T.G.I.Friday’s: 70-00 Austin St., Forest Hills; 793-3263

CUISINE: American

HOURS: 11 a.m. to 1 a.m., Monday thru Thursday; 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday; 11 a.m. to Midnight, Sunday

HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE: Yes

CREDIT CARDS: All major

In 1965, the first T.G.I.Friday’s opened in New York City. Now, 32 years and 460 restaurants later, Austin Street in Forest Hills is the proud parent of the first T.G.I.Friday’s to open in Queens.

Patrons braved the stormy, windy night for the restaurant’s grand opening, where they walked through the wooden doors with frame windows and were greeted by smiling faces who led them to their tables, donned with red and white striped tablecloths - the traditional T.G.I.Friday’s motif.

Before the guests are even asked if they would like an appetizer, the attentive and friendly waiters and waitresses are already there, giving them delicious, soft garlic breadsticks to enjoy as they mull over the lush menu offering a vast selection of dishes ranging from the traditional hamburger at $5.99 to a "pizzadilla" - a Friday’s creation described as a "Mexican-pizza-like-Italian-quesadilla thing" - also $5.99.

Just choosing an appetizer is a difficult task with selections such as Cajun Angels, juicy shrimp wrapped in bacon, rolled in Cajun spices and skewered for $7.49; jalapeno poppers for $4.99; and a favorite at Friday’s - the Friday’s Three-For-All - for those who can’t decide, this choice offers loaded potato skins, fried mozzarella (thick slices, not sticks) and tangy buffalo wings, all for just $8.99.

And if you thought choosing an appetizer was a difficult task, drinks, dinner and dessert is no easy chore either.

Yet these difficult choices are by no means a bad thing.

Quite the contrary, each selection takes the guest one step closer to the ultimate goal - an extraordinary dinner, accompanied by a fantastic drink and followed by a delightful dessert.

For a steak and ribs dinner, the Jack Daniel’s steak, a 12-ounce strip steak served with chef’s vegetables and a loaded baked potato at $14.99 is the way to go.

The baby back ribs at $12.99 literally melted off the bone - messy, perhaps, but way too delicious to bypass.

Of course, there are soup and salad combinations ranging from $2.99 to $5.99, as well as thick sandwiches, fajitas and enchiladas and Friday’s wrappers: steak, chicken or veggies wrapped in wheat flat, ranging from $6.99 to $7.39.

Friday’s is also famous for its frozen specialty drinks, such as the traditional daiquiris to Friday’s Fantasy: Oreo cookies, Friday’s special seven liquor blend, half & half and vanilla ice cream. Friday’s also prides itself on it’s flavorful non-alcoholic beverages like the Tropical Runner, fresh banana, pineapple and pina colada mix frozen with crushed ice.

If you’re not already stuffed, the dessert menu has it all: the traditional carrot cake to the more unconventional "Rockslide Pie," (creamy cheesecake covered in chunks of fudge-nut brownie, caramel, chocolate fudge and Macadamia nuts, topped with hot caramel), both for only $3.69.

Guests are sure to leave with smiles on their faces, as T.G.I.Friday’s is truly a unique and fun experience where friends and family can get together and enjoy great food, phenomenal drinks, and a nostalgic atmosphere unlike any other.