Canadian Stamps unltd: Canadian Stamps & Postal History

I have been eating at Applebee's since the restaurant chain opened its doors on Memorial Dr in Decatur, GA in 1980.  I ate my first riblet basket the week it was introduced.  Needless to say, I have had a long and mostly happy history with this chain.

That has changed.  It is doubtful I will ever go back.  This is a chain that needs a lot of fixing ... food, menus, server training, etc.  At the root of it all ... probably better manager screening and training. 

My husband and I arrived at the Epping, NH restaurant on March 28, looking forward to ordering a selection of appetizers.  I was looking forward to chicken wings - bone in - and sliders.  We walked out of the restaurant about an hour later.  Still hungry and very angry.  It was only one of three times I've ever walked out of a restaurant - I'm 56.

Without going into all the details ... bad service and poorly trained servers, no accomodation on the part of management (Dan's got a lot to learn ... more like he needs to go), bad new menu selections (that's a company problem), food badly prepared, etc.  It was just a bad scene that kept getting worse by the minute.  Before leaving, I gave the server a tip on what would have been our entire order ... he was young and new and I did not want him disillusioned. He needs proper training and that restaurant needs a new manager. 

The restaurant does have one fabulous asset ... Mike Tewksbury.  He's been with the company over 20 years ... starting with the Porstmouth, NH location.  We have waited well over an hour for a seat at one of his tables.  His dermeanor and excellent customer service always take the sting out of a less than stellar meal. The Ritz would be happy to have him.  For real.  It was always Mike that kept us coming back.  Think we're past even that now.  Too bad.

After we left, we went up the street to the Chinese restaurant so I could have my chicken wings.  If I was wondering if my reaction to what had transpired was over the top ... I soon had my answer.  We were treated like royalty at the other location.  Will give them a positive review later.