Applebees is one of those place I remember frequenting in college. In my area, they used to run really good happy hour specials, so for a poor college student, getting a couple of appetizers and a beer or two for under $10 was a steal. These days, they're on my list of places to avoid, along with most of the other chains in that price point.

I recently read a commentary on America (I can't remember the title), but the author devoted a few pages to Applebees and described their food as "well slathered." For some reason, that sticks with me and I think of it every time someone mentions Applebees.