I hadn't eaten at Applebee's in years because prior experiences were very bad. But I was going to a movie and my friend suggested we meet at Applebee's for dinner. I have recently been diagnosed with Celiac Disease and I knew that Applebee's had gluten sensitive options. I was seated quickly (my friend ended up not being able to come to dinner) and greeted right away by my server. I ordered the Bourbon Chicken & Shrimp and informed my server of the diagnosis and asked him to let the kitchen know so that they could take some extra precautions. The manager (I wish I got her name) came to my table shortly after placing my order to let me know that the potatoes that normally come with the meal could present some cross-contamination risk due to being fried briefly. She asked if I wanted a baked potato instead. I appreciated that attention to detail as I wouldn't have known that about the original option. The meal was very good - very flavorful. I will definitely be coming back! I especially appreciated the knowledge about Celiac and that they didn't make me feel like it was an inconvenience to them. That can't be said about all of the area restaurants. read more

Manager was very rude to staff. I sat at bar with my wife and observed the way she treated them. Staff is as also loud and spoke about patrons while hanging around bar. I don't come here very often but this was the worst experience I had at the Applebee's restaurant that I can remember. I have to blame it on the culture that has been established here. read more

Great service at the Elgin Applebee's! Our server was very patient when our two young children were ordering. The only con would be that the order was slightly messed up. The manger promptly gave us the right food! read more

Love their ribs. Haven't had them since they moved out of area. . Love the garlicky green beans and mashed potatoes too! Even got a discount for birthday dessert! The birthday girl had chicken Alfredo with broccoli. Also yummy. Laura our server was awesome! read more

We were seated immediately which was maybe the only good part about this meal. The waitress took her time getting to us (maybe 10 minutes). Our drinks tasted flat and our appetizer came out literally two minutes after we ordered which made me think that they premade it and let it sit there until someone ordered and sure enough under the sauce the breading on the boneless wings tasted very stale. We ordered pastas and both were very bland. For a $13+ dish the portions were underwhelming and the sauce was watery and tasteless. They gave no sides for the pasta as well so we ordered bread separate and they gave us sweet bread. Pasta + sweet bread = yuck! The seating is too crowded inside so it gets very loud and we weren't able to have a conversation without almost shouting. Overall, it was a complete waste of $50 and we will not be back. read more

I really want to like this place because it's the only one within a 25 mile radius of us BUT I'd much rather give my business to somewhere FARTHER if that meant better service. Seated for at least 5-8 minutes with no greeting from our server. Simple drinks took 10 minutes. Getting appetizers & food was another 30-45. Now don't get me wrong, I understand when a restaurant is busy, but this was just a server that was too new with too many tables and didn't know what she was doing. We had empty dirty dishes on the table the entire time, our server AND food runners walking back and forth every 5 minutes clearly seeing them but at the end of our meal we STILL have dirty dishes all over the table. So between slow service, mediocre food that was dry & under the lamps for way too long & our table being a mess, id give the place zero stars if I could. Don't waste your time. Go to chilis. read more

Loved it here and had such a great dining experience, thank you Applebees. I brought my son for the first and this my 3rd visit in a year to this location. Don't know why so many negative comments on service/food. Clean restaurant, staff very friendly and attentive. Depending on what you order, certain items are all right and others are great portions and taste. Can't go wrong with affordability for a small family or a large group. happened to stumble on this location on Valentine's Day a year ago. my girlfriend and I were shopping in the area and realized that the restaurant was only 10 mins away. We had eaten at other Applebee's where I used to live and those closed down. And I'm soooo glad we found this spot. We got there at the beginning of the dinner rush and were greeted by two friendly hostesses. Our waitress was awesome...attentive, polite, and friendly. All our food came out in a timely manner and service was awesome. Everything created such a warm and friendly environment that will definitely have me coming back again. We had the all you can eat meal today. My son had a new item on the menu, he said it was good. We will definitely be back, can't wait until the summer time when I am permanently in the area and check out this neighborhood spot that is great for all kinds of groups. Thanks to wonderful staff. read more

Quick and easy meal near the house. Food comes out quick and is relatively inexpensive. Wait staff is nice and friendly. Would recommend.

