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Original poster

TGI Fridays. Awful.

113 replies

JMAngel1 · 02/12/2023 13:17

So I took DD2 to TGIF in Trafford Centre as a special treat to mark 1st day of Christmas. (plus she was a bit down as DD1 had gone off in TC with all her friends). We would usually just go to Subway so this was a step up for us.
Now I remember going to TGIs decades ago and it was always an exciting experience - lots of lovely staff, gorgeous food and drinks - lots of fuss from staff. Was really hoping DD2 would have a nice time.
But it was just very “meh”. Felt like a Wetherspoons and the staff couldn’t have been less bothered about their jobs if they had tried.
The food portions were tiny (and we’re both petite with not huge appetites) and I’ve had better chicken burgers at KFC.
But the worst was the bill - it was £48 for 2 meals (I lacklustre chicken burger with tiny fries and 3 small skins of baked potato with cheese and bacon) and 2 diet cokes.
I felt totally ripped off. We were in and out within half an hour / night as we’ll have just gone to Subway for a quarter of the price.
Never again.

OP posts:
MadeOfAllWork · 02/12/2023 14:12

I think the thing is that 20 odd years ago an American style chain burger place was exciting. They are now all too common Coast to Coast, Byron, Five Guys. TGI Friday has got nothing special going on.

sixteenfurryfeet · 02/12/2023 14:19

I just went and had a look at their website, and I'm appalled. Now I'm not a vegan, but I found this:

"Vegan food may be cooked using the same equipment as non-vegan food."

If that's the case, then it is no longer vegan, is it?

They are equally lackadaisical about possible allergen cross-contamination.

PattyDukeAstin · 02/12/2023 14:24

TGI's in Covent Garden 30 years ago - great. Now very very average. Worse than average is TGIs Brighton (in the Marina) - just don't go.

RigorMortisRadio · 02/12/2023 14:41

JMAngel1 · 02/12/2023 14:09

The menu to be honest was tiny.
I remember a much larger menu and yes Jack Daniels marinade was definitely on it.
I think Hickory’s is now more like how TGIFs used to be. Friendly staff, fab menu, much more reasonably priced.
Tbh I was just shocked when the bill came last night and just paid and left quickly. I think the worst was trying to be jolly in front of DD as still really wanted her to feel like it was a special treat.

In retrospect, Pizza Hut would have been a better option.

I agree about Hivkory's it's still on the pricier side compare to other places round here BUT we've never had anything except great meals in there and the portions size are good.

verrymerryberry · 02/12/2023 14:43

Yes it's dreadful. I've been twice once early 2000 to see what the hype was and I just had did not get it at all.

Super expensive and crap frozen food.

It's so over rated we were forced to go last year as FIL would eat nowhere else and it was so expensive for utter shite! I will refuse to go again!

Thisisnotmyname2022 · 02/12/2023 14:48

Trafford Centre TGIF is pretty rubbish, we usually use the one in Cheadle or even Prestwich. We have only been once since Covid, which is unusual for us.

ginasevern · 02/12/2023 14:48

TGI's used to be OK before we knew any different. The restaurant scene has changed so much in the UK in the last 20 years that pimped up freezer food no longer cuts it. I do agree that their staff used to be really good and they won badges for going the extra mile. Last time I went (around 7 years ago) the place was run down, sticky menus and filthy toilets and I've had better service at Greggs.

Allthatwegotisthispalebluedot · 02/12/2023 14:48

It’s always been horrible, hasn’t it? I am 35 and remember going once as a kid and my parents being like ‘never again!’ because it was rubbish even then.

ComtesseDeSpair · 02/12/2023 14:49

sixteenfurryfeet · 02/12/2023 14:19

I just went and had a look at their website, and I'm appalled. Now I'm not a vegan, but I found this:

"Vegan food may be cooked using the same equipment as non-vegan food."

If that's the case, then it is no longer vegan, is it?

They are equally lackadaisical about possible allergen cross-contamination.

Tbh I’d assume that of more or less anywhere. Most of these chains buy their meals pre-made from big catering companies like Brakes then just reheat on site. There can’t be many restaurants which have designated ovens, microwaves, trays, pans etc for vegan food.

PinkArt · 02/12/2023 14:57

It is shit @FrenchandSaunders but, fun fact, Dickens used to work there! When it was a workhouse and not TGIs but one of my favourite bits of London trivia.

weebarra · 02/12/2023 15:06

Used to be the go to place in Glasgow for birthday meals etc, but that was 30+ years ago!

Angelsrose · 02/12/2023 15:23

The prices at TGI are ridiculous and the meal I had recently had a very overcooked burger that I had to eat as I was so hungry. Portions very small. However staff were lovely and made a real effort. It makes a difference.

BoobyDazzler · 02/12/2023 15:28

Yeah it’s shit, I’m surprised it’s still going.

I know you compared it to Wetherspoons in a derogatory sense but Wetherspoons food is so much better, cheaper, quicker and the staff give a shit!

Dibblydoodahdah · 02/12/2023 15:29

The last one we went to the food was shit…even worse, the cocktails were vile. Couldn’t taste any alcohol in them. It’s been overpriced for years but it’s got worse in recent years.

