Applebee's - Spanish Springs

[Arctic Fox]

We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.

[Papa_lecki]

Yeah, we fancy like Applebee's on a date night
Got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake
Get some whipped cream on the top too
Two straws, one check, girl, I got you

[Stu from NYC]

Sad it used to be our go to restaurants for lunch and often for dinner when living in Va.

[ThirdOfFive]

Unfortunate. We've not eaten at that particular Applebee's but that has not been our experience eating at other Applebee's here and there. Nothing fancy but good value for money and very good service.

[Number 10 GI]

Every restaurant has the same problem, inadequate staffing due to difficulty hiring dependable employees.

[Arctic Fox]

Every restaurant has the same problem, inadequate staffing due to difficulty hiring dependable employees.

I think that must be it.

The food was fine and the service was friendly and quick once it got going.

[Rainger99]

Every restaurant has the same problem, inadequate staffing due to difficulty hiring dependable employees.

Why is this happening now??

[Sandy and Ed]

Why is this happening now??
Now that IS the question. This area may not have the diversity in its population needed to fill jobs. By diversity I mean to say age, proximity to employment opportunity, socio-economic condition, language skills, yada, yada, yada. We are in a huge geographical bubble saturated with old folks of questionably slightly better than average means. At least that might be one reason. You could throw in a little bit of lack of work ethic and laziness but I don’t think that is the major reason

[Normal]

Every restaurant has the same problem, inadequate staffing due to difficulty hiring dependable employees.

The Bonefish was the same way for us. Our exceptions with much better service have all been further outside the bubble. Ocala, Inverness, Wesley Chapel and even Leesburg all have great dining experiences.

[Nana2Teddy]

We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.
This is especially disappointing for me and my husband because for some reason when we moved out of our former home to come here last November our neighbors gave us a $100 Applebees GC as a farewell gift. We haven’t gone there yet because we live down south in DeLuna, but we were planning to eventually. While we appreciate their thoughtfulness we are still wondering why that was their choice of GCs since we have no Applebees restaurants anywhere close to where we used to live. Maybe we need to go outside the bubble to find a better Applebees. 😊

[mickey100]

We've always liked Applebees in other places, in fact we would look for one when traveling because they were dependably good, but I agree, the one in Spanish springs is just awful.

[Suzay]

No-one wantsto work anymore! Its that way everywhere. We eat at home more ,no sense of going out and getting ticked off.
We have a couple of certain places where we will go and not get ripped off ,you take a chance anymore going out to eat ,foods are expensive .

[Number 10 GI]

Now that IS the question. This area may not have the diversity in its population needed to fill jobs. By diversity I mean to say age, proximity to employment opportunity, socio-economic condition, language skills, yada, yada, yada. We are in a huge geographical bubble saturated with old folks of questionably slightly better than average means. At least that might be one reason. You could throw in a little bit of lack of work ethic and laziness but I don’t think that is the major reason

It's not just in TV, when we went back to Tennessee for a visit with family, restaurants there were not sufficiently staffed.

[jimdecastro]

Why is this happening now??

In my opinion, it's happening now because anybody who is able-bodied that wants to work hard is building houses in TV. That's where the money and job security is.

[Cviens]

We recently went to the same Applebees. I thought it was just me thinking that the service was extremely slow! We went in, absolutely famished, and the service was (and I am not over exaggerating), extremely slow. It took forever to have lunch, and it was not like it was overly crowded. I may give them yet another chance, because I too like Applebees, but I will try it at a time, where I have all the time in the world…so it may be a while.
We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.

[retiredguy123]

This is especially disappointing for me and my husband because for some reason when we moved out of our former home to come here last November our neighbors gave us a $100 Applebees GC as a farewell gift. We haven’t gone there yet because we live down south in DeLuna, but we were planning to eventually. While we appreciate their thoughtfulness we are still wondering why that was their choice of GCs since we have no Applebees restaurants anywhere close to where we used to live. Maybe we need to go outside the bubble to find a better Applebees. 😊
There is an Applebee's in Clermont. Easy to get to.

