Friendly’s

9:40pm Saturday night, looking to get ice cream, we walk in. Three girls are chatting behind the counter, a few more are wandering around, one is talking to a friend who is lying down on one of the booth benches and gossiping with her. The restaurant is overwhelmingly empty. We are greeted and and seated in one of the only clean tables available. The hostess apologizes for the mess, stating that «rush hour just cleared out.» That explains the mess everywhere but it does nothing to explain why none of the staff are doing anything about it. As the hostess leaves she says, «I’ll send Chrissy right over.»
Tick, tick, tick… nothing. What the??? Oh, right, we’re in a Friendly’s. With no service and, suddenly, NO ONE around works works there, we get up to leave. On the way out, another couple is walking in and I said to myself, «Does anyone work here?» They take the hint and follow us out the door.
Another typical Friendly’s experience. The Blake brothers would roll over in their grave if they knew that this is how patrons were treated.
Drive past this place and go elsewhere. Anywhere.

Sometimes people don’t review chains because they feel like «What’s the point? It’s D-​List food at best.» The point is at some time or another you wind up popping into these places and you should be able to know what you’re getting yourself into besides the food. Sometimes great service and prices can be a redeeming factor. Unfortunately that is not the case here.
Food: They recently changed their menu offering LESS items. Many children’s ice cream favorites are no longer available. The quantity of food you are given has gone down as well.
Prices: With the menu change the prices were upped as well. Pair it with the smaller portions and you’re paying what you might pay for C-​List food except it’s crappier and there’s less of it. They also upped the ice cream prices an eliminated the included ice cream for certain adult meals.
Service: This one is a toss up. You might get good staff, but you probably won’t and generally service is slow.
Atmosphere: Does anyone really care? It’s Friendly’s for F sake! (See what I did there?)
Cleanliness: Tables generally have sticky unwashed sides and crap under the table from the last family. The bathrooms are usually well kept. So there’s that at least.
To be specific: Our family of five ate here last night. Three kids meals and two adult meals, all waters, no extras and it came to $ 45 before the tip. I could have easily gone to Cancun for that and at least eaten healthy food that is delicious in a place owned by LOCALS for that! We vowed to never set foot in Friendly’s again.

Stopped there for lunch on Saturday on our way from Cape Cod to Plymouth MA. We arrived at 11:30. Ordered a water and when the waitress brought the glass she asked if I wanted lemon, I said yes. 20 minutes later when our burgers arrived she went back to the kitchen for the lemons. There were only 3 other tables occupied at the time and the service was very slow even with 2 cooks in the back.

This is by far the worst friendlys I’ve been to. Every time I go there it takes 20 minutes to even get someone’s attention (and their never busy so I’m not sure why). Never mind the fact that the food takes ages to come out and half the time it’s wrong. There’s never anyone attending the ice cream station, the employees look at you waiting from the kitchen and don’t come to help you or even tell someone else there’s a customer. It’s just absurd. I’ve been in customer service for a long time and this is just the product of pure laziness/​carelessness. And all the manager had to say was that she was probably getting ice cream and she’s sorry she couldn’t help me. What about all the employees? No one can help? Just absolutely poorly run, don’t go here if your in a rush or want good service because you won’t get it

Good stop for a quick breakfast. Coffee was good but a bit pricey. Omelette and breakfast sandwich were good and filling for the price. Only one waitress for the first hour they’re open, so it can get a bit backed up if they have more than two tables.

Came here twice in 2 months, and waited 15 – 20 minutes to be seated both times. Both times, there were only 10 – 12 people in the whole place. A few workers even walked by us without even saying anything. A «be right with you» would of been nice.
Both times, the food took way to long and was sub par. The few waitresses were nice, and apologized for the food taking so long but had no reason.
The ice-​cream is pretty good but the service is terrible.

I was in the Plymouth, MA Friendly’s on 6÷3÷15 for dinner. It was not crowded but we had to wait 20 mins for a table. Once seated our waitress was very polite. After taking our food order, it took a while to get our drinks. The food was served hot and was very good. We had a toddler joining us for dinner. Her mom ordered her ice cream before we were finished eating. We all waited over 30 mins for ice cream including the toddler. It was not busy at all. However, we were told it took so long because of takeout customers ordering ice cream. I feel it is ridiculous that customers sitting down should have to wait over take-​out orders. The prices have gotten too high. Drinks & ice cream are no longer included in the meal price. It cost me $ 60 for three adults to eat at Friendly’s. Our entire experience took two hours from start to finish which is unacceptable. I will think twice before returning to Friendly’s.

This was the most disastrous dining experience I have ever had. Our party of four waited for a table for over 20 minutes. The staff and manager had no sense of urgency. Dirty tables were being ignored as customers waited in full view of the staff.
We placed our order and were still waiting for food after 45 minutes. The waitress worked so slowly, that if she had been slower, she would have been working in reverse. The manager on duty was thoroughly incompetent.
Utensils and food remained on the floor ignored. Diners were leaving after waiting so long for a server.
Don’t waste your time at this Friendly’s. Customers deserve so much more than the employees can provide.
If I could have rated this experience a ZERO, I would have done so, but it was not an option.

We had a coupon and were with my in-​laws, so we went in for lunch on Saturday. Maybe 6 – 8 tables seated in the whole place, with three servers. We asked if they had the lobster rolls they were advertising, and we’re told yes. So three of our group ordered them. We ordered and then maybe 15 minutes later our server came out and said that indeed they were out of the lobster rolls. Oh and out of the salmon too. So all three got the fish and chips. 40 minutes later we were served our food. I got the turkey tip salad that had 3 measly nuggets of turkey for $ 10. The food really wasn’t that good, not that I’m expecting amazing, but it was tasteless. It took another 15 minutes to get the kids’ ice cream, and by the time it got to us it was melting. There was never any recognition of the ridiculous wait time. Spent over $ 60 still for 4 adults and 2 kids, even with the coupon. What a waste.

I had mixed feelings about this Friendly’s. The staff was very nice. We got seated right away and the food tasted fine. The issues I had were:
We waited a good 15 minutes for our drinks to arrive, I found a piece of plastic wrapper in my cole slaw, my sisters ice cream was completely melted when it was delivered to her, my 7 year old son was the last to be served — when kids should be served first or at least the same time as everyone else at the table and not have to wait 5 extra minutes for his food.
Also a table next to us stayed dirty the entire time we were there which was over an hour. Not sure why, but there were other tables I noticed like this when leaving. Just doesn’t give a good impression.
I really love Friendly’s, just not this particular one.

Waited twenty mins to be seated… tables were still dirty… Staff didn’t acknowledge our party

Stopped for a quick lunch. Very good service and food. Our server, Lindsay was efficient and a pleasure to briefly chat with. We will stop again when in the area.

My Fiancé and I went here on ⁸⁄₅ and were ‘waited’ on my Lyndsay/​Lindsay/​Lindsay (call her L as I can’t remember the correct spelling).
We walked in and were seated right away and given menus. The place was pretty much empty, only 3 or 4 other tables filled.
L took our order. Very simple. A tuna sandwich and a build your own burger, she brought our water over to us very quickly.
We then waited 40 minutes for the food to arrive. We were about to get up and leave due to the wait but then L brought our food out. Basically she dropped the plates on the table and said «here you are» and left.
Now…when I ordered the burger (actually it was chicken) L went over the list and double checked it before she took it to the back. My item was missing 3 of the things on the list.
We looked for L and she was nowhere to be found for a good 10 minutes. When we did see her she went to another table and did not even look in our direction even as we waved at her to get her attention. Finally we were able to wave another person down and she came over.
I told her what was missing from my meal and said I would like it in little cups so I can put it on my sandwich. I did not say this but, I did not want my meal to leave the table I have seen too many kitchen nightmare shows I guess. Anyway… I told her what was missing and she said in a very condescending tone «Well you did not get any of that did you. I will get it for you and wow it DOES sound like a tasty creative sandwich» My fiancé just looked at each other like «really? did she just take to me like a little kid?»
She brought the missing items over and we ate. Now she did not apologize except for that condescending tone, she just brought it over, dropped it and left. 10 minutes or so later L came over and said «I am sorry you did not get your complete order. It sounds like a tasty sandwich» again in a condescending tone.
Ok so. she read the items off on the list to double check. The cook did not put everything on it, the waitress (L) did not double check the order, we waited forever for the food and it was incomplete then we get talked to in a condescending tone. It was not busy in there at all so there is NO reason why the order should not have been filled. It was not that complicated AND they have it on a checklist to see!
I will NEVER go to this Friendly’s again. I also filled out the receipt survey as well. and told them on there as best as I could in the 2000 word limit they give you.
**UPDATE: I had forgotten to update this. I was contacted, via email, by a manager a week later who said he would send us gift cards to make up for this. I gave him my contact info and never heard anything back… ever.

