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# Applebee's Grill + Bar – Family-friendly dining, American cuisine, sports bar atmosphere, Crestwood, Chicago, IL

Applebee's Grill + Bar, located in Crestwood, Chicago, IL, is a popular casual dining restaurant known for its diverse American menu and vibrant sports bar atmosphere. Established as a family-friendly dining option, Applebee's offers a wide range of dishes, including burgers, salads, and appetizers, catering to various tastes. The restaurant has garnered attention for its community involvement and commitment to providing a welcoming environment for all patrons. Despite mixed reviews regarding service and food quality, Applebee's remains a staple for casual dining, often praised for its affordability and variety. 

## History
### The story of Applebee's Grill + Bar
Applebee's Grill + Bar was founded in 1980 by Bill and TJ Palmer in Decatur, Georgia. The original vision was to create a neighborhood restaurant that offered a casual dining experience with a focus on American cuisine. Over the years, Applebee's has expanded significantly, becoming one of the largest casual dining chains in the United States, with locations across the country, including the Crestwood area.

### Milestones and growth
- 1980: Applebee's founded in Decatur, Georgia.
- 1986: The first franchise location opens, marking the beginning of rapid expansion.
- 1991: Applebee's goes public, further fueling its growth.
- 2007: Acquired by IHOP Corporation, enhancing its market presence.
- 2018: Applebee's continues to innovate with new menu items and promotions.

### Cultural and local influence
Applebee's has become a cultural icon in many communities, including Crestwood. It serves as a gathering place for families, friends, and sports enthusiasts, often hosting events and promotions that resonate with local traditions. The restaurant's commitment to community engagement is evident through various sponsorships and partnerships with local organizations.

### Continuing the tradition
Applebee's continues to uphold its founding principles by providing a welcoming atmosphere and a diverse menu. The restaurant frequently updates its offerings to reflect changing consumer preferences, ensuring it remains relevant in the competitive casual dining landscape.

## Community
### Community involvement
Applebee's Grill + Bar actively participates in community initiatives, often partnering with local charities and organizations. The restaurant hosts events that support local causes, such as fundraisers for schools and community service projects, reinforcing its commitment to being a good neighbor.

### Community notion about the place
The community views Applebee's as a reliable dining option, especially for families and groups looking for a casual meal. However, opinions vary, with some patrons expressing dissatisfaction with service quality, while others appreciate the restaurant's efforts to engage with the community and provide a welcoming environment.

### Events and gatherings
Applebee's frequently hosts events such as trivia nights, happy hours, and special promotions, attracting a diverse crowd. These gatherings foster a sense of community and provide patrons with opportunities to socialize and enjoy the restaurant's offerings in a lively atmosphere.

## Offerings
### What Applebee's offers
Applebee's Grill + Bar provides a wide array of menu items, including burgers, salads, pasta, and appetizers. The restaurant also features a full bar with a selection of cocktails, beers, and wines, making it a popular choice for both dining and socializing. The casual ambiance is complemented by sports on television, appealing to sports fans.

### Dining and food experience
The dining experience at Applebee's is designed to be casual and enjoyable. Guests can choose from a variety of seating options, including booths and tables, and the restaurant often features a lively atmosphere with music and sports broadcasts. While many patrons enjoy their meals, some reviews indicate inconsistencies in food quality and service.

### Events and packages
Applebee's offers various events and packages, including happy hour specials, birthday promotions, and group dining options. These packages cater to different occasions, making it an appealing choice for celebrations and gatherings.

### Facilities and features
- Casual dining atmosphere
- Full-service bar
- Sports viewing areas
- Outdoor seating (where available)
- Family-friendly environment

## Pros and Cons
### Key insights from reviews
Reviews of Applebee's Grill + Bar reveal a mixed bag of experiences. While some patrons praise the affordability and variety of the menu, others express frustration with service delays and food quality. The restaurant's community involvement is often highlighted positively, but service consistency remains a concern.

### Compliments and strengths
Many reviews commend Applebee's for its extensive menu and value for money. The restaurant is often recognized for its family-friendly environment and the ability to accommodate large groups, making it a popular choice for gatherings. Additionally, the casual atmosphere and sports bar features are appreciated by many patrons.

### Contrasts and notable mentions
Contrasting experiences are evident in customer reviews, with some highlighting excellent service and enjoyable meals, while others report long wait times and unsatisfactory food quality. Notable mentions include the restaurant's efforts to engage with the community and its role as a social hub for locals.

