TGI Fridays

[ellie123]

Went there on Monday for Veteran's Day lunch. Not only has a 1 hr. wait before we got a table, but the wait was so long because after I sat there for 1 hr., I noticed that they were calling people that came in AFTER me! Went to hostess and told her, and she apologized that they apparently had taken people before us because they were getting the numbers confused. We had 2 disabled Veteran's in our party, so very upset. Then, the service was also bad once we sat down. Seemed very short staffed, but then should not have offered the free meal for the Veteran's if they were unable to take care of that many people.

[red tail]

Went there on Monday for Veteran's Day lunch. Not only has a 1 hr. wait before we got a table, but the wait was so long because after I sat there for 1 hr., I noticed that they were calling people that came in AFTER me! Went to hostess and told her, and she apologized that they apparently had taken people before us because they were getting the numbers confused. We had 2 disabled Veteran's in our party, so very upset. Then, the service was also bad once we sat down. Seemed very short staffed, but then should not have offered the free meal for the Veteran's if they were unable to take care of that many people.

there are many reasons why people go ahead of others. partys of 6 have reservations. regular customers who belong to the 'get more stripes' program have 'skip the line coupons'. im a regular customer of fridays and think they do a great job!!

[nkrifats]

It was a free meal. Expect long lines and slow service. Be Grateful they offered the meal to Vet's.

[Bogie Shooter]

It was a free meal. Expect long lines and slow service. Be Grateful they offered the meal to Vet's.

I agree!

[Skip]

Heard a customer made a big scene at the Red Lobster in The Villages because although all Darden restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, Bahama Breeze, etc.) were offering free meals to veterans, the manager at RL here refused to do so, saying "There are too many old veterans here for us to give away free food"!

Was anyone there the other day and heard this commotion?
A friend said it got pretty heated.

Skip

[unknown*server]

Red Lobster was NOT offering free meals to veterans, they advertised on Facebook and via email that they were giving free appetizers to veterans. The Daily Sun incorrectly reported the wrong deal. There is a correction on page A3 of today's issue stating that it was incorrectly reported, along with Sonny's BBQ, saying they too offered free meals when actually it was only 50% off. I'm sure it made for some very angry guests who might have blown this out of proportion.

[golf2140]

It was a free meal. Expect long lines and slow service. Be Grateful they offered the meal to Vet's.

:BigApplause:

[fred cusimano]

Went there on Monday for Veteran's Day lunch. Not only has a 1 hr. wait before we got a table, but the wait was so long because after I sat there for 1 hr., I noticed that they were calling people that came in AFTER me! Went to hostess and told her, and she apologized that they apparently had taken people before us because they were getting the numbers confused. We had 2 disabled Veteran's in our party, so very upset. Then, the service was also bad once we sat down. Seemed very short staffed, but then should not have offered the free meal for the Veteran's if they were unable to take care of that many people.

I had a horrble at meal Evans Prarie this week (11/12). I will never go back unless I hear they have made major changes. Worst experience ever in my short time here in The Villages (only bout 6 months but have been most everywhere).

[gerryann]

Went there on Monday for Veteran's Day lunch. Not only has a 1 hr. wait before we got a table, but the wait was so long because after I sat there for 1 hr., I noticed that they were calling people that came in AFTER me! Went to hostess and told her, and she apologized that they apparently had taken people before us because they were getting the numbers confused. We had 2 disabled Veteran's in our party, so very upset. Then, the service was also bad once we sat down. Seemed very short staffed, but then should not have offered the free meal for the Veteran's if they were unable to take care of that many people.

Sorry you had such an awful experience at TGI. Unfortunately when offers for free food are made, things get out of hand, over crowded, etc. I stay away from offers like these because I know that its going to be very caotic. Thank you for your service.

[Bogie Shooter]

Attending anything where something for free is being offered in TV can be challenging.

[Mallory]

Old military adage - Hurry Up and Wait!

