TGI Fridays. Awful.

[JMAngel1]

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.

If I want that kind of quick meal but restaurant rather than fast food I much prefer Wagamama's, Bills or even Nando's which is way cheaper

You mustn’t have been recently - that’s about right

Maybe not, but it makes a mockery of it doesn't it? Either it is vegan or it isn't.

For allergens there certainly should be proper safety procedures in place.

I don't think those places are much cheaper tbh. Nicer but bills and Wagamama's are so expensive. Nando's has gone up too!

We had a similar experience when we went recently. Food was poor. Small portions and significantly more expensive then other chains of a similar nature. Staff unhelpful. Big wait. Could have had a better and cheaper experience with the same quality food in a hungry horse. Won't be going back.

That's absolute rubbish! I've worked for a similar chain restaurant and they cannot force you to buy a drink each! I'd be complaining to head office about that

Everything has gone up really hasn’t it. Fish and chips around here for three adults is now over £50 😳😳. That used to be a cheap takeaway.

£50! Yikes! that is steep. We get a deluxe haddock supper here, it is £9.90 and it is huge - served in a 12" pizza box the fish just fits in diagonally and the rest is filled up with chips. Both dh and ds(19), who have VERY large appetites, struggle to finish one so we share 2 between 3 of us with some buttered bread.

Indian take away is the most expensive here - but 3 dishes, 2 rice, 2 nan, 2 starters (veg + chicken pakora), poppadum's + spiced onions still come in below £50 including delivery. Chinese take away 3 dishes with fried rice + 2 sides and free prawn crackers is £35 with delivery.

That is probably why I was expecting something more special from TGIs for one £28 😲 ultimate rack of ribs!! I stupidly thought the place was just quiet because it was a midweek evening.

That sounds amazing for the price. This was 3 haddock, 2 large chips, 3 mushy peas and one curry sauce. Nice portions but not enormous. It was very nice but I won't be buying it again in a hurry.

We find we can order curry for much less than £50 and there's usually enough for the next day.

£48 for two in a TGIF? Bloody hell, that's more expensive than a local bistro! I'm shocked.

We had pizza express for lunch yesterday. 2 adult mains and drinks, and a kids meal and drink. Was over £50! Glad I had Tesco vouchers to go towards it. At least it's not microwave and they do make the pizzas fresh but such a rip off for a chain.

Fish and chips about £3.50 equivalent at the chippy round the corner. <stuffs smug face>

Used to be fun 20 years ago. Even my kids think it's crap now. Haven't been back in 5 years and probably never would now.