Applebee’s (144th & Center) - Closed

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:28 am

Anyone knows if there is anything more than a remodel going on at the Oakview Applebee’s. It has been closed and gutted for what seems like a pretty good length of time. I had been in there not too long before they closed and nothing jumped out at me as being in that bad of shape? Was there another reason for the gutting of the store?

There signs outside say that they will be back. There are a couple freight shipping containers outside that must be housing a bunch of the "stuff" that may be reused???? There is also an RV parked there that has been there the whole time that I can remember?

Just seems a little strange to me how it looks and the length of time it is taking.

Post by **Brad** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:29 am

It caught on fire over the winter. Heard they had some structural damage.

MTO · Post by **MTO** » Wed May 10, 2006 9:45 am

Even with the fire and all I’m shocked its not open yet. Didn’t think it takes this long to repair that.

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:16 am

Yeah..

The fire at that Applebee's happened pretty much exactly 3 months ago in February..

If the building indeed sustained structural damage (to the extent would have to be fairly significant) it would take months for it to reopen..

It's probably up 1 to 2 more months away from reopening..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **nebugeater** » Wed May 10, 2006 10:16 am

Brad wrote:It caught on fire over the winter. Heard they had some structural damage.

Thanks, mised the fact that their was a fire. If you drive by int he parking lot it looks like they have a ways to go too so I don't think they will be open any time real soon.

Swift · Post by **Swift** » Wed May 10, 2006 1:38 pm

They're probably still wrangling with the insurance company.

Post by **nebugeater** » Sat May 20, 2006 6:52 pm

In my roaming around this AM I see that they now have a sign up saying that they will reopen on May 25 (may have said 26th).

Post by **Omaha Cowboy** » Sat May 20, 2006 11:30 pm

I saw the sign as well..

Glad to see them reopen..

..Ciao..LiO....Peace

Post by **Brad** » Fri Nov 24, 2023 4:42 pm

This was the first Applebee's in Omaha.

Grow Omaha Market Report wrote:The Applebee’s restaurant building at 3350 South 143rd Plaza, on a padsite west of Oakview Mall, has been listed for lease or sale by Cushman & Wakefield Lund Company. The 5,163 sq. ft. building is available for a new tenant starting in April.

https://growomaha.com/weekly-market-rep ... r-23-2023/

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:26 am

Every time I think I haven't been to Applebee's in a while and should maybe stop by to check it out I go browse the menu on their website and it's so ho-hum that I quickly dismiss the idea. For a while they were selling fajitas and those plus the ribs gave it a real "we're stealing what works for Chili's vibe."

I've got to be honest. I thought it was already closed. Perhaps I confused it with the Village Inn that used to be next to it. There's never a lot of cars there. Long gone are the days of walking into Applebee's on a Friday night and being told there's a 45 minute wait to be seated (because they were busy - not because they were short-staffed).

So, since the building is up for lease in April, then I guess if you want to hit up Omaha's original Applebee's you've got a few months. Assuming they stay open until the end. Q1 can be a really low revenue season for restaurants.

I wonder if the employees are aware. I've been in similar situations in the past where I mentioned something to the waitperson like, "So, I see the building sold and they're goin to raze it and put in an ABCDEF Corp location. Do you guys know when your last day open will be?" Just to have them tell me they've heard nothing about closing. Very awkward.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am

When I worked at NFM we would head over to the one on Dodge by Best Buy regularly after close. I think they had half off appetizers or beers or something. Whatever it was it was decent at the time. But I agree they kinda just turned into a "meh" place.

The one out by us closed awhile ago and turned into a Copps Pizza, which we've never been to. I've often thought about trying it out but when I drive by at night the lighting inside makes it look like a warehouse (super bright white lights). For some reason it reminds me of eating in a cafeteria.

Well, another chain bites the dust - how many Applebee's are left around here?

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:09 am

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am When I worked at NFM we would head over to the one on Dodge by Best Buy regularly after close. I think they had half off appetizers or beers or something. Whatever it was it was decent at the time. But I agree they kinda just turned into a "meh" place.