[msilagy]

I'm up north in the far west suburbs of Chicago and finding good plentiful food and great service. Maybe it has to do with the old folks in the "bubble" (why they use that word I'll never figure out as it diminishes the Villages) that are harder to wait on and many times cheaper than working folks. The quality, quantity, service, cannot be compared to the Villages where much is lacking. I am a Fl resident but eat out very little except for a great Chinese restaurant in Southern Trace.

[BlueStarAirlines]

No-one wants to work anymore! Its that way everywhere.

Not true at all. My kids are here for summer break from college. They are working three jobs, because no place will give them more than 20 hours. Unfortunately, diners are just not coming in so management tells them to go home. If the amount of diners picks up, they then don't have the staff to accommodate. If they tell them to stay in anticipation of diners and they don't come, they spent labor dollars for nothing. Its a tough position to be in.

On the flip side, if there is an event at the square and a place knows they will see a lot of guests, they can't schedule for additional hours because of the other part time jobs most employees hold. So, if place A has them from 10-4:00 and place B from 4:30-1030, place A just lost a server so has to serve less people.

Instead of the 60 hours they expect to work a week they are lucky to get 40 between all three restaurants.

If you want to place blame, point it at our economy. No one wants full time help (even with waived benefits), higher inflation which requires multiple part-time jobs, and multiple part-time jobs that restrict flexibility for both the employer and employee.

[donfey]

Why is this happening now??

The dark years of our government's REACTION to Covid, not Covid itself, changed America's work ethic. Only a few years long, but it has taught people, especially (but not limited to) young people that they don't have to work. Sad.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think that must be it.

The food was fine and the service was friendly and quick once it got going.

And yet, “never again”, ?

[deborahcme]

My observation: there are plenty of restaurants here in the "bubble" and outside fully staffed with good and sometimes great service. Some, not so much. Managing a restaurant staff must be challenging. It's a fluid workforce and keeping staffing levels up must be challenging in any economic climate. I think many in this workforce see it as a temporary gig till a better paying job, or one closer to home, or one with better benefits pops up. All that said, I do find that Applebees to be kind of gloomy inside.

[Ele201]

We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.
Sorry to hear this, sounds like they were woefully understaffed that night. The scheduled busser might have called in sick. I most likely would have left, 15 minutes is too long to wait for a table at Applebee’s. But honestly I would have sat at the bar and ate, if a bartender was there.

[ThirdOfFive]

My observation: there are plenty of restaurants here in the "bubble" and outside fully staffed with good and sometimes great service. Some, not so much. Managing a restaurant staff must be challenging. It's a fluid workforce and keeping staffing levels up must be challenging in any economic climate. I think many in this workforce see it as a temporary gig till a better paying job, or one closer to home, or one with better benefits pops up. All that said, I do find that Applebees to be kind of gloomy inside.
Agree. There are at least three other restaurants in "The Bubble" where I have experienced the same issues.

It is instructive to look at the restaurants that do NOT have this problem. One such is Lopez Legacy. We've eaten there several times now and without exception the food has been great and the service wonderful. The other side of that coin obviously is $$$: Lopez Legacy and (say) Applebee's both serve food but that is virtually the only similarity they have. Lopez Legacy (according to what I've heard) pays their people well, and offers sick leave, vacation pay and health insurance--which of course translates into higher meal prices. Applebees? probably none of the above.

Villagers (some, anyway) are known to be penurious, and paying higher prices across-the-board for better food served by better waitstaff, no matter what the restaurant in question is, would go over like a fart in church with some of them. But maybe that is the price we will have to pay.

[Bay Kid]

Why is this happening now??

Still too much free money out there.

[Ele201]

Agree. There are at least three other restaurants in "The Bubble" where I have experienced the same issues.

