When I was a kid, I can remember watching Cheers. My family liked to go out to restaurants and, when a place was good, we became regulars. It was always nice to eat at those places because we felt important. We felt valued. Then, as an adult, that just didn’t really happen anymore — and we certainly didn’t expect to find that at a TGI Friday’s in Nampa, Idaho!
Over the last couple years, our relationship with the staff at that location has grown and we even text one of our favorite servers to make sure he’ll be there waiting for us on date night. We have found our people.
Table of Contents
Same Menu, Different Service
There’s nothing unique about the menu at the TGI Friday’s in Nampa. They offer the same meals, same promotions, and same perks as any location. What’s different, however, is that this is a staff with heart. They want to do things right the first time and, if they get it wrong (which happens very, very rarely), they go above and beyond to make their patrons happy.
For two years, we’ve visited that TGI Friday’s almost every Wednesday. We’ve brought family who were visiting from out of town. We’ve celebrated birthdays and milestones. We’ve sat in the bar with one very talkative toddler. And when we walk in there, we are greeted like we’re part of the family. It’s amazing!
They remember our orders, our preferences, and dietary restrictions. They let us know when something good is coming up or if a new item has been added to the menu. As Stripes members, they make sure we get our free chips and salsa and they take our Rewards without making us feel bad for using them.
What We Order at TGI Friday’s in Nampa
The food at TGI Friday’s is perfect for our date night budget and I’m able to even add on a cocktail or two. By the time our food comes out, we’ve already caught up with our friends, we’re laughing, and having a good time. We tend to order the same items over and over — we’re creatures of habit. Here are the things we love best:
Appetizers:
Most times, the chips and salsa are enough for us as an appetizer, but on occasion, we will splurge and thoroughly enjoy one of the following:
- Traditional Wings
- Boneless Wings
- Potstickers
- Mozzarella Sticks
- Loaded Fries
- Giant Onion Rings
- Bucket of Bones
Okay, before we go any further, I need to talk about the Bucket of Bones. Yes, this is technically an appetizer and, yes, you can share it — but you won’t want to. It’s a bucket filled with fries, ribs, and wings and, when I’m craving it, this is what I order as my entrée. And I’m not sharing!
Entrées
The great thing about the menu at TGI Friday’s is that there is something for every mood. Even my vegetarian daughter is able to find craveable stuff on every page! Here are the things we order regularly:
- Bacon Cheeseburger
- Sizzling Chicken & Cheese
- Big Ribs Whisky-Glazed
- Center-Cut Sirloin
- New York Strip
One thing I love is that, when I’m trying to keep it low carb, I just order a burger “Greenstyle” and they bring it to me wrapped in lettuce. They are so great about customizing my meal to meet my needs and it’s so much less stressful to eat out with my carb-loving partner!
Desserts
We don’t typically order desserts but, when we have, they’ve been really good! Here are the things we’ve sampled over the years:
- Oreo Madness
- Tennessee Whiskey Cake
- Red Velvet Cake
- Toasted Smores Extreme Shake
When Josh ordered that shake, there was no way I thought he would finish it but, hilariously, he proved me wrong. Even with a belly full of good eats, he found room for one final treat!
It feels so good to feel valued, remembered, and respected as a customer which makes it so much easier for us to spend our money. Tell us, are you a regular somewhere? Have your found your foodie tribe? Share in comments!
Hot Dog King was the place where we were younger. We sat at the bar with my grandfather and my son’s great grandfather. Three generations sitting together sharing cheese hot dogs, cheese fries and our favorite soda listening to James Brown on the jukebox. A lot wonderful memories. Then when my son went to college they opened a restaurant just miles from campus where he and his friends spent time enjoying those awesome dogs at a budget friendly price. It was open while he was there and closed shortly after graduation. We go to their original restaurant now and then; but grandparents have passed and my son has his own family on the other side of the country. I still have pics of our adventures there and memories that will never go away.
Hot Dog King was the place when we were younger. We sat at the bar with my grandfather and my son’s great grandfather. Three generations sitting together sharing cheese hot dogs, cheese fries and our favorite soda listening to James Brown on the jukebox. A lot wonderful memories. Then when my son went to college they opened a restaurant just miles from campus where he and his friends spent time enjoying those awesome dogs at a budget friendly price. It was open while he was there and closed shortly after graduation. We go to their original restaurant now and then; but grandparents have passed and my son has his own family on the other side of the country. I still have pics of our adventures there and memories that will never go away.