There is one thing that everyone loves despite anything, ‘FRIENDS’! Obviously, the 90s sitcom featuring six people figuring out life with loads of laughter as they entered their 30s. Speaking of it, the beloved show has also crossed the marked and has just turned 30.
Premiering in 1994, Friends became a global phenomenon, and despite the sadness following Matthew Perry’s unexpected passing, the anniversary serves as a chance to celebrate the impact the show has had on fans over the years.
With its themes of love, loss, laughter, and of course, friendship, Friends has left a lasting impression on many lives. Each moment holds special memories, and as you gear up for your next binge-watch, there’s no better way to commemorate the occasion than by indulging in some of the show’s most iconic meals.
From Joey’s sandwich obsession to Monica’s unforgettable Thanksgiving spreads, food was central to the lives of the six friends we all cherished. Here’s a countdown of eight memorable dishes that will transport you back to Central Perk and Monica’s kitchen, allowing you to celebrate the legacy of this beloved sitcom.
The Thanksgiving episodes are some of the most unforgettable in Friends, especially the year Rachel Green decided to tackle the kitchen. She created a trifle that combined ladyfingers, jam, custard, raspberries, more ladyfingers, beef sautéed with peas and onions, additional custard, bananas, and whipped cream. Ross described it as tasting “like feet,” but out of kindness, everyone took a bite—except for Joey, who declared, “Custard? Good. Jam? Good. Meat? Goooood.”
While Ross may not be the most likable character, viewers empathized with his struggles when his coworkers repeatedly stole his lunch. He finally snapped when someone ate Monica’s famous leftover turkey sandwich “with moistmaker”—a layer of gravy-soaked bread that enhanced the flavors of roast turkey, stuffing, and cranberry sauce. Honestly, we understand Ross; maybe it’s time to adopt Joey’s no-sharing food policy.
We’ve all justified snacking off the floor at times, but when Chandler accidentally receives a cheesecake delivery from ‘Mama’s Little Bakery, in Chicago, Illinois,’ his resolve is tested. He and Rachel, in one of the few major plots they share, start keeping the cheesecakes. They’re so delicious that even when they drop the box, they still indulge in a few floor bites. We’re left wondering what made these cheesecakes so extraordinary.
Breakups can be tough, and everyone copes differently. After her split with Richard in Season 3, Monica embarked on a “Jam Plan,” turning her kitchen into a cottage industry making vast amounts of jam. Though she created many fantastic dishes on the show, including an army of lasagnas (one containing a ring), this jam became her obsession until she realized the costs outweighed her profits and decided to stop—much to Joey’s dismay.
Joey takes food very seriously, so when he offered to share his meatball sub with Chandler as an apology, it was a true testament to their friendship. Known for his iconic “Joey doesn’t share food” policy and his special pizza order (two pizzas), he always embraced delicious new dishes. His go-to meal, however, is a classic New York-style Meatball Sub—herbed meatballs simmered in a tangy-sweet marinara sauce, nestled between buns. As Joey says, “half the taste is in the smell.”
A staunch vegetarian (except for a brief period during her pregnancy) and a bit quirky, Phoebe always had intriguing stories. One memorable tale involves her grandmother’s signature cookie recipe, which she planned to gift as a wedding present—only for it to be destroyed in a fire. As they attempt to recreate the cookies from memory, Phoebe reveals her grandmother’s name: Nestle Toulouse. They then realize it was simply the recipe on the back of a cookie dough packet.
Chandler has a complicated relationship with Thanksgiving food, as it brings back stressful childhood memories. So when he and Ross were in college and visited the Gellers for the holiday, Monica would make him a separate “righteous” Mac and Cheese. If that level of thoughtfulness (along with the awkward lead-up to its preparation) wasn’t a sign they were meant to be together, nothing was.
Finally, we could argue that Friends had a seventh main character—Central Perk. This coffee shop hosted all the most memorable moments of the show, from Rachel and Ross’s initial meeting to heartbreaks and laughter, all accompanied by a steaming cup of coffee.
