T.G.I. Friday’s to spice up Caribbean-inspired menuT.G.I. Friday’s to spice up Caribbean-inspired menu

Ron Ruggless

T.G.I. Friday’s, the 900-unit casual-dining chain, is spiking a number of its new items with spiced rum as it introduces a summer Caribbean-inspired menu Wednesday.

The chain, based in Carrollton, Texas, is featuring 14 new offerings in the Caribbean vein, ranging from appetizers to combo entrees.

John Neitzel, president and chief operating officer of T.G.I. Friday’s USA, said the items “are packed with island flavors and exotic spices.”

Among the new items are:

• Grilled Caribbean wings, glazed with a sauce of Captain Morgan Original Spiced Rum.
• Tropical Splash salad with ginger-lime marinated chicken or shrimp or sirloin flap steak on a bed of mixed greens tossed with pineapple, mango, cucumber, red pepper, avocado, cilantro, crisp wontons and fruit vinaigrette.
• Caribbean Conga-Line Chicken Sandwich, grilled and basted, with rum sauce on a bun with seasoned sour cream, pineapple pico, fresh cilantro and avocado. The item is served with sweet potato fries and extra sauce for dipping.
• Caribbean Rockin’ Reggae Ribs with jerk-inspired rum sauce, sweet potato fries, coleslaw and pineapple pico.
• Caribbean Steak, featuring a grilled and glazed seven-ounce Black Angus sirloin flap steak, served with coconut-jasmine rice, vegetable medley and pineapple pico garnish.
• Caribbean Chicken grilled and rum-sauced with coconut jasmine rice, a fresh vegetable medley, and pineapple pico garnish.
• Island Breeze Sundae with vanilla ice cream, sweetened wonton crisps, pineapple, mango, strawberries, caramel sauce and whipped cream.

Friday’s is also offering four combos with variations of ribs, chicken, salmon and shrimp.

Earlier this month, T.G.I. Friday’s introduced eight Caribbean cocktails.

Friday’s is a division of Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., which is owned by Carlson of Minneapolis.

Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected].