New Applebee's on Fordham Plaza/Fordham U area (New York, New Rochelle: co-op, live)

[Elvira Black]

It just opened; went there yesterday and it was a pleasant, if surreal, experience.

Just like the commercials, in fact...right down to two young girls swinging open the inner doors and saying in unision: "Welcome to Applebees!" lol.

It was quite a nice change for the hood. An actual "restaurant" with very attentive service, young, eager staff, good margarita, good food, reasonable prices--not cheap cheap, but not exorbitant.

I think it's a great addition to the newer zietgiest developing around there. The plaza has a Best Buy, reopened Sears, Walgreens, and outdoor flea market with some seating, so it's good that shoppers actually have a real restaurant option.

Large, clean space; bi-level; contemp pop playing (Alison Morrisette, etc).

Applebees is trying to expand their reach into the Bx and upper Manhattan, I believe; I think there are two new Bx restaurants now.

I wished them good luck and said I'd pass the word on. Try it, you'll like it!

[Mr.Triny33]

Yes, the Applebee's at the gateway mall is open, Most of the stores at the mall are now open (Best Buy, HomeDepot, Raymour & Flanigan) I've never been a big Apple bee's fan, but it's a local option for bronx residents, I believe the nearest one before was in New Rochelle.

[K 22]

Originally Posted by Mr.Triny33

Yes, the Applebee's at the gateway mall is open, Most of the stores at the mall are now open (Best Buy, HomeDepot, Raymour & Flanigan) I've never been a big Apple bee's fan, but it's a local option for bronx residents, I believe the nearest one before was in New Rochelle.

Actually there's one in Co-op City at Bay Plaza.

Nothing against Applebee's but I wish they opened more TGI Friday's here. Those are better.

[ohiogirl22]

Originally Posted by K 22

Nothng against Applebee's but I wish they opened more TGI Friday's here. Those are better.

I love Friday's...their chicken fingers and french fries and brownie obsession...OH and their Jack Daniels burger! This is making me sooo hungry....

Not gonna lie Fridays is my guilty pleasure

[tpk-nyc]

This is rather sad. One of my favorite things about the city is it's comparative lack of chain restaurants.

There aren't a lot of dining options in the Bronx, but it's an opportunity for small business owners to create places that reflect the community. This is New York, not Any-Old-Suburb, U.S.A.

[Elvira Black]

If you lived in the Bx, you might think differently lol

In my hood, the "dining" options are mighty sparse. Yes, it reflects the community, but only one small (very poor) segment. Pizza joints, bodegas, Burger Kings, McDonald's, KFC and other fried chicken joints, bad Chinese takeout....sounds pretty chain restaurant-ish to me, and not in a great way.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by Elvira Black

It just opened; went there yesterday and it was a pleasant, if surreal, experience.

Just like the commercials, in fact...right down to two young girls swinging open the inner doors and saying in unision: "Welcome to Applebees!" lol.

It was quite a nice change for the hood. An actual "restaurant" with very attentive service, young, eager staff, good margarita, good food, reasonable prices--not cheap cheap, but not exorbitant.

I think it's a great addition to the newer zietgiest developing around there. The plaza has a Best Buy, reopened Sears, Walgreens, and outdoor flea market with some seating, so it's good that shoppers actually have a real restaurant option.

Large, clean space; bi-level; contemp pop playing (Alison Morrisette, etc).

Applebees is trying to expand their reach into the Bx and upper Manhattan, I believe; I think there are two new Bx restaurants now.

I wished them good luck and said I'd pass the word on. Try it, you'll like it!

There is also the Dallas BBQ's by the Deegan. I have not gone to it yet, but have heard it's the usual decent Dallas BBQ experience. I'm glad these types of businesses are coming to the area, it can only be good.

I've been to the Applebees by the Gateway and it was decent also.

[NooYowkur81]

Originally Posted by tpk-nyc

This is rather sad. One of my favorite things about the city is it's comparative lack of chain restaurants.

There aren't a lot of dining options in the Bronx, but it's an opportunity for small business owners to create places that reflect the community. This is New York, not Any-Old-Suburb, U.S.A.

The opportunities have been there and nobody took advantage of them except the typical fried chicken or chinese joints. Plus there is an actual lack of these chain type sit down restaurants in the Bronx. They are actually a welcomed addition. On top of that considering the exact location a chain restaurant makes more sense there. It goes well with the rest of the lineup.

I do hope more small businesses get encouraged by this and take a chance at opening quality places in the Bronx. The people in the BX I've noticed are very loyal to local favorites and if you have a quality product you can do extremely well.

[Elvira Black]

I also think that once the Kingsbridge Armory project gets underway we may have more food choices restaurant wise and otherwise (there was talk of an healthy alternative food store; who knows, maybe a Whole Foods or something like that).

[cotb16]

Originally Posted by K 22

Actually there's one in Co-op City at Bay Plaza.

Nothing against Applebee's but I wish they opened more TGI Friday's here. Those are better.

TGI Friday's is coming to the Bronx too! They will be opening at 1750 East Gun Hill Road (just east of Gunther and Allerton Avenues, west of the New England Thruway). This is at the same site where Circuit City once was.