TGI FRIDAYS Ikebukuro — Restaurant in Tokyo

Been a few times and most recently for my birthday in April 2020. Hit and miss with both the service and the food. Nearly always have a burger when visiting but had a steak once as well. The steak was cooked well enough, but the quality of the meat wasn't the best. It was good enough to meet my immediate needs, but I wouldn't be in a hurry to have the steak again. Burger was great, but seems to depend which chef they have on shift! First time it was amazingly juicy and delicious. Meant we wanted to come back... But the burger was then dry and overcooked (borderline burnt and nearly sent it back). Servers seem to have different levels of attentiveness - some were at your table and anticipating your needs, others were slow in coming even when called... And this was during the COVID restrictions so they were NOT busy! You can download an app to gain access to their qr code scanning discount system (every 5 visits gives different perks - usually 500yen discount). And they also have a survey option on their receipt (after you've paid) to scan and then complete. Completing it gives you a code which you write on the receipt and then bring to you next SAME BRANCH visit. You'll then be given a complimentary starter (we received the fried cheese sticks both times we've done it so far). We will go back again. It's reasonable/acceptable price (and we get a discount and a...

I've been here twice in the past year. The first time, about a year ago, a rat ran out of the kitchen into the dining room, a waiter stomped it to death in front of everyone, wrapped it in a napkin from a nearby table, gave a little bow, returned it to the kitchen, and then came over and asked if I want dessert. No mention of what happened seconds ago, no discount. Sure.

I swore I'd never return (because that was insane) but last week I made plans to have dinner with a friend who only told me on meeting that this is where we were going. To be nice I went along with it and for the first time in nearly 20 years in Japan, I had to return my meal because it was so bad. I ordered the Southwest Mac and Cheese and received something like penne in hot tomato water. I sent it back and the manager came over to say he'd make me a new one only to bring back basically the same dish but scalding hot this time. He then offered to swap it with something else, but by then I was over it and left without eating.

If a friend ever wants to bring me back here, I'm afraid I'll have to be less easygoing...

Been here twice because of their schedule and brownies.

Re: schedule- the other western restaurant in Ikebukuro that I like closes early but TGI closes late so it’s an advantage.

Service - good. Staff are friendly, nice and accommodating.

There’s a “show” featuring the bartender and because of this, the restaurant can get noisy. If you want quiet and solemn, best avoid the times they’ll be having the “show”.

They have a wide variety of drinks which is nice. Would be nicer if they have lemonade.

Food is best. Love their steak. We ordered their baby back ribs too but it’s second in my ranking of best ribs. Their fish and chips are great. We ordered them the first time we were here too. Their signature chicken strips is coated with the japanese black sugar so it’s sweet and savory which my partner isn’t fond of but okay for me. This is different from their chicken fingers which is also okay. Their best food is the brownie obsession - order it and you’ll know why!

Will keep coming...