The new Chelmsford Frankie and Benny's (Frankie & Benny's)

Member Name: Nicola_04

Product:	Frankie & Benny's
Date:	17/04/09 (678 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tasty food that are decent portions for resonable prices

Disadvantages: Poor service and cramped

A friend and I decided to go to the newly opened Frankie and Benny's in Chelmsford, Essex for an evening out for some nice food and a catch up. I had been there once before.
I booked a table in advance for this weeks meal out because I had been told it gets busy no matter what day you plan to go, if you are happy to sit at the bar and have a few drinks whilst you wait for a table then that's always an option if you don't have any more plans that evening.
When we arrived the place was full, mixture of ages and party sizes. There were 2 large parties (if it is your birthday then tell the server and they will play a happy birthday song, sing and stick a candle in your dessert!) and a few screaming kids (who we had a table next too!).
The restaurants has loads to choose from, from pastas to pizzas to burgers to other large chicken and fish meals. I have been to Frankie and Benny's four times in other towns and have been very happy with the food, and it still ticked every box when I went this week. I chose a 10" pizza, the chicken Americano, it was really tasty and a great size, I then followed this with a knickerbocker glory which was sweet and fairly light after a big pizza!.

I don't like comparing restaurants however TGI Fridays offer very similar food, much larger menu and a better atmosphere, plus their cocktails are fab, something Frankie and Benny's could improve on in my opinion.
Each time I have been to the Chelmsford restaurant it has been poor service, the first time we were rushed through our three courses and we were out after being in there for an hour and this week it was the complete opposite and I had to ask to order, ask for another drink and take the money up to the server. On this particular occasion we didn't mind as I said, we meant to catch up after not seeing each other for a long time so it gave us a chance to do that however other customers were complaining.
It wont put me off returning, however I'm in two minds whether that's because there are limited places to eat in Chelmsford town area...

Summary: If your going with friends, you got to try it.