Applebee's was super busy on Thursday night. They had two large parties and multiple families all at once for dinner. The kitchen was very behind. We arrived at 545 and we're unable to order hh by 6 just because of how long it took before we could start our order. I still ordered the flight of drinks. The pickle fries appetizer wasn't on the hh menu so the ordering time didn't matter much. The flight was good and not too much alcohol. I felt perfectly fine drinking it. It took about 40 minutes to get our food but that was expected with the dinner rush. Food was good! You can't go wrong with burgers, pasta or fish and chips! I did not like the coleslaw. Too many carrots and I don't like raw carrots. I'm definitely going back. It's affordable and kid friendly:) Our waiter also thanked us for being so patient with everything. That was cool of him! read more

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Melisa has given us the best service! She was an absolute joy to be around! She had our food out quickly and kept the drinks coming during happy hour! We had a great time with her as our server! We got several appetizers while waiting for the rest of our party and Melisa just kept the jokes coming and was never upset that our full party didn't arrive. I had 2 margaritas while here and they both were delicious - peach and regular. All in all, I'd recommend and please do yourself a favor and ask for Melisa! read more

Applebees will forever be one of my favorite appetizer places! The artichoke dip is the best, paired with a lemonade!

Haven't dined here in a while. Great specials and deals. Got this for to-go. Comes in a cute container and actually has a lot of shrimps. Sausage was cut in half to make it seem more plentiful. Actually pretty good for Applebees. Def would come back. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - NEW Blackened Shrimp & Andouille Sausage Penne to go with - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

I love this place because it is a fun and hipper place, and with a lot of food choices, and you can just be yourself in there, and it is a sporty restraint, that's why I love it. read more

On 9/26/25, we had dinner at your location in Rancho San Diego on Jamacha. We've been a few times previously, and the food was okay and the service was even less impressive. However, we were blown away by the service on 9/26/25. Before we even approached the front door, host Adriana swung the door wide open for us and ushered us in with a big friendly genuine smile. She took us to our table and made us feel right at home and welcome, setting up a wonderful first few minutes. We were able to have a view of the front desk stand the entire visit and witness her giving everyone passing through the same warm genuine welcome or good-bye. She also treated her coworkers with respect & teamwork. Our server Galilea O was equally fantastic. She was prompt, courteous, friendly, helpful and spot on. Though we had 2 persnickety children at the table, they made all of us (including the children) feel relaxed, welcomed and attended to. From initial greeting to the final farewell, she was amazing. We also witnessed managers making the rounds, treating all (including staff) with friendly demeanors. Thank you to all that touched our table that evening, we'll be back. In person, in the dining room, where we felt welcome. read more

I really like this location, the staff is friendly and the restaurant is always very clean. My food is always delicious too and the waiters/waitresses are always helpful with any accommodations. Our server Julia was so nice to allow us to move from a table to a booth when we asked, even though it was a busy Friday night. They always have fun specials going especially around the holidays. I got their new valentines vodka cocktail and it was super yummy! And my oriental chicken salad is always superb. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Tipsy Cupid valentine's day $6 cocktail (with a gummy lip topper), so yummy! - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

We rarely go to Applebees but stopped here after we had a game in the area. We were welcomed and seated by the manager who was very nice. He said our server was a little backed up so he also took our orders. Everything came out very quickly and server was very nice as well, she kept returning to check in on us and kept our drinks full. We got the $9.99 burger and chicken sandwiches, the food was just ok for us and not super filling. The restaurant was warm and clean, love all the neighborhood specific pictures and art everywhere. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Classic Bacon Cheeseburger - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

This place was amazing. I just had it for the very first time and when I walked in the employees were very nice the food was heart and overall great. I leave this review helpful for this Apple Bees read more

Food was cold and not cooked properly..very slow service. told the waitress. She brought back a plate luke warm to cold still. gave up after that. read more

Hire people who are attentive to the customers. Ain't no hospitality in this joint WHATSOEVER. walked in with my cousins and boyfriend. Was hungry and excited. there were maybe 4 tables active in the restaurant, and we spotted about 5 people on the clock. I'm telling you right now we stood there for FIVE MINUTES and EVERYONE working just stared at us and didn't greet us at all or acknowledge our existence. Then get this...hold on yall...why my cousin make eye contact with one of the workers, SMILED AT HER, walked towards us, just to bend the corner and not help us look i will NEVER be a karen, but we definitely walked out and went to Yard House. read more

The manager was very rude, we didn't have a waitress, my food was cold, the manager was bossy towards my kids and seemed annoyed when my kids were ordering, the lady that helped us toward the end ended up ignoring us and went to go work at the bar section. Worst Applebees ever. Don't recommend it all not going back there again. read more