[Skip]

Red Lobster was NOT offering free meals to veterans, they advertised on Facebook and via email that they were giving free appetizers to veterans. The Daily Sun incorrectly reported the wrong deal. There is a correction on page A3 of today's issue stating that it was incorrectly reported, along with Sonny's BBQ, saying they too offered free meals when actually it was only 50% off. I'm sure it made for some very angry guests who might have blown this out of proportion.

That explains it. thanks.

Skip

[Richard1366]

Any time they are giving away free food stay away like they had the plague. Same goes for Mother's Day..

[travelguy]

it was free; get over it.

[mgjim]

I skipped the free meal this year but last year my sons and I stood in line for over an hour to get into Applebees on Veteran's Day. We swapped stories with several other veterans the whole time; the hour passed before we knew it and it turned out to be a great evening. The food was good too.

Thanks to all the restaurants and other retailers who recognize vets. It's got to be a huge undertaking but I'm glad they do it.

[NotGolfer]

Did you see the photo in today's Sun of Golden Corral?? LONG line out into the parking lot and that place can hold a bunch of folks!! As others stated whenever there's anything free here you will have lines of folks!

A couple of years ago Denny's was offering (I forget the occassion) a special of some kind...might have been free breakfasts! We went to Leesburg instead of here in T.V. There was a short line that went quickly plus our meal came in a timely manner. So maybe you need to check outside of the bubble next time.

[jblum315]

I try to avoid TGI and other national chain restaurants as much as possible.

[Golfingnut]

I am retired Military and would never accept a free meal for that reason. I would rather offer that same FREE meal to someone that needs it. I doubt very much that the majority of retired military living in The Villages fit the parameters I would set to be in NEED of a FREE meal. I am proud of my service and also proud of my country for providing me with a check for life and free medical for life. I want my country to feed the hungry, house the poor and heal the sick. I have and will continue to take care of myself.

[graciegirl]

I am retired Military and would never accept a free meal for that reason. I would rather offer that same FREE meal to someone that needs it. I doubt very much that the majority of retired military living in The Villages fit the parameters I would set to be in NEED of a FREE meal. I am proud of my service and also proud of my country for providing me with a check for life and free medical for life. I want my country to feed the hungry, house the poor and heal the sick. I have and will continue to take care of myself.


What a heart warming post. Our retired military deserve wonderful things and endless Thank yous.. but in a situation such as this, when free anything is given away, you can expect less than wonderful in my experience.

And in Ohio we have a little saying.

For Free....take.
For Buy....complain.

It is just the way life is.

Again....Many thanks to our Military.

[JoeC1947]

I am retired Military and would never accept a free meal for that reason. I would rather offer that same FREE meal to someone that needs it. I doubt very much that the majority of retired military living in The Villages fit the parameters I would set to be in NEED of a FREE meal. I am proud of my service and also proud of my country for providing me with a check for life and free medical for life. I want my country to feed the hungry, house the poor and heal the sick. I have and will continue to take care of myself.

:agree::BigApplause:

[ROCKETMAN]

I went to olive garden sunday for the free meal, had a short wait and they had a nice selection of free meals including bread sticks and salad. Went to applebees for supper, had a nice table at the bar and service was fast and good food. Secret to going to golden coral is going around 7:30. Short line and all the food was fresh. Besides all the vets in the villages, there are many vets in wildwood, fruitland park, and lady lake also so expect lonfg lines.

[ROCKETMAN]

:laugh:I went to olive garden sunday for the free meal, had a short wait and they had a nice selection of free meals including bread sticks and salad. Went to applebees for supper, had a nice table at the bar and service was fast and good food. Secret to going to golden coral is going around 7:30. Short line and all the food was fresh. Besides all the vets in the villages, there are many vets in wildwood, fruitland park, and lady lake also so expect lonfg lines.

[unknown*server]

Really? Three free meals? You needed all that food?

I hope you tipped each server.

Thank you for serving our country.

[ellie123]

Definitely appreciated the meal for the Veterans, and also expected a wait, but as I mentioned, they admitted that they had taken other people before us and that shouldn't have happened if they were more organized. Actually, they would have been better off not even doing it instead of upsetting customers who may never go back there again. My husband and I go to TGI Fridays, but the others with us have not and they have no interest in going back. Just think the manager should have been out there helping those poor Hostesses clean the tables in order to get the customers seated more quickly. The hostess had to not only try to keep taking names and seating people, but ALSO bus the tables. Again, poor management.

