Dinner -- 11/19/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710

254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:40 - 6:40 PM

$

Ramona: Fiesta lime chicken with black beans and rice, water with lemon

Jim: Three cheese chicken penne pasta, iced tea

Shared: Mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce

We had shopping to do for the book club meeting we hosted on Thursday, 11/20, so we decided on a quick, easy, good, and inexpensive meal before hitting H.E.B. That combination usually means Applebee's or Chili's. Tonight was Applebee's turn. This was under their current promotion -- "Two for $20"

We rarely get mozzarella sticks, but these were good, and the marinara sauce had just a touch of spice. The dish Jim choose was new for him, but Ramona went with an old favorite.

No complaints at all. We were immediately seated, served drinks, had our order taken, but the actual meal was not rushed. All in all, a fine experience from this chain, which seems to change its menu every time we visit.

-Jim

Dinner -- 7/23/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710

254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:50 - 6:30 PM

Ramona: Riblets platter with fries, cole slaw, iced tea

Jim: Sizzling fajitas, iced tea

I ordered the chicken fajitas, but I got the steak and chicken combo. The chicken was good, but the beef was really tough. We also asked for extra lemons for the tea (You've got to kill the taste of Waco water!), but we did not get any. We also didn't get any when the server refilled our glasses. Why is it servers think a single slice of lemon is enough for three large glasses of ice tea? Don't get me started on the seedy, thin slices we did get!

Ramona enjoyed her riblets, which she gets quite often, and they seemed tasty to me, but I wonder if they are worth the effort.

-Jim

Dinner -- 6/24/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710

254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:20 - 6:40 PM

Ramona: Orange Chicken Bowl, iced tea

Jim: Oriental salad (without almonds), iced tea

We set out to eat at Baris, but as we have done several times before, we forgot they are closed on Monday. Applebee's was only a little further along on Valley Mills, so we ended up there.

A great place for a quick, light meal on a week night. Both dishes were more than filling and really tasty.

-Jim

Dinner -- 4/25/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710
254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:40 - 6:45 PM

Ramona: Riblet dinner, mashed potatoes, cole slaw, iced tea

Jim: Chicken fajitas, with rice, guacamole, sour cream, tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, and onions, iced tea

I am not a big fan of Mexican food, but I do like fajita's and Applebee's has always been my favorite. This visit, however, the portions seemed smaller than I remember. Of course, we haven't been there in a while, so I could be mistaken. With all the talk of food prices rising, transportation costs, and even reported shortages of rice, I am a bit suspicious.

Ramona loved her riblets, but there were so-so in my book.

--Jim

Dinner -- 3/26/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710
254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:50 - 6:55 PM

Ramona: Tomato basil soup, tortilla chicken melt, iced tea

Jim: Tomato basil soup, chicken tenders platter, iced tea

The only problem with these chain restaurants is one common to them all over the country -- they unnecessarily rush the dinner, even when the place is essentially empty. This particular Applebee's was not even half full, and still we felt rushed. Wait staff that hover and return to the table four or five times to see if we need anything are also a minor annoyance. Otherwise, the food was good. The soup was warm, but not scalding hot. I know some will disagree, but we like it that way.

-Jim

Dinner -- 2/10/08

Applebee's
614 N. Valley Mills Rd.
Waco, TX 76710
254.751.9084

http://www.applebeesny-togo.com/

5:30 - 6:35 PM

Ramona: Crispy Orange Chicken bowl, iced tea

Jim: Chicken fried chicken, mashed potatoes, caesar salad, iced tea.

Good safe place for a quick meal on a weekend we didn't feel like cooking. The chicken fried chicken was good, but not as good as what I order at Cotton Patch. Ramona loved her chicken bowl, and she had a good bit left over for lunch on Monday.

-Jim