Applebee’s doesn’t like Castboolits

[David2011]

SWBMO and I stopped in at an Applebee’s yesterday. We both got our phones out after chatting for a while. I checked and found that they had public Wi-Fi so we both got on it since the carrier signal was only fair. I tried to resume reading a thread on Castboolits but access was blocked because they considered this site to be “Weapons Sales”. I complained to the manager who said she was a 2A supporter but it was controlled by Corporate. I demonstrated to her that the site is not a sales site but rather a social media site dedicated to the art and science of casting bullets and using them. After 25 years in IT she wasn’t telling me anything new. I thanked her for listening to my complaint and told her that Applebee’s was ineligible for my business in the future. She was courteous enough to have me write down the URL but I would be surprised if they unblock Castboolits. MidwayUSA was not blocked.

[JBinMN]

Well, I have not been to any Applebees very much, maybe 3-4 times in my life & you just persuaded me enough that I will not return there again.

I will take your word for it & won't even take the time to test it, if I was near one.

Thanks for the info.

[MajorDude]

I wasn’t fond of Applebee’s before I read this post!

[Plate plinker]

Ditto the cuisine is not that great there.

I wasn’t fond of Applebee’s before I read this post!

[Land Owner]

Interesting. Conservative taste in food blacklists Applebee's (me too), with a heaping helping in their censoring conservative web sites for the coup de gras.

[Hickory]

My clinic does not like castboolits either, however, I have noticed if I am on this site and turn off my phone or tablet before going there, when I turn them back on at the clinic, I can view and surf all I want, but if I switch to another site and try to get back on castboolit, I am locked out.

[Shopdog]

Well then,find a machinist site.

It's like when "they" won't let your kid wear his Browning 1911 shirt to school.....

Get the little bugger a Pratt & Whitney shirt with a sine bar lathe picture on it. So,can't read about your _____ interest? Uhhhh,more often than not,there's a shop full of equipment used in it's manufacture.Have fun with it,you might just learn something?

[6bg6ga]

I don't like their food personally. Maybe if enough people complain about the restrictive WI FI access they might change things especially when you mention that you won't frequent their site unless they change their left wing attitudes.

[pcolapaddler]

Not all that unusual. While in hospital seveeral years ago, wifi would not allow any gun forums.

Any more, public wifi is a security risk. I usually avoid it where possible.

Unfortunately, cell signals in some buildings can be hit or miss - making the public wifi seem more attractive.

Sent from the largest mountain range in Florida.

[GhostHawk]

I had the same problem with Walmart last fall. Both here and Graybeards ONline were blocked. So I just moved down the street to McDonalds, bought a breakfast and sat and caught up on my forum reading.

Now we got smart, got my wife a new phone from CC that has the ability to be a Wifi Hotspot. You have to watch it, phone see's data is on and goes a bit nuts downloading updates. But it works good for my twice daily browsing. Cost is not that bad.

I'll pay 10$ a month extra to have a decent connect when and where I want it.

[sureYnot]

I would have never known as I turn up a VPN immediately after connecting to any public Wi-Fi. Haven't been there in years. Seems I'll keep it that way.

Sent from my XT1710-02 using Tapatalk

[375supermag]

Ditto the cuisine is not that great there.

Hi...
Very average, IMHO.
I have ate there about 3 times...no interest in a fourth visit.
Overpriced and just average quality.
Not a fan.

[mattw]

I have run into several different businesses and hospitals that block the site. Not a problem for me as I have a VPN endpoint at home and connect to it by default when not on work wifi.

[Ickisrulz]

You went out to dinner and instead of talking and enjoying your time together pulled out your phones to do internet stuff?

[Wild Bill 7]

My wife and I frequented Applebee's maybe once a month. We liked the food especially the dry rubbed ribs with bourbon BBQ sauce. Last time there my wife found a hair in the salad from the salad bar. Ugh! We showed it to the waitress and she smiled and walked away. No apologies or visit from the manager. Left note on receipt. Won't go back there again.

[Snow ninja]

You went out to dinner and instead of talking and enjoying your time together pulled out your phones to do internet stuff?
It is possible to enjoy someone's company by just being with them. Every minute of everyday doesn't have to be spent gazing longingly in their eyes enrolled in deep conversation.

[Wag]

Well, their food is better than any fast food, but not really good enough to eat out. If I'm going to buy something, it needs to be a lot better than that. I don't use wi-fi unless I'm at home so I would have never noticed that problem. Nice to know, though.


It is possible to enjoy someone's company by just being with them. Every minute of everyday doesn't have to be spent gazing longingly in their eyes enrolled in deep conversation.

Absolutely!

--Wag--

[6bg6ga]

Well, their food is better than any fast food, but not really good enough to eat out. If I'm going to buy something, it needs to be a lot better than that. I don't use wi-fi unless I'm at home so I would have never noticed that problem. Nice to know, though.



Absolutely!

--Wag--

We must have some poor excuses for Applebee's where I live. I've given them a 1/2 dozen chances and everything is very poor quality and pricy at that. Even Culvers beats the heck out of Applebee's in my opinion.

