times a year we
> >> might have a breakfast at Cracker Barrels or an Outback. When we travel
> >> we
> >> tend to pick out something along the road and take my chances.
> >>
> >> Joe Cilinceon
> >
> > None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
> > usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
> > where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
> > for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
> > you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
> > and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
> >
> > Pete C.
>
> I agree Pete with one exception. My wife worked for Gilbert Robertson chain
> Fedora's in South Florida. They where better than most 5 star restaurants
> I've ever eaten in. All food was cooked in plain view of the customers, high
> quality ingredients, the wait staff had to know every single ingredient as
> well as the calories etc. It was if not still a very high end place with
> prices compatible with places like Outback and Cracker Barrels. They also
> had a very large diverse menu with my favorite Maui onions with balsamic
> vinegar.
>
> Joe Cilinceon

That probably doesn't qualify as a big chain. The big chains aren't
"Chili's", they're the mega companies that own six or eight of the
"Chili's" class brands. If you look at some of the gift card ads at such
places they usually list the rest of the brands owned by that company
and you can use the gift card at any of them.

Pet eC.

"Pete C." > wrote
> That probably doesn't qualify as a big chain. The big chains aren't
> "Chili's", they're the mega companies that own six or eight of the
> "Chili's" class brands. If you look at some of the gift card ads at such
> places they usually list the rest of the brands owned by that company
> and you can use the gift card at any of them.
>

Big and small are always relative, don't you find? Whether or not
the characterization is accurate depends on what the OP had in mind
as a comparison when making the statement.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...
> Joe Cilinceon wrote:
>>
>> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>> ...
>> > Joe Cilinceon wrote:
>> >>
>> >> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>> >> ...
>> >> > cybercat wrote:
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but
>> >> >> crappy
>> >> >> chain restaurants!
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
>> >> >> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could
>> >> >> I
>> >> >> say.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad
>> >> >> and
>> >> >> soup
>> >> >> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on
>> >> >> the
>> >> >> menu,
>> >> >> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little
>> >> >> pepper
>> >> >> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much
>> >> >> chicken,
>> >> >> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the
>> >> >> side.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but
>> >> >> was
>> >> >> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted
>> >> >> red
>> >> >> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at
>> >> >> $9.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being
>> >> >> crowded
>> >> >> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this
>> >> >> restaurant.
>> >> >>
>> >> >> Just thought I would share. FWIW.
>> >> >
>> >> > My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I
>> >> > blacklisted
>> >> > the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>> >> > overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one
>> >> > month,
>> >> > so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>> >> > point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food,
>> >> > bad
>> >> > customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire
>> >> > train
>> >> > wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>> >> > Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>> >> >
>> >> > Pete C.
>> >>
>> >> We have one at the end of the block and based on how jammed it always
>> >> is
>> >> I
>> >> would guess it is pretty popular in Lexington. Now to be honest I
>> >> don't
>> >> remember ever going into one, but then we rarely go out to eat except
>> >> when
>> >> traveling. Most of these places aren't very good regardless so I tend
>> >> to
>> >> avoid them. There are a few exceptions like a couple of times a year
>> >> we
>> >> might have a breakfast at Cracker Barrels or an Outback. When we
>> >> travel
>> >> we
>> >> tend to pick out something along the road and take my chances.
>> >>
>> >> Joe Cilinceon
>> >
>> > None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
>> > usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
>> > where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
>> > for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
>> > you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
>> > and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>> >
>> > Pete C.
>>
>> I agree Pete with one exception. My wife worked for Gilbert Robertson
>> chain
>> Fedora's in South Florida. They where better than most 5 star restaurants
>> I've ever eaten in. All food was cooked in plain view of the customers,
>> high
>> quality ingredients, the wait staff had to know every single ingredient
>> as
>> well as the calories etc. It was if not still a very high end place with
>> prices compatible with places like Outback and Cracker Barrels. They also
>> had a very large diverse menu with my favorite Maui onions with balsamic
>> vinegar.
>>
>> Joe Cilinceon
>
> That probably doesn't qualify as a big chain. The big chains aren't
> "Chili's", they're the mega companies that own six or eight of the
> "Chili's" class brands. If you look at some of the gift card ads at such
> places they usually list the rest of the brands owned by that company
> and you can use the gift card at any of them.
>
> Pet eC.

