Applebee’s is a popular spot for enjoying a meal out, with a wide array of dishes to choose from. However, not every item on the menu hits the mark.
Some dishes fall short when it comes to taste, freshness, or overall value.
This list features 15 items that many customers and reviewers suggest skipping during your next visit.
1. Classic Broccoli Chicken Alfredo

This creamy pasta looks comforting but often ends up bland, with mushy broccoli and overcooked chicken. The sauce can feel heavy without much depth.
Many diners say it tastes more like something from a microwave than a fresh kitchen. It’s a missed chance for a classic to shine.
2. Breadsticks With Alfredo Sauce

They arrive soft but not always warm, and the texture can lean doughy. The Alfredo dip is often too salty or gluey.
What sounds like a solid starter often feels like an afterthought. There are better ways to kick off your meal.
3. Chicken Wonton Tacos

These mini tacos are cute, but the shell often turns soggy before you finish one. The chicken lacks seasoning punch.
They try to fuse Asian and Tex-Mex flavors but land in a confusing middle. Not worth the mess or the price.
4. Quesadilla Burger

It’s a burger wrapped in a quesadilla, and while that sounds bold, it’s more awkward than delicious. The tortilla rarely holds up.
Flavors blur together in a greasy overload that leaves you wanting a real burger—or a real quesadilla—instead.
5. Chicken Tenders Platter

You’d expect crispy perfection, but they often come out dry and flavorless. The breading lacks crunch and the chicken lacks juice.
Even the dipping sauces can’t save them. Kids might approve, but grown-ups should pass.
6. Loaded Chicken Fajitas

They sizzle on arrival, but not much else impresses. The vegetables are overcooked and the toppings feel random.
For something labeled “loaded,” it’s oddly underwhelming. You’re better off choosing a simpler dish that delivers.
7. Southwest Chicken Bowl

It tries to be healthy and hearty but ends up tasting like reheated leftovers. The textures clash more than they complement.
The rice is often gummy, and the corn salsa feels like an afterthought. It doesn’t satisfy the way a bowl should.
8. Triple Chocolate Meltdown

The presentation promises rich dessert bliss, but the cake often arrives dry with barely any lava inside. The ice cream melts too fast.
Chocolate lovers will be left wanting more depth and less sugar shock. There are better sweets on the menu.
9. Classic Combo Appetizer

This sampler sounds like a crowd-pleaser, but most of the items are just reheated bar snacks. Portions feel smaller than expected.
Nothing stands out, and it’s more filler than flavor. Great for sharing complaints, not bites.
10. Grilled Chicken Caesar Salad

The chicken is often cold or rubbery, and the lettuce lacks crunch. Dressing comes in uneven globs or overly drenched leaves.
Even the croutons feel tired. It’s a salad that tastes like no one cared while making it.
11. Bourbon Street Chicken & Shrimp

This dish is supposed to be sizzling and bold, but instead it arrives lukewarm with limp shrimp and bland chicken.
The bourbon flavor barely registers, and the whole thing feels like it missed its cue. Skip and move on.
12. Four-Cheese Mac & Cheese with Honey Pepper Chicken

It sounds like comfort food heaven, but the cheese blend is overly rich without much nuance. The chicken is often too sweet.
Instead of balance, it’s a sticky, heavy plate that overwhelms quickly. Comfort becomes discomfort fast.
13. Fiesta Lime Chicken

It wants to be zesty and fun, but the lime flavor feels fake and the glaze overly sugary. The chicken is hit or miss.
Topped with a confusing mix of cheese and chips, it tries too hard and delivers too little.
14. Crispy Chicken Tender Salad

Cold greens with hot chicken don’t mix well here, especially when the chicken turns soggy fast. The balance is way off.
The salad ends up feeling greasy instead of fresh. You’ll wonder why you didn’t just order wings.
15. Mozzarella Sticks

They look golden, but one bite often reveals rubbery cheese and a bland coating. The marinara dip does little to help.
These feel more frozen than fresh. Better mozzarella sticks can be found just about anywhere else.