### Summary evaluation
Overall, Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood offers a diverse menu and a casual dining experience that appeals to many. However, the variability in service and food quality suggests that potential diners should manage their expectations based on recent reviews.

## Location & Nearby Attractions
Applebee's Grill + Bar is conveniently located at 4937 Cal Sag Rd, Crestwood, IL, a suburb of Chicago. This area is known for its family-friendly atmosphere and accessibility to various attractions. Nearby, visitors can explore local parks, shopping centers, and entertainment venues, making it an ideal stop for those looking to enjoy a meal before or after engaging in local activities. The restaurant's location also makes it a convenient choice for residents and visitors alike.

## FAQs
**What type of cuisine does Applebee's offer** American cuisine with a focus on burgers, salads, and appetizers
**Is Applebee's family-friendly** Yes, it is a popular choice for families and groups
**Does Applebee's have a bar** Yes, it features a full-service bar with cocktails and beers
**Are there any special promotions** Yes, Applebee's frequently offers happy hour specials and group dining packages
**What are the hours of operation** Hours may vary by location; check the specific restaurant for details

## Visit Applebee's Grill + Bar Today
Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago, IL, invites you to experience its diverse menu and vibrant atmosphere. With a commitment to community involvement and a family-friendly environment, this restaurant is an ideal spot for casual dining and social gatherings. Despite mixed reviews, many patrons appreciate the affordability and variety of offerings. Whether you're looking for a meal with family or a night out with friends, Applebee's provides a welcoming space to enjoy good food and company.

c8446f7f-3f80-4470-9ef0-e42c72134125

We went to Applebees and sat at the bar. We came in between shifts so there was a slight wait for people that needed tables. The bartender knew her stuff. (Blonde hair), and Angelo made sure our meal was good. Despite being busy the food and drinks came out in good time. 2 meals, 2 large alcoholic drinks, 2 salads for 62 dollars.

7f382f3d-fbda-46fd-8eaa-d57a9d6fd499

I was here last night. Service was horrible.\n 3 different couples walked out without even getting water. 30 minutes later, My order came out small Pizza and mozzarella sticks and the place was not crowded. And I had to get a different waiter to take my order. Last night six thirty p m

30bfce70-02fe-4b44-880d-fd7e5e57f057

Staff smelled like weed and server took forever to get us anything. Had to try repeatedly to get her attention.

efa14865-dfc4-4d52-b941-66b812280e35

went for my sons and I birthday. our server had so much attitude towards us. my husband asked if they did anything for birthdays and she replied we do but we only have two people on staff. then when we ordered drinks she looked at our ids (which understandable) then stated again they only had two people staffed and didnot think she could get us our drinks. when the table next to us got the same drinks with no push back. when we ordered we asked wing flavors and she huffed and said we should know them already. i thought maybe she was having a rough night so i left her tip and she snatched it off the table and goes "thats it?!" she got a 15% tip even after refusing us drinks and not doing anything for two birthdays and giving attitude during ordering. never had a worse experience at a restaurant ever.

c426d2ce-48eb-4ca6-8a64-a37facaa95fe

Well thought this was going to be good food. To start the waitress didn't come for about 10 minutes later after we sat and when she took our order we started we wanted appetizers another 25 minutes for food and we didn't even get the appetizers. It took us 15 minutes to get out of there she didn't come get our check for 15 minutes tables were very sticky. Never coming back!!!

