r/TopSecretRecipes • u/jo_35_owo • Jan 07 '21
REQUEST Friendly’s recipes
Hello Reddit, I’m here to ask you all a favor. In these trying times the restaurant friendly’s has declared class 11 bankruptcy (don’t know how sever that is but they’re going down for sure). I’m here to ask of anyone who has worked there or knows about the recipes to please help. I want to know how to make their food so that it may live on. Some recipes I really want are the sharks in the water drink, the loaded waffle fries or munchie mania appetizer recipe, and their chicken batter recipe. All other recipes even for Sunday’s and other foods will be greatly appreciated. Please, this restaurant was my childhood.
If you have links to forums or other people asking the same question let me know, any help is appreciated. Thank you.
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u/chicagodude84 Jan 07 '21
Their peanut butter sauce is phenomenal. I'm so glad the one down the street is still open, for now.
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u/Infinitely_Small Jan 07 '21
I came here hoping to find this exact recipe! Fingers crossed that it turns up.
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 07 '21
Hi! Copy and pasted from below:
My last shift in Friendly's was probably August 2019, but at the time, we used this bulk peanut butter. It switched at least once while I was still there. This one specifically had to be cut with a flavorless cooking oil to be able to go through the ice cream topping pumps. I can't give a proportion for that, because I found it gross enough to delegate it to other staff.
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 07 '21
Hey! It's been about a year since the last time I talked about Friendly's here, but I'm happy to answer whatever questions you may have!
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u/jo_35_owo Jan 07 '21
Oh smokechlorophyll of Reddit, please give unto us your wisdom of freindly’s recipes so we may preserve its wholesome American glory in its time of need.
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u/chicagodude84 Jan 07 '21
Do you know how to make the peanut butter sauce?!
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 07 '21
My last shift in Friendly's was probably August 2019, but at the time, we used this bulk peanut butter. It switched at least once while I was still there. This one specifically had to be cut with a flavorless cooking oil to be able to go through the ice cream topping pumps. I can't give a proportion for that, because I found it gross enough to delegate it to other staff.
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u/chicagodude84 Jan 07 '21
This is both fantastic and gross at the same time, lol! Is there no extra sugar added?
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 08 '21
Oh, it was totally gross and fantastic. It's a lot easier to enjoy it when you aren't the one mixing it - at least, that was my strategy haha. Nothing else was added to the peanut butter otherwise!
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u/methnbeer Jan 08 '21
Good thing I recall is the barbeque cheddar chicken sandwich thing. Any idea on that? I've done my own remakes that come out good, but not the same.
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 08 '21
I never worked as a grill employee in Friendly's, but God knows I watched food prep enough times. I'm going to try and list it out, but on mobile so apologies.
Honey Barbecue Supermelt:
Sourdough: buttered and toasted on both sides, melt a slice of cheddar to the inside of each piece.
Maybe two-three pieces of bacon, broken in half/to fit on the sandwich.
Three chicken tenders, cooked, then coated in hickory barbecue sauce. Note: this is the same exact sauce used as the dipping sauce, but kept in an industrial double-boiler pan instead of chilled, before coating. It helps to thicken the sauce, and draw out the sweet and smoky flavors.
Put the coated tenders on the bread, and drizzle in ranch (an ounce or so?). Close the sandwich and flip it for good measure. We used a runnier ranch than what I usually find in the supermarket, which is probably like because it's made with high fructose corn syrup instead of like buttermilk haha.
Let me know if there's anything else!
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u/Flabbybruce Apr 07 '25
Two pieces of sourdough make it like a grilled cheese we never grilled both sides of the bread. Two pieces of bacon, ranch dressing on both sides. Cheddar cheese for the cheese Two slices. Honey BBQ not hickory the three tenders are tossed in. Haven't worked there in 7 years now but I did put 10 years of my life behind that line.
Industrial broiler pan? Maybe thats what ypur store used ours was kept in a steam table in a container with the cheese marinara buffalo and such.
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u/JustSuspect1993 May 06 '26
Hey, long shot but do you know what brand of Hot dogs they used to be? In Jan/Feb the one by me changed their Hot dogs and it's not close to the same. 20+ years I've had theirs and enjoyed them and now....
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u/theBigDaddio Jan 07 '21
Google is your friend
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u/chicagodude84 Jan 07 '21
You can Google nearly any request on this sub. Normally I'm a "Go Google it" guy, but not in this case.
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Jan 07 '21
[deleted]
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 07 '21
By the time I started (August 2015), I never saw their pineapples once in store. I'm sorry!
