T.G.I. Friday?s Serves Average Fare

T.G.I. Friday’s
463 E. Van Ashe Drive, Fayetteville

T.G.I. Friday’s is all about presentation and pizzazz. The food, though, is pretty much like what you get at the other chain eateries that have sprouted in the green pastures of Northwest Arkansas.

On a recent trip to the new restaurant in Fayetteville’s CMN Business Park, our diners were not impressed by the entrées and were downright disgruntled about the iced tea. Our Southern-dipped reviewers thought the Texas-owned chain’s tea was too strong, as if the bags had been left seeping all day.

One diner had the Shrimp Key West ($11), which comes with 12 pieces of chargrilled shrimp served with a side of vegetables. The former Louisiana resident said the shrimp were not particularly good even with a fair dollop of spices and a splash of citrus something-or-other.

Our second reviewer liked the looks of her Sante Fe Chicken Salad ($9) topped with grilled chicken, tomatoes, black bean and corn salsa, and grilled onions. But the spicy chipotle ranch dressing was overkill, she said.

The third reviewer went for a basic club sandwich with french fries ($7) and was disappointed. He could have made a better club at home, he said, and noted the lack of any signature sauce.

Another diner had the Double-Stack Quesadillas ($11). He said the chicken quesadillas — served with rice, pico de gallo, guacamole, sour cream and salsa — didn’t stand out from other quesadillas he’s had.

The bright spot was the Tuscan Spinach Dip appetizer ($7), which was filled with Parmesan and Romano cheeses, spinach, artichokes, sautéed onions and peppers and served with corn tortilla chips. One diner said it was the best spinach dip she’s had at any restaurant. But there were too few chips for the table and some of the dip went uneaten.

Overall, the food was a little pricey and a lot average.