I am conflicted about this review. The service was excellent and the restaurant was clean and peaceful. The waitress was super nice and super honest. She let me know that the cook was new and she's already had two customers send back their steaks for not being done as requested. She told me to let her know if mine was not done as I requested, which it was not. She took it back and brought me a new one, which was done as I asked for and I ended up having an excellent meal. What really won me over was the fact that the waitress comped my entire meal as well as my appetizer. So, while the cook messed up, the kindness and honesty of the waitress made up for it. If you visit this location, make sure you get Courtney C as a waitress. read more

2 hour wait for food that was room temperature. Completely unacceptable as a dinning experience and not worth the time or money to go there. read more

Food was so so. But customer service not good at all. Our young waitress J. Was hardly communicative. Customer service makes up for a multitude of food issues. And the customer service here was very poor. read more

I like the 12oz ribeye and chicken pasta dish. Sliced both with my fork. I am a regular and the service and management keep me coming back. A great item to have especially for business people entertaining hungry clients. Finally, cleanliness is always a standard that the staff affords their customers. Great secure parking and affordable and convenient for interstate 57 traffic. read more

This was completely awful. I wish I could give it zero stars. There was some corporate woman in the restaurant yelling at the employees. The food was awful then a younger girl in very thick glasses came to our table and instead of replacing our overcooked steak and cold mashed potatoes she blamed her staff. I was appalled that a manager would do that. Then an older very thin woman came to our table dressed in casual clothing joggers and trainers so Im not sure if she was a manager she certainly did not look like one however she did remake our steak herself and it was great as the younger girl with glasses waa sitting at a table on her phone. The management and food at Salem Applebee's is seriously declining I would be surprised if they are open another month. read more

Enjoyable atmosphere, friendly staff, food... well, it's an Applebee's, but they do make an effort for reasonable presentation and consistency. Let's say we prefer it over the national-chain coffee house down the street. Not many options in this small town. One Applebee's-ism to watch out for - the "mucho" drinks are not what you think they are in those big "fishbowl" glasses. If there's any tequila in 'em, I wasn't able to find it. The "mucho margarita" is basically a pleasant limeade. read more

Great food and fast service. We were tired from our drive from Arkansas and this was a half way point. Never a let down!

Bad. We got our food along time after we ordered. When I got my fork it was still dirty. It took 30 minutes to get a new one. Good. Food was good. Staff was nice read more

Best place to eat! Stellar management great service and best food in town! I highly recommend stopping in.

We thought this would be a safe choice. We were wrong. Dirty several tables not cleared slow service. Ran out of food choice at 730pm. I had better burgers at McDonald's. Small portions on the sides. I feel I didn't get what paid for didn't want leave a tip the service was bad but I left $5 because they would sooner or later clear the table. There is really no where else to eat I feel for the people that leave there. Manager you have a young staff take some pride and ownership in what the do. Simone coaching would make this better place. When I respectfully voice my issues you were very disrespectful and showed you have no career path in the restaurant industry. read more

The Applebee's in Salem, Illinois is a very good place to dine, probably the best place in this little town. Salem, IL is a friendly little town halfway between Kansas City and Nashville , TN, or about one-third of the way from Kansas City to Louisville, KY, depending where you are headed! I've dined in this particular Applebee's a number of times and every time my waitress has been above average and my food has been hot and delicious! I've also been to the this particular bar several times and the drinks are always very well made and tasty! This'Applebee's offers $1 drinks, they vary daily and are not weak! The bar tenders have been quite knowledgeable about the drinks and also about interesting sites and history in the Salem area! This is NOT the Salem with the Witch Trials, that's in Massachusetts. read more

See all

We had the Blackened Cajun Salmon and the Whiskey Bacon Burger with cocktails. Service was excellent. Food was served quickly and everything--everything, was perfect. From flavor to temperature, to atmosphere, it could not have been better! read more

So I ordered a Caesar salad instead of the broccoli. I got the broccoli. Ordered The green beans on another order and got the broccoli. Ordered 2 steaks medium rare and they were both mooing. The rib eye was actually great! Cooked to perfection. It was ready when I got there to pick it up. If they would have just got our substitutions correct it would have been great! read more

