Applebee's Grill - Sioux Falls

I had a wonderful experience during happy hour here. The food matched the typical Applebee's quality. Our bartender, Tiffany, was excellent; she made sure our drinks were always full and frequently checked in to see if we needed anything else. The drinks were fantastic! They currently have a dollar margarita special, which is a great deal. I would definitely return, especially since it’s conveniently located in the mall.

I've eaten at the restaurant both inside and through takeout. My experience dining in wasn't the best, but it was acceptable. When I went to pick up a takeout order, I noticed it was ready and sitting on the bar. I waited for someone to assist me, but no one was at the bar. A staff member who was sweeping nearby approached me with a rather rude tone and asked if I needed help. When I explained that I was there to pick up my order, she snapped back, "It's right in front of you; I'm not blind." While I could see it was there, I felt there was no need for her to be disrespectful. Typically, at most places, the staff informs you to take your order, so I had no way of knowing the protocol here. Because of this experience, I likely won't be returning for a while.

When we arrived, they took my name and phone number, promising to text me when our table was ready. I received a confirmation text, and we spent about twenty minutes exploring the mall until we got the message that our table was available. We ordered from the 2 for $24 menu, choosing chicken and salmon. Overall, the food was decent, but I found the salmon to be quite oily, which made it a bit challenging to eat. The mashed potatoes, however, were excellent. The chips and spinach artichoke dip were good, but there was a strange taste in the salsa that I couldn't quite identify.

If you need to visit a chain restaurant, this one isn't too bad. Our server was diligent, and the waitstaff was incredibly efficient and did a great job. I'm sure the kitchen staff puts in a lot of effort as well. The food is what you would expect from a typical chain restaurant, and I have no complaints about that. However, my only issue was with the manager (I assume he was the manager) and the way he spoke to his team. He was quite demeaning, which was surprising and created an awkward atmosphere. Nonetheless, overall, it’s a decent option if you're looking for a change of pace.

The waitress was polite and said all the right things, but there was very little follow-up. I ordered a platter, but instead received a single plate, and she didn’t bother to confirm my order. I decided not to address the issue, but I was disappointed.