I'd give it less if it were an option. Service was awful, took an hour to get our food and not a mention of it. Acted as if this was normal. The food was awful! read more

Never had a issue. Waiters and waitresses are awesome! Food is pretty good can not complain. They even ask you if you are in a hurry to go to see a movie,because the theatre is next door. read more

Terrible! Ribs were over cooked and dry. Sorry we went for lunch. Service and food were terrible. Would rather have stayed home! We should have checked the reviews first we won't go again. Who's managing this mess? read more

Went in for lunch and ordered steak fajitas and they basically came out with raw steak. The server saw it and said yep that's how they serve it! Not to mention the steak was brought out 10 minutes after all our other food so obviously they forgot it and threw it on the grill to brown it and served it raw...disgusting. read more

All of the servers are pleasant and they do their job well. The food is always terrific. I haven't been to a better Applebee's in the country and I would highly recommend this one to anyone in the Elgin area. read more

I'm really torn on what direction to go with this review. The food was really good. One of the best sandwiches I've ever had. But the place was dirty. Any place you go where the tables are dirty and sticky makes me wonder how dirty the kitchen must be. First thing you notice on the table is an electronic touch screen device to order food, pay your bill, and who knows what else. I picked it up and it was a filthy germ laden mess. Absolutely a mess. Sticky and untouchable. When I asked the server who waited on us why these were so dirty and she said the other servers were to lazy to lean them. Nice to know. The table was very sticky and she said some of the tables are like that even after they clean them. I put napkins down so my bare arms wouldn't stick to the table. Regarding the food...I had the signature/signature lunch combo. A half of clubhouse grille sandwich and a bowl of chicken tortilla soup. The sandwich was big even being a half. Ham, turkey, Cheddar, Swiss, bacon and an egg with honey BBQ sauce. It was very good. It all works well together. The soup wasn't the best I've ever had but it was really good. The wife had onion soup and a Cesar's salad as her combo. It likewise was good. The server brought our food and said she be back to check on us....we had to hunt her down about ten minutes after we had finished our meal. This place has the same problem many chains have. If they aren't busy the service is so-so because the servers are to busy socializing with their co-workers. I think I was generous giving this place two stars. The food was good but the dirty table and so-so service were big detractors. Should have read the reviews before going there. Seems like a lot of people have the same dirty complaints. Not sure I'd go back again. read more

I mean it was good for me. Not the best, let's get that right. The pasta was alright. And the bread that came with it was a bit soggy but it's alright, it tasted good. My friend enjoyed her pasta as well, but again, not the best. It could be better. Maybe in a few months probably 4 or 5 I will return and see if they got any better. read more

Sorry to say, That after (2) years of going to this location, I'm done !!!!!, Food was so-so. Service was O.K, But when I ask if I can get onion rings instead of F.F, And was told by my server that it was O.K, I do not aspect to be charged for them. I asked my server why was I not told of the up charge, ???? Why !!! Subbing out Onion rings for fries should not be a big deal, When she asked me if I wanted to speak to a manager, I asked if it would make any difference, She said probably not... I then asked her why she did not tell me of the additional charge. Understand, It's not the additional money that bothers me, It's how many times do they do this to there customers with out telling them. Can ad up to some extra money for them and the expense of the customers. Anyway what's done is done. They lost us as customers,. Done , Finished, Fanito... read more

This review is based off my experience about a year ago, I'm finally getting around to leaving this. I went in with my boyfriend because it was the only place open after I got off work at 10. I provided my ID and the server told me she needed to get a manager to double check because I'm under 25 (fair enough, I worked at chili's and they do the same). I see the manager coming up so I pick my ID off the table to hand it to him. He comments on "how quick I was to hand my ID to him" I advised I was just being polite. He asked if I knew why he was checking my ID, I said yes and explained that I had worked at a restaurant before. He then got very loud and said "then you know I can't accept this fake ID, right?" People turned and looked at me and I told him it was real and that I wasn't quite sure what to tell him. I offered a state ID and he declined and then very loudly told me that my Picture was the most blurry one he has ever seen, but he would accept it. I was so embarrassed and he was so rude. He had all eyes turned on me. I'll never go back to this location. read more

Went there for lunch today and everything was great. Our waitress, Lucia, was very friendly and helpful. She made sure that our drinks were full multiple times and she did a marvelous job of keeping all the tables in her section clean and organized. The food was also delicious, I will be going back there. read more

