Always Friday in the Sunshine City

It was a lively celebration on Monday night at one of the season’s anticipated culinary openings. TGI Fridays recently opened its second location at the Sunshine Outlet Mall on Braeton Parkway in Portmore, St Catherine, already drawing diners from near and far. Nowhere seems more fitting for the place where it’s always Friday than the island’s Sunshine City.

“The choice of Portmore for the newest expansion was highly intentional. Portmore is one of the fastest-growing residential and commercial municipalities in Jamaica. By moving there, TGI Fridays is meeting the customers where they are and moving beyond the Kingston corporate crowd to capture the family and suburban market. The brand isn’t just expanding because of brand recognition, it’s expanding because we recognise the growth of the Jamaica middle class and we are there alongside for the journey ahead,” Vice-President of TGI Fridays for Trinidad and Jamaica, Ryan Deans, told Food.

Prior to the official ribbon-cutting, specially invited guests were cordially invited to witness the milestone and partake in a private tasting and sipping experience, starring a savoury, sweet and spirited line-up.

Smiling faces beamed with great pride as cheers and chants of signature sounds echoed in the newly designed space, while scrumptious dishes later charmed the palates of those yearning for second and third servings.

With a soup station to complement the evening’s cold weather, the highlight foodie reel included platters of pork ribs, jumbo shrimps, Fridays wings, and mac and cheese bites. There was also a pasta station and buffet-styled spread of steamed vegetables, grilled chicken, grilled fish, jasmine rice and mashed potatoes, along with a cupcake section, just to name a few.

On the sipping side, invitees were greeted with classic mojitos and margaritas, as well as other tropical-inspired mixes. There was even a round of bubbly to celebrate the groundbreaking occasion.

“One of the key components for our brand is to ensure that our guests have a great experience. The Kingston and Portmore stores will share the same menu, inclusive of our well-known entrées such as the Cajun shrimp and chicken pasta, our signature burger and ribs, as well as our famous Fridays cocktails. We are, however, developing a signature cocktail that will only be available at the Portmore store,” Deans revealed.

Known for its Hope Road location in St Andrew, the restaurant carries a similarly refined aesthetic at its Portmore counterpart. Designed with more spacious seating, the modern interior features an open kitchen that allows diners to view meals being prepared in real time.

Beyond the food and drinks, the staff help create a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere that reflects the best Friday experience every day of the week. The restaurant also accommodates celebrations and special occasions, offering a lively setting for diners.

“As the pioneer of modern American casual dining, we are built on the promise that ‘In Here, It’s Always Friday’. Our philosophy captures the sense of relief and liberation found at the end of a long work week, providing you with a fun, high-energy atmosphere. We provide a space for persons of ‘all stripes’ where your daily stresses disappear. In addition to being a destination for an everyday escape, our brand is a cultural staple for families wanting to enjoy their celebrations and milestones,” he confirmed.

Confident that this new TGI Fridays will provide an exceptional dining experience unique to locals and tourists alike, the vice-president hopes that the brand will also serve proudly as a symbol of hope and resilience for the community.

“Whether you are dining on your signature meals or amazing cocktails, we will always make you feel at home at TGI Fridays. We are looking forward to a future filled with growth, joy, and meaningful connections for TGI Portmore and the wonderful community,” Deans added.

krysta.anderson@gleanerjm.com