Applebee's Grill + Bar - Spearfish, South Dakota

Emily A.

I wish no stars was an option.
We placed two separate online orders because we were paying separately. We went in 15 minutes past when the website said it would be ready. 30 minutes between ordering (paying) and arriving at the restaurant.
We waited in line behind two groups, and when it was our turn, we told the hostess we were just grabbing the orders we'd placed online. She says, "Yep. Go head down to the end of the bar and they'll get them for you." 3 separate servers and the bartender all walked right past us. No greeting, no acknowledgment, nothing.
After about 5 minutes, the bartender says, "I'll grab those for you in just a second, I have some drinks to make first." Not a problem. We step to the side and wait at a nearby table, still in her line of vision but out of the way.
A bar patron sends their food back, bartender goes to the kitchen to address the concern, this plate comes out a few minutes later with a different server, the bartender asks where the chicken is, and the plate goes back to the kitchen. Not sure if it was a cook or a manager (male, flannel shirt) comes out and loudly reprimanded the bartender for throwing something away. The bartender looks flustered, and finishes making the 6 drinks, we catch her eye and she asks us the names on the order. We tell her the names and ask for extra ketchup so she doesn't have to make an extra trip.
We get our food nearly 55 minutes from ordering.
We get to the hotel and the size of the chicken tenders is laughable, I had 2 ketchup packets in the bag (remember, I asked for extra), and the chicken fettuccine alfredo was so bad, I didn't take more than a bite.
The mashed potatoes were good (small portion) and the chips and artichoke dip were delicious.
The service was bad, the wait was annoying, and the food wasn't good.
I've never had a bad Applebee's experience, but there's a first for everything.

Crystal

I’ve been to many Applebees all across the country and this one was by far THE WORST. To start with, the server took our order for 6 people without using a notepad. Of course he botched our order and we were served the wrong food twice. Then, to my horror and disappointment, I was served a salad with rotten brown lettuce and wilted lettuce, see photos. The chicken parm fettuccine was dry and had hardly any sauce. Then the burger we were served was missing bacon and had 2 pickles, one slimy tomato, and 2 tiny shriveled pieces of lettuce. It was truly bizarre and I will not be able to convince my family to visit any Applebees location any time soon after this.. 😬

Taylor A.

i’m normally not one to leave reviews, but to order a medium rare steak, and receive a dang near raw one is completely unacceptable. temps should be checked before serving to your customers. my remade one still wasn’t the best either but i ate it and left.

Sven O.

A classic Applebee’s evening. We dropped in craving a steak and started off with the classic boneless wings — definitely the right call. I completely forgot to snap a pic of my chicken entrée, but here’s the short version: the night was… decent overall.

The clear winner? The steak. Served up with mashed potatoes and broccoli, it was surprisingly solid and hands-down the highlight. My chicken dish, on the other hand, was a bit of a letdown — overly salty, and the fries plus mushrooms combo didn’t really live up to the menu’s promise.

The wings, though? Fire. Crispy, saucy, and exactly what you want when you’re easing into a casual dinner.

Service was kind and attentive, though we only managed to score a table near the door — which meant the occasional cold draft took away a bit of the cozy.

Still, price-to-quality ratio was fine. Let’s be honest: no one comes to Applebee’s expecting Michelin stars. But for a chill bite between road trips or errands, it absolutely holds up.

See you next round.

Sarah C.

Spearfish Applebee's was spot on tonight! We were a party of 7 at 630pm (Thursday) and a bit worried when we walked in and it looked busy! Instantly greeted by the hostess who said she'd put some tables together. Seated within 2 minutes. Our server was THE BEST! Big guy, long, curly hair, VERY personable. Various wait staff brought our drinks, appetizers, and food. They had such great teamwork. Food was good, service excellent. Very pleased with the above and beyond experience we had tonight!

Gina V. A.

Ordered a take out meal from this Applebees in Spearfish. Forgot my honey mustard for the chicken tenders. No cheese but a sprinkle in the quesadilla and no dressing. Spoke with the manager on duty on 7/15 to ask for a credit for my salad and he wouldn’t even give me back my money for the salad @14.79. I was offered a $10 gift card for another time. We are not from here and I am not going in for the card that won’t even cover the replacement of my salad. Ticket 519 - Applebees do better!

Villain

Burger with bacon didnt even have half a piece....very crusty burger. Quesodilla crumbled and had almost nothing in it. This meal made me sad....

Cassandra N.

Ordered a steak WELL DONE, Shouldn't be able to screw that up. Got the steak to the table and it was rare, sent it back and when they brought it back it was STILL rare. The 3rd time it wasnt even the 8oz steak we ordered and it tasted terrible. The other food was ok, nothing super exciting to say about it. We did get the steak taken off the bill. The waitress wasn't helpful at all and the rude looks were uncalled for. Normally our experience isn't bad and it could just be new people on board but after tonight I'm not sure we will go back any time soon.