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Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Since We Asked Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Readers Choice 2006 Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Our Valley Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend August 11, 2006 Applebee's We continue, or perhaps end, our journey through the Rogue Valley's large chain restaurants with Applebee's, whose parent company is the giant of the industry. This corporation operates more than 1,800 stores in 49 states and 16 nations, most by franchisees and about one-quarter by the company. Although its stock (APPB on the NASDAQ) is trading low at this point (around $18.50, down from about $29 in early 2005), analysts are generally upbeat about its prospects. The corporation Web site summarizes Applebee's goals as, "(to create) a friendly, neighborhood establishment featuring moderately priced yet high-quality food and beverage items, table service, and a comfortable atmosphere." It stresses a décor that commemorates hometown heroes, local schools and area history. All these objectives are met in the Medford restaurant, resulting in walls jam-packed with photographs. However, before we get to the food, we must take note of the Applebee's servers as well as those who operate the other places we've reviewed. These young folks, mainly female but some male, generate the energy and happy frame of mind customers want. I'll never forget, or return to, a fine-dining place whose waiter decided he would correct my pronunciation of a certain wine varietal not once — but twice! In contrast, the Applebee's staff is unflappable and well-trained. Advertisement Two visits, one a lunch and the other a dinner, found Applebee's buzzing and hostesses just about managing to keep up with the multitudes. The patrons were definitely a mix, with heavy emphasis on families with kids. There was also a fair sprinkling of the over-50 crowd plus a number of teens. For my lunch, I took the server's recommendation and ordered half a "Santa Fe Chicken Salad" for $7.50. Here I must give fair warning. I am about to exult over a salad, actually lipperty-lipping about in the manner of a little bunny in the grip of springtime romance. Picture a bed of greens topped with grilled chicken and a superb dressing, "Mexi-Ranch" — sprightly, with none of the cloying gooeyness of most commercial "ranch" dressings. Crunchy tortilla strips were scattered throughout and a dollop of guacamole was appreciated. I dutifully ignored a similar dollop of sour cream. I sailed through the delicacy and wrung my startled waiter's hand with theatrical gratitude. For dinner, my wife ordered a shrimp and spinach salad for $10 and loved it. I chose the sirloin and asiago (cheese sauce) grilled chicken breast. This dish hit another comfy price-point at just $15. The steak was cooked to perfection and tasty — a bit of stringiness here and there, but that's sirloin. The chicken breast was perfectly cooked but I found the asiago sauce fairly, er, "bold." My garlic mashed potatoes were yummy and I also appreciated the bright green broccoli crowns. Insofar as portion size is concerned, we left with two fine lunches in our Styrofoam boxes. My daughter's mac and cheese arrived fairly dry but resurrected itself the next day with some water and a jolt of microwaves. It would have set us back $3.60 had Tuesday not been "Kid's Night." We were charged $1 for her meal and two glasses of milk. The rest of Applebee's menu is sleek and smart with ample choices in all areas, many scaled for diners who are watching their diets. It offers skillful twists on Asian and Latin flavors, and although the deep fryer figures in the operation, it is not worked to death as it is in some chains. However, the drinks are puzzling. The limited wine selection is recited by the server, not printed. The beer selection is similarly uninspired, apparently designed for the male 21-30 demographic that prefers to stun its taste buds with freezing industrial concoctions than actually waste malt and hops. Sweet mixed drinks, many of them frozen, populate the rest of the libations. My "Perfect Margarita" should have been a killer replete with tequila reposado and Grand Marnier. However, it was brought to its knees by a sugary mixer. That aside, Applebee's follows our other local representatives of large chains. It provides good food in a casual atmosphere at fair prices. All this, powered by the delightful crews that work in these places, have made eating out an everyday affair for scores of people. -- Hubert Smith, for the Mail Tribune Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems California Casinos Men's Clothing Southern Oregon Loans --> GMAT Prep Fundraisers Send Flowers Entertainment Guide --> Casinos Canada Trunks, Footlocker Online Casino Reviews Advertisement s Advertisement