TGI Fridays Sunshine Plaza — Restaurant in Sunshine Coast Regional

UPDATED REVIEW (⭐⭐⭐) Management reached out and gave us the chance to come back and revisit after our first experience (below), after they had some more time to refine their store and service. I have also been back another time since then. I must say, the experience was significantly better. The food was better (served hot and within normal or expected wait times) the service was snappier and more aware of customers needs. There wasn't any issues these times around. It was all just "good" but nothing amazing. Definitely on par with a standard pub experience in my opinion, yet a little steeper in cost. That said, It is evident they are taking feedback on board and trying to do right by their customers which is a massive postive in my opinion. They have done enough to make me confident to give it more chances in the future as a "occasional" place to visit. Definitely not a regular venue for me. Maybe with more feedback and experience this place could shine and live up to the hype.

ORIGINAL REVIEW (⭐) First time at TGI Fridays ever. Didn't live up to the hype at all. After looking at other reviews it seems our experience was similar to some others. We were waiting in the rain to be seated, after waiting 15 minutes the staff member seating people vanished for a another 10 minutes whilst many others waited. After this time we were told they had no availability, had to wait for an hour. We agreed to wait and come back. When we did return, We had to wait through the line again of people being turned away, a simple sign stating no availability or book online would have solved this issue.

We made our way to our seats. Staff were friendly enough. Our drinks order was taken along with our mains. Unfortunately our drinks were given to another table and they forgot to bring ours to us. I had a voucher for a discounted unlimited soft drink, however given they had forgotten by the time mains had come out, I had no confidence I would get the value out of this since they were so slow in their service.

It was about 25 minutes before we saw our food, which is fair, but I say "saw" because our food was placed up at the service counter and waited there for a further 10-15 minutes whilst other food was sent out. Our order was complete so I am unsure what happened there. When it finally arrived, our food was lukewarm. Presented nicely, but not at all hot. We asked for no cheese on my daughter's hot dog, but as you'd expect that was wrong and it took a further 10 minutes for them to rectify that.

We ordered the Beef Rib, which was smaller than expected considering the advertised size of 600g. It was also tough and chewy, though it did have good flavour. (Side note Woolworths does a wicked beef rib pack you can get in half the time and the meat falls on the bone, much better value than this). The honey mustard wrap was good, but again almost cold when eating it. The best bit was actually the honey mustard side sauce. That was truly the highlight of the experience, pity we paid $90 to experience it and everything else was substandard.

When they finally acknowledged they stuffed our drink order (I brought to their attention) we changed to get a thick shake, which was honestly slightly thicker milk with so much cream on top. Nothing at all like a thick shake.

Overall it was a real disappointment and not at all up to the hype that people said. We wished it was better as we had heard it would be. Some really friendly staff interactions which was good, but overall it lacked order inside and staff were clearly a bit clueless on how to handle the situations unfolding around them.

For $90 bucks, For one drink and two adult meals and a kids hot dog, it was severely overpriced...

Went in for early lunch on a Saturday. Service was terribly slow. Heaps of waitresses hanging about at the kitchen pass waiting on food but not taking orders or doing actual waitressing. We tried to order via the QR code when no one had approached us, but certain drinks items that my family wanted to order were not showing on that menu so we gave up on that. We had to flag someone down eventually to order. Our drinks order took ages to arrive. My 5 yr old was so thirsty just waiting on some Water for the table. The lady who took us to our table gave us the lunch specials menu as well as the normal menu - I pointed out to my husband that it said ‘Mon to Fri’ On it but he ordered from it anyway as the lady who gave him it looked like she may be the floor manager. When our order was taken, he was informed by another waitress that they aren’t doing the lunch specials. I think he paid around $10 more for the same burger.

Food was mediocre and overpriced for what it was. My husbands bacon burger was pretty small by Aussie standards let alone American. He actually said that he has had a better burger in Hungry Jacks. The kids chicken nuggets were grey in colour meaning they aren’t the better quality chicken breast but the cheap nuggets - yuck! I ordered the chicken breast with signature whiskey sauce - it was a very small chicken breast but tasty enough with a nice flame Grilled taste. All up the food was nothing special at all for the money you are paying. Portions were generally small. Very overpriced for what it was and it’s not like the service would bring you back - staff MIA. I’d give it half a star if I could. Definitely won’t be back sorry. Grill’d next time for a better burger and great service! I don’t think this place will survive unless it gives great service, increases food quality and portion size to match...

This is my first experience at TGI Fridays. There wasn't really a buzz as I was expecting for TGI Fridays, But it was only lunch time. The food was nice, the prices were reasonable and the staff were friendly and helpful.

They were not very busy maybe three tables at the time we were there, so our meals came out pretty quickly and were nice and hot.

As It was lunch time, they didn't have table service, which would have been nice.

You have the option to order via QR code or at the bar.

One thing that was pretty frustrating and this is not a reflection on the Sunshine Plaza store, more about their head office marketing.

I'll admit, we didn't read the sign from start to finish. We saw a free plate of wings with every main meal. That's what got us to go in and try it out, who doesn't like a deal, and it lets us try another dish at the same time.

The problem was, it's for TGI Friday members only. Being this particular location is inside a shopping centre It's not like we're going to go there for Friday or Saturday night meal or pop in for lunch on a weekend. So having to give out my personal data to take advantage of their specials was something I was not prepared to do and is just a tad bit annoying.

My two cents worth. There are a lot more local restaurants around that simply have specials throughout the week to gain your business without the need of handing over your name, phone number and email address etc.

I feel like a lot of food restaurants are forgetting customer service and table service are the little things that drive a customer's experience and encourage repeat business. Not sure if that is a head office decision or a...