Friday is supposed to be the best day of the week, the day to finish work and welcome the weekend. Well at TGI’s it’s supposed to be Friday every day, and the feeling of fun is infectious.

The Venue
The bright neon red sign of TGI’s makes cars turn in off the bleak stretch of Purley way to get some American grub in them. The venue itself has lots of space, with almost every inch taken up with tables, but cleverly split into different sections of small tables, booths and a bar to make sure no one feels crammed and claustrophobic. The centrepiece of the restaurant is the bar, which is typical of Croydon, but it also creates a sociable atmosphere in the heart of the restaurant, which spreads to the tables as well.

The walls are covered with memorabilia, from 1950s posters to Stars Wars action figures to bicycles. You name it, it’s on the wall, amongst lots of bright colours and neon signs. If that wasn’t enough vibrancy for you, the waiters themselves are a form of decoration, wearing candy red and white striped outfits covered in badges, stickers and sometimes balloons. This might make some wince, but for most it makes the venue seem like a fun place to be.

The Atmosphere
Friends singing along to cheesy songs, children giggling about their balloons, couples chatting over a cocktail… this place isn’t for the faint hearted as there is constant noise. The staff themselves even join in, by ringing bells by the bar and loudly announcing birthdays and singing them a song. It’s all part of the fun, so it’s ideal for families, young groups of friends and fun loving crowds. They all take the madness in their stride and blend in, especially the locals who usually love a crazy time, but if you’re looking for a sophisticated dinner then don’t bother.

The Food
The food is mostly American style fast food, with the addition of a few recent influences from the Orient. Ribs, burgers, steak, fajitas… if its got meat in it then its probably on the menu, and if it goes well with chips then its definitely on the menu, but there’s a few salads and pastas to keep those who aren’t particularly into their grease to have a healthy meal. For starters, the Times Square big share is a favourite with big groups, giving you a good selection of the starters they have on offer. Potato skins are fluffy and crammed with melted cheese and toppings, but they are extremely heavy if you eat too much. The cheese nachos are also a great starter, as the crisp tortilla chips go very well with the slightly spicy tomato salsa, hot jalapenos and smooth sour cream and guacamole, but if you leave it too long it all goes horribly soggy. The tomato bruschetta isn’t worth a try, as the tomatoes are overloaded with a harsh raw garlic flavour and the bread itself is bland and in desperate need of some peppery olive oil.

For mains, the chicken finger BLT is a monster of a sandwich, with crunchy salty chicken strips, bacon, cheese and salads all shoved in a ciabatta with some chilli flakes melted into gooey cheese. Sounds amazing? If the description appeals to you then you can be sure that the sandwich is so much more. With addictively flavoured fries on the side, it will definitely not disappoint. The chicken fajitas are also another treat, as you get a tower of sizzling dishes arriving at your table, complete with sauces and tortillas to wrap your own wraps. The chicken is lightly charred and spiced, and the crunchy green peppers and sweet soft onions are good accompaniments. Pile salsa, cheese, sour cream and guacamole with it into a soft tortilla and you have the satisfaction of eating a fajita you made yourself.

For dessert, the sundaes and cakes all sound heavenly, but they are all overloaded with a cheap sugar taste that makes them very rich and almost impossible to finish, unless you’re six years old and obsessed with chocolate.

The Drink
Free refills on soft drinks is great value considering how much Diet Coke you will probably drink in one sitting. The cocktail list is extensive and fun, with classics all taken care of like Mojito and Mai Tai, but with fabulous extras like Paradise Punch, a heady concoction of Southern Comfort, amaretto, vodka, pineapple, lime and orange juice that creates a great fruity taste. If you like your drinks creamy, try the Baramint Baileys, which is a cross between a milkshake and a cocktail. Cocktails are priced at about £5 each, but for an extra generous size upgrade to an ultimate for about £7. The selection of non-alcoholic mixes are also great, with fabulous fruit combination and creamy milkshakes in almost every flavour you can think of for only £2 to £3.

The Last Word
A place where you leave all your troubles behind, eat some comfort food and have a fabulous time. It really does feel like a Friday - at least the Fridays you wanted when you were a kid.

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