It is instructive to look at the restaurants that do NOT have this problem. One such is Lopez Legacy. We've eaten there several times now and without exception the food has been great and the service wonderful. The other side of that coin obviously is $$$: Lopez Legacy and (say) Applebee's both serve food but that is virtually the only similarity they have. Lopez Legacy (according to what I've heard) pays their people well, and offers sick leave, vacation pay and health insurance--which of course translates into higher meal prices. Applebees? probably none of the above.

Villagers (some, anyway) are known to be penurious, and paying higher prices across-the-board for better food served by better waitstaff, no matter what the restaurant in question is, would go over like a fart in church with some of them. But maybe that is the price we will have to pay.
Penurious — good word, don’t see it often. But I would have just said cheap!

[Villages Kahuna]

Hmmm, Applebees has been one of our ‘go to’ restaurants for several years. Great service, good food, good value.

[jtongue]

Our Sunday Bowling Group (12 of us) went to Applebee's Sunday evening - service was excellent. I mean, really good! Our server, Alee, was very pleasant, professional and perfectly attentive. The food was good, served quickly and the bills were all correct. We made it a point to personally thank her for her efforts along with a "nice" tip.

We've had "bad" experiences at other restaurants in TV including Nancy Lopez. We put them in "Time Out" for a while and then try again. Usually, the next time our expectations are exceeded.

[LucyP]

We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.

Short on staff. I always have good food. Last time I had ribs fell off bones and young gentleman waiting on me was on target as a server. I think it’s touch and go. No real host why waiting to be seated.they have specials each day reasonable priced.

[kendi]

Life is tough. Hope your depression has lifted.

[Rickanvic]

This is especially disappointing for me and my husband because for some reason when we moved out of our former home to come here last November our neighbors gave us a $100 Applebees GC as a farewell gift. We haven’t gone there yet because we live down south in DeLuna, but we were planning to eventually. While we appreciate their thoughtfulness we are still wondering why that was their choice of GCs since we have no Applebees restaurants anywhere close to where we used to live. Maybe we need to go outside the bubble to find a better Applebees. 😊

When we moved a friend looked up a restaurant in The Villages and ordered a gift card for a restaurant we didn't have in our hometown. She wrote on the card "new beginnings". I loved the idea! BTW I have been to that Applebee's many times. One of the few open late. It is dark, but food always good and the employees have always been attentive.

[JSR22]

Still too much free money out there.

Where is the free money?

[MSGirl]

Every restaurant has the same problem, inadequate staffing due to difficulty hiring dependable employees.
Correct..staffing is a huge issue everywhere! Employees are opting for jobs with full benefits with salary, over working for just tips and $1.00 per hour salary. My son’s place offered just that to his wait staff: salary plus benefits

[Rainger99]

Agree. There are at least three other restaurants in "The Bubble" where I have experienced the same issues.

It is instructive to look at the restaurants that do NOT have this problem. One such is Lopez Legacy. We've eaten there several times now and without exception the food has been great and the service wonderful. The other side of that coin obviously is $$$: Lopez Legacy and (say) Applebee's both serve food but that is virtually the only similarity they have. Lopez Legacy (according to what I've heard) pays their people well, and offers sick leave, vacation pay and health insurance--which of course translates into higher meal prices. Applebees? probably none of the above.

Villagers (some, anyway) are known to be penurious, and paying higher prices across-the-board for better food served by better waitstaff, no matter what the restaurant in question is, would go over like a fart in church with some of them. But maybe that is the price we will have to pay.

This is the menu for Applebees.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare (https://www.applebees.com/en/menu/handcrafted-burgers)

The classic burger is $11.49. I assume that fries are included.

Menus | Legacy Restaurant (https://www.legacyrestaurant.com/menus)

The burger is $12.99 - and includes fries.

At McDonald's, a QPC is $4.79 and a large fries is $3.69 for a total of $8.48.

[Battlebasset]

In addition to the lack of dependable help (all over) Applebee's has struggled for years to stand out in the field of "casual restaurants". They don't really offer anything the others don't, and you could argue, less. When we lived up north had one 10 minutes from us. Can't remember that last time we went there.

Add in the higher cost of eating out, and the expectation of 20%+ tip, and I don't see any reason to go there.

