Saturday, December 8, 2012

T.G.I. Friday's Food Review

Black Angus Burger with Fries at T.G.I. Friday's

Red, White and Blah

It's hard to believe that once upon a time, people used to line up for T.G.I. Friday's. The corporate cookie-cutter is part of a dying breed of multi-purpose bar & grills like Bennigan's, Pizzeria Uno and Ruby Tuesday's that offer a ton of choices... none of which are very good. I stopped by the 2100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW location for a quick lunch before the GW-Kansas State basketball game at Smith Center, and sadly wish I hadn't.

The first thing that hits you when you walk inside is the pounding music raining from what sounds like a dozen speakers. I was greeted by a friendly hostess, who turned out to be my waitress too (Saturdays are quiet) and sat me by the front windows. The red & white striped tables are old-fashioned and shabby (the laminate has seen a lot of action.) It's also eerily dark in the restaurant, despite sitting next to a wall of windows on a sunny day.

I ordered a Black Angus Burger with fries and a Diet Coke ($11.28, not including tax.) My food came out relatively quickly (I would hope so, there was hardly anyone else eating inside) but looked rather disappointing (see above) to say the least. I wasn't asked how I wanted my burger cooked, so as you can probably guess... it came out well done (ugh.) The color was strangely reminiscent of a turkey burger (almost grey) and the bun was grilled but flimsy at the bottom (greasy burger.) The fries were garden variety frozen and peppered (who peppers fries anymore?) It's all I could taste. The burger cried for salt, but not onions (which were cut improperly... thin at one end, super thick on the other.) With Bobby's Burger Palace only a block away, I was filled with regret.

Service was efficient, but after a tip, my bill totaled $17. That's almost two lunches at the aforementioned Bobby Flay's. I can't see how places like this still exist.

Atmosphere: F (It's like a funeral parlor, only louder.)
Burger: C-
Fries: D- (Let me put pepper on my fries, if I want to ruin them.)
Price: F ($17 for lousy food, a soda and a headache? No thanks.)
Service: B (Only saving grace)
Overall: D- (Even I felt old in a place like this.)