About once a year I lose my mind and stop at an applebees. Huge mistake again. Out working all day and stop on 2 hour drive home to eat and get 1 drink. Slow drink service sitting at bar. Bar girl is working the bar and about 5 tables in the bar area. 3 people at the bar and 4 tables with people. Obviously too much of a load for this bartender. Manager lady is standing by the bar and does absolutely nothing the entire time I am there. Just watches and talks to her regular buddies. I really wish I could give a 0 stars. Drink specials were actually good, once i could actually get one ordered. Had the Bourbon Street Chicken and Shrimp, with onion rings. I thought cooked ok. Chicken was significantly over seasoned. Tested positive for e-coli the next day. Only place I had eaten outside of home. read more

Terrible service at the bar, just a miserable person followed like a puppy by her manager. She was complaining to customers about it not being busier, but was clearly struggling to serve the three people at the bar. My salad came out in a visibly dirty bowl, marinara smeared on the side. My main entree is the only reason this isn't a one star review, it was cooked correctly and served hot. read more

Order the grilled chicken wrap the wrap was cold and raw freight were cold and just tasted bad there Wasabi group came In and the waitress had to wait on them but I have to say she was super nice and done well. So 2 stars for waitress and food was bad I never been a fan if Applebee's I think Hardee's is better food. read more

Ordered two bourbon street chicken and shrimp dinners to go. The chicken was so over cooked that it was like eating chicken jerky, and the shrimp was like rubber. So that was a waste of 35 dollars. DO NOT RECOMMEND THE SALEM IL APPLEBEES. read more

Worst Applebee's I've been to. Wait staff just standing around and had to wait 30 minutes to even order an appetizer. Then after that the waitress didn't bother to check or ask if I was ready for a main course. Which I was because I was starving. Didn't bother ordering the main course because I had things to do and I was already running late from trying to pay the bill. Looks like I'll be ordering a pizza when I get to the hotel read more

We eat here maybe every six months. So we are not regular customers. However we enjoy the food and service every time we do come here. They are friendly and the service is good. The food is always good. We haven't had any complaints ever about the place. I had pink lemonade to drink at this particular visit and it was wonderful. Ordered 6 oz steak and baked potato and it was cooked perfectly! read more

Great service, everyone is very nice. Food is delicious and comes out very quickly! Always hot and fresh.

Standard Applebee's fare - easy access from 2 hotels and right off the freeway. We went on a busy Saturday night, got good, fast service, a variety of food choices, a few key specials to save money. Everything was cooked right; served hot. Waitress came back to check on us a few times to refill drinks, ensure all was fine. read more

This was, by far, one of the worst eating experiences (service wise) we've had in a looong time. The food would've been typical had we gotten what we ordered. What was supposed to be an hour long eating experience turned into over two. We ordered a mixed appetizer (quesadillas, dip, mozzarella sticks, buffalo chicken), 2 corn dog kids meals, a burger, and pasta. We received the wrong appetizer, wrong sandwich, and one corn dog. No refills. Had to chase our waiter down for any help. No spoons for applesauce. We aren't that difficult to please but making a 4 year old wait 30 min after everyone else's food arrived to get theirs...and it's too hot to even eat then? And forgetting basically everything else? Great to go if you don't actually want what you order and prefer no refills, etc. otherwise, check out one of the local mom and pop restaurants. They have to be better than this!! Also... Fellow military families, this place says they support military but in actuality don't offer anything more than the "priveledge" of seeing a signed banner on the wall. This particular location does not offer the chain discount or support in any way as they claim. read more

It is what it is, it's Applebee's. Food was good, service was unusually slow today. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - American Near Me - Salem, Illinois

Well we left one restaurant that we didn't get service at so after we had a drink we then went to Applebee's which we thought we'd have better service. Yes we got seated fast, ordered drinks and asked for water and the drinks came 20 minutes later. I ordered sirloin with Parmesan shrimp on the side, medium rare, Caesar side salad and green beans. My husband ordered the fish and chips and a side salad. We asked to have our salads brought to us before dinner yet they arrived 30 seconds before our meals. My steak was well and the parmesan shrimp was on top even though I specifically asked for it on the side it was dumped on top of it. They said oh will redo it and be right out. By the time my husband finished his salad and ate his food my steak showed up, no green beans the shrimp in a bowl the side and the parmesan dumped right back on the steak. What a poor excuse for an Applebee's. When we've been on vacation they've been our go-to restaurant because we always know their food is consistent. Corporate should look at this restaurant because it's what they don't want, a very poor representation of a good restaurant that we enjoyed in the past but not this one in Salem. OR I guess after this being our second restaurant we went to there aren't any good service restaurants in Salem. So if you're passing through Illinois and you want to stop in Salem for food keep going to Effingham or Mount Vernon whichever way you're going because this is a place to stop to eat. Wish I could give no stars read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Long island and hubby's having Schuafly tapper - American Near Me - Salem, Illinois

