Famous Death Row Last Meals
Debunking Beer Can Chicken: A Waste Of Good Beer, And Dangerous
Photo: Elizabeth Hait, AOL
You've seen us dive into the best Applebee's appetizers and Outback Steakhouse favorites, now we're turning up the heat with our taste test of T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling Dishes.
Menu Overview: All of these "sizzling" dishes come on blazing hot cast-iron skillets. (And yes, they sizzle.) Three of them have melted cheese at the base of the dish, topped with chicken or a combo of chicken and shrimp and then there are two fajitas dishes. The Sizzling Chicken and Cheese plate was "not nearly gooey enough for someone looking for something really cheesy." While the chicken was cooked well, the "peppers and onions that came with the dish were too salty." The Steak Fajitas were bland and under-seasoned -- where's the heat? Plus, the steak was too tough.
Find out our T.G.I. Friday's Sizzling Winner, Runner-up, and Loser after the jump.
Elizabeth Hait, AOL
The Winner: Sizzling Chicken Fajitas
Sometimes it's better to stick to simple ingredients and make them great. The chicken was "nicely spiced with ground chipotles, so the meat had a kick and it was tender," said one taster. The ancho/chipotle seasoning gave the dish some authenticity and compared to the other dishes, it felt somewhat healthy since it wasn't swimming in a pool of cheese. The onions, which were chunky, added texture and the concept of "assemble your own" is always popular. One tester said "I would eat this again, with my head held high."
Elizabeth Hait, AOL
The Runner-up: Sizzling Parmesan-Crusted Chicken
There's a good chance there would have been a tie for the winner if it weren't for the side of spaghetti that came with this dish. We loved the chicken: "The Parmesan crust had a nice crunch to it and helped keep the chicken breast moist and tender," one taster said. We also loved the herb-cheese spread on top of it. However, the pasta was almost inedible -- overcooked, watery and bland, and the tomato sauce could have used another pitch of salt and pepper.
Elizabeth Hait, AOL
The Loser: Sizzling Chicken & Shrimp
Scared: That's what we were when this plate hit the table. Lackluster chicken and pallid shrimp were arranged on a bed of melted cheese next to a mound of mashed potatoes. While the chicken breast was cooked properly, it wasn't seasoned. And the shrimp were worse: watery, flavorless and minuscule, they were completely unappetizing. The only thing we liked about this dish were the mashed potatoes.
Become a fan of Slashfood on Facebook and follow us Twitter.
Helen Lost 82 Pounds: 'Helping Others Is What Life Is All About'
'Undercover Boss': Top 4 Moments From Season 4 [VIDEO]
Amy Adams' Bikini Body Isn't What You'd Expect ...
Las Vegas Court Officials Accused Of Covering Up Sex Assault [VIDEO]
Walmart vs. Costco: How Do They Really Compare?
LOOK: Teen Was 'Shamed' By TSA Officer For This Outfit
Groomers Lose Dog, Claim Not Responsible
The Story Behind Shapewear: From Girdles to Spanx
LOOK: The Mystery That's Stumped Feds For DECADES
'Grease' Cast: Where Are They Now?
Microsoft E3 2013 Xbox liveblog!
PHOTO: Brazilian Officer Pepper-Sprays Female Protester In The Face
Baby Fox Asks for Help
Lost Dog Found 500 Miles Away
Couple Finds Ancient Skeleton In Backyard, May Have To Foot $5,000 Excavation Bill
Careless Chinese Baggage Handler Really Throws Himself Into His Work
41 Busted In Child Sex Sting
Axl Rose Doesn't Look Like This Anymore ...
14-Year-Old Faces Jail After Wearing Pro-Gun Shirt To School
WATCH: Porn Star Says My Dad's Angry I Ruined Porn For Him
Outrage Over Class Photo: 'Adults Should Know Better'
WATCH: The Amazing Moment A Trapped Fox Approaches Men For Help
Michael Hastings Dies In Car Crash At Age 33
Khloe's Workout Photos Are Pretty Alarming
Chris Brown's Girlfriend Sure Knows How To Wear A Bikini
7 Beautiful Actresses Who Were Told They Weren't Pretty Enough
Inside Kim Kardashian's Pregnancy Nightmare
Kim Kardashian's Baby Looks Just Like ...