The one out by us closed awhile ago and turned into a Copps Pizza, which we've never been to. I've often thought about trying it out but when I drive by at night the lighting inside makes it look like a warehouse (super bright white lights). For some reason it reminds me of eating in a cafeteria.

Well, another chain bites the dust - how many Applebee's are left around here?

Copps Pizza has been solid the few times we have been there. Had been to the one at Shadow Lake previously, so gave the one on 180th a try. The layout is just a stripped-out Applebee's, so it is not a place to go for the ambiance. We think the food is worth it, though. They also have more than Pizza, unlike when they originally started.

Post by **nebugeater** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:13 am

As far as other Applebee's locations.

Off the top of my head. One on West Maple, One in Papliion, and One in Fremont. Have eaten at one in Grand Island in the last year or so.
There are others but that is just a quick dump.

IS the one still open in Council Bluffs?

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:15 am

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am When I worked at NFM we would head over to the one on Dodge by Best Buy regularly after close. I think they had half off appetizers or beers or something. Whatever it was it was decent at the time. But I agree they kinda just turned into a "meh" place.

I see the one at Oakview is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Who is at Applebee's at 11:30 PM on a Friday night? I'm intrigued. I should gather a dozen friends and family and just walk in and sit down at their bar at 11 PM on a Friday and start ordering rounds of beers and shots. It would be amusing to see how they handle it.

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am The one out by us closed awhile ago and turned into a Copps Pizza, which we've never been to. I've often thought about trying it out but when I drive by at night the lighting inside makes it look like a warehouse (super bright white lights). For some reason it reminds me of eating in a cafeteria.

nebugeater wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:09 am Copps Pizza has been solid the few times we have been there. Had been to the one at Shadow Lake previously, so gave the one on 180th a try. The layout is just a stripped-out Applebee's, so it is not a place to go for the ambiance. We think the food is worth it, though. They also have more than Pizza, unlike when they originally started.

Copps is okay, but I got it in my head that their pizza sauce tastes like someone poured a little BBQ sauce in it. Now, that's all I taste when I eat their pizza. So, I don't go often. lol I should probably give it another try. Maybe there was a legit kitchen accident that mixed BBQ wing sauce with the pizza sauce, A little cross-contamination as they say.

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am Well, another chain bites the dust - how many Applebee's are left around here?

132nd & Maple, Papillion, Bellevue, and Council Bluffs.

I work somewhat close to the Papillion one and I honestly don't know how they justify being open for weekday lunches. I'm sure the franchise agreement dictates it, but the place is a ghost town. I haven't checked it out on what should be busier times (Friday and Saturday dinner).

omaha79 · Post by **omaha79** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 2:56 pm

ChadJK wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:15 am
djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am When I worked at NFM we would head over to the one on Dodge by Best Buy regularly after close. I think they had half off appetizers or beers or something. Whatever it was it was decent at the time. But I agree they kinda just turned into a "meh" place.
I see the one at Oakview is open until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. Who is at Applebee's at 11:30 PM on a Friday night? I'm intrigued. I should gather a dozen friends and family and just walk in and sit down at their bar at 11 PM on a Friday and start ordering rounds of beers and shots. It would be amusing to see how they handle it.

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am The one out by us closed awhile ago and turned into a Copps Pizza, which we've never been to. I've often thought about trying it out but when I drive by at night the lighting inside makes it look like a warehouse (super bright white lights). For some reason it reminds me of eating in a cafeteria.

nebugeater wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 11:09 am Copps Pizza has been solid the few times we have been there. Had been to the one at Shadow Lake previously, so gave the one on 180th a try. The layout is just a stripped-out Applebee's, so it is not a place to go for the ambiance. We think the food is worth it, though. They also have more than Pizza, unlike when they originally started.
Copps is okay, but I got it in my head that their pizza sauce tastes like someone poured a little BBQ sauce in it. Now, that's all I taste when I eat their pizza. So, I don't go often. lol I should probably give it another try. Maybe there was a legit kitchen accident that mixed BBQ wing sauce with the pizza sauce, A little cross-contamination as they say.

djc311 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 10:59 am Well, another chain bites the dust - how many Applebee's are left around here?
132nd & Maple, Papillion, Bellevue, and Council Bluffs.

