Applebee’s is a popular American restaurant chain that serves casual American food.

I used to like Applebee’s until they changed their menu. After they changed the menu, it became smaller, and the overall quality of the food was not very good. However, recently, Applebee’s changed their menu again, but this time, it was for the better.

After having stopped going to Applebee’s, I thought it was time to give it another chance. Recently, when I went, I was surprised with the quality of the food and the fact that it became better than it had been.

For an appetizer, I decided to go with the “Pick any three trio items”, which cost $12.99. You can choose from a variety of different appetizers. The one I created included mozzarella sticks, chicken wonton tacos, and BBQ boneless chicken.

The mozzarella sticks were crispy on the outside and had delicious melted cheese on the inside. The chicken wonton tacos, which may seem unusual at first, were also very good; they had a crispy shell filled with soft pieces of chicken, lettuce, and a sauce that brought it all together. Finally, the boneless chicken was crispy on the outside with the right amount of sweet BBQ sauce on top.

Next came the entrée. I decided to try the crispy brewhouse chicken, which cost $12.99. It included a fried chicken breast, mashed potatoes, crispy onion rings and a sauce on top, all covered with cheese.

The chicken was moist and juicy on the inside with a perfectly seasoned crispy outside. The mashed potatoes were also good; they had the right amount of salt and pepper and were creamy.  The crispy onion rings that came on the chicken were also great; they had had the right amount of spice but not too much.

The sauce on the entrée also added another element of flavor. It had a nice amount of spice and salt, but it did not overpower the dish. Applebees calls the sauce “stout gravy”.

The portion sizes of both the appetizer and entrées were just right. Although the portions aren’t as big as in some restaurants, they are perfect to fill you up and even possibly have something to take to go.

Although I did not have any room for dessert, Applebee’s desert menu includes classic items such as brownies, cookies, and cake. Other items they also offer at Applebee’s include standard American food such as fries, seafood, burgers, sandwiches, chicken and steak.

The atmosphere of the restaurant was nice. It was kept clean and well maintained, and the wait time was not too long, although it depends, just like with any restaurant, on the time you go. The décor was modern.

Another cool feature of the Applebee’s I went to was that each table had a touch screen device where one can play games, order some food, pay, or call their server. However, in order to play any games, you must pay $1.99. Also, not all Applebee’s may have this feature.

The service was also very good. The waitress was very knowledgeable and had a smile on her face. The wait time for the food to arrive to the table was like most places, about 15-20 minutes, so not too long.

Because it is a chain restaurant, each Applebee’s may be slightly different. However, I would expect all of them to have the same quality of food and service.

With their updated menu, Applebee’s has definitely improved. Next time you are looking for a quick lunch or dinner, either by yourself or with friends or family, you can consider Applebee’s. With a good atmosphere, good food, and good service, you will not be disappointed.

Applebee’s

Cuisine: American

Price: Depending on menu item, generally about $12 per dish

Rating: 4/5 Stars

Location: Several all across the country, including: 5658 Mayfield Rd Mayfield Heights Ohio, 44124