The TGI Fridays range at Iceland (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
December is the ideal month to indulge in party food as we enjoy the festive season with loved ones. However, selecting the perfect tasty treats can be a challenge given the vast array of options.
I sampled all the party foods from TGI Fridays available at Iceland to determine which ones I believe you should serve this Christmas.
The TGI Fridays restaurant chain was established in New York in the 1960s and has since grown to 55 countries, despite recent struggles including the potential closure of 87 UK outlets after the company entered administration in September.
The range at Iceland, known for its American-style menu, will be familiar to regular TGI Fridays patrons. From mac and cheese to burgers, it’s a traditional selection, but there were certainly some disappointments.
One thing to note, some items in the TGI Fridays range place the cooking instructions on the end of the box that you open, so be careful not to tear through them.
And a word to TGI Fridays, please move the cooking instructions to the back of the packets, reports the Mirror.
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The bacon mac and cheese bites, the hash brown dogs, the battered grilled cheese mini toasted sandwiches and the hunters chicken hash brown bites (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
TGI Fridays bacon mac n cheese bites 250g – £3.50 (available 3 for £10)
While these looked appealing, that’s where the positives ended. The cheese sauce lacked the smooth, velvety texture I expected and the pasta noodles were so sparse and soft that they were hard to distinguish, resulting in an overly mushy consistency.
The bacon flavour was barely discernible. There are superior mac and cheese bites available, such as the Cathedral City ones, which I would rather offer to my party guests. 2/10
TGI Fridays 6 Approx. battered grilled cheese mini toasted sandwiches 240g – £4.00 (available 3 for £10)
These were the items I was most intrigued to sample because who can resist a grilled cheese? They had a satisfying crunch but lacked flavour.
The inside didn’t really resemble bread and, dare I say it, there wasn’t enough cheese. However, my vegetarian nephew seemed to enjoy them. Perhaps a dash of Worcestershire sauce could enhance them? 5/10
Mini burgers from the TGI Fridays range at Iceland (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
TGI Fridays 12 mini (approx. ) hash brown dogs 420g – £4.50 (available on 3 for £10)
This was another unique twist on two classic dishes. The hash browns were delightful, crispy on the outside and well-seasoned.
I would happily eat just the hash brown on its own, despite it being slightly too oily, but that’s hash browns for you, right?
The hot dog sausage inside was the downfall as it was lacking in taste and had a somewhat slippery texture.
I’m not convinced I would serve these to my party guests either. 6/10
TGI Fridays 8 hunters chicken hash brown bites with barbecue chicken and bacon 256g – £4.00 (available on 3 for £10)
The hash browns were delightful, albeit a tad greasy. The barbecue chicken and bacon filling was a hit, offering a sweet and salty combination that resembled pulled pork.
These classic flavours melded together perfectly, earning a score of 7/10.
TGI Fridays’ 8 mini burgers with cheese in brioche buns (516g) for £5.00, exclusive to Iceland and The Food Warehouse
A TGI Fridays range wouldn’t be complete without a burger. These adorable mini burgers, filled with cheese-stuffed beef patties, were a delight. The meat was of good quality, oozing with cheese, although it could have used a bit more seasoning.
Served in small brioche buns, they make excellent party food and are reasonably priced at £5. My four year old particularly enjoyed these, as they were the perfect size for him.
Party guests will adore these, and you can even add your own garnishes to elevate them further. Score: 8/10
The TGI Fridays chicken skewers from Iceland (Image: Rebecca Koncienzcy)
TGI Fridays’ 8 coated chicken skewers with Tennessee style glaze and sesame seeds (250g) for £4.00 (available 3 for £10).
These chicken skewers were the star of the range. The chicken pieces come on charming skewers that bear the ‘Fridays’ logo.
The cooking instructions advise turning during the cooking process, a step that should not be skipped to avoid over-browning (burning) some parts of the coating. Also, avoid my mistake.
After the chicken was cooked, I added the glaze and then the sesame seeds, but due to picking up the packet from the wrong end, I ended up scattering most of them across my floor.
The exterior was crunchy while the chicken remained tender and juicy. The glaze was sticky and sweet with a slight pleasant tang, making these skewers incredibly easy to eat and moreish.
These chicken skewers are sure to be a hit at any party. 10/10
You can shop the full range at Iceland, both online and in store.