Family friendly, lots of fried food and a few salad options too. Save room for ice cream after you eat.
That said however, this place would be even better if they gave you earplugs with your meal. As someone that generally loves kids, this place was a bit too much for me to handle. Every table had small children and if someone wasn’t screaming and crying, someone was shouting. Now that is a good thing for parents though because this is certainly a more appropriate place to bring a large family or group with children. The food is your average All American fare and I really enjoyed the waffle cut fries. Portions are big so if you can, save room for dessert and get a sundae!

This is the Massachusetts version of Steak and Shake.
Get the ice cream, it’s pretty good! We loved the pistachio and the peanut butter cup.
Stay away from the tomato soup (more like tomato vodka sauce for pasta) and anything remotely Asian. There are a few salads on the menu which are fine, especially if you have had enough rich fried seafood during your time in the Cape.
The staff are locals who live up to the namesake of the chain. Thanks Chris!

As a new driver to the US, I don’t know the logistics of eating on the way back home in the highway. Coming back from Cape Cod to Boston on Route 3 I saw that every exit had a Friendly’s, so I decided to give it a try. I went with a friend and decided to their meal for 2 for 20 $. As an appetizer we got the mozzarella sticks and I went for the fried clams as a entrée. The mozzarella sticks were mini size with not much flavor and with a weird tasting tomato sauce. The clams were not clam tasting, the french fries were bad frozen french fries, the tartar sauce was everything but tartar and the coleslaw was the only ray of light in the meal. My friend got fish and chips which was bad.
Apparently the highlights of this place is the dessert, but after what could easily be the worst meal I have had in the US, I had no stomach to stay in that place

We must always stop in at a Friendly’s when there is one in the area. Love their ice cream, sundaes, and shakes.
Employees are friendly. Restaurant clean.

Just had breakfast while passing through the area, the food was hot, fresh and wonderful tasting. My server, Rose was very attentive and friendly — what a great experience.
I travel a lot, so finding a restaurant that is so hospitable is such a great find to me!
Between the fast service, great food and free wifi, I can’t see a reason why not to stop in more frequently when in the area. I certainly will next time I am!

If you have young ones this is the place to be. Friendly’s is a chain originating from Massachusetts that sells diner-​type food and specializes in Ice Cream.
This place is a regular stop of ours as my son loves it and you get great value for your money. There is no need to be concerned about your child being loud as almost all tables are occupied by families with little ones.
They have a promotion that has been running for several years now where you choose a menu item (burgers, club sandwich, salad, chicken fingers, etc) and get a drink and ice cream for dessert for only 9.99 (10.99 for chicken fingers). The food is always good and the service is normally fast and always very courteous and attentive.
The kids menu is quite varied and always comes with ice cream for dessert. The prices are perhaps a little high (up to 7 dollars) but they still have an excellent selection and do include a beverage as well.
Every time you visit they give you a survey to complete online that will give you a printable 5 dollar coupon off your next visit which is good for those looking to stretch your dollar.
This location is newer and very well maintained and clean. It is situated near the Shops at 5 complex and is convenient for lunch or dinner after a shopping trip.
If you have kids and haven’t taken them to Friendly’s yet, do so!