BajaNomad - Applebees Ensenada

Applebees Ensenada

lizard lips - 5-7-2008 at 07:25 PM

Took the wife to Applebees for lunch today and decided to try a shrimp dish. BIG MISTAKE! It tasted terrible so I told the waitress and she just gave me a bad look and said "thats the way we make it here" and went on her way.

About an hour after returning home I got violently ill......

PLEASE, PLEASE, DO NOT EAT AT THIS PLACE.............................

The bill was way too much also. I think they charge twice as much as they do in California.

The Gull - 5-7-2008 at 07:29 PM

OK I get the picture, you want Appleby's all to yourself. It is understandable. What is your favorite item on the menu?

lizard lips - 5-7-2008 at 07:30 PM

DAMN-You caught me...............

DENNIS - 5-8-2008 at 06:20 AM

Applebys....WalMart....Home Depot....Costco.... The only resemblence to the original in the states is the sign. All preconceptions vanish once you're inside the store. It's no wonder people smuggle.

Bruce R Leech - 5-8-2008 at 06:35 AM

wait until you try a Mexican Subway sandwich :lol:

Natalie Ann - 5-8-2008 at 10:09 AM

Last year I had at that restaurant the same experience as Lizard Lips, except mine was with the chicken salad. I was soooo ill. Don't even wanta drive by an Applebee's now - the memory makes my tummi ache.

Nena

Mr Bill was wrong?

Sharksbaja - 5-8-2008 at 12:07 PM

No way Jose'! :lol:

I remember the last time I climbed up on my soap box to denounce Applebees I was lamblasted for making absurd comparisons.
Ok, I won't do that again. You just gotta learn for yourself. Right Lips? :rolleyes:

Appleturds

capt. mike - 5-8-2008 at 12:34 PM

sorry..........but WHY would anyone go to a USA chain place in mexico when there are so many great independent restaurants to sample??!!

Bob H - 5-8-2008 at 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
sorry..........but WHY would anyone go to a USA chain place in mexico when there are so many great independent restaurants to sample??!!

Grande DITTO!
Bob H

bajaguy - 5-8-2008 at 12:50 PM

Such as Mario's, just a short distance from Applebees, on the road to El Faro Beach/Resort

(Note- Edited to replace "Like" with Such as)

[Edited on 5-8-2008 by bajaguy]

Natalie Ann - 5-8-2008 at 01:28 PM

I'd never eaten at an Applebee's even in the U.S. I went because my Mexican friend really wanted to try it out. She thought that the food would be different from her normal fare (it was) and really good (it wasn't). I guess you could say we went for the adventure. :lol:

Never again! :no:

From now on I stick to street tacos.

Nena

lizard lips - 5-8-2008 at 04:27 PM

Yes Sharks, your right!.................I went there because it was close to the house and I really wanted to give it a chance. I've eaten at Applebee"s in Monterrey Mx. and it wasn't too bad. My driver wanted to go there but I wanted "El Rey Cabrito" (one of my favorites) but I promise never to go to Applebee's again. My wife wont either-----In fact she tells me today that she didn't feel well. Maybe sympathy sick?

I had better food on the Kitty Hawk! Much better.

El Camote - 5-8-2008 at 05:54 PM

Applebees = Crapnheaves

:fire:

larry - 5-8-2008 at 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
sorry..........but WHY would anyone go to a USA chain place in mexico when there are so many great independent restaurants to sample??!!

Grande DITTO!
Bob H

I couldn't agree more. I would add....why would anyone go to a USA chain place IN THE USA as well, when there are so many great independent restaurants.

Baja&Back - 5-8-2008 at 09:51 PM

IMHO, Applebees is the worst chain restaurant in North America. We are now infected with it in Canada also.

On the other hand, Olive Garden is my fav.

Bruce R Leech - 5-12-2008 at 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bajaeng

Quote:

Originally posted by Bruce R Leech
wait until you try a Mexican Subway sandwich :lol:

I've been afraid to try, yet real curious ... how bad is a Subway in Baja?

your favorite sandwich wont even resemble what you are used to in the USA. :lol:

American food in Mexico

rogerj1 - 5-12-2008 at 10:28 PM

When I was living in Mazatlan while in college, after a month or so away from home, I started to become obsessed about American fast food. I was craving a good hamburger. Back then there was no presence by American restaurants, except maybe a KFC. The first thing I did when I got home was go to Dick's Drive-in, a Seattle institution. Applebee's would have worked just as well.

Martyman - 5-13-2008 at 03:40 PM

Some of the best hamburgers I've ever had were made at mexican restaurants in both Baja and California!

comitan - 5-13-2008 at 03:45 PM

Bruce here in La Paz I can't tell the difference, just the price much more.

Oso - 5-13-2008 at 03:51 PM

The worst case of the "Toltec Two Step" I've ever had came from a Big Mac in McAllen, TX, after 3 straight years of Mexico City street tacos without incidence.

Roberto - 5-13-2008 at 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja&Back
On the other hand, Olive Garden is my fav.

If you weren't joking, that comment henceforth disqualifies you from expressing opinions on restaurants. :barf:

lizard lips - 5-13-2008 at 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by rogerj1
When I was living in Mazatlan while in college, after a month or so away from home, I started to become obsessed about American fast food. I was craving a good hamburger. Back then there was no presence by American restaurants, except maybe a KFC.

My father in law opened the first KFC here in Ensenada as well as Mazatlan. I hear the current KFC in Ensenada is terrible.

[Edited on 01/10/2007 by lizard lips]

Sharksbaja - 5-13-2008 at 06:26 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Roberto

Quote:

Originally posted by Baja&Back
On the other hand, Olive Garden is my fav.

