T.G.F. Competition

After years of suggesting we try the new menu at Friday's, my wife finally relented - not sure what triggered her reversal but I didn't argue with the turn-about suggestion.  Everything about our dining was an unexpectedly positive experience.  The hostess was professional, competent, and attractive.  Our waiter was cheerful, fast, and didn't interupt a single breath of our conversation.  Maybe it was because we got there at 4:30.  It's not a crazy time when you factor in trying to enjoy dinner out with your two-year old. 

The food continued the trend of T.G.I-not-the-same-old-resturant.  The 12.99 3-course packaged meal started with chicken quesadillas.  They were unexpectedly zesty and left me with enough caloric guiltlessness to plow into my increasingly decadent intake.  The fried-jalepeno smothered burger with monterey jack cheese was surprisingly distinguished from lesser beef & bread combinations.  I'd never tried a spicy burger - definitely some 'thumbs up.'  The  C-rated cheescake still beat most A deserts in my book.  My wife enjoyed her order no less, leaving us both wondering why we hadn't come here sooner.

As I sat waiting for the check, quite stuffed and content about our bourgeois dining choice, I couldn't help wondering what prompted T.G.I. Friday's renaissance.  I could only guess they were getting a little crowded by one or two of the 43 million other chain resturants in their space.  Afterall, right next door to this Friday's was a brilliant new example of chain eatery excellence: Sweet Water Tavern.  Without exception, all I know who have tried it agree that dining at Sweet Water is to have experienced true dining happiness.  T.G.I Friday's had to change something and, as best I can tell, that change is working.

So, for a split second I stopped and thanked God for living a country where someone had the freedom to try to take a bite out of the old Friday's market and, in the next breath, where Friday's became motivated enough to add to my dining pleasure.