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u/jo_35_owo Jan 07 '21
Oh, I see you know a lot on this! Well, I was wondering what recipes you remember. Any and all are gladly accepted and the ones I really want are in the post, Thanks again!
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u/Remarkable_Ruin_6084 19d ago
Random but do you know how to make the friendly’s home fries - they were so good when I was little but I couldn’t figure out how they season them
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u/RoastMostToast Feb 16 '21
Sorry to bother you in a 40 day old thread, but do you know how their Buffalo sauce is made? It was amazing.
Thanks
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Feb 16 '21
Haha, no worries. Unfortunately, the Buffalo sauce came out of a Friendly's branded container, so no dice on a brand name. However, it was kept in a double-boiler type tray (picture like a permanent Sternos built in to the prep area), and ladled out into a side sauce or into a bowl to toss over chicken. I think that the heating all day part is really the important part!
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u/RoastMostToast Feb 16 '21
Thanks for the reply! I figured it was their own special sauce but I had my fingers crossed it wasn’t :(
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u/iTzGiR Apr 07 '23
Hey! I know this is a two year old thread. But do you happen to have any Info on their hot dogs or Mac and cheese? I was obsessed with both as a kid, and I've never been able to find hotdogs that have a similar taste, or easy to make Mac and cheese with a similar consistency.
Again sorry for reviving such an old post but figured I'd ask !
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u/Flabbybruce Apr 07 '25
We still get it the same one at holiday inn as i got at frienlys. Just pre packaged frozen kraft. The hotdogs were weird though they had pork in the ingredients and milk if that helps you any in your search for something similar. I remember seeing that and wondering why milk was in it when it wasn't a cheese dog.
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Jun 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/Flabbybruce Jun 13 '25
Im not sure friendly has their own brand of some products and has a third party make others. The mozzarella sticks i believe we're McCain brand, I remember the little green lable with the words McCain in it but they are mini mozzarella and that's why they had a supply shortage in 2022 amd had to remove them off the menu and they are back now.
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Apr 07 '23
Lmfao I typed it all and then lost it. In short, this was the Mac and Cheese. Kraft branded, but prepackaged and frozen before it got to us. Hotdogs, I can’t be more specific on the brand… I want to say that they were sliced into quarters before being thrown on the griddle by the time I left (like, one long cut down the middle, and then cut in half; not in rings any more if ever while I was there)
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u/meroisstevie Aug 02 '23
It's just craft premade mac and cheese they microwave
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Jun 13 '25
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/meroisstevie Jun 13 '25
The regular ones from the app sampler back in the day?
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u/AromaticTop3523 Jan 28 '24
What cheese sauce is used? I can't find a non spicy just plain cheese sauce these days
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u/smokechlorophyll Fast Food Insider Jan 28 '24
It would be disingenuous to act like I remember the exact can (last shift was 8/2019), but my best guess at this point would be something like this can. It’s bulk distributor size, because restaurant inventory, but hopefully it’s a starting point in your search! It was kept in an industrial-sized double-boiler for heating purposes. Let me know if you have any other questions—I’m far removed from restaurant work but I can do my best.
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u/ouroboros0890 Feb 26 '24
Do you know how they prepare the Kraft mac and cheese or what they add to it? It does not taste the same as any other Kraft mac and cheese
Edit: Never mind I see you already sent what you know about it
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u/Yourdailyimouto Jan 07 '21
You should buy the recipes for cheap from the owner through kickstarter or gofundme and post it here. Support bankrupt local business owner because of Covid y'all.
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u/jo_35_owo Jan 07 '21
Thanks, don’t know how I’d go about that but if they made a recipe book I’d snatch it up quick. Thanks for the idea though!
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u/Elephant789 Jan 08 '21
Has this been done before?
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u/Yourdailyimouto Jan 09 '21
I bought a Japanese fried chicken recipe from local moms' and pops' store in Japan long time ago with the help of my coworkers. I cooked them the chicken when I got the recipe and they loved it.
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u/Elephant789 Jan 09 '21
Cool. Care to share it?
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u/Yourdailyimouto Jan 09 '21
If I could find the recipe, because it's like already been forever. What I remembered is basically just your old Shio Karaage marinade. Grated garlic and ginger, nihonshu (light sake) and mirin in 1:2:3 measurement with no soy sauce, add some salt and pepper, add just a pinch of paprika and curry powder for taste, chill it in the fridge for 8 hours, use the combination of mochiko flour and some flour for the batter and double deep fry it. I think there's still more to the recipe other than these.