[Captainpd]

We have seldom had a meal as depressing as yesterday evening's at Applebee's.

It has always been a dark place inside, but usually enlivened by a crowd of diners.

Yesterday - a Saturday evening - it was maybe 10% full. Yet there were seven people waiting in front of us and it took 15 minutes for us to be seated. Several who came in after us left before being seated.

Around a quarter of the unoccupied tables were waiting to be bussed, which gave the whole place a feeling of neglect.

Never again - we'd have been better off grabbing a burger next door at Wendy's.

Missed what you wrote about the meal

[daniel200]

If I was a young kid wanting to work, I would take the first job offered. And if that job only offered 20 hours a week with a constantly changing schedule and few benefits, I would immediately jump ship for the first job offering 40 hours.

It is no surprise that restaurants offering less than full time have trouble retaining employees. It’s not the employees fault. They are upgrading their prospects whenever possible.

[Kelevision]

I think we all know why we have a labor problem don’t we? Because that’s what we asked for…… If you're wondering why America's labor shortage persists nearly three years into the Covid pandemic, it's in part because America doesn't have enough immigrants. Immigrants are vital to the US economy and fill thousands of US jobs – jobs many Americas don't want to do

[ThirdOfFive]

This is the menu for Applebees.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare (https://www.applebees.com/en/menu/handcrafted-burgers)

The classic burger is $11.49. I assume that fries are included.

Menus | Legacy Restaurant (https://www.legacyrestaurant.com/menus)

The burger is $12.99 - and includes fries.

At McDonald's, a QPC is $4.79 and a large fries is $3.69 for a total of $8.48.
The difference (obviously) is that the items from the Applebee's menu are served all day--including breakfast which you can get at 9 PM if you want (or dare), while the items from the Lopez menu are LUNCH items, served only (if memory serves) until 3 PM. It would be quite a challenge to find (say) an escargot appetizer for $14.99, a salmon-avocado salad for $19.99, Pear and Ricotta Stuffed Sacchettini for 24.99, Chilean seabass for $42.99, or New Zealand rack of lamb for $54.99, at Applebee's, while all five of those are part of the Lopez daily dinner menu.

[JC and John]

A man was killed inside Applebees back in March around 1AM. This may have had an effect on staff. Not everyone can witness a shooting and be ok with it especially if you fear for your life. Probably hard for manager to replace staff when lots of businesses are looking to hire more employees these days. Just a thought.

[Ramone]

I kinda agree with the negative comments on this Applebees. Last time there I had my service dog and asked to sit outside so as not to bother others with view of dog under table. Nope, no seating outside they said. So inside table given me. Service and food stunk. Not going back for awhile till management and staff changed. Somehow need to get those living at home on gov benefits into jobs.

[retiredguy123]

This is the menu for Applebees.

Attention Required! | Cloudflare (https://www.applebees.com/en/menu/handcrafted-burgers)

The classic burger is $11.49. I assume that fries are included.

Menus | Legacy Restaurant (https://www.legacyrestaurant.com/menus)

The burger is $12.99 - and includes fries.

At McDonald's, a QPC is $4.79 and a large fries is $3.69 for a total of $8.48.
Reminds me of the sign I once saw outside a Ruby Tuesday that said: "20 entrees for less than $10". But, when I ordered the 20 entrees, they wanted to charge me a lot more.

[lynnschindel]

Hmmm, Applebees has been one of our ‘go to’ restaurants for several years. Great service, good food, good value.

I agree. Also, Applebees has the BEST French Onion soup we have ever had. We order it wherever it's offered, but theirs tastes the best.

[Johnsocat]

If I was a young kid wanting to work, I would take the first job offered. And if that job only offered 20 hours a week with a constantly changing schedule and few benefits, I would immediately jump ship for the first job offering 40 hours.

It is no surprise that restaurants offering less than full time have trouble retaining employees. It’s not the employees fault. They are upgrading their prospects whenever possible.

Full time with benefit pkg went away with Obama care...

