For those of you who are unaware, Wallace Community College’s theatre and music department is performing “Hairspray” tonight and tomorrow night. (They also performed last night as well.)
For those of you who are skeptical about going to see the play, I strongly encourage you to somehow reconsider because of how freakin’ amazing it was!
Never mind that I know the people playing the lead roles (and some of the other roles) and that I’m partially writing this blog to advertise for them. This group of students did a truly outstanding job; the theatre was so packed that all the seats in the auditorium were taken and folding chairs had to be set out.
After the show, we went to eat at Applebee’s. I had predicted we would go out to eat, and with only five dollars in cash in my pocket (well, seven if you count the coins), I knew choosing an item on the menu would be loads of fun.
The Applebee’s adventure really pushed me to my spendthrift edge, and my careful, watchful eye discovered a treasure buried skillfully within the Applebee’s menu. For only $1.99, one could have bread sticks with one’s meal!
So, I tested the waters with our server and asked if I could order just the bread sticks. Never mind that the bread sticks were only four in number, or that I paid roughly a little over fifty cents for each of them; I beat the menu, the restaurant, the system!
It would’ve helped not having a tremendous stress headache manifesting as a stabbing pain behind my right eye, but you can’t win everything.
I really liked the energy at Applebee’s, and it happened to be karaoke night, so I couldn’t hear myself think while I was being blinded with the headache.
But one thing is for sure, and Caleb was the one who warned us: the service at Applebee’s is not top-notch. First, the host was rude to our large party instead of trying to work with us. Second, our server was slow and just kind of…stopped…a few times to talk to her friends or whatever.
Now, given, the place was packed, and she did forewarn us that she was picking up tables that weren’t in her section. And that’s fine. But being steadily busy and drifting off to sit down to talk with your friends are two totally different things.
As for the food, I think I all around like Applebee’s selections better than Friday’s. I felt like the menu had more items on it that were vegetarian friendly. Caleb and Seth ordered an appetizer of the Potato Twisters, which are literally potatoes that have been cut into twisty shapes and seasoned. One of the interesting flavors of the Twisters was the splash of lime that had been added to them at some point.
The Potato Twisters came with the Queso Blanco, a spicy cheese dip that was surprisingly good. The Queso Blanco can also be an appetizer on its own, served with tortilla chips.
The bread sticks were so-so. I could make better for myself.
As a child, I remember ordering the Mozzarella Sticks at Applebee’s, almost like clockwork. I had sit and think for a second about what my favorite food there was in childhood. Luckily, I’m far more adventurous now.
So, I would check out Applebee’s again for the chance to try some of their great food and the fun, bar-like atmosphere (people in the audience were singing along to the karaoke songs), but I would avoid them for the poor service.
Also, I forgot my rating scale on here. I’ll have to officially establish it one day.
Go get your nosh on!
Beaux
Applebee’s is one of my favorite places and given that my daughter-in=law and niece both work at Chili’s you would think otherwise.
My sis and I order the $20.00 meal for 2 and order the appetizer for my Mom. So we both have steaks and Mom gets the appetizer which is plenty for her as she rarely eats it all. We usually get out for $30 to $35. including tax and tip.
On the service note: It has always been great but I must admit since we are retired we go at odd hours when there are not many people in the restaurant. Food is exceptional and if it isn’t they are gracious about fixing it whatever it takes.
My sister gives out Applebee’s gift certificates each year for gifts. So you can see it is one of our favorites. Good portions too.
On my restaurant scale of 1 being poor in all areas to 10 being excellant in all areas (service, cleanliness, food and drink quality as well as cost vs. product) Applebee’s generally gets a 7 or 8 which is high for me. I was in food service management (Sheraton Hotels) by way of explanation so I am not the easiest to please.
Feel free to use my scale if you like.
Thanks, Sharpshooter. As always, I appreciate your comments and your insight. You and Gigi definitely seem like you’re two peas in a pod!
And thanks for the scale; I’ll post that in the next blog and try to remember it from now on!
LOL – Can you imagine – Gigi and I grew up together – Have been away from each other for years and years and yet still so much in tune. Amazingly we have changed over the years but changed in the same direction.