Friday’s Is Surprisingly Friendly--Any Day of the Week

It’s a bar where you can see the same people, sitting in the same places night after night. Where the bartenders not only know your name, but bring you your regular drink before you have a chance to ask. Where you’re not pushed out the door an hour before the state-mandated closing time.

Does it sound like a neighborhood place where Norm’s about to belly up to the bar next to you and order a cold one? Well, it is and it isn’t.

The place is TGI Friday’s in Costa Mesa. And before you get visions of fern baskets dancing over your head and reject Friday’s out of hand, spend a few minutes at the bar.

Yes, there are fern baskets, brass rails and striped uniforms. But there is also a consistent crew of bartenders and waitresses who give this Friday’s more of a personality than one might expect in a chain establishment.

As far as drinks go, there are three beers on tap--Michelob, Foster’s and Coors Light--and a wide variety of bottled beers. Along with the usual domestic beers, Beck’s (dark and light), Steinlager, Bass, Molson, Heineken and Amstel Light are available. There’s even TGI Friday’s beer, a heavier amber brew.

The wine list is primarily California label. One noteworthy exception: Dom Perignon is for sale at $97.50 a bottle.

There are all the usual mixed drinks, and a menu with house specialties that come in most of the colors of the rainbow.

The menu is big, ranging from potato-skin appetizers to steak dinners, but pretty standard for places of this type. Appetizer prices run from $2.95 to $6.25. However, food may be ordered until 1 a.m., which makes it a good place to stop for a bite on the way home from a movie or concert.

Although it’s no sports bar, Friday’s has television sets tuned to ESPN and Prime Ticket. They’re hard to see from many of the tables, however, so if you’re looking for the perfect spot to watch the big game, this place probably isn’t for you.

But if you’re looking for a friendly spot to spend an evening, check out TGI Friday’s. It might surprise you.

TGI Friday’s, 601 Anton St., Costa Mesa. (Other Orange County locations are North Orange, Brea and Laguna Niguel.) Open Monday through Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 2 a.m.; Sunday 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. (714) 540-2227.