TGI Fridays — Restaurant in Maple Grove

Today has been an exceptionally difficult day, one that I would not characterize lightly. After facing significant challenges, I made a conscious decision to stop feeling defeated and confront the world head-on. However, an experience at the TGIF restaurant in Maple Grove only added to my frustration. A group of men, inappropriately loud and disrespectful, were using offensive language and discussing inappropriate topics. Their behavior created such an uncomfortable atmosphere that not only did I feel compelled to leave, but another guest also walked out in protest.

As I left, I told the group that I couldn’t continue to dine in such an environment. The response I received was an insult — they dismissed me as childish. I returned to the restaurant and requested to speak with the manager. Unfortunately, his response was dismissive, asking only if we wanted to take our food to go. When my fiancé suggested that the bill be comped as a gesture of goodwill, it didn’t address the core issue at hand. What I expected was for him to acknowledge the discomfort the group’s behavior caused and to speak with them directly. However, it was clear that such a request was too much to ask, particularly as a Black woman, in that environment.

While I understand the hesitation to create conflict, I am committed to advocating for what is right. I will continue to raise my voice and call for spaces where all people, regardless of background, can feel welcome...

We tried a bunch of the new apps and el pastor bowl. The tot-chos with garlic truffle aoli were pretty fantastic. The steakhouse meatballs were super garlicky but in the best way. The chimichuri was a light background flavor but the lime the provide to squeeze over the top tied it all together pretty well. The buffalo slider and whiskey glazed slider were decent. I personally like the whiskey glazed one the spicy aoli really went well with the sweet sauce. The buffalo had good spice and the blue cheese crumbles were nice. I would have preferred blue cheese over ranch dressing that's just a personal preference if you love ranch it would be perfect. The el pastor bowl was slightly spicy smokey with a hint of sweet. I would ask for an extra sauce on the side if you don't mix it up right away the rice doesn't get much sauce by the end and the sauce is delicious. We also had the Cajun chicken and shrimp pasta it's a classic dish there for a reason it's always a solid choice and usually good for 2 meals especially if you have an app or 2. Overall food was delicious and served quickly. Our bartender/server was on loan from another fridays however she was amazing. Super friendly well informed always there if you needed something but never hovered or overtook the conversation. She was a perfect balance of helpful professional and fun. We will definitely go back to try the rest of the new apps and mains and for a few...

We came in tonight at 9:45 pm to be exact. After watching a few servers look directly at us with no greeting we started to feel unwelcome. A few minutes later a man that I assume was the host came over and said we just released all of our servers for the night so let me check with my manager. I asked what time they closed and they told me 1am (kitchen closes at 11pm). We wait for the manager who also comes over hesitantly. He then says I need to check with my server because I just released all the servers on this side for the night. I was confused by that statement because closing time isn’t until 1am. After another few minutes the manager comes over and says he can seat us but only in the bar at a high top table. I then ask about the booth tables in the bar as we have our 2 year old with us. He proceeds to tell me only the high top is available. At this point I become upset because I feel he and the rest of the staff are deliberately trying not to accommodate us because of his poor management choice to release servers 3 hours early. Why would you release all servers and not have at least one available if the restaurant does not close until 1am and the kitchen is open for at least another hour? I am very disappointed because we live in the area and frequent this restaurant often. There was also five of us so we were prepared to spend money. It is unfortunate we were clearly unwelcome from the moment we walked in. Totally...