Anyone been back to Frankie & Benny's since 2020?

[Youwouldntlastandh0ur]

I've only heard recently it was taken over by The Big Table (who own Cafe Rouge) and that it launched some kind of menu which was remiscent of that from 2003 last year.

Any thought about F&B in general?

Ours closed down which was a shame for a chain place it was fine it was near our cinema so was handy.

Yeah that's what I was thinking - they do a discount on F&B's with a valid cinema ticket.

I think they were Franchises so maybe that's why the food was hit and miss .

Been relatively recently - it was OK, food not stellar but standard chain restaurant food. Was the nearest place when we had a couple of hours waiting for the kids to do something with Scouts.

We went a few months ago to the one at Wembley - super disappointing. Expensive and not great. Shame as we had good memories of various branches.
The one in our town closed down - unit is still empty.

Actually, what are the differences between TGI Fridays & Frankie & Bennys?

TGI's has probably more grilled stuff like steak/fajitas/burgers, and more of a cocktail focus. I'd say marginally better but still poor quality considering the prices.

We went ast year it was bland so wouldn't bother again. Service pleasant enough but nothing to make you think I would like to go back.

Used to hate visiting relatives as my teenage nephews made us go there including grandparents. But everyone else was OK with it so I had to suck it up.

I once went before a cinema visit and ordered a mocktail. It was advertised as fresh fruit juice but was in reality a cheap diluted fruit squash over ice. I was done!

We went to one a couple of months ago. It didn't feel the same as what I remembered it to be. I left feeling fairly dissapointed to be honest but it will be to someone's taste.

To be honest though I think part of the reason I felt disaapointed is that we'd plan to go to Chiquitos because we really wanted a quesadilla but it had closed down months before.

Aren't Chiquito and F&Bs under the same management?

None in Reading any more. I kind of liked it for a cheap family meal.

I beleive so, but Frankies was open and Chiquitos has a sign up saying permanently closed. Both have gone altogether where I live though.

Ours did too, if it's not the same one. Frankie and Benny's was absolutely great for gluten free food for kids.

The only reason I started going to F&Bs is because the food was slightly upmarket than going to a McDonalds or something along those lines.

When all I did at F&Bs when I was younger was inhale helium from balloons!

I think we did a couple years ago, it was fine. It's not Michelin star but for what it was it was tasty. I think people are quite dramatic about how bad it was tbh.

We had two locally-ish, one is now a Taco Bell, the other a Tony Marconi. Both still over priced mediocre food, although ds(20) goes to Taco bell now and again for a takeaway.

Local restaurants around here cost the same and the food is much better.

My daughter went to a party there a few weeks back. Food was fine! Seemed to be similar menu that there always has been

Frankie and Bennys was ultimate fine dining when I was younger. Not being sarcastic- we very rarely had treats so it really was special. I loved the fake story, the music, the ambiance and the food. It just fell out of favour but I don't know why. But my favourite ever meals out have always been Little Chef so wtf do I know 🙃

Ours is now a Wagamamas which opened a few weeks ago after the building was empty for a while. We last went before the pandemic and vowed never again after we witnessed 2 children running round and putting the tops of all the salt and pepper shakers from the empty tables into their mouths while their parents ignored them and the staff did nothing. Didn’t even see them take them away for cleaning while we were there.

We really like it! The menu isn’t anything fantastic granted, but the food’s always really nice. The staff in our closest branch (Rubery) are the nicest I’ve ever come across at a restaurant in this country.

The only one I know of closed down. Last time I drove past it has been revamped and is now a KFC.

Bizarrely we went last night for the first time in years. I had very low expectations as previous meals had been universally shit but it was great!!

DS had an interesting and tasty chicken ndjuda pasta, DH demolishes a chicken burger and I had a very nice Mediterranean grain salad with deep fried halloumi. Shared a cheese garlic bread. Delicious all round will definitely go back

We used to go when we were seventeen as they always served us booze without ID 😂

Last time I went was about two years ago - very underwhelming breakfast. Stringy bacon, raw toast, rubbery eggs ☹️

Why does it feel like the thread has been found by the Frankie and Benny's marketing department? 😂