So, I finally got a chance to visit Friendlys, that cornerstone of East Coast munchies. Open for late breakfast, lunch, and dinner, its menu sure is bursting with flavors, but let’s be real here – it’s the ice cream everyone raves about! My server even told me most stores have an ice cream 'take-out window' for those who just want a tasty soft serve – no need to get in line!
You know, it may be a chain store now, but Friendlys still has humble beginnings to its name. The first Friendlys store opened in Springfield, Massachusetts all the way back in 1935. I mean, who chooses the Great Depression as the perfect time to start a business! It was the Blake Brothers, S. Priestley and Curtis, who did just that. Initially, they only served ice cream till they opened their second store in 1940 and began serving food as well.
If you want more info about Friendlys, you can visit their website.https://www.friendlysrestaurants.com/ It’s quite user-friendly, so kudos to them!
You might ask, where can I find a Friendlys store?
Well, if you’re on the East Coast, you're in luck. According to my server, there are 126 stores strewn across Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina. Got your dose of deliciousness sorted, haven't you?
Curious about the location of a Friendlys store near you? It's actually simpler than you’d think. Just pop your ZIP Code, city, or state into the company’s website with its convenient restaurant finder, and voila! You’ll get all the info about the closest store, its opening hours, contact details, even online ordering!
From breakfast to dinner, the variety is sure to shock you. My visit was lunchtime affair and it was extremely filling. I got the Philly Steak and Cheese Omelet, and boy oh boy, was it the perfect way to kick back and enjoy my day.
However, Friendlys’ lunch and dinner menus offer much more than the usual. I sampled their loaded waffle fries and let me tell you, it was to die for! They also serve a small but delicious range of starters like clam chowder.
The burgers are definitely worth a shot, with choices from classic hamburgers and cheeseburgers to the Jammed-Up Burger, packed full of beet patty, pulled pork, and cheese. It's definitely their trump card. But, if you’re not feeling burgers, there are also chicken tenders, homestyle turkey, seafood, sandwiches, hot dogs, wraps, salads, and pasta.
But let me level with you – the true gem here is Friendlys ice cream. They’ve got more ice cream flavors and combinations than I could even dream of! I got really into it and made my own sundae but if you’re not feeling that adventurous, don’t worry – they've got a pretty tempting range of sundaes lined up for you.
Is there anything for vegetarians at Friendlys?
Trust me, you’ve hit the jackpot. The offerings for vegetarians include:
- Steel Cut Oatmeal (Breakfast)
- Buttermilk Pancakes & Blueberry Muffin Top Pancakes (Breakfast - just order without bacon)
- Mozzarella Sticks (Lunch and Dinner - Starters)
- Tomato Basil Soup (Lunch and Dinner - Starters)
- Ultimate Grilled Cheese & Soup (Lunch and Dinner - Sandwiches)
- Soup & Side Salad (Lunch and Dinner - Salads)
- Zesty Lemon Garlic Pasta (Lunch and Dinner - pasta)
- And drool-worthy Ice Cream!
While they don’t serve any plant-based meat alternatives, the selection is quite varied and most importantly, all the ice cream is suitable for vegetarians.
Kids, ice cream, and Friendlys are a match made in heaven. Not only is there a separate lunch & dinner menu just for kids, but they have some cool desserts and sides too.
They have tacos, quesadillas, grilled cheese, double beef sliders, chicken pops, mac & cheese and even more than that. And of course, they offer a ton of sides to choose from- fries, apple slices, broccoli, you name it!
They've got kids' breakfast options too, like the awesome Belgian Waffle or pancakes. And guess what – you can get ice cream for breakfast!
And no visit to Friendlys is complete without some dessert, right? The kids' menu lets them build their own sundae, or pick from a plethora of options like the Cone Head ice cream or Monster Mash Sundae - both come designed with fun and goofy faces!
All about the hours
Most Friendlys stores are open from 10am to 10pm Sunday through Thursday, extending till 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays. But it varies, so checking with your local branch or the website would be the best way to know about specific hours.
Homebody? Friendlys delivers!
Yep, they offer delivery for most branches. That means you get their awesome food delivered right to your doorstep. For some locations, orders can be placed via the website or through popular third-party delivery apps and websites.
Bitten by the party bug? Friendlys caters!
Planning parties can be tough and the last thing you need is to worry about the food. Let Friendlys take care of the catering. You can order online or reach out to your local store. And guess what - they even offer a make-your-own sundae kit. It's a hit at every kids' party (and let's be honest, even adults love it!).
How about some rewards!
Yes, they've got a rewards program if you fancy some perks and freebies. Some benefits include:
- Exclusive perks
- A free medium sundae after your first visit
- $5 reward for every 75 points
- Another free sundae if you buy 5 medium or large ones
- Yet another free sundae anytime during your birthday month
- Lots of other promotions and offers
Pros:
- Vast, varied menu
- Exceptional ice cream
- Kid-friendly atmosphere and menu
- Vegetarian-friendly options
- Addictive rewards program
- In-house catering service
- Home delivery
Cons:
- Limited vegan options
- Stores only on the East Coast
- The menu can be overwhelming for first-timers