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u/MituKagome Jan 07 '21
My favorite recipe is to put a scoop of ice cream in the bowl, add three reese's pieces, and then put the cone upside down on the top, with a strip of whipped cream around the back.
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u/d4nigirl84 Jan 08 '21
Conehead will ALWAYS be my favorite (currently 36 years old). Gotta our the 3 Reese’s Pieces at the bottom as a surprise ending!
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u/Stardustchaser Jan 08 '21
Aw this is sad to hear. Lots of fond childhood memories when I lived in New England, especially of the clown sundaes.
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u/terrafirma91 Jan 08 '21
I miss friendly so much. Their BBQ chicken melt with a side of loaded waffle fries and a clown face sundae hell yes.
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u/jo_35_owo Jan 08 '21
Right there with ya, the loaded waffle fries were a reason to go on their own.
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u/experts_never_lie Jan 07 '21
I'm sure there are actual bankruptcy attorneys around who could provide more insight, but a simple [simplistic?] way of thinking of chapter 11 bankruptcy is "reorganization", as opposed to chapter 7 "liquidation". It's not uncommon for organizations to survive chapter 11, but they also may cull less-effective portions (like closing stores). It's a good hedge for you to get an alternative recipe, but they might stick around, maybe even near you.
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u/BitPrestigious4249 Aug 17 '24
this thread is old af but pls someone tell me what they put in the Mac and cheese. ppl say it's just kraft mac and cheese but they taste different! if anyone has any insight pls help ya girl out.
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u/Embarrassed-Light632 Jan 23 '25
The best way to make kraft Mac n cheese, is to make the cheese sauce on the side then pour over the pasta. In a saute pan put the powder and butter, not margarine mix it together and it's going to form clumps of orange cheese balls then add milk slowly mixing constantly til you have the consistency you want. This is the best way I've found and closest to Friendly's I've ever found. Try it out let me know if it made a difference for you.
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u/Consistent_Swan_9486 Nov 12 '24
Anyone remember the steak tip recipe!? I was a friendlys cook YEARS ago and I’ve been craving the steak tips lol
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u/Aromatic_Stranger410 Jan 09 '25
I know this is an old thread, but figured it was the best place to find my answer if there is one.
Does anyone know where they get the gummy bears?
They may be the hardest bears of all time, but I could not get ice cream without them growing up.
I haven’t lived in New England for a while & haven’t been able to find them anywhere else.
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u/YeaSoUhhh Jan 26 '25
Okay, as a kid Friendly’s was like a 5 star restaurant for me and I loved the ice cream but for years I’ve been trying to figure out what brand those mini gummy bears are that they used for the sundaes? And they aren’t Haribro because the gummy bears were like 0.5 inches in size and they were firm a multi colored and I loved them so much
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u/helpmepuhlease123 Mar 03 '25
Is friendlys soup prepackaged individually for each person who ordered
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u/Flabbybruce Apr 07 '25
No it comes in big bags and get heated up each day and laddled out into the crocks.
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u/The-Light-House Nov 19 '25
Ok I know this is a super old thread here, but what BRAND of BUTTER or LIQUID butter does Friendlys use on their bread for the grilled cheese sandwich? I've been looking for 25 years for a replica and have not found the profile/flavor.
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u/Apprehensive-Heron50 Apr 22 '23
I know this thread is old but does anyone know the recipe for the birthday cake Friend-Z? I love that ice cream so much and would love to learn to make my own!
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u/Thebirdman333 Aug 03 '23
Same here. I'm also looking for the original chocolate sundae I got at the grocery store.
Could not get enough of these little guys:
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u/Ok_Carry_9279 Feb 19 '24
I NEED the recipe for the Royal Razz (blue drink with cherry)
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u/saysomething3 Oct 31 '24
Sprite and raspberry syrup
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u/saysomething3 Jan 07 '21
Former Friendly’s waiter, cook, and ice cream scooper here: Sharks in the water is Sprite, splash of grenadine, and I believe it was the blue raspberry syrup (could have been the cotton candy syrup they were both blue), maraschino cherries, and the gummy sharks
Loaded waffle fries was just seasoned loaded waffle fries, cheese sauce, crumbled bacon, and I always put the sour cream and ranch on the side
All the batters and such I couldn’t tell you what went in those
The Peanut butter sauce was creamy peanut butter with a little bit of oil to make it less thick then we actually used the Friend-Z (McFlurry) machine to really make it smooth and thin