I cannot stand this place the service is horrible the food is not so good we went the other night to try and eat sure I understand we would have to wait to sit inside so we were told 15 min ok great stood outside waiting there were 5 of us we'll 3 adults 2 little kids a group of 4 came behind us and got seated before us after we had been out there way longer then they had I wish someone would open a decent restaurant and put them out of business read more

Manager is terrible. In her view the manager is always right. If you order a 9oz sirloin be prepared to receive a 7oz steak. We ordered 2 9oz steaks and there was clearly a size difference with one but instead of replacing it she decided to give us a long winded explanation. Manager needs to take some more customer service training. read more

6/18/16 Staff was disorganized, service was lacking. Manager asked how it was I responded "Not great". He says "Oh good glad to hear it". Got my steak I ordered medium, it was close to we'll done. Asked for A1 sauce and they're out. Got the bill and there's two $1 charges for a side they neglected to tell us was an upcharge. Food was ok, staff and management needs improvement. read more

Nicest little Applebee's you ever seen great service from our waitress Haley and great new sandwich list try the pub philly it was great!

First and last time here. Shrimp on salad was cold. Should have at least be lukewarm with the dish I ordered. Food and app came at same time.Never again. I'm off to Denny's now read more

Food is tasty but the service is terrible. They don't know what they are doing!!!!! VERY an experience people - including manager. Saturday at dinner time is very busy so first you gotta wait for your table for a while, then the order came in incomplete, then they serve something which we never ordered. So when you planning to go there be prepared to eat fast because the next customers are waiting for the table - that's exactly how the whole service is acting. read more

Everytime my wife & l go out on a date night we choose Applebee's in Salem, Illinois. The food is excellent & the staff are so very friendly. Best place in the area to eat. read more

First off our service was outstanding!! Our waitress was so nice and kept checking on us and was actually engaging in small talk with us, my wife and I both like that!! Small talk makes you feel more comfortable!! Anyway our food was outstanding as well. Nice and hot! I mean for your typical chain food restaurant this was really good. read more

Horrendous. Took my son here for his birthday and it was the worst dinner out we've ever experienced. Both our orders were wrong. Ordered a side of shrimp with for his steak and instead it came on top of the steak with cheese on it. The entree shown vegetables that were supposed to be broccoli and carrots but all the waitress brought was fries. I asked for the vegetables that were missing and she brought one over sized plain piece of broccoli. How is that even acceptable?! I substituted potatoes for rice but instead got potatoes. And the chicken I ordered was supposed to have mushrooms and onions but only had onions. Seriously and I'm supposed to tip for this kind of quality control and crappy service? $40 wasted and a 11 year olds birthday dinner in the trash. Thanks Applebee's. Never again. One star because I have to in order to post. read more

What a great staff. Doesn't hurt that a lot of the waitresses are attractive either.

Want to listen to children scream from every corner of the restaurant!? Than this is the place for you!

My daughter pj and I was doing errands and decided to grab a quick bite and this is where we landed. We were expecting a crowd and it was but the hostess was able to sit us very quickly . First she was apologetic for the waitress heavy orders and ask if we would like a drink. When we place our order she let us know that we could get an app for free with our two entrees we had. Never did I feel she was working for a tip but was truly accommodating. read more

I must say that I actually haven't eaten here in the Salem one for awhile because every time I go, the food isn't very good. One time I ordered the Santa Fe Chicken Salad and there were no long crunchy chips in the salad and that's one of the best parts! I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew they didn't have one of the main ingredients that makes this salad! The food is always just ok and the service here is slower than most Applebee's I've been in. The one in Mt. Vernon, IL is SO much better...don't know why. But I am tired of their pre-packaged vacuum packed steaks full of horrible chemicals that give me a migraine. We've been driving an hour just to go to Logan's Steakhouse! read more

Just went here the other night. We waited 45 minutes for APPETIZERS. No refills that whole time. The waiter kept walking past us and ignoring us. We ended up talking to the manager and leaving. Don't even bother. There's plenty of other good places to eat. This one needs to just shut down. It sucks. read more