"TGI Fridays at the Manchester Royal Exchange Theatre is located just outside the Manchester Arndale, opposite Boots on Cross Street so is in an ideal location for hungry shoppers in the city centre, or those just out and about in Manchester. I've visited this TGI Fridays a couple of times now over the past couple of years, and I always seem to have issues, with this place not meeting the regular TGI Fridays standards at all, compared to nearby locations in Prestwich, Cheadle and The Trafford Centre, which are very good. The interior is dark, but they've tried to make it pretty cool with the large TGI Fridays writing on the wall, the motorbike at the front, and the number of booths. It's pretty large inside too, so there are plenty of tables, as it's the only TGI Fridays in the city centre with the Piccadilly Station one closing, this is useful. One thing which has remained consistent over the years and with other TGI Fridays is that a manager must take my order as I have an allergy, but this even included drinks it felt annoying to be separated from the rest of my party when I wanted anything. On my most recent visit, I had the New York Strip steak with a Long Island Iced Tea, I do think the steak is a little pricey for a non specialist chain, and for the quality. When it came, it was very tough, dry and fatty, even though I ordered it to be medium, so it wasn't a very good cut of steak at all. Both steak sauces also contain gluten, so I had to order BBQ sauce, which tasted great with the fries... but the steak not so much. The Long Island was good though, and the foam on the top was unlike most I've had before. They have regular offers on the cocktails too via their loyalty scheme, making it easy to get one for free or at a reduced price near and then. The mobile signal in the restaurant is also non existent, despite it being fine just outside, so I'm not sure why that is, there is WiFi though which works after you fill in the tedious form. The staff seemed nice enough and did apologise for being unable to assist with my order due to company policy. 2* The staff are friendly enough and the drinks are good, that's pretty much it, I wouldn't come back for food but I wouldn't rule out returning for drinks only."
