A disturbing account relayed to me by the person it happened to just moments after the event...

A group of men were waiting at the Appelbee's at the corner of Alma School and Baseline Road in Mesa just last night for a menu. A beer in hand, one of the men asked the server (can't call them waitors anymore) for a menu. Several minutes went by. The server walked by again and he reminded her that he was still waiting for a menu. At this point 15 minutes had elapsed since the beer was delivered and he made his first request for a menu. another 5 minutes went by and he saw the server again. This time he was more direct, not loud, not mean, just a little more direct. He said, " If you don't bring me a menu I am going to leave."

The young lady made the necessary head nods to denote she had heard and understood the request for a third time. A minute later the Mabnager came over to the man and said, " I need to ask you to leave, you are being threatening". At this point the man who simply stopped in for a beer and a chiken sandwich started to explain that he had asked not once, not twice, but three times for a menu. He explained that the only "threat " he had made was that if the service didn't improve he would be leaving.  With this being said the Manager again asked him to leave.

At this point the man took it upon himself to offer some friendly advice. He explained to the manager that he and his friends had been coming ot this Appelbee's for over 5 years like clockwork after work on Fridays for a beer and a meal. They returned time and time again despite the fact that this store offered little in the way of the usual Friday night happy hour. Not nuts, popcorn, no bigscreen TV, no live music, nothing. All it had ever offered was a closeness to his and the other mens homes. But despite these less than ample amenities they returned.

However, he went on to inform, this would be their last visit. He anounced that the TGIFridays down the road would now be the new haunt of these rather well off men who have in the past ran up $100.00 tabs every Friday and sometime Saturday night for the last 5 years.

Unfortunately, this is becomming the rule rather than the exeption to it. I know this man personally and can attest to this man non threating manner as I was once one of those men who regulared the Appelbee's year ago before the woman I am marrying tomorrow changed my life. These are good, hardworking men who want nothing more than a place to sit and recount the weeks work triumphs and challenges. Customer service is something they have a right to expect when sitting at a restaurant.

They have asked that their story be shared here to inform people of the situation a Appelbee's at Alma School and Baseline Road in Mesa so you won't have to go through the same irritating experience.

Thank you M, B and J for letting us all know how bad the service is at this particular Appelbee's.

Note: They, nor I, suggest that this is indicitive of the service you can expect at any other Appelbee's in the greater Phoneix area.