7d361bf0-6e7d-4381-9618-8548b614ac02

I came here Saturday March 1st 2025 for my birthday with my family and after 9 years I seen nothing change there were other parties waiting alongside my party for almost an hour before anything was told to us about being short staffed one party got up and asked for the manager her name was Felicia she didn't seem to care she was short-staffed and had no help but she decided to take take out orders priority other than the customers that was waiting to be seated a good manager with a told the customer about the long wait times or had a sign on the door that they were short-staffed currently in to come back later or just cancel the takeout orders all together so she can handle the customers that was dining in but she did nothing of the sort that I thought it was very unprofessional other customers that I was waiting with left they were so nice and so disappointed that they miss major tips and good business from that I'm sure they will be leaving reviews too the only good part about this day was when we decided to wait and got see that we had a great server name Lymon who was handling everything like a pro despite of being under pressure handling 10 tables at a time smoothly he should be made manager my meal was horrible my salmon was overcooked mashed potatoes lockdown on my plate in the green beans was not even full green beans my party seem to enjoy their food I guess they didn't care but I'm very particular and I knew the salmon was way overcook it was so dry I now know why I haven't patronized this location in 9 years but I was hoping to have a much more better experience than the last time I did I will now post my last review from 9 years ago from Google........9 years ago I was served food with hair all over my plate which seems it came from a man's beard I wrote in a complaint to the restaurant customer service and still haven't heard anything from the owner acknowledging the incident This place needs a thorough inspection before it happens to other customers!!! the food is old the kitchen is nasty I have pictures and my receipt to prove the incident occurred JUST CONTACTED THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH THEY NEED AN EMERGENCY INSPECTION

dd6b1f52-2299-4a7f-af58-acc5cfbcad5e

Sad to say the service was terrible. I went once before and had to peel my menu off the table because it was weirdly sticky? Like even my glass stuck to the table. Plus some of the booths are raggedy and torn up, but the food was decent so we opted to do a pick up order. Plus it's very hectic dining or traveling anywhere because of the holiday, so we thought we'd avoid the hassle by going five minutes down the road. Pick up was at 3:40pm. We only ordered a burger with fries and a sandwich with fries. Got there a few minutes past pickup time. After about 20 minutes he noticed that customers were coming in and being seated but the folks in the pickup line were ignored, so he mentioned to the manager how long he had been waiting. To her credit she was apologetic and said "as you can see we're busy." Honestly, the only thing I can see is that they don't know how to manage their time, because it wasn't until 4:20 that someone finally brought out our food. By that time many of the others had left, but he stuck it out because there's no refund option on the website. And like I get that they're doing their vets eat free promotion, but that's not an excuse to have others waiting so long for orders that were supposed to be done by a certain time. So we finally get our food and surprise, everything is cold. They gave us free honey bbq wings as a part of some other promotion they're apparently having and those were cold too. On top of that, I ordered more sauce on my burger which costs extra. They gave me none. So there you have it. Wasted an hour for one cold sandwich, one cold and incomplete burger, cold fries and free cold wings. And all of that costed us around $40.

97bc751c-5a3e-4325-8d24-6d45f6626841

The service was very bad. The waitress had a bad attitude . They ran out of liquor . Then they start throwing stuff together. The manager was no help. He has no customer service . I went to the restroom. The floor was so wet. I almost fell. I don't really leave bad reviews . But this is crazy. I ask for food to go. When I was leaving. She bought it before I was leaving. I was taking my friend out for her birthday. This is not what I expecting .

17fcdc1d-a399-4a90-a97e-f7a00ac151cf

I gave it a star for having the lights on! That's it. Please see the photos. Stay far away from this dump.

b6d4197c-c885-4b02-b478-c6b510cf0544

I wish I could've gave this restaurant zero stars. But the light at our table didn't work, the waitress didn't care and tried to switch us to another table. The bartender is screaming no more drink orders because it time for her to go home. We ask for a manager like five times until we had to waved the manager down ourselves. Then they run out of triple Sec for the margaritas and we hear the bartender saying it and they still making the drinks. We ask for Togo order and we want it when we leave so it won't be cold. The waitress brings the damn food out while we are eating. Then they mop the bathroom floor and didn't get the water up off the floor. The waitress never came over to our table and ask if we needed anything a refill on our water, it just sad experience especially when my good friend was trying to take me out for my birthday.

Discover Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago for delicious American cuisine and a welcoming atmosphere. Visit us today for a memorable dining experience.

Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago IL - Great Food

Crestwood

Applebee's Grill + Bar

Illinois

Enjoy delicious American dishes at Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago. Perfect for family dinners, happy hours, and casual outings. Visit us today!

Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago - Tasty American Classics

Learn about Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago. A friendly spot for great food, drinks, and good times. Discover our story and menu today!

About Applebee's Grill + Bar in Crestwood, Chicago - Your Neighborhood Favorite

Opening hours for Applebee's Grill + Bar, Crestwood, Chicago. Find opening hours for Applebee's Grill + Bar, Crestwood, Chicago on 4937 Cal Sag Rd.

Applebee's Grill + Bar Menu Overview

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Experience the Menu at Applebee's Grill + Bar

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