Applebee's Neighborhood Grill & Bar

On Saturday February 9, 2008, my wife and I ate at your restaurant for only the third time. We drove forty miles just for the pleasure. There were only about three other tables around us occupied at the time. We placed our orders and then several other parties filled seating around us. After about forty minutes we noted that all those that had came in after us had their orders and were eating. I noticed a couple of the people that came in after us had the same items we ordered. We asked for a manager to come to our table and a very harried looking low level manager responded. His explanation as to why we had not received our order was that they were "putting it together", they wanted to make sure it was just right. I looked at him in a reassuring manner that no one could believe that story since I doubt that the other people who received theirs after a wait of about twenty minutes would have agreed that they received the same delicate care. I feel quite confident that they gave our order to someone else. If there was a mistake or the order was misplaced, he should have said so, I would understand that, but I can not accept a tall tale sometime referred to as an outright lie. I doubt that we will drive forty miles to your establishment again for fear of a reoccurrence. This problem will be discussed with all of our dinning out friends also, to see if they have had this experience. Thank you,
Armond Beaty
P.S. Why do you not have a rating less than a star for service?