Chili's

I've only been to a Chili's once. And . . . that'll pretty much be it. lol  We were on our way home from an event and were hungry and tired, and needed a place with a children's menu (They're 5 and 9). We'd seen TV ads for Chili's, but never been.
 
Well, I got fajitas, and my beef was supposed to be medium-rare and was well, well, well, super-well. They did come back with better beef, but it took a while. It had taken a while to begin with, as I recall. The food was . . .okay, but nothing to write home about. The kids got Kraft macaroni and cheese, which costs me $1 in the grocery store. My milkshake was pretty good, but they're better at Cheeburger Cheeburger.
 
The whole meal was very overpriced, we thought. 
 
As we drove away, we noticed to our dismay that there was a Red Robin a few doors down. If we'd only known!

Jennie, I've given Chili's several opportunities to please me in the past decade, but I finally gave up. This chain is just as hopeless as Applebee's and Outback. A couple of years ago, I gave their "famous" baby-back ribs a try. A MAJOR waste of money.... they were awful. Terrible sauce too. Their hamburgers are also real losers. Like you, I'll take a Red Robin burger ( swiss cheese, bacon, lettuce and mayo ) over Chili's sad excuse for food anyday.

I'll go to a fast food place before I'll go to Chili's, Applebees, Ruby Tuesday's, etc.  TGI Friday's used to be good, but they ruined many of their best dishes, i.e. the Fajita Salad.  The last time we went to Chili's (a few years ago)  the Queso tasted like plastic and the chips were stale.  You're right, Jennie, and you're almost embarrassed to  have paid that much for what you get there.

Andrea

I've been to Chili's twice.  The first time was about 20 years ago, when a friend from Texas insisted that we join her there.  She told us it was wonderful.  It was so subpar that my wife and I started giggling when we got back to our car.  The second time was about five years ago for an office luncheon.  The food was indifferent.  What really sticks in my mind is how a place that is supposed to be SW-oriented could serve such a god-awful margarita.  Tequila + Food Coloring + reconstituted sour mix (from powder, no doubt).

I just don't see the point to dining there, unless one has to accompany friends or family.

I've been there twice too! The first and the last time.

Sure glad I'm not the only one who feels this way about that laughing-stock of a restaurant chain. I really feel sorry for the good citizens of America who actually think a meal at Chili's is an enjoyable dining experience. Doesn't say much for peoples' taste, does it?  

You know what is really good at Chili's?

The stuff they serve for free at the bar during Happy Hour. They make a super refritos/beef/spices dip, and a fresh salsa, served with fresh chips.

Seriously. Show up at 4:30, nurse a beer and nosh on the free stuff.

Their chicken enchilada soup is rather ok, but I miss the onion blossom which they recently took off the menu

Well, I have to confess.  We ate at Chilis Friday nite.  Quickie dinner before the HS play.  J had the chicken bites, pretty good.  I had the Buffalo Chicken bites, not bad.  Louis had the burger bites.  Terrible.  One flat burger cut into quarters on 4 buns.  Won't do that again.

Went recently for the first time in years. They used to have a peppercorn burger that was very peppery and served with a tangy southwest sauce, well it's gone. Last time, years ago, they would actually cook your burger to order, no more. No more for us, either.

Yeah, but when you're at an airport and the option is food court crap or Chili's that Chili's looks pretty good.

It's corporate food, same in PHX as MCO, decent salads and it's a good place to hide for an hour.

I actually used to like Chili's; Ditto on the black peppercorn burger. But over the past few years I find the quality has gone down considerably.  At least at the Chili's (s) in my area.
 
My daughter actually likes Chili's chili.  She won't eat my own Texas style (with cubes of beef, Gephardt's, and no beans) but will ask us to go to Chili's to get her a bowl to go!  The chili is ok, at best, but no better than Bush's chili in a jar.
 
No more Chili's for me, thanks.
 
cy