[retiredguy123]

Full time with benefit pkg went away with Obama care...
Correct. Prior to the ACA (Affordable Care Act), an employer was not required to provide any health insurance for employees. But, after the ACA, employers with 50 or more fulltime employees, are required to offer and pay for "affordable" health insurance to employees. That is one reason that employers do not want to have fulltime employees. There are also other Federal and state laws that require certain benefits to fulltime employees, that do not apply to part time employees.

[END OTT]

[QUOTE=mickey100;2236160]We've always liked Applebees in other places, in fact we would look for one when traveling because they were dependably good, but I agree, the one in


Liked their baby back rib basket - too bad

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Full time with benefit pkg went away with Obama care...

Depends on the company. It's also got nothing to do with Applebees.

As for Applebees, I drove past it a few hours ago, at the later end of lunch hour and the parking lot had lots of cars in it. It is usually pretty busy there during the day.

[ThirdOfFive]

Reminds me of the sign I once saw outside a Ruby Tuesday that said: "20 entrees for less than $10". But, when I ordered the 20 entrees, they wanted to charge me a lot more.
Heh. Reminds me of a time at an Applebee's UpNort. My wife and I were there for dinner and the waitress asked if we'd like to order a drink, mentioning that their "Perfect Margarita" was on special for $9. I asked her what they'd charge for an IMperfect Margarita. Took her a second or two to realize I was joking.

[Normal]

Not Bull and Bears or Victoria and Alberts. I’m not too concerned about a poor standard microwaved food chain restaurant. Close em all down.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Not Bull and Bears or Victoria and Alberts. I’m not too concerned about a poor standard microwaved food chain restaurant. Close em all down.

Why, so that only wealthy people can afford a night out? You seem nice.

[Normal]

Why, so that only wealthy people can afford a night out? You seem nice.

It isn’t what you imply at all. I’ll try anything once. It’s just Applebees mostly sells processed and microwaved food. I can get that at home. Heck, for the most part I wouldn’t even eat that at home. A dreary dark hole of a restaurant, not cleaned, that can’t lift a finger to microwave a batch of mashed potatoes for you? Pre cooked steaks grilled for 30 seconds? Money is best spent elsewhere. It doesn’t take a lot of money for fine dining. Buy a lobster at a seafood store, get some steaks at the local butcher etc., it would cost about the same as going out to Applebees.

Here is a helpful link
Does Applebee's really microwave their food? - Quora (https://www.quora.com/Does-Applebees-really-microwave-their-food)

[Ele201]

A man was killed inside Applebees back in March around 1AM. This may have had an effect on staff. Not everyone can witness a shooting and be ok with it especially if you fear for your life. Probably hard for manager to replace staff when lots of businesses are looking to hire more employees these days. Just a thought.
That’s a good point — that prospective employees might shy away from Applebee’s after that shooting incident. BTW I thought the incident occurred outside the restaurant in the parking lot, but either way, that’s a tough thing to forget about.

Also, isn’t that Applebee’s open late at night, closing at 3am on weekends? That’s not a great policy either.

[maggie1]

This is especially disappointing for me and my husband because for some reason when we moved out of our former home to come here last November our neighbors gave us a $100 Applebees GC as a farewell gift. We haven’t gone there yet because we live down south in DeLuna, but we were planning to eventually. While we appreciate their thoughtfulness we are still wondering why that was their choice of GCs since we have no Applebees restaurants anywhere close to where we used to live. Maybe we need to go outside the bubble to find a better Applebees. 😊

Your appreciation of your neighbors doesn't sound very sincere. Were they supposed to do a Google search of Applebee's restaurant near Deluna? Have you ever commented on how you like Applebees thus giving them incentive to pony up $100 for a gift card there? During your travels have you ever passed an Applebees around lunchtime or dinner time?