[Whatever]

Next year, why not have all these restaurants donate their free meal to the local VFW and American Legion and let them take care of the servicing of our WELL DESERVING VETERANS.
Those of you who complain of waiting in line are ingrates toward those who want to honor you as heroes.
Why not donate, as stated above, and/or to the soup kitchens where there are needy people who are without jobs or some other form of income and really need a hot meal. Yes, you did your duty and for that we thank you and honor you, but, you get your pensions and disability checks so lets give a little something to those, AND THEIR FAMILIES, INCLUDING THE CHILDREN, that are really in need and will not complain about the staff that is trying so hard to show you some appreciation.
At this point, your mediocre complaint is so innocuous and annoying that I tend to think you forgot what you were really fighting for. It certainly wasn't a free meal ticket!
Next time, offer your "free" meal(s) to someone truly in need.

[rubicon]

I am retired Military and would never accept a free meal for that reason. I would rather offer that same FREE meal to someone that needs it. I doubt very much that the majority of retired military living in The Villages fit the parameters I would set to be in NEED of a FREE meal. I am proud of my service and also proud of my country for providing me with a check for life and free medical for life. I want my country to feed the hungry, house the poor and heal the sick. I have and will continue to take care of myself.

Golfingnut: Bravo! Iserved four years in the military and remained at the same Naval Base the entire time. Because of that fact I never felt entitled to VA benefits feeling instead they belonged to the guys that fought on the front lines.


As for the freebies at TGIF, etc you get what you paid for

[Bruiser1]

It was a free meal. Expect long lines and slow service. Be Grateful they offered the meal to Vet's.

:BigApplause:

I went to TGIF and was promptly and warmly greeted. Never have I been more appreciated . This truly was one of the greatest moments of my post military life. The hostility and apprehension that I faced in my years of service were not to be seen. I left wondering where where those people in 72-76?

I never enjoyed a sandwich more .


But that is just me....

[billethkid]

TGI FRidays problem is not the free meals. Personal experience wait....then wait some more...waiting not the problem as there were empty tables. The desk person said they were not allowed to assign some tables.

Then we sat down and waited long enough that I went to the desk and asked if anyone was assigned to our table. She checked and you'll never guess....there was nobody assigned to the table. And oh by the way there were 5 servers within eye sight that were just standing around as if waiting for something.

So we had a table that was not assigned and there were empty tables and still people waiting to get in.

I approached the desk about the wait ((PUN intended) staff just standing around. You will not guess again. They were there for when the un-assigned tables were opened. I politely with gritted teeth asked if one of them could wait on our table. After a small all too visible fuss one as assigned our table.

Yes we waited too long for the food that was cold when it came out. That was it. I told my wife we are leaving and left the food at the table. On the way out I advised the girl at the desk we were leaving and I was not paying.

Iasked for the manager and she told me he was not in yet!!!!!

Needless to say we do not go back to TGIF. I have also heard others who have had very similar stories about that place.

There are too many choices to put up with such incompetence.

btk

[red tail]

TGI FRidays problem is not the free meals. Personal experience wait....then wait some more...waiting not the problem as there were empty tables. The desk person said they were not allowed to assign some tables.

Then we sat down and waited long enough that I went to the desk and asked if anyone was assigned to our table. She checked and you'll never guess....there was nobody assigned to the table. And oh by the way there were 5 servers within eye sight that were just standing around as if waiting for something.

So we had a table that was not assigned and there were empty tables and still people waiting to get in.

I approached the desk about the wait ((PUN intended) staff just standing around. You will not guess again. They were there for when the un-assigned tables were opened. I politely with gritted teeth asked if one of them could wait on our table. After a small all too visible fuss one as assigned our table.

Yes we waited too long for the food that was cold when it came out. That was it. I told my wife we are leaving and left the food at the table. On the way out I advised the girl at the desk we were leaving and I was not paying.

