With a name like Chili’s, you can be sure to find delish and sizzling hot treats to sink your teeth into. This American-comeback kid is clearly capitalizing on our perpetual love for American fast food and other mid-priced variants (like TGI Fridays and Wendy’s) that have been popping up all over the place as of late. With food that’s easy on the wallet, hearty and most importantly, consistent in quality and value, Chili’s hits all the right notes and the regularly packed house is a true testament of that. The menu is a Tex-Mex fan’s dream—a veritable smorgasbord of Southwestern-Americana (think baby back ribs, burgers and fajitas). Main courses average around $30-plus for massive platefuls and everything we ordered hit the spot. Our starter of chicken Caesar salad was generously portioned with fresh ingredients and topped with a sizzling piece of grilled chicken—perfect for those looking for a low-carb healthy option. And we can’t forget the restaurant’s namesake and signature dish of course, the Terlingua chili. Tasty and hearty, it was filled with loads of chunky beef pieces, onions and … chili (what else?). The fajitas, served with the intriguing-sounding citrus fire chicken and shrimp, were superb. The chicken and shrimp were grilled with a tangy margarita sauce and that added an extra zing to the dish. Desserts were great value, but if you want to end your meal on a high note, go for the (very) indulgent molten chocolate cake. Overall, a highly enjoyable experience. We only wish Chili’s kept their bar open even after shutting down the restaurant—we hear the margaritas are worth a special trip even when you’re not hungry. Sure, Chili’s isn’t exactly groundbreaking cuisine, but everything they serve is well prepared, tasty and hearty.
