December is the ideal month to indulge in party food as we enjoy the festive season with our 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 operate in 55 countries.
However, it has recently faced difficulties, with the threat of 87 UK restaurants closing 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, the selection is traditional, but there were certainly some disappointments.
One thing to note is that some items in the TGI Fridays range have cooking instructions on the end of the box that opens, 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.
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'd rather serve 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 ones that piqued my curiosity the most because who doesn't enjoy 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 really like them. Perhaps a dash of Worcestershire sauce would enhance them? 5/10
TGI Fridays 12 mini (approx. ) hash brown dogs 420g - £4.50 (available on 3 for £10)
This was another unique twist on two classics. 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 greasy, but that's hash browns for you, right?
The hot dog sausage inside was the downfall as it lacked flavour and had a somewhat slippery texture. I'm not sure I'd 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 tasty, albeit a tad greasy. The barbecue chicken and bacon filling was a delightful mix of sweet and salty, reminiscent of 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.
What would a TGI Fridays range be without a burger? These adorable mini burgers, filled with cheese-stuffed beef patties, were a hit.
The meat was of good quality, with bursts of melted cheese, although they could have used a bit more seasoning. Served in small brioche buns, they make excellent party food and are well-priced at £5.
My four year old particularly enjoyed these, as they were just the right size for him. Party guests will surely appreciate these, and you can even add your own garnishes to elevate them further. Score: 8/10
Finally, TGI Fridays' 8 coated chicken skewers with Tennessee style glaze and sesame seeds (250g) for £4.00 (or available 3 for £10).
These chicken skewers were the standout of the range. The chicken pieces come on charming skewers that bear the 'Fridays' logo.
The cooking instructions advise turning during the cooking time, a step you should definitely follow to avoid parts of the coating becoming overly golden (burnt). And certainly don't make 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 kitchen floor.
The exterior was crispy while the chicken inside was tender and juicy. The glaze was sticky and sweet with a slight delightful tang, making these skewers incredibly easy to eat and moreish. These chicken skewers are sure to be a massive hit with party guests. 10/10
You can shop the full range at Iceland online and in store.