Iasked for the manager and she told me he was not in yet!!!!!

Needless to say we do not go back to TGIF. I have also heard others who have had very similar stories about that place.

There are too many choices to put up with such incompetence.

btk

the manager is a lady. and ive always found the service here to be outstanding. nuff said.

[gerryann]

TGI FRidays problem is not the free meals. Personal experience wait....then wait some more...waiting not the problem as there were empty tables. The desk person said they were not allowed to assign some tables.

Then we sat down and waited long enough that I went to the desk and asked if anyone was assigned to our table. She checked and you'll never guess....there was nobody assigned to the table. And oh by the way there were 5 servers within eye sight that were just standing around as if waiting for something.

So we had a table that was not assigned and there were empty tables and still people waiting to get in.

I approached the desk about the wait ((PUN intended) staff just standing around. You will not guess again. They were there for when the un-assigned tables were opened. I politely with gritted teeth asked if one of them could wait on our table. After a small all too visible fuss one as assigned our table.

Yes we waited too long for the food that was cold when it came out. That was it. I told my wife we are leaving and left the food at the table. On the way out I advised the girl at the desk we were leaving and I was not paying.

Iasked for the manager and she told me he was not in yet!!!!!

Needless to say we do not go back to TGIF. I have also heard others who have had very similar stories about that place.

There are too many choices to put up with such incompetence.

btk

My only reply is,.....in the future...you should stay away from free meal deals.

[gerryann]

Rubicon, my friend - Are you saying you never used your VA benefits for education, home loan guarantee, small business assistance, or medical care? Will your widow accept the American flag from the VA upon your passing away (a long time in the future, I hope)?

You're comparing a free meal to VA benefits?? Good grief!

[ellie123]

Knew it would be a long wait, but that is not reason I was upset.
The reason was because they were not staffed to sponsor this for our Veteran's. And no, the wait was not because of Strips numbers because I am a stripe member, and no, it wasn't because of party size. it was because they were issuing out cards with numbers and duplicating those numbers with another name. They admitted they made a mistake and we should have been called to be seated before 4 other groups of people were seated. My problem is not with the Hostesses or Wait Staff, it is with Management. That manager should have been out there clearing the tables in order to seat the customers faster. The Hostess had to not only take names, they also were busing tables. Shame on that manager!!!

[travelguy]

gosh, you were getting a free meal and you have to complain? TGIF should have had only one free meal that they were giving out, no choices, and offer it on a cafeteria line. get in line, get your food, sit down, eat, and leave. and leave a decent tip, though I understand that a majority of the free diners left no gratuity for the servers. some villagers really have a lot of nerve.

[billethkid]

my experience was a regular business day with no free meals....I suppose it could have been a bad day....but I doubt it.

btk

[the square]

Whre I come from we have a saying too. "Some people would cry if they were hung with a new rope"






What a heart warming post. Our retired military deserve wonderful things and endless Thank yous.. but in a situation such as this, when free anything is given away, you can expect less than wonderful in my experience.

And in Ohio we have a little saying.

For Free....take.
For Buy....complain.

It is just the way life is.

Again....Many thanks to our Military.

[lovsthosebigdogs]

I skipped the free meal this year but last year my sons and I stood in line for over an hour to get into Applebees on Veteran's Day. We swapped stories with several other veterans the whole time; the hour passed before we knew it and it turned out to be a great evening. The food was good too.

Thanks to all the restaurants and other retailers who recognize vets. It's got to be a huge undertaking but I'm glad they do it.

What a lovely post and a great attitude!

[nitehawk]

:bigbow::bigbow:I am retired Military and would never accept a free meal for that reason. I would rather offer that same FREE meal to someone that needs it. I doubt very much that the majority of retired military living in The Villages fit the parameters I would set to be in NEED of a FREE meal. I am proud of my service and also proud of my country for providing me with a check for life and free medical for life. I want my country to feed the hungry, house the poor and heal the sick. I have and will continue to take care of myself.

:bigbow::bigbow: