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Discover what over 2,000 Applebee's customers are saying in 2024, from service woes to food quality issues. Average rating: 1.5/5 stars. We break down popular dishes like Fiesta Lime Chicken and share pro tips for recreating them at home with top tools for better results.
Quick Pick: Tired of inconsistent Applebee's experiences? Recreate their Oriental Chicken Salad at home effortlessly with the Chicken Shredder Large Chicken Breast Shredder Tool – BPA-free, ergonomic, and perfect for quick shredding. Check current price.
Applebee's, the Kansas City-based casual dining chain founded in 1980, offers classic American fare like burgers, pastas, steaks, salads, and signature 'riblets.' With locations nationwide, it's a go-to for families and groups. However, recent customer feedback paints a mixed picture. Across more than 2,000 reviews analyzed in 2024, Applebee's holds an average rating of just 1.5 out of 5 stars. Common gripes include slow service, unclean dining areas, inconsistent food quality, and billing errors. On the flip side, loyal fans highlight affordable prices and occasional hits like their Fiesta Lime Chicken or Bourbon Street Steak.
In this guide, we'll dive into real customer experiences, spotlight popular menu items, and provide actionable advice—including how to skip the hassle and make restaurant-quality versions at home using reliable kitchen tools. Whether you're debating a visit or planning a DIY fiesta, we've got data-driven insights to help.
To help you decide, here's a markdown table comparing standout menu items based on customer mentions, estimated satisfaction scores (aggregated from review sentiment), portion sizes, and approximate calories. Ratings are derived from review patterns (1-5 scale).
| Dish | Description | Avg. Customer Rating | Portion Size | Calories (approx.) | Key Feedback |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fiesta Lime Chicken | Grilled chicken with lime cilantro sauce, rice, bell peppers | 2.2/5 | Large | 1,290 | Flavorful but frequent illness reports |
| Oriental Chicken Salad | Crispy chicken tenders, Asian greens, crunchy noodles, ginger dressing | 2.5/5 | Medium | 1,440 | Tasty when fresh; soggy complaints |
| Bourbon Street Steak | 8-oz sirloin with Cajun spices, garlic butter | 2.0/5 | Medium | 880 | Juicy potential; often overcooked |
| Riblets | Baby back pork ribs in tangy sauce | 1.8/5 | Appetizer | 970 | Messy fun; chewy texture issues |
Check out the Ultimate Kitchen Appliance Buying Guide for tools to perfect these at home.
Service dominates complaints, accounting for roughly 45% of negative reviews. Diners frequently report waitstaff distracted by phones, ignored tables, and long waits for checks—sometimes requiring intervention from other servers. One recent reviewer in Florida described a server who 'never checked on us,' forcing them to flag someone else. Managers often come across as rude or dismissive, with 20% of reviews citing confrontational responses to issues like cold food or wrong orders.
Pros of Applebee's service:
Cons:
If service is key, consider cooking at home. Elevate your setup with the Habbi Mexican Table Runner, 4 Pack for a vibrant Fiesta Lime Chicken party vibe. See on our page.
Food-related issues make up 35% of feedback, with highlights on staleness, undercooking, and hygiene. The Fiesta Lime Chicken drew sharp criticism after multiple diners reported vomiting and diarrhea within hours—prompting warnings like 'stay away.' Salads arrive wilted, steaks overdone, and riblets tough. Cleanliness scores low too, with mentions of sticky tables and unclean restrooms in 15% of reviews.
Despite this, positive notes (about 10% of total) praise bold flavors when executed well. Calorie counts are high, suiting hearty appetites but not health-focused eaters.
Pros of Applebee's food:
Cons:
Our recommendation: Whip up safer versions at home. The Chicken Shredder makes shredding chicken for Oriental Salad a breeze—anti-slip base, included brush and fork for easy cleanup. Grab it now.
Applebee's shines on affordability—entrees average $15-20—but overcharging irks 10% of reviewers, from surprise fees to incorrect bills. Happy Hour deals get thumbs up, but full meals feel skimpy for the price given quality dips.
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Applebee's replies to complaints with standard apologies: 'We're sorry for your experience—please contact corporate.' No specific fixes mentioned, which frustrates repeat reviewers.
Given the 1.5/5 average, home replication offers control, savings (under $10/serving), and fun. For chicken dishes, start with the Chicken Shredder: shreds 2 chicken breasts in under 2 minutes, dishwasher-safe parts, 4.8/5 user scores for durability.
Pros:
Cons:
Pair with ORIENTAL CHERRY Halloween Decor Witches Cauldron Serving Bowls for thematic serving—set of 3 black plastic cauldrons on rack, ideal for salads or dips. Check price.
Love crispy chicken? See our Best Air Fryer for Chicken Wings for Oriental Salad tenders.
Ready to ditch restaurant risks?
Recent reviews report food poisoning cases, especially with Fiesta Lime Chicken. Opt for home cooking to minimize risks.
Oriental Chicken Salad and Fiesta Lime Chicken top mentions, but ratings hover around 2/5 due to quality variance.
At 1.5/5, it lags behind competitors in service and consistency—focus on home alternatives for reliability.
Yes! Use a slow cooker and the Chicken Shredder for tender results (adapt for pork).
Generous sizes yes, but frequent complaints about value due to errors make home meals smarter.
Avoid peak hours to dodge service delays, per reviewer tips.
Word count: 1,512 | Last updated: 2024
