A visit to the Porter Ranch location shows how bad food dooms a restaurant
Once upon a time TGI Friday’s was a happening chain. It was cool, even somewhat hip, offering good burgers and cool drinks. I have a vague memory of going once or twice to the Jack London location (since closed) and not thinking too badly of it. But things have changed in the last few decades, and TGI Friday’s has now become a tired, unappealing chain only to be visited when you are stuck at the airport with no better choices. Indeed, I had an OK meal at the Miami airport location a few years ago.
Still, we were in LA visiting family, and my brother suggested we go to dinner there – he had a coupon. As he can be picky about what he eats, I figured we might as well and so we headed there a week night in March, 2026. It was even worse than I expected.
The restaurant itself doesn’t look too bad, but it’s just tired. It looks like it did back in the 90’s, but with the same wrinkles and sagging we acquired ourselves. It’s as low energy as it gets – pretty much the opposite of what it once signified. The service, however, was very good. Our waiter was extremely patient as my brother tried and failed, time after time, of applying the electronic coupon (here is a hint: order first, and apply the coupon after you get the bill).
I had the boneless wing basket ($11). I wasn’t very hungry, but I wanted to try their famous (as per the reviews I read) whisky sauce. You choose the flavor of the wings and a side – obviously, I went with onion rings.
The 8 “wings” (boneless wings are really just breast slices) were OK, a bit dried and overcooked but I did like the whisky sauce, which was sweet and not too intense. It reminded me of Jack Daniels BBQ sauce, but better. The onion rings were pretty standard. But it was a tired meal, the sort you’d expect from a diner anywhere in America.
My brother had essentially the same thing, only that instead of the “basket” he ordered the small appetizer of boneless chicken wings, as that’s what his coupon was for. Normally, this costs $14 and you don’t get a side, so check under “Meal Deals” to make sure you are not overpaying by ordering from a different part of the menu.
My husband went for the Friday Feast ($32), and it actually hurt paying so much for such a mediocre meal. He chose whisky glazed ribs (half a rack) and fried shrimp, with broccoli and slaw as sides. He thought his meal was just “fine,” – there just wasn’t anything remarkable about it. For the price, there should have been. Indeed, I think the ribs I had at the Miami airport a few years ago were better.
In all, we left unsurprised that TGI Friday’s went bankrupt. And while they have since announced a revamp, it seems to be at the planning stages only. Personally, if I had to go back to TGI Friday’s, I’d stick with the value menu (so at least I’m not paying too much for mediocre food) – but I’ll probably only go back if I’m stuck at an airport without better choices.
TGI Friday's
19855 Rinaldi St
Porter Ranch, CA
(818) 831-2324
M-Su 10:30 AM - 1 AM
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