TGI Fridays — Restaurant in Melbourne

My partner and I had arrived for a 7:30PM booking, and were seated quite quickly. Immediately we were given menus and some time to view the menus. Everything was great up to this point.

Upon ordering, the drinks took forever. We had two different waitresses come and confirm with us what our drinks were, and it was about 15-20mins after we ordered our drinks that they arrived. By this point it was about 8:05, and our entree arrived not too shortly after. My partners meal arrived at 8:20 and after charging an arm and a leg for a salmon dish, it had the thinnest and tiniest piece of salmon you could pick. Again, the actual flavour and meal quality was great, however the serving size was ridiculous for you the price you pay. She had finished her meal and my own was still nowhere to be found. By 8:30, We flagged down our waitress who was as inattentive as anything, who attributed it to a technology issue at the time and would check for us. Sure, tech issues can happen, but telling us that the network has gone down would stop all orders, not just one.

Another 15mins go by (8:45) and still, nothing, before we have to flag down a different waitress and ask what’s going on. We’re worried as by this point we needed to be leaving for after dinner plans that we had made. She thankfully went and actually checked, and confirmed the order never went through, and they will make it immediately for me.

Thankfully, this part of the meal was offered free of charge due to the mess around, and by 9PM I finally had the burger. It was packaged in takeaway as we had to leave promptly and were late for our later engagement. It was only about 3mins between leaving and opening the burger in the car to eat on the way, and it was unfortunately an absolute mess. It was put together sloppily, and swimming in so much sauce that the bread was soggy and mushy all through. The chips however were cooked great.

This was a poor experience, as we shouldn’t have to wait over an hour for a meal, particularly considering we flagged a waitress to look into it much earlier and still got nowhere. Not only this, but the burger provided was of subpar quality.

I give praise to the other waitress who sorted the order quickly and promptly once she was aware, but disappointed we had to speak to her at all because our waitress was inattentive, giving paper thin excuses and wasn’t cutting it.

Timing of drinks and meals was all over the place, certain staff inattentive and unhelpful, food well over priced compared to competitors, and overall quality is lacking; late to our event afterwards.

Will not be returning, as we can get better and larger meals, at cheaper prices, with better staff in under 25mins literally anywhere else, even through peak.

Aside from these points, my issue is not that there were problems, (things happen, tough luck for us) it’s that it took way too long...

I booked a table of 10 on Saturday to celebrate my birthday. After looking at the website which stated that late night happy hour is from 8.30pm-10pm I decided this would be a great time to book so that we could all get some food and plenty of cocktails to celebrate my birthday.

Upon arriving, we were shown to a table by one of the lovely staff and I asked for a happy hour menu. She said that happy hour was over. I asked her whether she could check with the manager as the website had stated that there was a late night happy hour. She returned and told me the fountain gate restaurant doesn't do this time.

I asked to see the manager myself I spoke to a woman named Jacqui and showed her the part of the website that advertises the happy hour. She snapped at me and told me that they don't participate. I asked her whether there was anything that could be done as I had a table of 10 who had expected half price cocktails for the night. She snapped at me and said "bad luck" condescendingly. This issue definitely put a damper on the birthday celebrations. Very disappointing services, especially for the manager. I understand that complaints are not fun to deal with but there is a certain way to go about it. Definitely won't be returning considering the way I was spoken to and the horrible service we received.

EDIT: Tim, another one of the restaurant managers gave me a call about this issue and very professionally helped to resolve it. He apologised for my bad experience at Fountain Gate TGIs and explained to me what happened with the happy hour and why it wasn't offered. I really appreciated this explanation, which is all I wanted on the night I went there. Of course it was disappointing that the late night happy hour was removed from the restaurant, however, a simple explanation of this would have left a much better taste in my mouth when I left that night.

Tim went above and beyond and ensured that I would come back and give TGI Friday's another go. I am thankful for him reaching out to me to resolve the issue. Giving TGI Friday's the benefit of the doubt and returning soon to hopefully experience the service they commend themselves on.

Changing this review from one star to 4 considering how professionally and promptly management got in touch with me. That's commendable service despite the...

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Exceptional Service from MIKEALA, IZZY, and BELLA at TGIF Fountain Gate

Dining at TGIF Fountain Gate has always been a pleasure, but our recent experiences, especially with the service from MIKEALA, IZZY, and BELLA, have taken it to another level. From the moment we walked in, we felt genuinely welcomed, and the evening only got better from there.

MIKEALA, our primary waitress, is nothing short of extraordinary. She has a unique ability to make every guest feel special, ensuring that every meal is perfect. We’ve visited TGIF Fountain Gate multiple times, and while we’ve occasionally encountered issues like overcooked steaks, MIKEALA has always been quick to rectify them without any fuss. Her dedication to our satisfaction is unwavering. She doesn’t just provide service; she provides an experience that leaves a lasting impression. We owe MIKEALA so much for her consistent efforts to make every dining experience flawless. Her attention to detail, combined with her warm personality, makes her an absolute gem in the restaurant industry.

BELLA, who was assisting that night, was equally phenomenal. Her positive energy and quick responsiveness added to the overall fantastic service. Whether it was ensuring our drinks were promptly refilled or simply checking in to make sure everything was to our liking, BELLA’s enthusiasm and commitment were clear. Her cheerful demeanor truly enhanced our dining experience.

IZZY was also integral to making our evening a success. She worked seamlessly alongside MIKEALA and BELLA, contributing to the smooth and efficient service. IZZY’s professionalism and eye for detail ensured that everything was perfect, down to the smallest detail. The teamwork among MIKEALA, IZZY, and BELLA is a testament to the high standards at TGIF Fountain Gate.

Each visit to TGIF Fountain Gate has been memorable, but the exceptional service from MIKEALA, IZZY, and BELLA has made it our go-to spot. Their dedication, passion, and ability to consistently deliver an outstanding dining experience set them apart. We wouldn’t hesitate to return or recommend TGIF Fountain Gate to others, thanks to these amazing waitresses. MIKEALA, IZZY, and BELLA—thank you for making every meal not just a meal, but a wonderful experience. You truly are the heart and soul of TGIF Fountain...