Tell ya what, you send me the gift card, and I'll send you $50 - win/win

[Nana2Teddy]

When we moved a friend looked up a restaurant in The Villages and ordered a gift card for a restaurant we didn't have in our hometown. She wrote on the card "new beginnings". I loved the idea! BTW I have been to that Applebee's many times. One of the few open late. It is dark, but food always good and the employees have always been attentive.
Thank you! We will give it a try. 👍🏻

[Nana2Teddy]

There is an Applebee's in Clermont. Easy to get to.
Thank you! Wish we’d thought to look for one when we were at Palm Casual a week ago. Next time! 👍🏻

[Nana2Teddy]

Your appreciation of your neighbors doesn't sound very sincere. Were they supposed to do a Google search of Applebee's restaurant near Deluna? Have you ever commented on how you like Applebees thus giving them incentive to pony up $100 for a gift card there? During your travels have you ever passed an Applebees around lunchtime or dinner time?

Tell ya what, you send me the gift card, and I'll send you $50 - win/win
Nothing you said in this nasty comment is even close to the situation, so sorry no gift card for you.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

It isn’t what you imply at all. I’ll try anything once. It’s just Applebees mostly sells processed and microwaved food. I can get that at home. Heck, for the most part I wouldn’t even eat that at home. A dreary dark hole of a restaurant, not cleaned, that can’t lift a finger to microwave a batch of mashed potatoes for you? Pre cooked steaks grilled for 30 seconds? Money is best spent elsewhere. It doesn’t take a lot of money for fine dining. Buy a lobster at a seafood store, get some steaks at the local butcher etc., it would cost about the same as going out to Applebees.

Here is a helpful link
Does Applebee's really microwave their food? - Quora (https://www.quora.com/Does-Applebees-really-microwave-their-food)

Again - so what? Why is it harmful to YOU, who wouldn't eat there anyway, that some people want to go OUT to eat, and can't afford the high-end restaurants like the ones you specified in your post? If someone doesn't want to cook at home, and wants to go OUT to eat, and can't afford a fancy high-end restaurant, Applebee's is an option. Even if it's microwaved. I mean, I microwave my "baked" potatoes and corn on the cob and they come out better anyway. But I don't want to clean up or do any of the prep work. I just want to sit down and have everyone else do all the work for me once in awhile. That's why people dine OUT. So that they don't have to do the work themselves.

It's also a good reason to get out of the house. You go to Applebee's or World of Beer or whatever else is in the area, and enjoy the evening with free music in the town square. You make a night of it, at a reasonable expense if you're on a budget.

People who have lots of money might not appreciate that. But people with lots of money are able to go to their Waldorf-Astoria steakhouse. If you meant there were better places at similar prices elsewhere, you wouldn't have selected THAT as your example.

Us plebes like dining out too, in a restaurant atmosphere with waiter service. For us, places like Applebees are an affordable option.

Enjoy your $65 filet mignon and $13 french fries on the side at the Bull and Bear. I'll pay $25 for a cheeseburger, fries, and tip, and a drink, and be able to afford to do it twice right across the street from my house, and get free dancing and live music at the same time.

[Normal]

Again - so what? Why is it harmful to YOU, who wouldn't eat there anyway, that some people want to go OUT to eat, and can't afford the high-end restaurants like the ones you specified in your post? If someone doesn't want to cook at home, and wants to go OUT to eat, and can't afford a fancy high-end restaurant, Applebee's is an option. Even if it's microwaved. I mean, I microwave my "baked" potatoes and corn on the cob and they come out better anyway. But I don't want to clean up or do any of the prep work. I just want to sit down and have everyone else do all the work for me once in awhile. That's why people dine OUT. So that they don't have to do the work themselves.

It's also a good reason to get out of the house. You go to Applebee's or World of Beer or whatever else is in the area, and enjoy the evening with free music in the town square. You make a night of it, at a reasonable expense if you're on a budget.

People who have lots of money might not appreciate that. But people with lots of money are able to go to their Waldorf-Astoria steakhouse. If you meant there were better places at similar prices elsewhere, you wouldn't have selected THAT as your example.

Us plebes like dining out too, in a restaurant atmosphere with waiter service. For us, places like Applebees are an affordable option.

