TGI Fridays @ IOI Mall, Puchong

T.G.I.Friday's. A restaurant that I believe, needs no further introduction. Do you know that its first outlet in Malaysia is as old as me! Approaching 20 years in existence, now TGIFridays restaurant is standing prominently at almost every major shopping mall in Malaysia.

The casual American cuisine at TGIF just can't go wrong. With over 1,000 restaurants in 58 countries, TGIF takes pride of its fresh food and mouthwatering American classics, from appetizers perfect for sharing, to memorable burgers and delicious desserts. 

I remembered there was once I celebrated birthday for a friend at TGIF, and the fun and friendly waiters and waitresses insisted the birthday girl to stand onto the table and sing a song! Hahaha, if you're looking for a distinctive and different celebration, TGIF is your ultimate destination :)

Families grow, but some things never change in TGIF since 20 years ago--- It's their ever exciting menu that you'd surely find something you love in it! You can celebrate the end of the week every day at TGIF, anytime when you're in the mood for great food and good time. 

Glancing through the menu, it boasts an extensive selection of appetizers, salad, grilled items, steak, burger, pasta, Mexican dishes and desserts. Not forgetting to mention the wide array of beers, mocktails and juices in the house. 

STARTER

#1 Chicken Fajita Nachos @ RM30.90 (Party Portion- 12 pieces)

First to arrive onto our table was the Mexican starter. Definitely a favourite, the crisp tortilla chips piled high with marinated, charbroiled chicken breast, then topped with melted Monterey Jack cheese and sliced jalapenos. The crispy base, when topped with soft meat and creamy dips, makes it a perfect combination of texture, taste and flavours! 

Taking the center stage of the dish was the trio combination of dips--- The white Sourcream,
bright green Guacamole (Avocado-based dip) and red Pico de gallo (Fresh tomato salsa).

#2 BBQ Chicken Salad @ RM28.90

How about having some salad tonight? Sitting elegantly on a bed of mixed greens with tomatoes, green onions, cilantro and Monterey Jack cheese, the smoky barbecue-glazed chicken retained the rich taste of its succulent white flesh, and was an excellent pick-me-up if you were looking for something healthy to nibble on. 

Served with house specialty tangy Barbecue Vinaigrette, the salad was definitely tempting your palate.

MAIN COURSES

For mains, we only picked our old favourites for poultry and fish, because we don't take beef and lamb.

#3 Sizzling Chicken and Shrimp @ RM34.90

Fresh from the sizzling plate, we had the sauteed garlic-marinated chicken breast and plump shrimp tossed with zesty roma tomato-basil salsa, onions and peppers. The meaty portion revealed tender juicy goodness, but it was the melting layer of Colby and Jack cheeses that had me on cloud nine!

The sideline at TGIF was noteworthy too. The house Cheddar cheese gave the mashed potatoes an interesting flavour and distinctive character on its own. Must order! 

#4 Championship BBQ Chicken @ RM32.90

Beyond the beautiful presentation of perfectly grilled half chicken, its special Championship BBQ sauce was amazingly aromatic and robust in smokiness that further enhanced the flavour of well-marinated meat. The crispy onion rings and Cheddar cheese mashed potatoes were lovely accompaniments to the fragrant tender meat. 

This main course was a complete and well-thought through dish because it embodied all the flavours and aromas of classic America without overwhelming the senses. Highly recommended! 

#5 Sizzling Chicken Fajitas @ RM36.90

If you feel like going Mexican tonight, why not try the tantalizing chicken fajitas? Spread with dips and eaten together with fresh vegetables and grilled meat, tucking into the rustic hot flour tortillas was a hearty experience itself.

Besides chicken, it comes in other variations such as beef, vegetarian and combo,
served on a skillet of roasted onions, red and green peppers.

#6 Snapper Vera Cruz @ RM33.90

Moving on to something closer to oriental flavours, we had the grilled snapper fish fillets simmered with tomatoes, sweet and spicy peppers, capers and olives. While the citrus zingy sauce was added, the fragrance did not mask the essence of the fish. Served with herb rice, it was simple yet comforting.

#7 Key West Whitefish @ RM32.90

Drizzled with a mildly sweet, sparkling citrus sauce, the roasted mild whitefish maintained its juicy, healthy flavour. Served on a bed of herb rice with seasonal vegetables, it was simply filling.

DESSERT

In conjunction to Mother's Day, TGIF was treating every mother a complimentary mocha mud pie upon spending above RM80. Putting an endnote to our scrumptious dinner, it was a pleasant surprise to find that the waiter added a large scoop of vanilla ice cream onto our mocha mud pie. 

#8 Mocha Mud Pie (Complimentary) 

Each spoonful of the chef's signature mud pie sent an aromatic coffee and chocolate sensation through the senses. Topped with hot fudge sauce and almond, it was one of the rich, decadent desserts that you just couldn't say no to. The verdict? A rich and exotic masterpiece. 

The total damage of the evening for 6 pax was RM268.35, which was a good deal considering the large portion and high quality ingredients. Last but not least, we took a family portrait as a remembrance for this special Mother's Day before we left for home with happy stomachs.

Verdict:

1. Overall, it was a satisfying dinner with simple, savoury pleasures found in almost every dish. So glad to be back to TGIF after years of not visiting, and still able to find my all-time favourites here.

2. If you're craving for protein (especially poultry and red meat), TGIF is the perfect venue to unravel the juicy meats. Fish, on the other hand, is rather bland but makes a better choice for the health conscious. 

3. Recommended: Championship BBQ Chicken, BBQ Chicken Salad, Beef Ribs, Lamb Chops

T.G.I. Fridays 
Lot EG001, EG30 and EG31
Ground Floor 
(Facing main entrance, opposite Sakae Sushi)
IOI Mall
Batu 9, Jalan Puchong,
Bandar Puchong Jaya,
47170 Puchong,
Selangor.
Contact: 603-8070 7350
Fax: 603-8070 7360
Website: www.fridays.com.my
Facebook: fb.com/fridays.com.my
Twitter: twitter.com/TGIFmalaysia
Business Hours: 11am to 11pm daily