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Applebees - Don't Get The Riblets!
Complaint
Review by lindajnichols1 on 2013-01-06
Rating: 
SARATOGA SPRINGS, NEW YORK -- My friend and I were wanting to grab a quick meal. Applebees was near by so we stopped there and wanted to investigate their 2 for $20 deal. We both ordered the Riblet Platter. For an added $2 you get more 'ribs'. I have to admit that this was the worst meal I have ever eaten. I did spend several years cooking at a 4 star restaurant so my taste buds are a bit above average, but I took into account this was a chain restaurant.
The platter came out and the 'ribs' were swimming in sauce, which I had to scrape off to find the 'rib'. The first bite into the rib resulted in having something thin, sharp, and bone like, slicing the roof of my mouth and sticking between my teeth.
Investigating what I had bitten into, I discovered there wasn't a RIB in the ribs. Rather, there were a series of small thin bone plates running horizontally across the thing that had been cut to look like a rib. What I had bitten into is the section of back bone that runs from the last rib down to the hip. These are trimmings that are normally thrown away, or sold to processing plants for animal feed. Not sold for human consumption.
We got french fries as a side and could not eat those either. They had so much salt on them I think the kitchen spilled the box of salt on them and rather than using them to take ice off the road, just served them as non-consumable food.
Complaining to the management did no good and neither did contacting the main office.
The dessert was rather pleasant, a chocolate brownie and molten chocolate cake.
With beverages, the bill came to $40. So much for the 2 for $20 deal, or ever eating at Applebees again.
The best I can say is the waitress was apologetic and pleasant.
The platter came out and the 'ribs' were swimming in sauce, which I had to scrape off to find the 'rib'. The first bite into the rib resulted in having something thin, sharp, and bone like, slicing the roof of my mouth and sticking between my teeth.
Investigating what I had bitten into, I discovered there wasn't a RIB in the ribs. Rather, there were a series of small thin bone plates running horizontally across the thing that had been cut to look like a rib. What I had bitten into is the section of back bone that runs from the last rib down to the hip. These are trimmings that are normally thrown away, or sold to processing plants for animal feed. Not sold for human consumption.
We got french fries as a side and could not eat those either. They had so much salt on them I think the kitchen spilled the box of salt on them and rather than using them to take ice off the road, just served them as non-consumable food.
Complaining to the management did no good and neither did contacting the main office.
The dessert was rather pleasant, a chocolate brownie and molten chocolate cake.
With beverages, the bill came to $40. So much for the 2 for $20 deal, or ever eating at Applebees again.
The best I can say is the waitress was apologetic and pleasant.
Comments:
Posted by Alain on 2013-01-06:
I haven't been to Applebee's recently and this sort of thing certainly discourages me from stopping in anytime soon. Maybe a quick comment via http://www.applebees.com/about-us/contact-us would let their corporate office know they have a problem at this franchise location.
Posted by kjsphat on 2013-01-06:
Thanks for explaining why the riblets are so bad. I got them several years ago, and they were so gristly, I didn't eat them. I guess they can get past the false representation by calling them "riblets" and not ribs. Great review.
Posted by trmn8r on 2013-01-06:
Applebees is the worst of the mid-priced chains, in my opinion. Once I was given a glimpse by management of certain supply/preparation techniques (during discussions about my complaints), I realized they are rank amateurs from management and distribution down to the kitchen. One example that comes to mind is an item Applebees corporate referred to as "garlic bread" that it shipped to all locations - this was the equivalent of what you find in a frozen meal to be microwaved.
IMO you would be well advised to leave the neighborhood bar and grill behind and ship off to other ports of call.
IMO you would be well advised to leave the neighborhood bar and grill behind and ship off to other ports of call.
Posted by Honey Boo Boo Child on 2013-01-07:
I used to go to Applbees often back in the day but the past few years the food and service has decline while the prices have increased not a good combination.
And I agree with TRM, the Garlic bread they serve reminds of the same Garlic bread Marie calendar puts in their spaghetti dinners not all that appetizing.
And I agree with TRM, the Garlic bread they serve reminds of the same Garlic bread Marie calendar puts in their spaghetti dinners not all that appetizing.
Posted by ok4now on 2013-01-07:
When I originally joined my3cents over four years ago my very first review was about Applebee's. Since then nothing has changed about this bottom feeder chain joint. The food is still horrible, service is bad and management (?) is totally lacking. They employ mostly kids that are inexperienced looking for a big tip. I have given them more chances than they deserve and refuse to return.
Posted by shayen on 2013-01-07:
I made the grave mistake several years ago to supplement my M-F regular job with a PT weekend job at Applebees. Management was HORRIBLE, my co-workers were indeed mostly kids, but I have to say, they did provide good service overall, despite being obnoxious and immature when not in front of the patrons.
I thought the food was OK, the hamburger meat was angus and always fresh, never frozen. Everything else though was indeed shipped in frozen or pre-made. It is like that at most restaurants though. The kitchen was always spotless and cleaned thoroughly. The worst aspect of the job were the customers. But I digress. Regarding the riblets/ribs, I always tried to discourage customers from ordering them because even management freely admitted they were crap and wish they could drop them from the menu or get better quality from a different supplier. EVERY single time I had a customer order the ribs or riblets, they were returned to the kitchen. EVERY SINGLE TIME! Applebees is NOT the place to go and order ribs/riblets. And yes, I agree the fries are too salty.
Regarding the OP's comment about so much for the 2 for $20 (and ended up with a $40 bill instead), that should not have been surprising. You paid $2 each for extra riblets, the desserts you ordered are about $7 apiece and then there are drinks factored in, tax and tip.
I thought the food was OK, the hamburger meat was angus and always fresh, never frozen. Everything else though was indeed shipped in frozen or pre-made. It is like that at most restaurants though. The kitchen was always spotless and cleaned thoroughly. The worst aspect of the job were the customers. But I digress. Regarding the riblets/ribs, I always tried to discourage customers from ordering them because even management freely admitted they were crap and wish they could drop them from the menu or get better quality from a different supplier. EVERY single time I had a customer order the ribs or riblets, they were returned to the kitchen. EVERY SINGLE TIME! Applebees is NOT the place to go and order ribs/riblets. And yes, I agree the fries are too salty.
Regarding the OP's comment about so much for the 2 for $20 (and ended up with a $40 bill instead), that should not have been surprising. You paid $2 each for extra riblets, the desserts you ordered are about $7 apiece and then there are drinks factored in, tax and tip.
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