Why are Applebee's steaks so small? (Applebee marketing ploy!)

...is what I wondered aloud to my family after I got my Grilled Onion Sirloin with Stout Sauce. Clearly, I am no meat aficionado, but as your average every-man who dines out occasionally, I expected much more out of a $16 entree.

Here's the reality:


Now compare it to this ad of the same dish on Applebee's website (screen capped on 12/26/2015):


Clearly, the reality doesn't meet the expectations. Also, notice the pricing is inaccurate as of 12/26/2015. In all honestly, I'm sure if they plopped the sirloin they served me tonight on a scale, it would more or less weigh out the 7 oz. as promised. But the marketing ploy is obvious. Even the steak on the menu looked larger. It's definitely the onion slice they used in the model if you can believe that the potato chunks are one to one with the actual thing.

Personally I'm ashamed to have fallen for such an obvious marketing ploy but I'd only eaten at Applebee's twice before. I don't think I will be going back. Fortunately, I managed to dodge a bullet with the appetizers. Let's just say several months back, a couple pals and I ordered mozzarella sticks at a Dave & Busters and among the the four of us, they didn't last long. Glad I didn't burn the $9 at Applebee's.

Aside from the sirloin setback, my experience was mostly positive. The chicken quesadillas were fantastic as was the guac. The gravy that my entree was doused in my pretty good as well. My last gripe is that I left feeling filled, but not filled to satisfaction. Is it that wrong to want to pig out once in a while?

- B. H. Lex