[alamogunr]

Applebee's has tried at least twice to make a go of a restaurant in a nearby small city. Both went under. The last within a couple of years. I can't say why because we never went there.

[Wag]

There are a few of them locally. For some reason, they're popular in this area along with a couple of other similar places like Chili's which also has pretty low-rent food.

Surprises me how well they do since most of the local breweries have much better food on much better menus.

--Wag--

[Walks]

I used to go to a bagel shop next to a starpucks. I piggybacked off their Wi-Fi, no problem.
Unfortunately they closed.

Now I go to Coffee Bean, don't know what their Corp policy is on 2A. But That Store Mgr shoots at the same indoor range as I do.

[fiberoptik]

Mayo clinic also blocks it on wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[JBinMN]

Mayo clinic also blocks it on wifi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They don't at the main one in Rochester, MN. Or, at least they did not up til when I visited there for some Doc./Med. appts early last year.
I did not have time to use my phone or their computers on their internet connection in Dec. when I had to visit again.

I will check next time I am there though. Maybe something changed in the last year or so, or it is a policy where you are.

BTW, they don't have any gunfree zone signs up there on those properties either.
;)

[Ickisrulz]

It is possible to enjoy someone's company by just being with them. Every minute of everyday doesn't have to be spent gazing longingly in their eyes enrolled in deep conversation.

Studies are showing that the constant use of electronic devices damages relationships. This goes beyond an old married couple sitting together while one watches TV as the other reads a magazine. Society is facing a real problem.

[quilbilly]

Sometimes I am glad that my wife and I are troglodytes.

[JSnover]

Applebee's isn't specifically anti-CastBoolits, they're generally anti-gun. That's a good enough reason not to go there but public/free wi-fi is a risk, I've tried it at three different businesses and had nothing but trouble. It's a cesspool of hackers and spyware. My current phone hopefully has better protection but if I'm out to dinner I'm there for a meal and some companionship, I'll surf the web at home.

[trapper9260]

I have not been in one from all I know of in the years ago. If I have been in one it was too long ago to know.From what is said on here will not walk in one.

[dk17hmr]

My wife and I so rarely go out to eat, or anywhere without the kids, that whenever the stars align and we can I could care less about WiFi and what is allowed and not allowed, only reason either of our phones are on is in case the babysitter has an emergency. I spend all day talking at people that are to busy looking at their phone to engage in conversation about anything that it isn't allow to happen with people I actually care about.

[rockrat]

Last time I went, about a year ago, I didn't get all I had ordered and what I got, wasn't hot. Complained to the manager when he asked how the meal was and he said "thats good" and walked away. I don't plan on going back again.

[bedbugbilly]

I was in business all of my life and I just don't get these businesses that seem to want to mix "politics" with "business" . . . they just don't understand what side their bread is buttered on. I am certainly not a supporter of any of the left but I certainly am not one to "push" my way of thinking on them.

In a similar but different thing . . . my wife likes "Penzi Spices". When in AZ, we even drove quite a distance up to northern Tucson to go to one of their stores to get spices. Just before we left MI for AZ for the winter, she was getting low on some spices that she likes to use so I suggested she just order them and we'd take them with us. She placed the order and when it came, in the box with the shipping slip was a little "epistle" from the owner of Penzi giving their views on Trump and the rest of us "deploribles". REALLY? What an idiot they must be to do something like that and bite the hand that feeds them. Both my wife and I were so ticked off that we will NEVER buy Penzi Spices again. If businesses can't keep their political views separate from their business/customers . . . then they certainly don't need my support to keep afloat.

Thanks for the heads up on Applebees . . . restaurants have one of the highest failure rates as a business . . . . obviously they don't care and want to cater to their "select crowd".

[Hossfly]

I try to go to businesses that are run by veterans.

[Plate plinker]

I try to go to businesses that are run by veterans.

Good call and this meens you are going to more mom and pop type places with real food.

[Hossfly]

Yes we just had USMC vet open shells and tails, meaning craw fish and shrimp, take out or eat there, has a parking sign up front for vets only. I love it cause got an ARMY plate on the SUV.

[RogerDat]

It is doubtful the business is designing their own filtering from scratch. My guess is they are purchasing an off the shelf filtering software. The market for that software tends to be very vanilla in what they want to allow. Hospitals, restaurants, fast food places.

The primary motivation for Applebee's in purchasing filters is probably focused on not having the people in the next booth surfing for porn while you are trying to enjoy a meal. Hospitals take a dim view of firearms in general which given their perspective makes sense. Not that many engaged in shooting sports, plenty of experience with GSW victims. Doubt you would have been able to do much research on breast cancer self exam either unless the filters are a whole lot smarter than they used to be.

I would guess going to political sites would not generally be blocked, however there have been cases of Planned Parenthood being in the blocked set, as well as other shall we say sensitive topic sites. The business in most cases just buys the software, signs up for a big package of filters and figures they have done their bit. I really doubt that Applebee's selected this site specifically. They just bought the same blacklist that the hospitals use so we are on it.