I work somewhat close to the Papillion one and I honestly don't know how they justify being open for weekday lunches. I'm sure the franchise agreement dictates it, but the place is a ghost town. I haven't checked it out on what should be busier times (Friday and Saturday dinner).

When I drive by the Papio Applebees on evenings, especially weekends, the place is absolutely packed. I don't know why. I find most of those places to be boring and generally terrible, but they have a following.

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 3:38 pm

omaha79 wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 2:56 pm When I drive by the Papio Applebees on evenings, especially weekends, the place is absolutely packed. I don't know why. I find most of those places to be boring and generally terrible, but they have a following.

I don't know if they still do it, but years ago my sister and her family would go on I think it was Tuesdays for Kids Eat Free night. The place was packed. She had 3 kids to feed, so it was a good value for them.

TitosBuritoBarn · Post by **TitosBuritoBarn** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 6:02 pm

I also thought this location had already closed.

bbinks · Post by **bbinks** » Mon Dec 04, 2023 7:56 pm

ChadJK wrote: Mon Dec 04, 2023 3:38 pm I don't know if they still do it, but years ago my sister and her family would go on I think it was Tuesdays for Kids Eat Free night. The place was packed. She had 3 kids to feed, so it was a good value for them.

I'd take Applebee's over Red Robin or Chili's. And thats no compliment to Applebee's.

HskrFanMike · Post by **HskrFanMike** » Thu Dec 28, 2023 11:11 am

Actually, Chili's was pretty good up until the last couple of years or so. Burgers were good, and their chicken tenders were great until they redid their recipe. And the last time, the price had skyrocketed. They used to have a "2 for $25" special that got you two large orders of chicken strips (5 pieces), fries, corn, plus chips and salsa and a dessert. Now it's $15 for 3 bad strips and fries/corn.

Most people put a "C" in front of Applebee's. And Red Robin is ONLY for families with kids under the age of 10.

Ben · Post by **Ben** » Wed Apr 17, 2024 2:27 pm

Padre wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:42 pm The Applebees at Oak view has closed.

I've got to wonder if this is the future home of Golden Sheaf Bourbon... On Dan Hoppen's Restaurant Hoppen podcast it was discussed that they'd be opening a mixing room / tasting room / retail location in the Oakview area...

Cermak · Post by **Cermak** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:33 am

Padre wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:42 pm The Applebees at Oak view has closed.

I think just a few Applebees left in the metro now, definitely a dying chain. I never thought it was that bad for a lower price point restaurant. But it has image problems, not seen as a cool place to go eat. Talladega Nights movie probably didn’t help.

Post by **BRoss** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 8:42 am

Padre wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:42 pm The Applebees at Oak view has closed.

Carol Kohl would be so disappointed.

djc311 · Post by **djc311** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:52 am

Cermak wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2024 7:33 am
Padre wrote: Wed Apr 17, 2024 1:42 pm The Applebees at Oak view has closed.
I think just a few Applebees left in the metro now, definitely a dying chain. I never thought it was that bad for a lower price point restaurant. But it has image problems, not seen as a cool place to go eat. Talladega Nights movie probably didn’t help.

Extremely disappointing to see Applebees go by the wayside - their commercials currently say their wings were voted "best wing" and they don't even have wing in their name! How can they fail?

ChadJK · Post by **ChadJK** » Mon Apr 22, 2024 3:12 pm

djc311 wrote: Mon Apr 22, 2024 9:52 am their commercials currently say their wings were voted "best wing" and they don't even have wing in their name!

We surveyed almost a dozen chefs working in Applebee's corporate R&D kitchen, All of them stated that the wings they invented are the best wings.

Tune in next week when we survey Applebee's executives about what the best company to work for is!

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