You have to hand it to TGI Fridays.
Like much of the hospitality sector, the restaurant chain has faced its fair share of challenges over the last couple of years. Closures across the UK, including restaurants in Cardiff and Swansea, have left many wondering what the future holds for one of the country’s most recognisable casual dining brands.
Rather than retreating, TGI Fridays appears to be doing the opposite.
From collaborations and foodie challenges to a steady stream of menu updates, the brand is clearly working hard to tempt customers back through its doors. The latest addition is the new Everyday Trio offer, which includes a starter, main and drink from just £12.49, giving diners another reason to revisit.
With so much changing, we were invited along to sample some of the latest additions and see whether the refreshed menu delivers.
Familiar favourites with a few fresh twists
One thing that immediately stood out was that Fridays hasn’t completely reinvented itself. Instead, it has focused on refining what it already does well.
There are plenty of new dishes and flavour combinations, but they still feel very much at home on a Fridays menu.
A good example is the introduction of spicy rice as a side option. It’s a welcome addition that offers something different from the usual fries and adds another layer of flavour to several dishes. While we enjoyed the seasoning and warmth, it was slightly on the dry side during our visit. Although, if you do like your fries, there are new loaded options too.
Chicken Quesadilla
We started with the Chicken Quesadilla, served with spicy rice to turn it into more of a substantial main course.
Packed with grilled chicken, crispy bacon, caramelised onions and melted Monterey Jack and Colby cheeses, it delivered exactly what you’d expect. The accompanying guacamole, salsa and sour cream helped balance the richness, while the spicy rice added extra substance.
It’s comfort food done well and a solid option for those wanting something lighter than a burger.
Fridays Signature Whiskey-Glazed Combo with Chicken & Ribs
If there was one dish that summed up what TGI Fridays does best, this was it.
The Signature Whiskey-Glazed Combo combines a rack of baby back ribs with a glazed chicken breast, served with two sides and extra whiskey glaze.
Quite simply, we were surprised by the size of it.
The ribs lived up to the “fall off the bone” description, while the chicken remained juicy and packed with flavour from the signature glaze. We paired ours with house fries and spicy rice, which worked perfectly.
Sometimes restaurants overcomplicate menu refreshes. This dish proves that taking a proven favourite and making it even bigger can be just as effective.
Sirloin Steak
The refreshed menu also introduces a broader steak offering, including sirloin, ribeye and rump cuts.
Our sirloin arrived with chips and corn ribs and was cooked medium, offering another option for diners who may not traditionally think of Fridays as somewhere to order steak. What I would say is that they still haven’t updated the TGI website yet with their full range, so you might want to pick up a menu if you’re nearby to see what’s new.
It’s a sensible addition that broadens the menu without losing sight of the brand’s identity.
Saving room for dessert
Desserts have always been one of Fridays’ strengths, and the new menu continues that tradition.
Fridays Sundae
Sometimes simple works best.
The Fridays Sundae combines vanilla ice cream with chocolate and salted caramel sauces, whipped cream and a cherry on top (in our case, a strawberry). It doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel, but it doesn’t need to. It’s a classic dessert that does exactly what it says on the tin.
Dirt and Worm Pie
This was the dessert we simply couldn’t resist ordering.
Featuring vanilla ice cream, Oreo crumbs, chocolate sauce and gummy worms, it’s playful, nostalgic and exactly the sort of thing younger diners will love, even if it does get a little messy.
It’s a fun addition to the menu and one that will undoubtedly be popular with families.
New York Style Cheesecake
The menu describes this as a new addition, although it feels like the sort of dessert that should have always been on a Fridays menu.
The cheesecake itself was rich, creamy and everything you’d want from a New York style dessert. Our only criticism was the strawberry sauce, which was extremely sweet. A few fresh strawberries or a lighter fruit garnish would have worked just as well.
Brownie Obsession
Unfortunately, the kitchen had run out of brownies during our visit, meaning we missed out on trying the newly improved Brownie Obsession.
Given its cult status among regular Fridays diners, we’ll have to save that one for another visit.
The verdict
The biggest compliment we can give TGI Fridays is that this menu refresh feels measured.
There are plenty of new dishes, returning favourites and collaborations, including the new Pasta Alla Pantalones Tequila created using Matthew McConaughey’s Pantalones Organic Tequila. Yet despite all the additions, the menu still feels unmistakably Fridays.
If anything, our only advice would be not to keep changing things too quickly. There have been a lot of promotions, menu updates and new offers introduced over a relatively short period. The foundations now appear to be in place, so this feels like the right moment to let customers experience the refreshed menu and see what resonates.
Value is clearly a major focus, and with offers such as the Everyday Trio sitting alongside larger sharing dishes, steaks and signature glazed classics, there is plenty to choose from.
One interesting point is that several of the newest dishes weren’t yet appearing on the online menu when we visited. For now, you’ll need to head into a restaurant to see the full range available.
After a difficult period for the brand, TGI Fridays looks like a restaurant chain finding its feet again. The refreshed menu doesn’t try to be something it’s not. Instead, it focuses on bigger flavours, familiar favourites and better value.
And for many customers, that’s exactly what they’ll be looking for.
