This is one of our favourite restaurants in Orlando, made all the more enjoyable by the fact that the prices in dollars are usually the same as charged in pounds in the UK ie £14 = $14.
We have visited several TGI’s in the Orlando area but tend to go to the one in Formosa Gardens more than the others. This is situated at 7798 W. Irlo Bronson Highway (the 192).
I know the standard of service does vary from restaurant to restaurant ( we once had a really bad meal in Naples) but we have always had good service and food in this TGI’s.
Opening hours vary at different locations but this one opens from 11. 00am – 2. 00am.
They have a lengthy Happy Hour 11. 00am – 7. 00pm and 11. 00pm – 1. 00am and this restaurant attracts quite a lot of local trade between 5. 00pm and 7. 00pm. My parents spend a very pleasant couple of hours at the bar one very wet evening when they called in on their way home from a days shopping. They initially opted to eat a Jack Daniel’s Tower which is three tiers of Jack Daniel' favourites = Crispy Jack Shrimp, Jack Ribs and Sesame Jack Chicken Strips served with Friday's Jack Daniel' sauce for dipping, this they accompanied with a couple of beers. When this was finished they ordered a Fridays Three for all =Potato Skins, Fried Mozzarella and Buffalo Wings served with sour cream & chives, marinara sauce and bleu cheese dressing.
Guests over 21 years can sit at the bar not only to drink but also to eat. In fact when my parents go on their own to Florida if any restaurants are busy they tend to opt for food at the bar as this enables them to be seated quickly and allows my Mother to people watch (one of her favourite occupations! )
This TGIs gets very busy and people are often seen queuing outside. If you do have to do this ensure in the cooler early months of the year you take a jacket because it can get quite chilly especially after a day in the sun. However you can phone ahead and they will put your name on the waiting list and tell you approximately how long you will have to wait. As we live nearby we often do this. Another option is to go for a drink in the bar whilst you wait for your table. Children are allowed in here as long as they do not sit at the bar and in this restaurant there are side tables that they can sit at.
As with all Fridays the bartenders provide amusement whilst serving and mixing the cocktails – their appears to be a never ending list of cocktails on sale to name but a few:
Top five ultimates = Hawain Volcano this is my favourites = tropical juices = Southern Comfort =Amaretto =Vodka!
Margarita, Strawberry Dauquiri, Long island Tea
Amongst many others are 77 Sunset Strip, Cape Codder , Electric Lemonade etc etc the list seems endless.
The kids menu is fairly standard Hamburger, Pizza, Chicken fingers. My ten year old tends to have an appetiser as a Main course or one of the smaller( if that is possible! ) main course.
Most evenings the children are entertained by a person blowing up balloons and twisting into shape to order. I believe the person is not employed by TGIs but provides the materials themselves, does not charge but relies on tips.
The adults in our party rarely have an appetiser as past experience has proved this can make it an impossible task to complete their main course! Although some adults have an appetiser as a main course. For those who do not want a heavy meal there is plenty of choice of soups/salads and sandwiches. However even a sandwich can be quite a feast at Fridays!
For anyone who can still manage a desert the menu although limited is awesome:
Vanilla Bean Cheesecake
Seriously vanilla cheesecake made with real vanilla beans, baked light in a vanilla graham cracker crust. Layered with white chocolate mousse, fresh whipped ream, white chocolate shavings and a fresh strawberry.
Oreo Madness ( these cookies are a great favourite in the US)
Two giant Oreo cookies sandwiched with vanilla ice cream and topped with chocolate and caramel sauces. Single serving available.
Warm Apple Crisp
Golden Delicious apples simmered and flavoured with cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkled with oatmeal crumbles, topped with vanilla ice cream and hot caramel topping.
Brownie Obsession
A warm, melt-in-your-mouth brownie, covered in Ghirardelli chocolate fudge sauce, vanilla ice cream, caramel sauce and toasted almonds.
Do visit a Fridays, you have plenty of choice in Orlando.