Actually they did and are now part of Houlihan's chains including Holiday
Inns and a lot of other chains around the country. The old Gilbert Robertson
founded the TGIF chain among a few other though they are now under the
control of Houlihan's chains. They where originally out of Kansas City.

Joe Cilinceon

"Pete C." > wrote in message
...

> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.

I have never gotten anything remotely edible in an Applebees.

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
news:znxpi.2715$0v4.1161@trndny01...
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
>> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
>> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
>> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
>> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>
> I have never gotten anything remotely edible in an Applebees.


Where I live the only places you're going to get fresh vegetables of any
kind with your dinner is at Applebee's or Lone Star. Every where else
serves canned.

Ms P

In article >, "cybercat" >
wrote:

> Yes, that's right, I still have not managed to go to anything but crappy
> chain restaurants!
>
> I had lunch with a client in a town a couple of hours away from me
> yesterday, and he chose Applebees. Since he was paying, what could I say.
>
> He had the Chicken Caesar Salad, which is served as half of a salad and soup
> thing, but he just got two of the small salads. It sounds great on the menu,
> but when it came, it was loaded down with those pale green little pepper
> rings I think of as pickled peppers--I mean LOADED down. Not much chicken,
> lots of black olives, and a dry piece of sourdough bread on the side.
>
> I had the Shrimp Spinach salad, and it did not look very good but was
> excellent. Broiled shrimp on a bed of spinach with rings of roasted red
> pepper and a hot bacon dressing. Very tasty, and not too pricy at $9.
>
> Per my comments about being packed in at Applebees, e.g. it being crowded
> with tables too close together, this was not the case at this restaurant.

Applebee's is a favorite for my parents and my sister and brother-in-law
when we go out to eat, although its not in my list of favorites. The
food I have been served at Applebee's has always been okay, not great,
but edible and a reasonable price.

I like their Weight Watcher's menu items because I can get a decent
dinner without taking on a lot of unnecessary fat and calories and the
food's not bad.

"Pete C." > wrote in message
> None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
> usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
> where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
> for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
> you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
> and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>
> Pete C.

I don't disagree with you, and that "consistent sameness" is one of the
reasons the chains do so well. I have, however, become much more
adventurous in the past few years. I go out of my way to try local places.
I've found more winners than losers and sometimes you find a real gem.
--
Ed
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>
>>None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
>>usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
>>where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
>>for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
>>you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
>>and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>>
>>Pete C.
>
>
> I don't disagree with you, and that "consistent sameness" is one of the
> reasons the chains do so well. I have, however, become much more
> adventurous in the past few years. I go out of my way to try local places.
> I've found more winners than losers and sometimes you find a real gem.

IMO, Applebees, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster all fall into the same
category: to fulfill the appetite of the hungry for crapa ratta.

The only good thing in these places (for the most part,) is their
freshly made salads and breadsticks. The rest is nuked, pressure
cookec/heated, et cetera.

A little propaganda (although expensive at prime time,) goes a long way.

Do yourselves a favor and buy yourselves quality ingredients, learn the
basics of cooking, and have fun and cook your own stuff.

R

On Jul 24, 7:12 pm, "Edwin Pawlowski" > wrote:
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> > None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
> > usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate homogenization
> > where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much identical except
> > for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are pretty typical in that
> > you can usually count on being able to stop at one pretty much anywhere
> > and get a reasonable meal that at least beats the fast food places.
>
> > Pete C.
>
> I don't disagree with you, and that "consistent sameness" is one of the
> reasons the chains do so well. I have, however, become much more
> adventurous in the past few years. I go out of my way to try local places.
> I've found more winners than losers and sometimes you find a real gem.
> --
> Edhttp://pages.cthome.net/edhome/

Ed,

I too prefer the little, hole-in-the-wall places. I think the owner
should either be cooking or greeting the customer at the door. Every
once in a while, I'll get a terrible meal at a mom-and-pop-place, but
the good meals more than make up for it.

