Applebee's Vancouver

Boffo Black and Blue Burger. Well, I've officially flipped over - to dirty old man status, where leering at the waitress and hanging on her every word becomes one of the more important elements of my dining out. At least I haven't gotten to the point where I'm the kind of guy making the disgusting suggestive comments.
Point? My waitress was the highlight of my visit to an Applebee's yesterday. Everything else is a blur. Almost.

Colleague and I stopped by for lunch, he suggested I'd like the "Cowboy Burger," which features a patty topped with onion strings, cheddar, bacon, and bbq sauce.

The waitress (what did you say?) overruled him and suggested I go for the Bourbon Black and Blue - with blackened seasoning, bourbon caramelized onions, mushrooms, bell peppers, jack cheese, Applewood bacon, with smoky mayo.

I had her leave the vegetables in the kitchen, and the burger, in and by itself, was pretty good. Obviously hand-formed, served to my preference when she asked "do you like it pink or not?"

The fresh toasted buns are a nice touch at Applebee's too. I don't think I have been in one of their restaurants (there are about 1300 worldwide) for a couple decades, and it's as good a choice as any in the fast casual arena.

The fries were doused with a seasoned salt, a little too much for my taste, the taters cut on the chubby side, bordering on crispy.

Service was prompt and friendly, with the burger weighing in at just over a sawbuck.

I'd go again.