Reviewing Applebee's and taking some sort of stance on the expectations you had for the dining experience is like buying a used '85 Chrysler Fifth Avenue and then complaining about the poor fuel economy and awful "presentation."
There's a reason I don't eat at chain restaurants - for the most part, they suck. Nonetheless, at times, we all somehow find ourselves getting seated in the over sized booths amongst the blue hairs and the coloring kids...
THE UP-SIDE: On the few occasions that I've been to Applebee's, I've found the food to be exactly what I expected - nothing horrid, nothing stellar. It's decidedly average, just like any good chain should be.
THE DOWN-SIDE: To be honest, I can't think of any real negative experience I've had at Applebee's.
THE SUM-IT-UP: Hey, it's a chain. It sucks. Taking that into consideration, Applebee's ain't that bad.