I know for sure I'll be disappointed at Applebees, Marie Calendars,
etc. Some of the worst food I've ever eaten has been at Olive Garden.
It's just pureed tomatoes, lots of garlic, and more salt than I'd eat
in a week.

Near my job, there's a little taqueria with great food. They make
everything there, even the tortillas. It's so small the food is
either take-out or eat on the patio; no indoor seating. I'd rather
eat there any day instead of the chain places. I've eaten there in
the middle of winter, sitting on the concrete patio benches. That
tells you how good the tacos are. I sure wouldn't freeze my tail off
for Applebees.

Ken (Trying to not sound like a food snob.)

"Shawn Hirn" > wrote
> Applebee's is a favorite for my parents and my sister and brother-in-law
> when we go out to eat, although its not in my list of favorites.

Same here! When I get to choose I nearly always want local "mom and
pop" places, or good down-to-earth local restaurants with good food
and decent prices. Or, places in Raleigh, NC like 42nd Street Oyster
Bar--which is a nice, cavernous, airy restaurant with a full, lovely bar
and decent entertainment perfect for while you wait for your table.

The
> food I have been served at Applebee's has always been okay, not great,
> but edible and a reasonable price.
>
> I like their Weight Watcher's menu items because I can get a decent
> dinner without taking on a lot of unnecessary fat and calories and the
> food's not bad.

If I have to go there again (and don't get me wrong, I always appreciate
when someone takes me to lunch, regardless of where) I want to try the
tilapia on the Weight Watcher's menu.

The other thing that looked good (but a little too heavy for me that day)
was a dish called "Crispy Chicken Bowl" or something similar. It had
fried white meat filets on rice with various vegetables. Looked good!

JoeSpareBedroom wrote:

>
>
> I've been to Applebee's. One time, it was good. Next time, it was just OK.
> Next, not good. Then, good. Two more times, passable. Next time, boring. The
> time after that, fabulous, although the margaritas might've had something to
> do with it. Last time, boring. I'm thinking that the next few visits will be
> assorted, in terms of quality, too.
>
>
Everyone I know who is involved with those industrial restaurants and
sees "behind the curtain" has said the same thing. The big box
Applebees/Fridays/whatever type places have next to nothing in the may
of standardization and quality control. Staff are minimally trained and
poorly paid. Stuff drops on the floor and gets picked up etc. Sanitary
conditions are hit or miss.

My buddy who has a commercial refrigeration business has had his workers
call in and refuse to work on equipment at these places because it was
filthy.

They have said that the only 2 fast food places that actually have
really tight quality control and standards are Wendys and McDonalds.

Julie Bove wrote:
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
>> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
>> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
>> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
>> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>
> I have never gotten anything remotely edible in an Applebees.
>
>
Actually had lunch at Applebees yesterday. My salad was actually pretty
good. The chicken was cooked just right. Mostly my experience there
has been just ok. Not a destination place for me at all, but a
convenience place or where my dining companion wants to go.

Mostly it's a good place to catch up with a friend, oh and have a snack too.

--
Queenie

*** Be the change you wish to see in the world ***

"Julie Bove" > wrote in message
news:znxpi.2715$0v4.1161@trndny01...
>
> "Pete C." > wrote in message
> ...
>
>> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
>> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
>> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
>> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
>> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>
> I have never gotten anything remotely edible in an Applebees.
We went once, coming down off the mountain from a hiking trip as I recall,
starved. I don't know what they did to the food, but it was awful. Denny's
was up the road; it probably would have been much better; at least you could
see; this particular Applebees was a little dark. The waitress was ticked
off at us for just sitting down, I believe. That's been at least 10 years
ago. They won't get another go out of me. Plenty of truckers around to
give them all the business they need.
DeeDee