LOOK: Can You Decipher This Girl's NSFW Yearbook Message?
PHOTOS: Michelle Obama's Bangs Spark A Major Backlash
Like Father, Like Son!
Tamra Barney Gets Married, See Her Dress!
2-08-2011 @3:04PM Mike, South Bend, Indiana said... When we were there we had the mac & cheese dish and when we were there we couldn't figure out if it was 3 cheese or 5 cheese because it was so dry and the bacon in it was very dry. We had it one time when it was decent, that was the first time, but the problem they have at Friday's is they are not consistent with their meal preparation which is not good.
Reply
2-09-2011 @10:53AM Dana said... I just had seen coupons for Friday's on HTtP://bIt.Ly/smartersavings Coupon page. I'm always on the site getting the free samples and things and usually they have a few restaurant coupons too.
2-08-2011 @3:29PM Dave said... I have often wondered how the food was at TGI Friday but I may never know. Of all their places I have noticed the music is so loud that I turn atound and leave before sitting down.
Reply
2-08-2011 @3:32PM SD said... Fridays = gag :(
2-08-2011 @3:53PM Melissa said... The last time I was at TGI Fridays I ordered the salmon. The vegetables that came with it weren't even cooked. The carrots and brocolli were hard, and inedible, no spice, nothing. I didn't like the Jack Daniels they used to cook the fish. I prefer a terriyaki glaze. The baked potato came with bacon, which I do not eat. Where was the healthy meal? Bacon and any pork product are bad for you. Above, I read where someone ordered their mac and cheese, and again they put bacon in it. When are restaurants going to start cooking healthy, delicious meals, instead of loading us up with bad fats and carbs? I haven't been back to TGI Fridays since.
Reply
2-08-2011 @3:55PM monica said... TGIF food looks disgusting, and the last time I ate there it wasn't very good and was very expensive. Honestly - they need to go away and be replaced by a decent chain restaurant. Even better - replace them all with real mom and pop, privately owned restaurants.
Reply
2-08-2011 @4:10PM Kay said... Those dishes look disgusting. I remember the good ole days when FRIDAYS had fried mushrooms.....the BEST fried mushrooms in the world. Now....no fried mushrooms. I don't go there any more....they are just like all the other restaurants of this type......BORING!
Reply
2-08-2011 @4:15PM Adele H. said... There is a TGIFridays less than a mile from me. I've eaten there once (about 5 years ago) and have never gone back because the food was so disappointing. The salsa, Italian tomato sauce and anything else with a tomato base were the same! Give me a break. Americans are not so stupid they don't know the difference between a salsa and spaghetti sauce. Sure wish it was good since it's so close---I'd be a weekly visitor.
Reply
2-08-2011 @4:18PM sorto said... They a great club sand. which they no longer make. I have talked to 3 managers about and no one cares. I no longer go to tgif. They do not care. 18 to 20 times a year they can go without.
Reply
2-08-2011 @5:59PM barbg said... The TGIF in Burlington, NJ took the fajita's off their menu. I thought it was a great dish.
Reply
2-08-2011 @6:09PM WRL said... Why do people go to Fridays more than once? I went a few times because of co workers. Lousy pre packaged food and watered down drinks. and noise, don't forget the noise. It took 3 visits to convince all 12 that the food sucked and the drinks too. We found a local pub with better food better drinks and better prices. Go away chain restaurants I guess if you arent use to real food you don't know any better. rased on McDonalds..... Adulthood Fridays. Oh Now I get it
Reply
2-08-2011 @6:24PM NICK said... I totally agree WRL, We went to Fridays in Ormond Beach Fl. About 9pm on a Friday. There were 8-10 at the bar and only 2-3 tables filled. We should have taken that to fact. It took 5 minutes to get seated, another 5 to get menus and 15 min to get helped. We were tired and hungry and didn't want to go elseware. The food was awful, the server couldn't be found for drink refills. i had to get up both times to find her. They offered us a gift card because of the poor service and food. We gave it back. Why would we want to ever return? When I told others about this they had similar stories. bad food, watered down drinks. We also asked around and found great local Mom & Pop Restaurants. The food is excellent and warm friendly service. and even less money! If you like real food. You will hate fridays.
