After a TGI Friday's closure in Sheffield, I gave another a chance with their new £12.45 saver menu
With one of Sheffield’s branches closing its doors, I was reminded of something I’d been meaning to do for a while: go back to TGI Fridays and see if it still lived up to what I remembered.
The launch of the new Everyday Trio - a starter, main and drink from £12.49 - felt like a good excuse to test that theory.
I’ll be honest: I hadn’t rushed back in recent years.
Not because I’d had a bad experience, but because I’d mentally filed it under “expensive for what it is” - so this would be the perfect test.
After a long day at Meadowhall, juggling work and last-minute Valentine’s shopping, value was exactly what I was looking for.
We worked our way through most of the starters.
The cheese doughnuts were the standout - crisp on the outside, soft in the middle, with a proper cheese pull.
If I were ranking purely on value, the maple-glazed corn ribs would probably sit slightly lower, but that’s more about portion than flavour.
They had a smoky sweetness that made them far more interesting than they sound on paper, and they’re a genuinely good option if you’re looking for something lighter or more vegetable-led.
For my main, I went for the Cajun Mushroom Wrap - partly because dishes built around fresh ingredients are usually a good test of how much care a kitchen is taking.
The wrap was filled with avocado, peppers and mushrooms that actually tasted fresh, with a lightness that cut through the heaviness you often expect from chain dining.
I swapped fries for a side salad half out of curiosity, half out of guilt, and it turned out to be substantial and varied - rather than a pile of limp, wet leaves.
My sister opted for a chicken burger with a whisky glaze in a toasted brioche bun, which she described simply as “really good” - high praise from someone economical with words.
The whole thing - starter, main, drink - came in at £12.49 and in 2026, that genuinely feels rare.
It’s also available all day, every day, and the portions haven’t quietly shrunk to compensate for the price.
Service made a difference too.
The staff were warm and relaxed without being overbearing, and when I hesitated over the drinks menu, our server confidently suggested the cucumber and chilli margarita.
I’m glad I listened because it genuinely held its own against cocktails I’ve had in far more expensive bars.
In fact, if I’d closed my eyes, I could easily have imagined it being served in one of those trendy, dimly lit spots where you expect to pay double - if not triple - for the same.
We added dessert for an extra £4 because I have no willpower when it comes to cheesecake.
The honeycomb cheesecake was a generous size, and perfectly creamy, and I made sure to try some of the warm chocolate brownie at the table as well.
Would I return?
The reality is that I recently paid close to the price of the entire meal, for a coffee and a doughnut at an independent café in Sheffield over the weekend.
I’ll always champion independents, but there’s no ignoring the economics of it. When a chain can offer a full sit-down meal, decent service and a cocktail for that price, it deserves acknowledgment.
We did add extras - desserts, cocktails, a couple of additional bits to share - and that’s where the total can start to climb.
But if you’re strategic, split sides or share a pudding, it’s easy to keep the value intact.
When you look at it that way, a full sit-down meal with decent service and a proper cocktail for that price is hard to ignore.