I'm with you, DeeDee. We stopped at an Applebee's and got the same
irritated look from the waitress. We arrived at least 1 1/2 hours before
closing time. Not being familiar with Applebee's menu, I stupidly ordered a
steak It was inedible - very tough and very well done - almost charred.
The waitress grudgingly took it back. While I was waiting, I asked for a
second glass of tea. By the time the steak arrived, I was ready for a third
glass. She informed me that she was authorized to serve only two glasses to
a customer. I said that I would pay for another glass. Although I had not
asked for the manager, she brought him to our table. He not only confirmed
the 2 glass limit, he asked me what my problem was. While the manager was
still at the table, I attempted to cut into the steak. This time, it was so
tough that my knife wouldn't even go through. I politely asked the manager
if I could exchange the steak for something else. He said they didn't allow
substitutions. I pointed out that I was not asking for a substitution. By
this time, we were fed up. Keep in mind that we are very easy going people
and rarely raise our voice. We quietly got up and walked out with the
manager close behind. We refused to pay. He let us go, but flung
obscenities at our back. Very professional. We drove around back to turn
around and saw the cook leaning up against the dumpster. To be polite, he
was vigorously cleaning out his nose with one hand while smoking a joint
with the other. He had long, greasy, uncovered hair and filthy hands. I
forever banned Applebee's from my 'don't eat there even if I'm starving'
list.



--
"Hope everyone is happy in your head - we're all doin' pretty good in mine."
--Unknown

"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Julie Bove" > wrote in message
> news:znxpi.2715$0v4.1161@trndny01...
>>
>> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>> ...
>>
>>> My one and only experience with Applebee's was so bad that I blacklisted
>>> the entire chain and haven't been back since. So you don't think I
>>> overreacted, the location in question had been open for about one month,
>>> so it certainly should have had some corporate supervision at that
>>> point. The experience was universally bad, bad service, bad food, bad
>>> customer service, etc. Not a single acceptable point in the entire train
>>> wreck, and not even a visit from a manager to apologize.
>>> Plenty of competition, no need to give them a second chance.
>>
>> I have never gotten anything remotely edible in an Applebees.
> We went once, coming down off the mountain from a hiking trip as I recall,
> starved. I don't know what they did to the food, but it was awful.
> Denny's was up the road; it probably would have been much better; at least
> you could see; this particular Applebees was a little dark. The waitress
> was ticked off at us for just sitting down, I believe. That's been at
> least 10 years ago. They won't get another go out of me. Plenty of
> truckers around to give them all the business they need.
> DeeDee
>
>
>

Snickers wrote:
> I'm with you, DeeDee. We stopped at an Applebee's and got the same
> irritated look from the waitress. We arrived at least 1 1/2 hours before
> closing time. Not being familiar with Applebee's menu, I stupidly ordered a
> steak It was inedible - very tough and very well done - almost charred.
> The waitress grudgingly took it back. While I was waiting, I asked for a
> second glass of tea. By the time the steak arrived, I was ready for a third
> glass. She informed me that she was authorized to serve only two glasses to
> a customer. I said that I would pay for another glass. Although I had not
> asked for the manager, she brought him to our table. He not only confirmed
> the 2 glass limit, he asked me what my problem was. While the manager was
> still at the table, I attempted to cut into the steak. This time, it was so
> tough that my knife wouldn't even go through. I politely asked the manager
> if I could exchange the steak for something else. He said they didn't allow
> substitutions. I pointed out that I was not asking for a substitution. By
> this time, we were fed up. Keep in mind that we are very easy going people
> and rarely raise our voice. We quietly got up and walked out with the
> manager close behind. We refused to pay. He let us go, but flung
> obscenities at our back. Very professional. We drove around back to turn
> around and saw the cook leaning up against the dumpster. To be polite, he
> was vigorously cleaning out his nose with one hand while smoking a joint
> with the other. He had long, greasy, uncovered hair and filthy hands. I
> forever banned Applebee's from my 'don't eat there even if I'm starving'
> list.
>
>
>
Never, ever, **** of rest. staff unless you are sending back the food
and leaving. You are usually dealing with low life people with bad
intentions.

You probably had some spit, urine, (in my case I saw a waiter swab his
penis over a dozen clams to a bunch of customers that were irritating
him,) and God knows what, put on your plate.

