Dear Applebee's Management,
I wanted to take some time to share my thoughts about my recent experience at your restaurant. Overall, Applebee's is not a bad restaurant, and there are several things that I genuinely enjoy. However, there are also some areas where I believe improvements could be made.
Recently, I ordered pasta with Alfredo sauce and honey pepper chicken tenders. I have to be honest: those were some of the smallest chicken tenders I have ever received. For what I paid, I could have spent less money at another chicken establishment and received much more food. I could have bought pasta for a dollar, Alfredo sauce for a couple of dollars, and chicken tenders for a few more dollars and still ended up with more food.
The food itself did not taste bad, but I was disappointed with the portion size. When customers spend their hard-earned money at a restaurant, they should feel like they received a full and satisfying meal. The plates should look full and worth the price.
Another issue I noticed is the Chicken Parmesan. Applebee's gives a much larger portion with that dish, which is good, but the presentation does not look much like the picture on the menu. I understand that food cannot always look exactly like a professional menu photograph, but the photograph should be the goal. When I looked at my family member's plate, I honestly thought, "Y'all could do better than this."
Again, the food does not taste bad. I just believe certain dishes could be improved in both presentation and preparation.
One thing I would strongly recommend is making sure all unnecessary fat and gristle are removed from the chicken before it is breaded and fried. Customers should not have to deal with large pieces of fat or gristle in their chicken. The same goes for burgers. For the most part, I actually think your burgers are good, but the quality and preparation should remain consistent.
In my opinion, some of Applebee's best dishes are the quesadilla salad, burgers, and sandwiches. Those are the types of items that I feel Applebee's does particularly well.
I also want to say something positive about the management. The managers I have encountered have been nice and seem to genuinely try their best to make sure the restaurant is running properly. I appreciate that, especially because I know managing a restaurant is not an easy job. Just make sure as managers to speak kind to the customer because you never know who they may be. I try to remind myself of this as well.
I did notice something involving the bar area that I think could be improved as well. There is a young Latina woman who helps run the bar. There is absolutely nothing wrong with talking with your coworkers--it is perfectly fine to socialize while working. However, employees also need to remain aware of what is happening around them and make sure they are helping their coworkers when they need assistance, especially when another bartender is trying to mix drinks for a table. Communication and teamwork are important. I want everyone to keep their jobs, especially in this economy, so I am mentioning this as constructive criticism rather than simply complaining.
Another thing I would suggest is paying attention to the temperature inside the restaurant. I understand that it can get extremely hot in the kitchen, but the dining room should not be so cold that customers are sitting at their tables wearing coats. I have actually seen an entire family, including a woman and her children, wearing jackets inside the restaurant. If possible, I would suggest keeping the dining area around 75 degrees or at a comfortable temperature where customers can enjoy their meals without feeling like they need a coat.
I want to make it clear that this letter is not meant to attack Applebee's or its employees. I believe the restaurant has potential to do much better in certain areas. The food does not taste bad, and there are dishes that I really enjoy. I simply believe that when customers pay restaurant prices, the portions, presentation, food preparation, and overall experience should reflect what they are paying for.
I probably will not be back for a while, but I may show up when you least expect it. After all, most food critics do not announce when they are coming!
I hope you take these comments in the constructive spirit in which they are intended. I want Applebee's and its employees to succeed, and I believe making a few improvements could make a noticeable difference in the customer experience.
Well, this is the mysterious one signing off.
Just fix the food, the portions, the presentation, the teamwork, and the temperature--and keep doing what you are already doing well.
Sincerely,
The Mysterious One read more