Being on public Wifi and not connecting through a VPN is an avoidable risk, a fairly significant risk too. One I would avoid. I too use my phone data plan or phone as hot spot for tablet over using public WiFi and If for some reason I was going to use public WiFi I would always connect to a VPN for the encrypted tunnel that protects my traffic.

The food is ok but nothing special. I would rather go to Cracker Barrel to be honest, or Bob Evans. Do miss Bill Knaps that was good food, good service and good prices. Then they were bought, split into restaurant and property holdings and run into bankruptcy paying rent on property they already owned. Sigh. Someone made mad loot off destroying that company.

[1911sw45]

Bill Knaps, man its been a while since I heard that name. Use to be one down and one the corner from my grandparents place in Plymouth MI.

[atr]

I tried applebee's a couple of times and never thought the food was that good. Just another reason to avoid the place.
I don't do media or facebook or wifi etc.
I shred all my paper documents and never give out my SSN
I trust no one and I consider the federal Govt an enemy of the people
atr

[mold maker]

I carry only a a flip phone and wear an NRA cap. If that offend anybody, it's their problem. As far as Wifi, I don't allow it at the table, and I usually pick up the tab.
Guest at my table engage in quiet conversation with only respectful laughter.
Thanks for the heads up, I'd rather stand in line at O Charlies than be seated at Applebee's.

[WebMonkey]

yep, no swappin and sellin on this site.
oh wait.....
:)

[condorjohn]

Because the Cast Boolit Forum is not a secure site it may be a good thing not to log in on a public wifi.

[bob208]

I am the most computer illiterate person here but I can did that get around the blocking. I did it when the wife was in the hospital and then while I was in. I do not go to a restaurant to play on the net. as far as Applebee's we get better food at the local truck stop where I wear my maga hat and have a bilge over my pistol. deputy sheriff walks up and says I like your hat.

[David2011]

You went out to dinner and instead of talking and enjoying your time together pulled out your phones to do internet stuff?

I wouldn’t classify it as “going out to dinner”; just eating so we didn’t have to fix anything at home. We’re retired and together most of the time. The following day we drove 650 miles, a drive we make every 2-3 weeks so we get plenty of together time.

[David2011]

I avoid any risk of using public wi-fi by never doing any business on my phone or tablet. All business is conducted from home on a real computer with a secure protocol.

[dragon813gt]

If you’re using public WIFi w/out a VPN you’re asking for trouble. Not only does a VPN encrypt all data it gets you around all firewalls. Don’t have to worry about not being able to access a site because someone has deemed so. IT at the company I work for blocks anything firearm related on my laptop. There’s other categories they block as well.

As far as Applebee’s goes, they’re garbage. Just like every other chain restaurant. I travel for work and am forced to eat out every night of the week. The only chain restaurant that is consistent w/ quality and decent pricing is Texas Roadhouse. Even then I avoid it. I go out of my way to eat at local establishments.

[dverna]

If I banned every business that was anti-gun, I would have fewer choices. I use Amazon a lot, Ebay a bit and PayPal as needed.

It seems that people with Democratic ideals, or who cater to the Democratic agenda, are developing businesses that work and serve consumers. I wonder why that is?

I have eaten at Applebee's a number of times. The food is OK. I will eat there again. The 2 for $20 is not a bad deal.

[SvenLindquist]

The simple solution is don't use the WiFi if you must see this site while at dinner. Just stay on your cellphone service.

Of I were King, no "devices" would be allowed in eating places, nor with people who wear hats at dinner. Tony Soprano knew how to handle the latter.

[mold maker]

Sven, I used to have hair too. Now if I find one in my salad, it aint mine. I have mine counted, and covered:grin:.

[firefly1957]

I was using the Fort Meyers Public Library for internet while visiting down there and they block cast bullets and the NRA web pages.

[Burnt Fingers]

I'm just going to say that one should NEVER use public WiFi if you're serious about your security.

[David2011]

Or do as I mentioned previously. I don’t do “bidness” on my mobile devices. They’re purely for entertainment and talking.

[Jlw6636]

No Applebee’s for me!

[skeettx]

Applebee's honors Veterans

https://www.applebees.com/en/veterans-day-free-meals

[JBinMN]

Applebee's honors Veterans

https://www.applebees.com/en/veterans-day-free-meals

"Hey, let me buy you a drink!', & then sucker punch ya when you aren't lookin'...

{ They support Veterans that served to protect ALL the Constitutional Rights of ALL Americans, , but then **** on anyone that might support the 2A, or something(like a website, in particular, this forum...) that is "pro-2A" by blocking it from access? OK... Yeah sure & you betcha..." they "honor" veterans...}

Yep...

Suit yourself though. Not my place to tell anyone what to think or do.
;)

[JSnover]

https://www.applebees.com/en/contact-us

Here's a contact link in case anyone cares enough to, you know, actually contact them. If you're going to boycott any business it makes sense to explain why.

[Mr Peabody]

Interesting read. I've never entered an Applebee's or pulled out a fone when I'm eating.