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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:
Scruffington · 02/12/2023 18:53

ANightingale · 02/12/2023 18:49

Just looked at the TGI menu out of interest - burgers costing around £20 and that doesn't even include chips which are another fiver. Then if you wanted a soft drink that's another £4 ... ridiculous pricing. 😮

Those are bonkers prices! The gourmet burger place near me is more like £18 for a burger and chips and it's top quality stuff.

idontlikealdi · 02/12/2023 19:23

When I was a lot younger TGIs was about cheap cocktails, it had never been about the food. Wouldn't cross my mind to go to one now, you can buy the micro / oven stuff in Iceland for a fraction of the price

Crunchymum · 02/12/2023 19:28

EmpressSoleil · 02/12/2023 13:55

They were doing a 2 for 1 on cocktails so me and adult DD were gonna have one each. Apparently it didn't work that way and we'd still have to pay for 2 and would end up with 4! Anywhere else I've been has just done it the logical way! They are very overpriced for what they are.

Could you have just said only one of you were drinking but had a cocktail each?

As soon as they told me the stupid 2 each bollocks, I'd have said "actually I'm teetotal so we only need drinks for DD"

Edited - unless you wanted different cocktails. Then I kind of get it. You get 241 on the same cocktail. You don't get to order two different cocktails.

39and · 02/12/2023 19:44

penjil · 02/12/2023 18:12

A meal to mark "the first day of Christmas"?

It's the 2nd December. 🙄

Is the whole of December "Christmas" for your family? 🤔

Bah humbug!

Xmasgrinchmas · 02/12/2023 19:58

I went to TGIs with friends for lunch earlier thus year. Oh it was so mediocre yet so expensive. I'll suggest somewhere else next time.

HappySammy · 02/12/2023 20:17

penjil · 02/12/2023 18:12

A meal to mark "the first day of Christmas"?

It's the 2nd December. 🙄

Is the whole of December "Christmas" for your family? 🤔

Can't speak for OP but it is for mine. Winter is miserable. I'm happy to have a month of treats, festivities and light. Get back in your cave, you grinch.

TheChosenTwo · 02/12/2023 20:55

I went for the first and last time about 15 years ago with some family who loved it. I thought it was horrible. Cheap mass produced food. Can’t remember if I thought it was expensive or not, just remember ordering a burger and the quality was awful. Chips too.
I go out to eat a lot, don’t mind paying for good food but I do resent paying for shit food so TGI is not somewhere on my list of restaurant choices!!

Teambyron · 02/12/2023 21:00

RJ2023 · 02/12/2023 18:16

@Teambyron

Is that true? You are my hero - thanks so much :)

Yes! I bought some today! Loads of TGI Fridays stuff in there and all good prices\deals. Look at the Iceland website, they have the whole range on there so you can see the prices and how much space you need to make in the freezer for it all 😂

SkyFullofStars1975 · 02/12/2023 21:07

The local one is empty most of the time. It's a shame because it was so busy/vibrant back in the early 90s - our DC loved eating there. I'm amazed tbh that they're even going still.

catotangent · 02/12/2023 21:09

Horrible place. We went a couple of years ago and it was really poor quality.

Figgygal · 02/12/2023 21:13

The sesame chicken strips are so good!!
But yes its a rip off in there

ssd · 02/12/2023 21:25

Thanks for this op. I walk past tgi's going to work and i always hanker for one, last went about 20 years ago...wont bother anymore

ssd · 02/12/2023 21:36

Good grief i just looked at their menu, inspired by this thread.
Burgers are around 18 quid, chips are extra...cajun pasta 18, garlic bread 6....bloody hell!!!!

LadyLolaRuben · 02/12/2023 21:45

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.

I'm going to prestwich on Monday, is it OK? I did go to the Trafford Centre one a few years ago and that was dreadful. This thread has put me off.

LittleBlueUnicorn · 02/12/2023 21:45

Took my son there for his birthday as he asked to go there, it was around £140 for me and 4 kids. Didn’t really enjoy what I ordered as I got the quesadilla and it was really really small. That did include dessert though and starters. Kids enjoyed it.

Thisisnotmyname2022 · 02/12/2023 21:48

LadyLolaRuben · 02/12/2023 21:45

I'm going to prestwich on Monday, is it OK? I did go to the Trafford Centre one a few years ago and that was dreadful. This thread has put me off.

Show quote history

Out of the 3, it was in the middle. I prefer the Cheadle one to be honest. However DH said he can’t really remember why we stopped going but he said we would go again.

Nonamesleft1 · 02/12/2023 21:52

Have to go against the grain and say I’ve been impressed with TGI’s recently.

always hated it years ago, not been any where near the place since the 90’s.

got dragged there by dd as they did a free from desert she’s discovered.

i very much enjoyed my meal (I’m veggie). Good options, nice staff when faced with DD’s dietary needs.

i went to one in the south east and more recently one in the north east. Both very good. I do sometimes think it’s one of those chains where if you get a good franchise it’s great.

Fraudornot · 02/12/2023 21:54

We like to eat out once a week at the weekend but lately the quality Vs cost is just so not worth it - whether it be a chain or a village pub. The food is always so mediocre. We are going to start eating in more and spending the money on really good ingredients.

SgtJuneAckland · 02/12/2023 21:54

I worked in TGIs in the very early 2000s the tips were fantastic. It was an interesting system, you had to tip the bar and bussers from your tips. I was always generous and quickly found that my drinks were made fastest, my tables cleared and re-sat faster than others who were tight. It was a good early lesson in small business and that's how they encouraged you to think about your section.

It was that long ago I used to volunteer to wait the smoking section because smokers tip more (don't notice delays because they're smoking and generally drink more, also no kids to clean up after) . Learnt a decent trade in balloon animals and low level magic tricks. I did have to sing the birthday song though ...

Used to get free staff meals and 50% discount at all other times for parties up to 8 I think, maybe 6. I've not paid to eat in one since I left, it was expensive for what it was even back then. My colleague took a 10 litre container of jack Daniels glaze when she left 😂

tillytoodles1 · 02/12/2023 21:58

We went ti TGI Frdays on International Drive in Florida and the food was fabulous. We went to a local one and the food was awful and much more expensive.
We've never been back.

May09Bump · 02/12/2023 21:59

HauntedPencil · 02/12/2023 18:38

Hello Grinchy

Show quote history

Love it :)

CountTo10 · 02/12/2023 22:08

@LadyLolaRuben The Prestwich one is dire. If you read my earlier comments the Prestwich one is the one I've had most experience of. Crimea or Panama Hattiesburg are much better.

CountTo10 · 02/12/2023 22:08

Panama Hatties

CountTo10 · 02/12/2023 22:09

Croma not Crimea! Bloody auto correct!

MrsKeats · 02/12/2023 22:10

I got horrible food poisoning from TGIF.