Do You Have A Friendly's (Restaurant) In Your Area?
I have two dozen within a 50 mile radius of my home zip code, according to the locator at friendlysrestaurants.com. How many would you like? I can certainly spare a few...
Loved them when I was a kid. Now, it's where I go when I'm constipated. Finish a meal at Friendly's and I guarantee I'll be searching out a bathroom in short order...This message has been edited. Last edited by: motor59,
suaviter in modo, fortiter in re
December 09, 2021, 04:02 PM
Graniteguy
I had my share of Fribbles there growing up.
December 09, 2021, 04:05 PM
Skins2881
The one near my house turned into a Mexican store a little over a decade ago. The other one 3-4 miles from my house closed at or just before COVID.
As a teen we'd go there and hang out cause it was open late. Later in life I'd go for cheap decent breakfast. Not my favorite place, but I liked to go every now and then, and it was walking distance.
Jesse
Sic Semper Tyrannis
December 09, 2021, 04:10 PM
frayedends
Most of them closed around me and there were plenty. But before the big closing years ago the service had gotten so bad we stopped going.
There is one about 20 minutes from me still open but I've never been there.
These go to eleven.
December 09, 2021, 06:27 PM
remsig
We had them when I was growing up but they've been gone for at least 5 - 10 years. I loved getting their Reeses Pieces sundae!
December 09, 2021, 08:15 PM
divil
I think the nearest (Lebanon) is still going but I have not been there in more than 2 years. I never felt like a jerk taking my young children there. It would be a shame if it closes.
December 10, 2021, 06:25 AM
sig2392
Amici Partners Group bought the chain in Jan 2021.
They said they were going to keep the restaurants open.
One near me closed and two were converted into Wendy's.
I have no idea if any of the chain will stay open. When they bought it there were 130 still open.
December 10, 2021, 06:42 AM
Patriot
Closest to me now is Horsham.
Used to have one here in Doylestown, one in Lansdale, and one in the mall. All gone.
My ex FIL, used to be a regional manager for them . During their big 1980’s expansion, he’d open and train new stores. Well, Friendlys screwed him good. Laid him off, no pension, nada after 25 years.
Reese’s pieces Sunday for me. Extra peanut butter.
_____________________________ Pledge allegiance or pack your bag! The problem with Socialism is that eventually you run out of other people's money. - Margaret Thatcher Spread my work ethic, not my wealth
December 10, 2021, 09:41 AM
V-Tail
Most of them in this area are now gone.
There was one about ten minutes from my house. I miss it because Friendly's was just about the only place that always had The One True Flavor of ice cream (maple walnut).
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
December 10, 2021, 10:22 AM
TheBull
Two near me East Stroudsburg, PA & Tannersville, PA. Started going to them in Lebanon when visiting grandparents in 1980-90s. That store was good with large sundaes. Reese's Pieces Sundae for me.
We stopped going a while ago. We grew tired of always getting small, melted sundaes in hot dishes from the local ones.
P229R - 9mm Kahr PM9
December 10, 2021, 11:02 AM
Chris17404
We still have one here in York, PA. I like their burgers. Something about the way they look them and the buns.
Growing up in NH, we had one that we'd go to all the time. Burger, fries, clam chowder, and wash it down with a coffee Fribble. The best.
December 10, 2021, 11:14 AM
mrapteam666
We had one on the west side of Cols, OH and my family/friends were a frequent visitor.
When I was little we (My sister, mom, dad and grandparents) would hit the Duffs Buffet then head across the street for dessert. (My grandfather was a huge fan)
I went a few times as I got older and into my late teen years but I remember it going downhill.
They were known more for their ice cream than their food.
December 10, 2021, 01:33 PM
TRIO
My favorites were the chicken tenders and steak fries. As a young adult back in late 80's, they were pretty good. Not doing the quantity of deep fried as the big three competitors.
Another favorite was the mint chocolate chip milkshake. They would give you the extra from the blender when they served it. Almost like having 50% more for free.
IIRC, there is still one on Airport Rd in Allentown.
--Tom The right of self preservation, in turn, was understood as the right to defend oneself against attacks by lawless individuals, or, if absolutely necessary, to resist and throw off a tyrannical government.
December 10, 2021, 02:00 PM
rscalzo
Had one near my NJ home and it was the destination for breakfast on Sundays. Going to the police academy back in the 70's that was out lunch spot.
As far as I know they are mostly gone. They were famous for their ice cream creations.
Originally posted by nhracecraft: We used to have one in Manchester, NH that was never really busy, but I did eat there a couple of times. COVID made sure it was put it out of business for good though...
I think there are only two left in NH. One in Merrimack and one on Loudon Rd. in Concord. There was another in Concord (just an empty shell now) and one on 12A in W. Lebanon (BJ's gas punps). Gone.
When I was growing up in CT you had to be on honor roll to work front of the house at Friendly's. You could certainly tell that was the case.
Harshest Dream, Reality
December 10, 2021, 04:20 PM
Graniteguy
quote:
Originally posted by frayedends: Most of them closed around me and there were plenty. But before the big closing years ago the service had gotten so bad we stopped going.
There is one about 20 minutes from me still open but I've never been there.
I used to take my mom to breakfast there - in Gardner. Food was OK.
December 10, 2021, 04:58 PM
Rustyblade
A question that tossed me pleasantly back to the mid 60's. Bloomfield Ct High School was a 5 minute walk from Friendly's and The Farm Shop (which was a one off store run by the farmers family who had years ago worked the land). Our school was fractured by the two -- the girls worked like gangs at either store and the boys followed them. Friendlies was liked by the girls showing themselves off. We were all 15 or 16 years old and minimum wage was $1.35 -- if memory serves.
Do not necessarily attribute someone's nasty or inappropriate actions as intended when it may be explained by ignorance or stupidity.
December 10, 2021, 07:48 PM
2001AudiA6
Live in Wilbraham, MA - Home of Friendly's
December 10, 2021, 09:55 PM
18DAI
My Grandfather would take me to Friendlys in North Massapequa NY when I was a little boy. He would get a grilled cheese and Coffee while I enjoyed some ice cream.
One of my fondest memories. I wonder if it is still there? Regards 18DAI
7+1 Rounds of hope and change
December 10, 2021, 10:37 PM
Ackks
quote:
Originally posted by PASig: I'm kind of saddened to hear that the last Friendly's local to us is going to be bulldozed soon to make way for yet another Chipotle...or Shitpotle as I call them.
I know they've been dying for a long time but our children adore the place for the ice cream of course and the food isn't all that bad for what they charge.
I've got good memories of the place as growing up in a pretty conservative Christian home, we were not permitted to go out Trick or Treating for Halloween but instead my parents took all 7 of us to Friendly's to pick out any ice cream treat we wanted, I always got the Jim Dandy.
Fun fact: until 1989 did you know their official name and signage was FRIENDLY, but everyone always called them FRIENDLY'S so they changed their name and signage to reflect that.
I'm not sure how much longer they will stay in business as a whole, this type of restaurant seems to be in big trouble anymore.
I have fond memories of getting a Simple Sundae there with my family as a kid. Hoping to make it back that one before they all close.
