TGI Friday’s, Dallas Fort Worth Airport DFW, TX USA

Ordered at T.G.I. Friday's in the Dallas Fort Worth Airport (DFW).

Apparently if you’re flying “First Class” on American Airlines, you can’t use their lounge. So who has access to the Admirals Club? What a lame “rewards” system; spend money to fly first, still can’t use the lounge. My plan switching flights in Dallas was to grab some free drinks and a snack in the lounge, but being banned from entry I was forced to seek grub elsewhere.

I walked back and forth gawking at the awful fast food options that filled this airport. If it wasn’t an international fast food chain, DFW wasn’t interested. I debated Starbucks – no, I would be getting coffee once I landed in Louisville, so I should wait on that. McDonalds? Meh. Mexican food? Not before a trip to Louisville that was based around the bourbon trail. TGI Fridays? With the Olympics opening ceremony on TV? And I can sit at the bar? Yes please!

I popped down in perfect position to watch the TV, flipped open their menu, and without even looking asked the bartender for an Arnold Palmer and the club sandwich (which I honestly just assumed they had). “Coming right up!” he said, and relaxation poured over me as I sipped my half-and-half, watched memories from Beijing 2008, and waited for what I knew/hoped had to be a solid club sandwich from an international chain I have enjoyed in at least 10 different countries.

Only two slices of bread and halved, this club didn’t appear to be your traditional cut, however having faith in TGI Fridays being a well-established American restaurant chain, I knew this cut didn’t matter; it was all about taste. And taste is what Fridays delivered.

A medley of flavors filled my mouth as I took my first bite. And the same happened with the second. And third. I loved how each ingredient played with each other in a dance on my tongue, making every chew a new and exciting adventure. Maybe it was the fact that I’m accustomed to airport club sandwiches that are awful, or maybe it was the excitement surrounding the Olympics, but either way this club made me more than content as I plowed through this solid sandwich.

The turkey breast and ham – while probably unnecessary to have both – worked well together and you could taste the smokiness of the turkey breast next to the sandwichyness of the ham (hard to describe it any other way). The Monterey Jack cheese added a nice flavor to the club that brought the ingredients together, almost like a grandfather does to his family. I was a huge fan of the ciabatta bread, and thankful they did not simply use sliced white. It’s not like the bread was anything special, it was just a perfect choice to top this meal off. Lightly mayo’d, the ripe tomato, avocado, and lettuce adding nothing but flavor and moisture, this club hit the spot on so many levels with a refreshing punch of pride.

While I normally order the Jack Daniel’s BBQ Ribs at TGI Fridays, the club will definitely be on my list next time I’m craving a sandwich. Thanks you Fridays for such a great meal. And with that, I boarded the plane for Louisville, more than content and ready for a weekend of bourbon drinkin’.

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