Enjoy your $65 filet mignon and $13 french fries on the side at the Bull and Bear. I'll pay $25 for a cheeseburger, fries, and tip, and a drink, and be able to afford to do it twice right across the street from my house, and get free dancing and live music at the same time.
We are just average folksy people here, but it is not a crime to like aged beef on rare occasions (once or twice a year). We are no better than anybody else and can’t stand the snooty. We like all food and many restaurants in the local area. Gio’s and Francesco’s are both in the northern area and we tend to frequent them. We love fresh cooked food and it isn’t necessarily high priced in many situations. I’m just saying it isn’t a catastrophe to loose a chain restaurant like Applebees. We love the squares and we love our community, you don’t have to spend a mint to enjoy a nice night out here. We also don’t have to pay for or consume food that was placed in boil bags or microwaved to be served to me. Applebee’s is a poor example of the restaurant middle man model.

[Stu from NYC]

Again - so what? Why is it harmful to YOU, who wouldn't eat there anyway, that some people want to go OUT to eat, and can't afford the high-end restaurants like the ones you specified in your post? If someone doesn't want to cook at home, and wants to go OUT to eat, and can't afford a fancy high-end restaurant, Applebee's is an option. Even if it's microwaved. I mean, I microwave my "baked" potatoes and corn on the cob and they come out better anyway. But I don't want to clean up or do any of the prep work. I just want to sit down and have everyone else do all the work for me once in awhile. That's why people dine OUT. So that they don't have to do the work themselves.

It's also a good reason to get out of the house. You go to Applebee's or World of Beer or whatever else is in the area, and enjoy the evening with free music in the town square. You make a night of it, at a reasonable expense if you're on a budget.

People who have lots of money might not appreciate that. But people with lots of money are able to go to their Waldorf-Astoria steakhouse. If you meant there were better places at similar prices elsewhere, you wouldn't have selected THAT as your example.

Us plebes like dining out too, in a restaurant atmosphere with waiter service. For us, places like Applebees are an affordable option.

Enjoy your $65 filet mignon and $13 french fries on the side at the Bull and Bear. I'll pay $25 for a cheeseburger, fries, and tip, and a drink, and be able to afford to do it twice right across the street from my house, and get free dancing and live music at the same time.

Lots of restaurants actually cook the food they serve to you. Why go to a restaurant that just reheats food that others cooked?

Do not have to buy a $ 65 steak to get food cooked to order.

[Michael G.]

The dark years of our government's REACTION to Covid, not Covid itself, changed America's work ethic. Only a few years long, but it has taught people, especially (but not limited to) young people that they don't have to work. Sad.

Isn't that Covid funding just about coming to a end??

[Michael G.]

Ah Applebee's, just one of many of chain businesses were one supports the other.
One might be doing great and the one down the road sucks.

[Michael 61]

We are just average folksy people here, but it is not a crime to like aged beef on rare occasions (once or twice a year). We are no better than anybody else and can’t stand the snooty. We like all food and many restaurants in the local area. Gio’s and Francesco’s are both in the northern area and we tend to frequent them. We love fresh cooked food and it isn’t necessarily high priced in many situations. I’m just saying it isn’t a catastrophe to loose a chain restaurant like Applebees. We love the squares and we love our community, you don’t have to spend a mint to enjoy a nice night out here. We also don’t have to pay for or consume food that was placed in boil bags or microwaved to be served to me. Applebee’s is a poor example of the restaurant middle man model.
I’m not a fan of Applebees-type restaurants either - but happy for those that enjoy them and frequent them. I have found that most of these chains all source their items from the same distributor (often times Sysco), and is why the chicken, fish, beef, vegetables, etc all taste the same (pre-cooked and pre-seasoned just nuke it or boil it) from an Applebees to a Ruby Tuesday to a Chili’s to a Red Lobster to a Olive Garden, even to a Cheesecake Factory or a PF Changs. The folks in the kitchen aren’t trained chefs, but folks that learned how to open bags of already prepared foods and nuke them or boil them, and maybe add some pre-made, packaged sauce to them to try to set them apart.

