It doesn't have to be Friday... (TGI Fridays)

Member Name: jesika_jay

Product:	TGI Fridays
Date:	10/08/02 (1710 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Fun and friendly, Suitable for all, Luuuurvly food!

Disadvantages: Some might say 'tis a tad expensive

As eating out has become my lastest addiction, I am always searching high and low for new and interesting places to eat; I have searched the world for a decent restaurant- and believe me I have found one or two- but none I enjoy visiting as much as TGI Fridays.

LOCATION

One of the best things about these restaurants is that htey are everywhere! There is always a TGIs close at hand, what with it being such a successful chain. You will usually find one in any well-equipped town or city.

A THEMED RESTAURANT

As I mentionned, I am rather addicted to eating out and spend a small fortune on my habit, as I feel the need to do it about 4/5 times a week. It got so bad at one point that I would sometimes eat out for lunch and then eat out somewhere else for dinner! As it was, my bank balance was starting to suffer a little to say the least, so I had to cut down, but back to the point, TGI's was- and still is- on my hit list every week. I literally go htere every week to eat, drink or just sit as the atmosphere is so cool!

This restaurant has a 1950's American theme to it; there are pictures, posters and memorabilia on the walls, doors, ceilings, you name it, the place is covered with things to look at! There are objects such as old sets of traffic lights, a horse taken off a merry-go-round and black and white pictures. This is all bound to keep people of all ages amused.

SERVICE

All waters/waitresses are very carefully selected so that only the bubbliest of people are picked to work for TGI's. They are all taught to be individual and bring out their own personalities rather than just doing a job purely for the money; this is shown by the staff each wearing their own badges, numerous accessories and a hat of their choice. You won't find anyone who is not cheerful working in any of these restaurants, simply because they enjoy their jobs! All the normal boring things about working have been illiminate
d from this job such as being really strict on uniforms, not letting staff have any food etc... TGI's treat their staff well and it shows in the way in which you are served.

The staff are generally very helpful and always there to help you with whatever you want to know, rather than looking like you as if they wished you would go away (like in some restaurants I've been to- naming no names- I'll write a bad review about them later...)

The staff are also very skilled; at the bar you will find barstaff doing all sorts of tricks with the bottles and glasses, throwing them up in the air and spinning them around- stuff like that. They have special ways of making cocktails and this just adds to the fun!

THE IMPORTANT PART... FOOD

There is a large variety of food to suit all tastes, and a reasonable amount of veggie dishes...

Starters- About 8 different starters to choose from, including prawn cocktail, chicken wings, stuffed avocado, soup of the day, cheese soup... that's just a few.

Main Dishes, Pastas- My favourite kind of dish! They have 5 different dishes: 2 chicken, 1 prawn, 1 veggie and 1 meat (ham), but they are also happy for you to change around slightly the ingredients to suit.

Steak and Meat Dishes- There are so many varieties of these- any type of meat you want, they are sure to have it. All steaks are served with vegetables or salad and fries, with two dips.

Pizzas- no pizzas, sorry!

Burgers- Lots of these, including the usual ham burgers, beef burgers, fish, vegetarian. These are all huge servings which come with fries, salad and two dips.

Others- TGI's do a large range of other dishes, those listed above are just the most popular ones. They also do food such as tortillas, enchilladas (meat or veggie varieties) and the Jack Daniels range. The Jack Daniels range are absolutely yummy- you will have to try them to see just how good they are, but they t
aste of JD and the chicken has the JD glaze... I really don't know how to explain it- it's pork, chicken or other meat pieces glazed in a barbequey Jack Daniels layer of absolute YUM! Try it, I can't explain!

Side order- all the usual and more: coleslaw, beans, gravy, fries, onion rings, twister fries, a variety of salads (some which can be main meals) and loads loads more! Ones which deserve a special mention are their fries; they taste different from anyone else's fries, of perfectly cooked potatoes and not in the slightest bit greasy.

DRINKS

There are so many cocktails to chose from that you'll spend half the evening browsing through the list. I couldn't possibly name them all, but my favourite- and a grand example of their high quality- is the Strawberry Bellini. This comprises of champagne, vodka and strawberry puree with crushed ice and a fresh strawberry on top. Absolutely delicous! And it also does it's job well, if you know what I mean!

There is also an extensive range of non-alcoholic cocktails and smoothies. Again, I couldn't name them all, but whatever you want, they will most likely have it.

Also there is a good range of liquers, mixers, beers, alcopops etc. etc...

PRICES

This is the section where people might turn away in disgust at TGI's. The prices are- let's say- expensive! But I can honestly say that whatever you are charged, the food will live up to the price, and you will be paying a higher price for higher quality. If you want cheap, go to McDonalds- sure, you'll get a whole meal for 2.99, but you will be eating crap, which is made like crap, served like crap, and just is utter crap!

An average three course meal for one at TGI's will set you back round about £20, so that's £17 and a penny dearer than Maccy D's already, but I would gladly part with that much more for that feeling of satisfaction that you get after you&#
39;ve eaten a really good and fulfilling meal and had fun doing it!

I'll just run through some average prices for you...

Pasta dishes: £7-£13
Appetisers: £3-£10
Sides: £0.50-£5
Meat dishes: £9-£20
Fish dishes: £9-£20
Tortillas and enchilladas: £9-£13
Desserts: £4-£10
Burger meals: £7-£10
Jack Daniels range: £8-£15

PORTIONS

The best thing about this being an American restaurant is that the Americans are very well known for their genrous helpings of food, therefore expect a more than satisfactory sized meal every time. Unless you are a very hungry person, there will often be left overs!

SO WHY AREN'T I THERE NOW, IT IS FRIDAY AFTER ALL?

Well, I don't actually go on Fridays, it's more of a weekday thing. But that's only my opinion- anyone can see by the title of the restaurant that this is a place which thrives on its weekend business more than others, which brings me to the last point...

...WHEN IS IT GOOD FOR?

Well, apart from Fridays, it is good for any time and any occasion. For example, I have been there for a friend's birthday do on a Friday night with about twenty people who must've consumed between us £500 worth of food plus alcohol if my law of averages theory is correct! I have also been there- a little more often- for a quiet drink at the bar on a weekday night just to cheer ourselves up and keep ourselves hangin' on for the weekend! TGI's is very family friendly, so to go there on a family outing would also be ideal; they also have a separate kids' menu (which I forgot to mention earlier) and have a never ending supply of high chairs,, kid-friendly staff and stuff to keep your kids occupied whilst waiting for their meals.

THAT'S ALL FOLKS

That's all I have to say about the place, now your job is to go to your nearest TGI's and try it out for yourself. Feel free to give me an NU if you d
on't have fun! (um...actually, ignore that last part. I'm confident, but not THAT confident! You get some pretty hard-to-please people around these days!)

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