BTW, I was working the microphone in the kitchen that day.

When I go eat out, it's pretty much (unless I have no choice,) Ma & Pa
places. Where there is an impetus to provide excellent service and there
is a zero tolerance policy against BS.

Fast-food and large chains can all go under; I could care less about
their existence. Probably be healthier for the world.

R

I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip and
the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there was an Applebees
next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited patiently at the
bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place wasn't that
busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed it to the
waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I assumed it
wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited for about 20
more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to wipe the bar,
and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag over to me.
Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left, because I was
STARVING.

- Sharon
"Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"

"Sharon" > wrote in message
...
> I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip and
> the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there was an
> Applebees
> next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited patiently at
> the
> bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place wasn't
> that
> busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed it to
> the
> waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I assumed
> it
> wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited for
> about 20
> more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to wipe the
> bar,
> and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag over to
> me.
> Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left, because I
> was
> STARVING.
>
> - Sharon
> "Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"

Call me 'paranoid.' I figure these things are usually intentional.
Maybe just in my case though ;-)
Dee Dee

"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Sharon" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip and
>> the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there was an
>> Applebees
>> next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited patiently
>> at the
>> bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place wasn't
>> that
>> busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed it to
>> the
>> waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I
>> assumed it
>> wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited for
>> about 20
>> more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to wipe the
>> bar,
>> and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag over to
>> me.
>> Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left, because
>> I was
>> STARVING.
>>
>> - Sharon
>> "Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"
>
> Call me 'paranoid.' I figure these things are usually intentional.
> Maybe just in my case though ;-)

Do you mistreat servers?

"cybercat" > wrote in message
...
>
> "Dee Dee" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Sharon" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>> I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip and
>>> the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there was an
>>> Applebees
>>> next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited patiently
>>> at the
>>> bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place
>>> wasn't that
>>> busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed it to
>>> the
>>> waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I
>>> assumed it
>>> wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited for
>>> about 20
>>> more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to wipe the
>>> bar,
>>> and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag over to
>>> me.
>>> Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left, because
>>> I was
>>> STARVING.
>>>
>>> - Sharon
>>> "Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"
>>
>> Call me 'paranoid.' I figure these things are usually intentional.
>> Maybe just in my case though ;-)
>
> Do you mistreat servers?

Why is it that everything you say sounds like a condemnation --oops, it must
be my paranoia! LOL.
Dee Dee

Richard Periut wrote:
> Edwin Pawlowski wrote:
>> "Pete C." > wrote in message
>>
>>> None of the big chains generally qualify as five star, but they are
>>> usually consistently decent. A result of that corporate
>>> homogenization where all the brands in the chain end up pretty much
>>> identical except for their decor. Cracker Barrel and Outback are
>>> pretty typical in that you can usually count on being able to stop
>>> at one pretty much anywhere and get a reasonable meal that at least
>>> beats the fast food places.
>>>
>>> Pete C.
>>
>>
>> I don't disagree with you, and that "consistent sameness" is one of
>> the reasons the chains do so well. I have, however, become much more
>> adventurous in the past few years. I go out of my way to try local
>> places. I've found more winners than losers and sometimes you find a
>> real gem.
>
> IMO, Applebees, Olive Garden, and Red Lobster all fall into the same
> category: to fulfill the appetite of the hungry for crapa ratta.
> The only good thing in these places (for the most part,) is their
> freshly made salads and breadsticks. The rest is nuked, pressure
> cookec/heated, et cetera.
>
I don't know about now but when I worked at Red Lobster back in 1981 they
didn't have a microwave and there was nary a pressure cooker in sight. The
seafood was either run under a salamader (aka broiled) or deep fried,
depending on what was ordered. The crab legs were steamed; the whole
lobster was boiled. The baked potatoes went in to large ovens. The bread
(it was rolls back then, not those cheese biscuits I keep hearing about
which are, apparenly, nothing but glorified Bisquik biscuits) was by no
means freshly made; they were from frozen and popped in an oven.