If you weren't joking, that comment henceforth disqualifies you from expressing opinions on restaurants. :barf:

larry - 5-14-2008 at 08:00 AM

Quote:

I hear the current KFC in Ensenada is terrible.

[Edited on 01/10/2007 by lizard lips]

How does that distinguish it from any other KFC?

lizard lips - 5-14-2008 at 09:02 AM

I believe here in Ensenada it is actually sea gull.

DrTom - 11-18-2008 at 08:28 AM

ate at the applebees in san jose.....pretty bad, pretty expensive

Bob H - 11-18-2008 at 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by larry

Quote:

Originally posted by Bob H

Quote:

Originally posted by capt. mike
sorry..........but WHY would anyone go to a USA chain place in mexico when there are so many great independent restaurants to sample??!!

Grande DITTO!
Bob H

I couldn't agree more. I would add....why would anyone go to a USA chain place IN THE USA as well, when there are so many great independent restaurants.

Larry,
I will give you one reason why... and, if it weren't for this I would never look for US food while traveling outside the country.

My wife and I just got back from almost four weeks in Thailand and Cambodia. I must admit that after about two weeks of eating Thai food - we were really hankering for a hamburger! Well, we found the perfect spot and placed our order. It was absolutely fantastic! We did it one more time during our 7 day stay in Siem Reap, Cambodia - again, a wonderful burger was consumed by both of us!

But, that's the only reason I would do it.
Bob H

lizard lips - 11-18-2008 at 11:07 AM

Quote:

I couldn't agree more. I would add....why would anyone go to a USA chain place IN THE USA as well, when there are so many great independent restaurants.

The best burger I ever had was in San Pedro Sula Honduras in fact I had a burger every evening I was there it was so good!

SiReNiTa - 11-18-2008 at 11:14 AM

hmmm...good thing i have not been to applebees yet...lol!!
if i may suggest ophelia restaurant...it's in el sauzal, great food, big selection of wines and really good service!!!

postholedigger - 11-18-2008 at 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SiReNiTa
if i may suggest ophelia restaurant...it's in el sauzal,

Where is it located?

schwlind - 11-18-2008 at 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by postholedigger

Quote:

Originally posted by SiReNiTa
if i may suggest ophelia restaurant...it's in el sauzal,

Where is it located?

KM 103.5, Transpeninsula Hwy, El Sauzal

The food is great... the owner delightful... and the Art & Stuff Gallery above the restaurant has great stuff... Check them both out!

schwlind - 11-18-2008 at 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by schwlind

Quote:

Originally posted by postholedigger

Quote:

Originally posted by SiReNiTa
if i may suggest ophelia restaurant...it's in el sauzal,

Where is it located?

KM 103.5, Transpeninsula Hwy, El Sauzal

The food is great... the owner delightful... and the Art & Stuff Gallery above the restaurant has great stuff... Check them both out!

Here's the landmark I look for on my way south... on the right hand side...

OPHELIAS.jpg - 50kB

vacaenbaja - 11-18-2008 at 10:44 PM

The Manzana bees sucks. Ditto on the I don't care attitude and overpriced bad food. Stopped there last year around this time. Losts of rigs comming back from the Baja Mil.
People mostly went in to get a drink and use the head.

Hook - 11-19-2008 at 07:37 AM

Any restaurant that seems to try and compete with Denny's, I give a wide berth.

Although I have had a few friends insist that the Denny's Diners (their supposed upscale version) are pretty good.

fernando - 11-19-2008 at 01:33 PM

Well thats what you get for eating in an american restaurant in Mexico...nex time try something local

dorbaja - 11-23-2008 at 05:33 PM

Yum to Ophelia. The only US chain I LOVE is Calif. Pizza Kitchen: especially thai chicken pizzas. That competes even with the swapmeet pizza in Maneadero...

cajhawk - 11-24-2008 at 01:13 PM

The Applebee's in La Paz is expensive, service is poor and food is below average. Big mistake; make sure you eat at a local eatery and not a chain!

BajaGringo - 11-24-2008 at 01:55 PM

Going to an Applebee's in Baja is equivalent to going to a Taco Bell in San Ysidro IMHO...

And you think a Taco Bell in Mexico would be better?

Dave - 11-24-2008 at 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BajaGringo
Going to an Applebee's in Baja is equivalent to going to a Taco Bell in San Ysidro IMHO...

Both Applebee's and Taco Bell appeal to the lowest common denominator, regardless of where located.

What I can't fathom here is the lack of diversity. It's tacos, tacos and more tacos. Even in small U.S. towns you're apt to find a choice of cuisine.

I mean...I like Mexican food, but every friggin day? :rolleyes:

tripledigitken - 11-24-2008 at 02:51 PM

Mexicans make pretty good Bacon Wrapped Hot Dogs, have one of those once in a while, add velveta for a real treat just to mix it up. :lol:

Ken

BajaGringo - 11-24-2008 at 02:56 PM

As with any cuisine, if you just stick to the basics it gets boring. I found that to be true wherever I have lived and worked around the globe.

I have learned to combine the various cuisines and you really can come up with some interesting and tasty variants. One example is my Baja Fried Rice which merges rice recipes from Mexico and China. Get lots of compliments on that one.

Be creative and surprise yourself at what you can come up with...

CaboRon - 11-24-2008 at 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by cajhawk
The Applebee's in La Paz is expensive, service is poor and food is below average. Big mistake; make sure you eat at a local eatery and not a chain!

Ditto That ....

CaboRon