Applebee's

Typical Applebee's. Been to some that were above average. This one was just okay.

I have a confession to make. Applebee's is my favorite chain sit-down restaurant. It may be mediocre, but it's CONSISTENTLY mediocre, which is better than many a terrible experience I've had at a Friday's or Chili's. My parents have a house near Jackson, Michigan, and I live in Chicago, so the Applebee's in Coldwater is a convenient lunch spot on my way home.

Pros
- My fiancee and I usually get the two-for-$20 special. That's two just-OK (but never bad!) entrees and one appetizer for $20. Since I live in Chicago, just writing those words blows my mind. That's a crazy deal.

- The service is usually pretty good at this location. Everyone is always very nice, and we're typically seated promptly.

- It's right off of I-69, making the location super convenient.

Cons
- Well, it's Applebee's. It's never going to be GREAT. It's kind of like the seventh man on a basketball team. He's going to give you his minutes, and some nights he's going to get 2 points and some nights he'll get 12. But he's never going to take over the ballgame, and you sure as hell aren't going to give him the last shot in a tie game for the state championship.

- Like most suburban chain restaurants, Applebee's suffers from the "no blank wall space" decorating style. Seriously, just a couple pictures would be nice. We don't need a poster of Taylor Swift, a Buick hubcap, and a stuffed fish.

If you're traveling through Michigan, and you're in the mood for an affordable meal that isn't fast food, this Applebee's is a darn good option. If you're not traveling through Michigan, you should consider it; it's a beautiful state.