> Do yourselves a favor and buy yourselves quality ingredients, learn
> the basics of cooking, and have fun and cook your own stuff.
>
What exactly do you think we do here?! The point the OP was making was if
you *want* to go out to dinner and wind up at a place like Applebees, for
whatever reason, the food could be mediocre, could be bad, could be decent
if not spectacular.

Jill

Ken wrote:
> I too prefer the little, hole-in-the-wall places. I think the owner
> should either be cooking or greeting the customer at the door. Every
> once in a while, I'll get a terrible meal at a mom-and-pop-place, but
> the good meals more than make up for it.
>
Ah how I long for the days when a restaurant called Art Pieroni's in Memphis
was around. Art was the owner and the head chef. His wife, Danette, served
as hostess and bookkeeper. Absolutely fantastic Italian food, very
reasonably priced. Art made a point of coming out and briefly talking with
the customers when he wasn't swamped in the kitchen. Alas, as with so many
new restaurants, they didn't last much more than 2 years.

Jill

Richard Periut wrote:
>>
> Never, ever, **** of rest. staff unless you are sending back the food
> and leaving. You are usually dealing with low life people with bad
> intentions.
>
I don't think that's a fair statement. Most of the people I knew who worked
both back of the house and front were college-age kids just trying to make
ends meet or bored housewives who wanted to earn some extra $ while the kids
were in school. I never once saw anything like you've described.
>
> BTW, I was working the microphone in the kitchen that day.
>
So you mean you mean you were the expeditor. LOL

Jill

Dee Dee wrote:
> "cybercat" > wrote in message
> ...
>>
>> "Dee Dee" > wrote in message
>> ...
>>>
>>> "Sharon" > wrote in message
>>> ...
>>>> I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip
>>>> and the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there
>>>> was an Applebees
>>>> next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited
>>>> patiently at the
>>>> bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place
>>>> wasn't that
>>>> busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed
>>>> it to the
>>>> waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I
>>>> assumed it
>>>> wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited
>>>> for about 20
>>>> more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to
>>>> wipe the bar,
>>>> and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag
>>>> over to me.
>>>> Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left,
>>>> because I was
>>>> STARVING.
>>>>
>>>> - Sharon
>>>> "Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"
>>>
>>> Call me 'paranoid.' I figure these things are usually intentional.
>>> Maybe just in my case though ;-)
>>
>> Do you mistreat servers?
>
To Cybercat: How is placing an order and then patiently waiting for it
"mistreatment"?

Jill

>
> Take heart, IHOP has either bought or is trying to buy Applebees. Tyler
> couldn't help Applebees pull out of it. I still like IHOP now and then.
> Maybe they'll improve Applebees.
>
> Michael


Our local Applebee's is great. It all depends on the franchisee,
folks.

N.

In article >, "Dee Dee" > writes:
>
> "Sharon" > wrote in message
> ...
>> I also hate Applebees. A few years ago I was on a business trip and
>> the hotel I was staying in didn't have a restaurant, but there was an
>> Applebees
>> next door. I walked over and placed a to-go order. I waited patiently at
>> the
>> bar. It was somewhat between lunch and dinner rushes so the place wasn't
>> that
>> busy. Someone brought out a to-go order all bagged up and handed it to
>> the
>> waitress, who then set it on the other side of the bar from me. I assumed
>> it
>> wasn't for me, or she would have given it to me, right? I waited for
>> about 20
>> more minutes, during which she moved the bag around a little to wipe the
>> bar,
>> and even glanced at me a few times. Finally she brought the bag over to
>> me.
>> Sheesh, thanks alot for the cold food. I just took it and left, because I
>> was
>> STARVING.
>>
>> - Sharon
>> "Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"
>
> Call me 'paranoid.' I figure these things are usually intentional.
> Maybe just in my case though ;-)
> Dee Dee

Yeah, I wondered about it, but couldn't think if a thing I'd done to
tick her off. Unless maybe she figured I wouldn't tip her for a to go order.
After that behavior, who WOULD tip her? Sheesh

- Sharon
"Gravity... is a harsh mistress!"