I popped over to Applebee's recently, a spot popularly known for its wings, steak, ribs, and chicken rather than its burgers, sandwiches, or desserts. This casual dining joint, distinctly separate from a fast-food joint, is usually bustling with folks at lunch and dinner but sadly isn't your breakfast place. So if you were hoping to kick-start your day here, you might want to reset your alarms to late mornings or evenings.
Now, I honestly walked into the restaurant with a pretty good idea of what I was signing up for: a friendly neighborhood vibe, a pub-like atmosphere, and a variety of comforting classic American dishes ranging from chicken, steak, and burgers to salads, ribs, and pasta. But let me tell you, folks, there was something about the whole ambience, the heartiness of their food and, brace yourselves, the prices, that simply reassured me of my choice of dining out that night.
Among their meal options they also serve alcohol, including some knock-out low-cost cocktails which are an absolute must-try. I also recommend getting the famous riblets that Applebee's, despite its vast variety, is most popular for. Though their burgers, sandwiches, wraps and surprisingly, even desserts may not enjoy the same fame, trust me—they're worth exploring.
Practicality wise, Applebee's operates for about 13 hours daily, from around 11 am to 12 pm. Some even stretch their hours up to 7 am to 1 am, but they are few and far between. You'll want to keep track of their working hours, especially if you're prone to random, untimely cravings. Their website will give you all the information you're looking for and more.
Global presence is another feather in their hat—they're spread across 15 countries now! Only 69 joints are directly owned by the company, with 1,718 forming the backbone of the franchise. A staggering 1578 restaurants, however, are found within the United States, though this number has been dwindling of late.