My wife and i after Christmas shopping were hungry so we came to Applebees Our waiter was also the bartender so he was busy Our food was DELICIOUS!! And there was PLENTY! GRADE A+ Our server was very busy so the sevice suffered but under the circumstance he did well and we tipped him good read more

Don't order the crunchy shrimp, I went there today and what I got resembled sweet and sour shrimp from a Chinese restaurant without the sauce. It was bland and not what the picture on the menu showed. My server said let me know how you like the shrimp because he knew that they changed the shrimp that they normally have. He even made the comment that it looked like Chinese sweet and sour shrimp. He did offer to bring the manager over and he did offer to bring me something else. However if you get a bad meal chances are you don't want to eat anything from that establishment. Or at least that was my feelings. I just won't be going back. I did like my server he was very friendly. read more

Best service ever !!! Brought to you by Olivia , she was on top of thing , my kids and I had lunch there today they love ranch , done , Pepsi refill done , only did not put the cheese on my daughters burger and I asked for med on my burger , but still a 5 stars Olivia you are amazing server , next time I want you to be our srrver and make sure my burger is med not well done , also the GM was a great guy , thank you tons !!! read more

I like their drinks there their food and prices are reasonable. One of my go to places good portions. Go check it out.

I went in today and the hostess sent me in a table. I waited there 15 minutes and she came back to tell me that she needed to move me to another table because the waitress that was serving that side of the restaurant was leaving at 3 PM I said OK so she took me to another table which I waited for another 20 minutes to get served Horrible horrible horrible service.! read more

I had a great dining experience here compared to other locations. Our server Flora was very friendly! She made great suggestions on what we should order and overall made us feel well cared for. Thank you Flora and staff for a great experience! read more

Daniel is the best server! I have never met someone who cares more for the customer than him. He is honest, candid and very friendly. He makes great recommendations and is very attentive. It's our Son in law's birthday today and we decided to celebrate at this location. Daniel made sure we had a great time! read more

Sandy and staff amazing ! The food quality is terrible , instant mash , raw steak and frozen shrimp is not the best quality . It could be so much better if you served fresh food . read more

Just adding to my review... Hey Applebees is getting ahead of the curve here in technology. I love the automated gadget at the table for our orders and for paying when we're done. It's cool. And convenient! We came with friends and needed to split the order. It was so easy to select our own items for our ticket and then pay right there. Then the rest of the items on the tab were ready to tabulate for our friends and I even checked out for them with their card as they were away from the table. It was so easy. It's set up where you can see everything easily and it's simple to navigate. All restaurants should have this goin. Seems it would make things so much easier especially for the wait staff! And for the customers. I'll have to get a pic next time we come. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Chicken Wonton Tacos - crunchy n yummy! Great app to share. - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

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We ordered car side to go on Friday Feb 21st 2025. The order was supposed to be ready at 7:45. We pulled in to a carside to go space at 7:48. We sat there for ten minutes with no one coming out to the car. We called the number on the sign and a female answered and said they would be right out with the food. By 8:13 there was still no one bringing out our order so my daughter went inside and was completely ignored by the staff. One person working to go orders chatted on her phone. My daughter found our order bagged up and just sitting there, and finally one of the staff saw her grab the bag. No apologies for the long delay or even an acknowledgment that she was even there. We will not be back. read more

I am a regular customer at this Applebee's. We have been served a few times by RJ, I appreciate his double checking our orders and even when they come out he checks them out again. Gives us time when ordering since I am gluten sensitive and food allergies. Peacefully restaurant and great food. Thanks read more

I recently came to this location and ordered a chicken salad which was $15.29 but ordered with extra chicken. At the end of the dinner we checked the bill and saw that the extra portion of the chicken was $9.99, I told the manager about this and just said that the regular portion on the salad is $9.99 and the other $5.30 where for the lettuce, I just wanted to say that the main problem was that the server didn't say anything about the price. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Receipt - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

All you can eat its a scam , 6 pease only fir crunch shrimp , 4 pc of boneless chicken wings , was about to order more food , with this variety and quantities had to leave and go. Somewhere else to have at least better quality of food read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Double Crunch Shrimp, that what says , I don't see any double , fries old and cold - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

I've been going to this location for more than 20 yrs,Emily and sandy are the touch stone. The burgers are by far a mountain above the crap fast food establishment locally, and better priced. The fish and chips are way better than the press box or steel 94 at a better price, so stop whining all u transplants,it is what it is read more

