Critic Review: The 7 Best Menu Items To Order From TGI Friday’s

It's been nearly three years of traveling to your most beloved chain restaurants and yet we still had not hit one of the most influential chains in the industry: TGI Friday's. As one of the first singles' bars in New York City and the spot that made 'happy hour' a household name, it's fair to say we were overdue to try everything on the menu. Let's just say good things (as in, the seven delicious things listed below) come to those who wait.

Best App: FRIDAYS Signature Whiskey-Glazed Sampler - Let everyone else eat the fried shrimp and ribs on this plate because the sesame chicken strips are all that matter. The chicken hits the trifecta: sticky, crunchy and candied. It's the only menu item I still think about daily. BTW, you can buy the signature whiskey glaze and add it to everything at home.

Honorable mention: Loaded potato skins. You thought I'd just pass on the most iconic thing on the menu? How dare. They're fluffy on the inside and crispy on the outside, you can actually hear the crunch when you bite down into one.

Best Cocktail: Cotton Candy Cosmo - Let me tell you: I did *not* want to like this. Cotton candy goes in the same bucket as bubblegum to me: Trash. However! You don't taste the cotton candy whatsoever; it's only there for the show. It tastes like a tropical, pineapple-esque Cosmopolitan perfect for a warm day.

Best Entree: Sizzling Fridays™ Signature Whiskey-Glazed Flat Iron Steak - Say that three times fast. I ordered my steak medium rare and it was stupid tender—no chewiness whatsoever. The whiskey-glaze leans more teriyaki than barbecue and has a sweet start with a lil' baby kick of heat at the end. Luckily, you have a helping of melted cheddar cheese and mashed potatoes if it's leaning too spicy for you. The thinly sliced cajun fried onions add that crunchy texture that makes this the most well-rounded entree on the menu.

Best Burger: Philly Cheesesteak Burger - A new (and very welcome) addition to the menu includes the Philly cheesesteak burger which comes with an entire Philly cheesesteak egg roll on top—a true two-for-one deal here, y'all. Piled high with onions, red and green peppers, this monster is gorgeous. If you order; ask for extra whiz on the side to dip.

Best Pasta: Cajun Shrimp & Chicken Pasta - Fettuccine Alfredo is commonplace at chain restaurants and I was overjoyed that TGI Fridays gave this staple a much needed makeover. Move over bland, one-note Alfredo: This Cajun Alfredo sauce has smoky and spicy flavors that cut through all the cheesy carbs in this dish. One side note for you: Skip the garlic bread stick, it doesn't compare to Olive Garden's.

Best Dessert: Giant Churro Twists & Brownie Obsession - I know I was only supposed to choose one favorite for each section; but I'm telling you that these are equally tied in my heart. I hated churros growing up (too stiff, never warm enough!) and this massive churro twist changed my mind. It's the size of a baguette, aka beyond shareable, and is light, fluffy, and doughy. Meanwhile, the brownie obsession is thick and fudgy, rivaling one of my favorite desserts of all time: The Cracker Barrel double chocolate fudge Coca-Cola cake.