Here Are Your Memories From the Center City Applebee’s
The Applebee’s in the former Bookbinder’s is on its way out, as CBRE is looking for a new tenant. We asked you for your memories. You obliged (kind of).
Photo | Dan McQuade
It appears the Applebee’s in Center City is on its way out.
Earlier today real-estate company CBRE sent out a “now leasing” notice for 215 S. 15th Street, the old Bookbinders Seafood House location. An Applebee’s replaced Bookbinders after it closed in 2004. After a long run, a new tenant is being sought.
A manager at the Applebee’s declined comment. Applebee’s media relations did not respond to a request for comment. But CBRE is looking for a new lessee. It’s been real, Applebee’s.
The stretch of 15th Street in Center City is a veritable chain restaurant row. Ocean Prime (maligned by our own Victor Fiorillo in 2013), Cheesecake Factory, Max Brenner: Chocolate by the Bald Man (note: there is no actual one bald man named “Max Brenner”), Howl at the Moon and Fox & Hound are all chains.
To mark the end of Applebee’s, I asked people on Twitter to share their memories of the place. They obliged, though not everyone had nice things to say. In fact, almost no one had nice things to say.
@dhm When I was a canvasser/field organizer we used to have our meetings with the director and regional manager at this Applebee’s
— 🏴 ted (not cruz)🌹 (@EdwardJohn) March 9, 2017
This is, by far, the nicest thing anyone had to say about Applebee’s. As a vinyl sign said outside their location, they were a good spot for events. This is true: The only time I was at the Center City Applebee’s was for a high school friend’s work event. I think I had a free drink ticket.
@dhm We actually had our Christmas Party there in 2008 when I wrote for the new Bulletin newspaper. It was classy AF.
— Drew (@DrewTweetsNow) March 9, 2017
One person actually did his meet-the-parents date at Applebee’s.
@dhm Ex girlfriend met my parents there. Could tell things were going poorly when mom sprung for a Long Island. RIP ‘Bees.
— Andrew Albert (@AndrewJAlbert01) March 9, 2017
Many people said they’d just walked by, with some referencing the good non-chain places on the block as better options: Good Dog, McGlinchey’s, Tops and Jose Pistola’s are all excellent bars right on 15th Street.
@dhm my favorite memory is walking passed it everyday and thinking “I will never go to an Applebee’s in the center of a city”
— Brody Clemmer (@brodyclemmer) March 9, 2017
@dhm I’ll always value the times I walked past it on my way to @gooddogbar or @JosePistolas
— John Infanti (@Johnny_2Hats) March 9, 2017
@dhm I fondly recall walking past that Applebee’s many times to go to @gooddogbar
— FatSandwiches (@jsand1234567890) March 9, 2017
Others referenced another nearby business establishment: The Gold Club, a strip club.
@dhm heading there blacked out drunk after getting a few lap dances at the gold club
— Jay Grace (@Jay_Grace_GnA) March 9, 2017
@dhm trying to lift the spirits of a distraught stripper who was just fired from the gold club
— ihs107 (@ihs107) March 9, 2017
@dr_pizza_MD @dhm As soon as the gold club offered a surf and turf lunch special, it was game over
— londo (@londoslastdance) March 9, 2017
@dhm That was my only landmark to know how to find The Gold Club.
— Mike English (@violentgremlin) March 9, 2017
Others had mean things to say about the food.
@dhm I work across the street. It’s dead every single day at lunch but they still find a way to mess up both times I’ve ordered from here
— Marina Gustafson (@waterbuffalo69) March 9, 2017
@dhm ate there one time during lunch hours, only group of ppl in the restaurant, service was terrible and so was the food
— President Jawn Adams (@ThePhenomIsHere) March 9, 2017
@dhm One time I walked in to Center City Applebee’s to see if they had an edible salad. They didn’t. I subsequently exited the Applebee’s.
— Luke in Philadelphia (@tramL116) March 9, 2017
Some wanted people to make sure people know they weren’t going there.
https://twitter.com/randyzwitch/status/839863260153278468
There were also some excellent karaoke stories.
*four words into I'm Real!
— Stephen Pianovich (@SPianovich) March 9, 2017
@dhm I did karaoke there once. The musical department from UArts showed up w/ props and did the entirety of Rent. Was the best.
— Holding Court (@holdingcourtpod) March 9, 2017
And some drunk excursions.
https://twitter.com/DankRizzo/status/839863301337133062
And some excellent jokes.
@dhm Any time anyone came to visit I would walk them past that and say, “That is the famous Philadelphia restaurant, Applebees”
— Mark Macyk (@MarkMacyk) March 9, 2017
@dhm what am I supposed to do with my $2500 in applebees gift cards now??
— Nunzio Vuono (@nvuono) March 9, 2017
But the closing of Applebee’s was hardest for Mike Donovan, the man who once tried to smoke up Justin Bieber at Johnny Brenda’s.
https://twitter.com/michael_donovan/status/839901279006646272
Alas. Goodbye, Philly Applebee’s. You will be missed, by some — maybe.