The food here is what you expect at all Applebee's. Consistent and decent prices, we eat at this location all the time and they always ask if we have plans to see a movie at the theater next door. On one occasion we did and we were in and out in 30 minutes. Five stars just for the service, food is always good. read more

The service here is a hit or miss there are times where I get great service and others where the service is horrible. Though I prefer just getting Togo orders to avoid the service that is given at this establishment and I've recently only have gone because I had gift cards read more

They told me I couldn't get a second cup of ranch because they were running short.... so I can't enjoy my wings with ranch because this establishment is unprepared and can't order enough ranch for the restaurant. It's a condiment people.... I was also seated and had to wait for 20 minutes for a server to serve us. Other waitresses came and went. We didn't have waters. And servers kept looking at the table but weren't waiting on us... highly disappointed read more

I was in tonight with my family and honestly couldn't have had a better experience. Food was amazing! Our server was Carlos G. He was great, and very attentive. Also one of the nicest managers I've in countered at a restaurant. read more

Karen the manger is a very hard worker and dedicated I came in with my family and she came by the table and asked how my visit is going. She is kind genuine person read more

Would definitely go in here again - popped in quickly before going to see a movie and was able to have a full meal (and a great beer). The bartender was great, the steak was made to how I wanted it and the mashed potatoes were good. I do miss the sweet potato with brown sugar thing they used to have, but can't help menu changes. read more

I'm normally not an Applebee's person but I must say when I drove past and saw they have Veteran parking I decided to grab lunch food was good, beer was cold. Everything was as it should be but I love the respect for the troops. Thanks you Applebee's for the respect :) read more

All of our food was under cooked and I found bugs on the side of my glass quite possibly could have come from the bar or the drink itself. The food wasn't worth the price but the service was great. read more

So, we had gone for lunch out here. Had one appetizer - boneless chicken wings (10 pc) - half with hot buffalo and hot with asian chilli and both were good. Then I had thai shrimp salad and my friend had oriental chicken salad. We finished it off with Blue Ribbon brownie. Good sunday brunch I should say :). Staff were pretty friendly and ambience was good. read more

Eek. I'm not sure how to categorize this place. I have been here a few times and I always leave with a "well maybe it will be better next time" attitude. It never gets better. Food is so-so but bordering on pricey. The people are friendly enough but the food is just not worth going back for...at least until the next time I decide to give them another try. read more

My niece and I went for a visit around 4:00 pm on a Sat. It was pretty busy. The host was not accommodating to our request for a booth because he didn't feel like taking us through an alternate route away from a crowded section we could get through and made us sit at a table close by. The pasta shrimp dish was undesirable. In fact it was the manager who took the plate of uneaten food from our table and didn't even act concerned that none of it was eaten. Our server was fantastic. I wish I could have remembered her name...she had short hair and was a little bit older. read more

Is it possible to give this place zero stars? Because if there is, I would give it zero stars. They haven't updated the interior since it opened, the booths are falling apart, tables are filthy...I could go on and on. I got sucked into their two meals for under $20 deal? Wow... Nothing was good. Nothing. I think I had a burger and fries and she had some pasta that looked and tasted like paste. It was the worst $20.00 I have ever spent at a restaurant. Years ago, you could go in there and grab a beer, maybe an appetizer. I wouldn't even drive through the parking lot at this point. That $20.00 was the last penny they will ever get out of me. read more