Reply
2-08-2011 @7:04PM Ed said... I used to manage a TGIF and trust me the food is of a high quality. I had not been to a Friday's in a few years and went back to the store I used to run. Sadly I knew not one employee, yet the dinner I ordered was very good, and the staff was outstanding. I guess it has to do a lot with the management team running the restaurant.
Reply
2-08-2011 @7:22PM Jim Bickley said... Back in the early 70's I went to T.G.I. Friday's in Houston. I loved the place. Good food, good drinks and cool girls there. As the years clicked by, I got married and continued to go there. In the last few years (20) as I got older I have been very disappointed. I have stopped going there completely. The last few times I have gone I have been ignored, seems intentional. Over the years I have spent tons of money entertaining clients, friends and family. Now that I am in my 60's they seem to want nothing to do with me. Shame on you, seniors have money, spend money and your people totally ignore us. I am now ignoring you totally. Guess you no longer need or want my business.
Reply
2-08-2011 @7:33PM Jim Bickley said... Don't know who is running the show but it sounds like people have had enough. Lot's of business' going away. Sounds like you may be next.
Wake up, the formula is simple. Good Food, Good Service and Fair Prices. Sounds like you have none of the above. Corporate people fair to realize that they don't have cash registers in their offices, they are in the stores and people like me put money in them and the people in corp get their pay checks from those registers......nuf said!!!
Reply
2-08-2011 @8:15PM Druman said... Wow i am so not suprised at all of the bad comments about TGIFs food. How ever I do remember 20 something years ago when i did enjoy the food. Good tasting, good portions etc... I went about 3 years ago. Uhhhg!!! I will never step back in that place again. They should be ashamed to even post an ad here on AOL. Burnt veggies, very small and cold meat. I would have been better off at a fast food resturant.
Reply
2-09-2011 @6:16AM diane said... the noise. music is so loud I couldnt have a conversation. how do the people who work there stand it??
Reply
2-10-2011 @4:18PM Arthur J Caputo said... I suspect your article is to drum up business for the resturant. I used to visit on a regular basis but not anymore, after my last visit. The amount of food was ,i found out after complaining about the portions,was weighed. The portion was so small i had to call a waitress and ask for a bigger amount.I know the economy is bad but aT LEAST GIVE THE CUSTOMER THEIR MONIES WORTH.
Reply
2-09-2011 @10:15AM Dale said... No question the quality TGIF'S quality is gone down hill.. We ate at the Asheville NC TGIF last week and asked our waitress (who was great) her recomendation of steaks, we took her advice, (again she was a very good waitress) the food was truly terrible. This was a Sat night in a Tourist town and you would want to roll out your best for locals who bring their out of towners there, as well as for the locals themselves... The only thing good were the mashed potatoes. Sorry TGIF, ... I would not go back nor reccomend your Asheville location..... Having been in charge of food prep myself, I know it can definately be managers, who make the difference.. but I also know it can be coporate, who tries to save $$$ via, buying deals on the beef and that old "where's the Beef" I would say to TGIF, where's the Good Beef... A sirlon or ribeye steak is dose not make a good sirlon & or ribeye steak... by th way, TGIF (to save $$$) dosen't even have a ribeye... one of Americas best tasting steaks... By the way on this Sat we ate in Asheville.. peak supper time and good weather, yet not many were dining there and this TGIF, is even located (connected to) one of Asheville's best Hotels, The Double Tree... Corporate, you need to go Under Cover Boss, with a taste team and get your Steak quality up.. .Wish you the best... for everyone sake... A great Location and a name, again dose not make a good place to eat... people will not return, in todays economy, if the FOOD is not great!!!!!!! and you are in the back yard of one of the most recogonized Homes in the World here, The Biltmore House. If I may, it seems that your food here at this location, is a set trap to get most of your customers who pass through and stay at the Hotel... and who come through Asheville maybe once a year... shame on you.
Reply
2-09-2011 @11:26AM The Mrs. said... Wow...I too am very surprised with all of the negative responses to TGI Friday's food. It's not my first pick but hardly as bad as everyone here has noted. The best TGI Friday's in the DC Metro area is the one at Tyson's Corner. There is fast friendly service and our food is always good and hot. And the sizzlin chicken and shrimp is a favorite but from that picture posted I could see how someone would be turned off. Not a bad meal for the cost.
Reply