The games you can play, do they cost anything? We were just there and our $30.00 meal ended up at a cost of $54.00 . I am
Ah, Applebee’s. The place where your cravings for cheap appetizers and mediocre entrees are met with a side of nostalgia and a dash of confusion. Recently, a post on Reddit caught the eyes of many, and it wasn’t just about the endless supply of half-priced appetizers. No, this time it was about the restaurant’s table-ordering mini iPads that decided to take a page from the fine print playbook and charge unsuspecting diners $3 to play games. Yes, you read that right. $3! For games! On a mini iPad that probably has less processing power than your average toaster.
So here’s the scenario: You’re sitting at your table, perhaps enjoying a plate of boneless wings (which, let’s be honest, is the real reason anyone goes to Applebee’s in the first place). You notice a shiny mini iPad beckoning you with promises of games, entertainment, and the opportunity to ignore your dining companions. What could possibly go wrong?
You tap on the screen, ready to engage in a fierce round of trivia or a riveting game of solitaire, when suddenly, a pop-up appears: “$3 charge will be applied for playing games.” Wait, what? A charge? No one told you that when you sat down to enjoy your 2-for-1 margaritas! It’s like finding out your appetizer comes with a side of surprise fees.
Now, let’s take a moment to appreciate the sheer audacity of this move. I mean, in a world where we’re bombarded with ads and subscriptions, who thought it was a good idea to sneak in a gaming fee at a family restaurant? If I wanted to pay for games, I’d go to an arcade, not a place where the highlight of the evening is watching your friends struggle to finish their endless pasta bowls.
Fortunately, the Reddit user who shared this experience found that after a bit of resistance, Applebee’s decided to take the charge off. Bravo! But let’s not ignore the elephant in the room: the fact that there was a charge to begin with. I can only imagine the boardroom discussions that led to this decision. “Hey, let’s make dining out even more stressful by adding surprise fees for games!” Genius, right?
In all seriousness, this situation raises a larger question about transparency in dining experiences. If you’re going to charge for something, maybe put a sign on the iPad or, I don’t know, mention it to the customers before they start tapping away like they’ve stumbled into a digital candy store?
So, what’s the takeaway from this mildly infuriating experience? Next time you find yourself at Applebee’s, be wary of the shiny gadgets at your table. They may look fun and inviting, but just like that friend who always insists on splitting the bill equally even when they ordered a salad, they might come with some hidden costs. And who needs that kind of stress while trying to enjoy a night out?
In conclusion, let’s raise a glass (or a margarita) to transparency in dining! And if you see a mini iPad at your table, maybe just stick to scrolling through your social media instead of engaging in a heated battle over virtual trivia. Your wallet will thank you.
Inspired by: “Applebees table ordering mini iPads charge $3 to play games on them without warning you first” (r/mildlyinfuriating)