Worst service I've had in the Fox Valley Area. I arrived around 6pm with my son and ordered several app items and a couple of drinks. First off, I am not a high maintenance person, so for this place to get under my skin, it really has to be a big deal. Let's start with Drinks. I ordered a margarita. Normally the question I get is " do you want salt on the rim, frozen or on the rocks". My waiter says, "we have different flavors, what one do you want". That was a little off putting. Next the drink arrives, halt the glass is salted and it is a relatively small thin type glass, not something festive that you would associate with a margarita. My kid ordered a Sierra Mist and it was. High syrupy mix of soda that indicates that the restaurant does not test their mix. We finished our drinks and my kid asked for a refill on the soda, I had a water and that was the last time anyone asked if we wanted another drink. Not only that, both sets of empty glasses were left on the table throughout the entire meal. The apps arrived and we never saw the water again till we flagged him down and asked for a desert. I was still a be confused as to why no one asked if we wanted more Drinks, but even more confused as to why the server just walked away and never bothered to pick up any of the dishes or the empty glasses on our table. Desert arrived, which was delivered by another server, ironically she was trying to figure out what to do with the desert because there was only a little place left on the table, so we moved a couple of dishes ourselves and she dropped the desert in front of me. I thought maybe she would get a clue, but no, she was clueless as our waiter and just walked away. In order to share the desert, we ended up stacking plates on the table so we do not have to reach across our empty app dishes. Even the manager walked by our table several times and never feared to remove the pile of dishes. Only when we were handed our check did dishes and glasses start leaving our table. I had $30 gift cards that were given to me by my cousin for Christmas. As it turns out the waiter told us that the cards came up as invalid with the restaurant. The bill came up to around $29 and my kid was telling we should not tip based on the service, but I'm not like that. I'm pretty sure this is an Applebee's mess up as well, but even if I could prove they were good, I wouldn't go back to this crap show. I paid my bill with my credit card, still tipped the waiter, and will never return again. read more

I ordered the chicken alfredo pasta - very bland.... but everything else from their southwestern menu was really good.

I went for lunch during my business trip. I was staying st the hotel so it was so easy to go from the lobby to outback. I ordered a steak and it was cooked just like I requested. Left full and happy read more

We have been going into this Applebees for several years. The food and service was poor, then they brought in a new manager, Jay Die, and the food and service improved 100%. Then they let Jay go and we are back to where we started from, HORRIBLE food. Had the Oriental Chicken salad..how hard is it to screw up a salad! instead of the lettuce. Two of us had the same salad, one made the way it's suppose to be and mine came out with no lettuce, just coleslaw. It took 15 minutes for the waitress to come back, then the kitchen manager came out with a plate of lettuce. Sent it back and they finally brought a properly made salad. The restaurant manager came over and apologized. She also apologized to the take behind us. Their burgers were not fit to eat. read more

From the welcome to our waitress Shannon this was a great experience. Wedge fabulous so was the shrimp scampi. Highly recommend this restaurant. read more

Extremely disappointed with the service we received last night. The first thing that happened was when we were waiting inside for a table and the host did not tell us we had to sit outside. Then 5 minutes later someone else told us we could not wait inside due to Covid. Then once we were seated I had asked for an alcoholic beverage and the male server started to laugh and say are you even 21 because you look like you're 16. I shouldn't even have to explain how offensive this is in 2021. Also he couldn't even find on my ID where my DOB was and I had to show him. At that point I wanted to leave but we still stuck around because we had a gift card to use. Service was also really bad because we ordered the app sampler at least 5 minutes before we ordered a Lenten special and received the entree before the app. Highly recommend to never go to this location period. I was just at a Madison, WI Applebee's last weekend where we were able to wait inside and our server was phenomenal and respectful unlike in Elgin, IL. read more

Horrible!! I usually try to post Atleast something positive for restaurants but I can not for this one. I had to ask for fresh water 3 times because the water kept coming with stuff floating around. I went for their signature item and they I guess don't serve it anymore but it's still on the menu!!! Service was horrible. Will never return and will never recommend this place. I see now why so many closed down. Times are tough which is why they should be doing better. It was not busy yet took forever for our food. Just disgusted by this place. read more

We went there Saturday at 5 pm to celebrate my daughter's 19th bday. It started out fine, got a table for 7 setup pretty quickly but it was continuously downhill. It took forever for the waitress to take our food order, then the runner's asked who had what side instead of asking the wellness of their steaks so we all got the wrong one and I got the wrong side dish, had to send it back twice to get it right and since they took my steak with it of course it came back cold. We were told we would get a complimentary birthday dessert but it never came, finally tracked down the waitress, who seemed surprised we never got our dessert, to ask for the check. The manager never came back to check on if anything was corrected. we drove almost an hour to get to this location and will not bother again! read more

We have never received any better service than we get from the Applebees in Elgin. The Manager, named Connor has been exceptional in making sure that you are greeted and served in a very reasonable time. We typically eat there on Friday or Saturday evenings and it is busy! Getting people in the door and making sure they are servfed timely and with quality portions has been a great experience. read more

If I could leave half a star I would I come to Applebee's once a week and I've never been this disappointed with my service, the server Brandon was rude and was rushing me and I felt like he did not care about what he was doing. read more