I understand the desire to go out and be “served” and not cook, so maybe these type of restaurants serve that option for some. I personally, living here less than a year, have searched out and found some locally owned mom-and-pop type places outside the “bubble” that are actually cheaper than some of the chains inside The Villages, with fresher and more unique type of entrees.

It’s good to have options, isn’t it, so everyone can be happy!😀

[christiewright]

Unfortunate. We've not eaten at that particular Applebee's but that has not been our experience eating at other Applebee's here and there. Nothing fancy but good value for money and very good service.

The place is not clean, the food is terrible the service is non existent and you are right, it is dark and dingy. My husband and I went just once a year ago…never again. We are turned off of all Applebees.

[shut the front door]

I think that must be it.

The food was fine and the service was friendly and quick once it got going.

Oddly, you neglected to mention this point in your OP. Just in a bashing mood?

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Isn't that Covid funding just about coming to a end??

The unemployment "bonuses" ended over a year ago, and the regular unemployment in the state of Florida is only for 12 weeks. So anyone who became unemployed as a result of COVID shut-downs and hasn't returned to work, has been unemployed, with NO benefits, for over a year.

[ahrens fox]

Sorry you didn't like Applebees . We eat there frequently so we must find the food and service to be very good.

[Arctic Fox]

Oddly, you neglected to mention this point in your OP. Just in a bashing mood?

If I had been "bashing" I would not have mentioned it in a subsequent post, either.

The place was dark and dingy, the 15 minute wait when the place was mainly empty was annoying and the numerous uncleared/uncleaned tables were unattractive. In my book, the "fine" food and good service did not outweigh the negatives, when there are plenty of alternative places to go for dinner.

Sorry if you disagree - that is your prerogative - so please do continue to enjoy your visits to Applebee's.

[Nana2Teddy]

I’m not a fan of Applebees-type restaurants either - but happy for those that enjoy them and frequent them. I have found that most of these chains all source their items from the same distributor (often times Sysco), and is why the chicken, fish, beef, vegetables, etc all taste the same (pre-cooked and pre-seasoned just nuke it or boil it) from an Applebees to a Ruby Tuesday to a Chili’s to a Red Lobster to a Olive Garden, even to a Cheesecake Factory or a PF Changs. The folks in the kitchen aren’t trained chefs, but folks that learned how to open bags of already prepared foods and nuke them or boil them, and maybe add some pre-made, packaged sauce to them to try to set them apart.

I understand the desire to go out and be “served” and not cook, so maybe these type of restaurants serve that option for some. I personally, living here less than a year, have searched out and found some locally owned mom-and-pop type places outside the “bubble” that are actually cheaper than some of the chains inside The Villages, with fresher and more unique type of entrees.

It’s good to have options, isn’t it, so everyone can be happy!😀

Would love to know where you go outside the bubble. Maybe in a new post someday? I really enjoy your posts as a newbie too here in TV.

[theorem painter]

Why is this happening now??
I was talking to two late-20s on an airplane out of Orlando. They basically said that they had been working in the restaurant business for years. When covid struck they decided that they needed careers that would be more stable and both got jobs working from home even with a cut in pay.

[Michael 61]

Would love to know where you go outside the bubble. Maybe in a new post someday? I really enjoy your posts as a newbie too here in TV.

Thanks Nana —

I tried to send you a private message, but your profile is not set up to allow me.

I have a rather sizable list of really good places outside the bubble that I have tried since moving here (I eat out probably 5-6 times per week).

In the interest of brevity, here are a few:

Mt Dora - Goblin Market
Clermont - Guru and Clermont Fish House
Wildwood - Miz Kathi’s Cotillion Cafe
Lake Panasoffkee - Catfish Johnny’s
Inverness - The Diner (Breakfast)
Ocala - Haeorum Foods / Cafe Havana / Amrit Palace / Bagelicious / Yummy House
Leesburg - Turner’s
Tavares - Fish Camp / Tiki West / BTW