If I can give negative stars, I would. I placed a mobile order to be ready and when I get there, there is no one to greet me. The manager saw and started to help me then I get told my order will be ready in less than five minutes so I sit down and wait from five minutes. It turned to almost 30 minutes And the worst part is once I receive my food. It was cold so I go back and let them know that it's messed up what they're doing the manager apologized and said I will handle it but she lied. The food is just reheat up. I will never come back here. My order was supposed to be ready at 7:15pm and I got it by 7:35pm. The worst part is the workers kept looking at me all weird and it made me feel uncomfortable. They have time to chitchat, but don't have time to actually do the orders, right. They need a new management. read more

We came in tonight for a family dinner and we where pleasantly surprised the food was good and came out on time and we had the best waitress her name is Katalina and she was super friendly and very nice. We will be back again soon read more

Well let me start with we went at night probably 3 hours before closing on a Saturday and it was super busy. Although busy we were seated quickly got our drinks and placed our order within 15 minutes . Anyways the food was amazing and the atmosphere of the place was a cozy had all types of games playing on the tv. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Double-Glazed Baby Back Ribs - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

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I've had nothing but great service, and food quality is so much better than my last review. Cynthia and Sean are the best managers ever. I visit both this location and National City every week. This is one of my favorite places to eat and get a drink. read more

Applebee's Grill + Bar - Cesar Salad - American Near Me - El Cajon, California

I went with my husband & three boys. While they were enjoying the all you can eat rib tips and shrimp I enjoyed an ice cold watermelon margarita! Wonderful server Maricella & humble general Manager Ed made sure we were well taken care of. We'll be back and thank you!! read more

Can't believe I'm giving a corporate restaurant five stars ! Christmas Eve night ! Busy but service was good and food was good !

The service was amazing!!!! Sevannah took great care of us!!! The food was good we got the 2 for $25 and a couple of double shots of patron.....the steak was cooked perfectly the mashed potatoes and broccoli was on point the chicken and waffle fries were fire.....the place was clean the servers were nice I definitely recommend this Applebees!!! read more

Whether or not you think Applebee's is "fancy like", this one treats well those who come - perhaps especially military veterans - who not only receive a free meal on Veterans Day but along with it a $5 "bounce back" card to encourage them to return and eat here again. The food is good - and so is the service - so a $5 discount on another meal seems plenty of incentive to come back (more than just one more time). read more

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Melissa and Hostess Bri were friendly and helpful and customer service was excellent and spot on the food was delicious keep up the amazing service thank you!! read more

I would give it a zero if I could. My husband and I had been going every Wednesday nite for our date night for almost 2 years. We would sit at the bar, order vodka tonics, and eat dinner. A couple of times we went, they were out of tonic. One time the bartender gave us vodka and soda and told us that was what she thought we ordered. When we asked for tonic, she pretended to search for it in the back. She came back and said they didn't have any. So dishonest. This week we went in and found our favorite bartender had quit and they don't stock tonic because "nobody asks for it". What are we, chopped liver? Disappointed in the management. Will not go back and telling everyone we know or meet how dishonest this Applebees is. The management does not care about its clientele. read more

Taylor was excellent at suggestive selling. We practically opted for everything she suggested. I've not seen such great sales skills and excellent customer service in a very long time. The food was great but the service was so much better. Congrats to Applebees for hiring Taylor because she has repped well. I only hope that she's being compensated appropriately. read more

Food was pretty mid and service wasn't fast enough the waiter Gali was nice but took to long and forgot to bring straws for us so after 5-10 minutes I just awkwardly asked a different waiter for some unfortunate enough to say we will not come back to this location not a good place to dine read more

This place has gotten much better and I have given worse reviews for Applebees in the past. Decided tonight to give them another try and the staff was very accommodating. The steaks were cooked perfect. And the food all had good flavor. Not upscale but surprisingly had a nice ambiance. Not loud but good choice in music playing and several TV's playing sports. Overall nice date night. Melissa was our server and she was great . read more

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Haven't been to this Applebee's for 17 years. My husband and I came today too celebrate our anniversary. This is the exact place we meet 17 years ago. We walked in, was seated right away, and our waiter was not too attentive. He seemed to be in a rush. He asked us what we would like to drink and take our order and we had just sat down. This Applebee's has changed. The atmosphere changed not for the worse but it changed. There menu also changed and the selection was a nice array of items. We decided on the 2 for $22.00 and got the Spinach and Artichoke Dip and Chips, and I got the 6oz sirloin and my husband got the Oriental Chicken Salad. We started to eat and here is where it went downhill. Are sever never asked us for refills, nor did he check to see if we needed anything. Then we aren't even halfway through dinner and he brings the check and asks us if we planned on ordering anything else. We didn't know we were still eating, so the dessert we were going to get turned us off. New servers or not need to learn and take lessons from seasoned servers. Otherwise things were good. read more