Applebee's

Salty food and salty service. This was a dining choice borne purely of convenience and it failed to live up to my already low expectations. Since this visit was just for a snack, we settled on an appetizer sampler. It included spinach & artichoke dip, cheese quesadillas, mozzarella sticks, Buffalo chicken bites and tortilla chips.

The "Honey Pepper Grill" promotion lures you in with a full size laminated trifold menu loaded with photos, then offers just three items from which to choose.

The mojitos were okay ($6.50) if rather weak. They apparently shake the mint instead of muddling it which leaves it shredded. They charge nearly as much ($6.25) for a Sam Adams draft.

When the platter arrived, there was a large gaping space on one side. I inquired as to whether the kitchen had left off one of the items I'd noticed in a menu photograph. The bartender screeched back that the item I'd seen is actually part of the appetizer trio. Pardon me. Also, having a half dozen staff members lined up against the wall gazing in our general direction was unpleasant.

Celery accompanying the Buffalo bites looked as if it had been cut several days ago and left out uncovered; the shriveled, greyed ends were a dead giveaway. The tortilla chips were the saltiest I've ever encountered. My knife was dirty.

Prices feel surprisingly high considering the quality of the food, though they do offer a "2 for $20" deal that offers value compared to a la carte ordering. The atmosphere is straight out of the '90s when placing assorted objects on the walls was the height of casual American chain dining decor.

In its league and in the vicinity, it's at the bottom of an already underwhelming heap. Just go to Ruby Tuesday around the corner if you're looking for this type of dining - at least they deliver on freshness and offer better pricing in a nicer atmosphere.

Gross...go home Applebee's. Thanks for thawing a Marie Callenders frozen dinner for me.

The waitresses are off in space when you are telling them your order. I have been here four times and every time my food has been over cooked, burnt to a crisp, or looks like it was sitting under a heat lamp for 5 hours. Clearly the fourth time was the final time.