RJ2023 · 02/12/2023 15:30

I feel the same - we went to the one in Bournemouth earlier this year because I normally love their sesame chicken strips.

It has gone downhill so badly.

We had a table booked at about 7.30pm and even at that time the place looked like it was preparing to close for the night. Only a quarter of the restaurant was actually in service, and the staff couldn't cope with those limited tables.

We had to initially sit at the bar because the table wasn't ready and as soon as we sat down it became clear that all of the other tables in the vicinity were either complaining about delays with food or walking out.

It was immediately clear that this was not going to go well - so we skipped starters and went for the main course only. When the food finally arrived it was still really nice but sitting in an almost deserted restaurant with staff set at a skeleton level was not a great experience.

Thesearmsofmine · 02/12/2023 15:39

I think loads of chains have gone really poor since covid. So expensive too,.

I was looking at places this week as we’re going out for lunch, looked at places the dc like, Bella Italia seems to have really inflated its prices(it is now more expensive than our local independent Italian places) and sneaky with the kids eat for £1(small print stated only between 4 and 6pm). We ended up at Pizza Hut where you have to order and pay on your phone before you eat (what if there’s an issue with the food?) and it asks if you want to tip the waiting staff but what am I tipping them for when it’s the buffet and we’ve doing all the ordering, fetching and carrying ourselves?

BubbleBubbleBubbleBubblePop · 02/12/2023 15:54

SaltPepperPotato · 02/12/2023 13:45

I love TGI but totally agree about it lately. Way too much money for what it is now. Then again two subway meals are costing us around £25 these days.

Subway are extortionate!

twilightcafe · 02/12/2023 15:54

RJ2023 · 02/12/2023 15:30

I feel the same - we went to the one in Bournemouth earlier this year because I normally love their sesame chicken strips.

It has gone downhill so badly.

We had a table booked at about 7.30pm and even at that time the place looked like it was preparing to close for the night. Only a quarter of the restaurant was actually in service, and the staff couldn't cope with those limited tables.

We had to initially sit at the bar because the table wasn't ready and as soon as we sat down it became clear that all of the other tables in the vicinity were either complaining about delays with food or walking out.

It was immediately clear that this was not going to go well - so we skipped starters and went for the main course only. When the food finally arrived it was still really nice but sitting in an almost deserted restaurant with staff set at a skeleton level was not a great experience.

I see TGI hasn't improved since we tried to eat there last December. Couldn't book a table for four online or on the phone. Turned up at 7pm sharp thinking they'd be able to fit us in. Got to an empty restaurant with people being turned away and the manager saying 'No walk-ins'.

TGI always used to be ok for a meal out with young kids. Sad to see they're going downhill.

HappySammy · 02/12/2023 16:04

I'm surprised it's still going too but somehow there are always people in the one near me. There's a Five Guys, Zizzi, street food restaurant and Greggs in the same row so it's not like there isn't a better choice nearby.

Pigeonqueen · 02/12/2023 16:08

I think the quality and experience of eating out has massively declined since Covid. It’s like all the restaurants are trying to recoup costs by making portions smaller, worse quality etc etc. Staff just can’t be arsed. You can go to McDonalds and have similar quality food and better, friendlier staff. It’s all just so disappointing now.

DidiAskYouThough · 02/12/2023 16:14

Is it not one of those places whose food is just microwaved bags of frozen, pre-made stuff?

CrapGoat · 02/12/2023 16:20

I worked at the one in Leeds in the late 90s and there were a lot of complaints even then. And it was very expensive for what it was. I was a 'busser' 'dessert wheelie' (person who sets tables up, person who prepares desserts) as well as a waitress, washer-upper and on 'expo' (the last step of the kitchen, adding garnishes etc). A lot of practices were nothing short of minging and they treated me like dirt, NOT a nice place to work at all. I was an insecure but hard working teen and I was often upset after shifts as the managers would talk to me like I was nothing, 'tell me off' for things nobody else would get into trouble for, a lot of favourtism.

Anyway, yes it is overpriced but having said that, I went to my local one for a meal last year and ordered the vegan fajitas and honestly it was one of the nicest meals I'd ever had and I wasn't expecting much. I DID notice that since the 90s, the wraps they served with the fajitas were TINY. Couldn't fit much in them and I had to order extra ones.

I'd choose wetherspoons any day of the week! Prices nothing to do with it, it is just better. Sad but true.

TomPinch · 02/12/2023 16:27

TGI Fridays! I went there a couple of times in the 90s and thought the food was overpriced and bland even then. The whole thing was a bit of a marketing trick, trying to make going to a restaurant exciting but if you weren't taken with that, it was pretty obvious that the food itself was very very very meh and pricey.

There were plenty of better options in the UK back then.

ActDottie · 02/12/2023 16:30

TGI’s is hardly top end so I don’t really know what you were expecting. Just make a note to not go there again.

Catslovenip · 02/12/2023 16:32

FrenchandSaunders · 02/12/2023 13:37

I’m amazed they’re still around, they’ve been shit and expensive for years.

This.

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