Food chains often get a bad rap, but, sometimes, we just can't resist going after the tried and true, especially somewhere like Chili's, where the food is actually really delicious.
The Tex-Mex chain never falters in its sizzling fajitas, finger-licking buffalo ribs and mouth-watering desserts. Plus, its two-for-one beer, wine and margaritas simply can't be beat.
Take it from a former waitress and a current loyal customer, these are the best menu items to get at Chili's.
15. Southwestern Eggrolls
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Perhaps one of Chili's most underrated items, the Southwestern eggrolls are usually ordered as part of the tripple dipper — which lets you get three appetizers for a great price. Of course, you can also order them as a full appetizer and indulge in fried tortillas stuffed with black beans, corn, red peppers, cheese and more.
The eggrolls usually come with avocado ranch, which is the perfect complement to this amazing mix of flavors.
14. Ancho Salmon
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If you're in the mood for something healthier and less heavy, go for the ancho salmon. Part of Chili's less caloric offerings, the salmon is rubbed in chile and cooked with pesto, cilantro and queso fresco.
The dish usually comes with broccoli and yellow rice, so you definitely won't leave the restaurant hungry.
13. Santa Fe Spicy Grilled Chicken Salad
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Another healthier option, the Santa Fe grilled chicken salad has some diehard fans. The filling salad is made with grilled chicken, avocado, cilantro and pico de gallo. It is also topped with tortilla strips for extra crispiness and doused in Santa Fe sauce.
You can also ask for ranch on the side if you want to add more flavor.
12. Presidente Margarita
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Margaritas at chain restaurants tend to be uninspired. And while not all margaritas at Chili's are noteworthy, the Presidente margarita stands out.
The drink is made with tequila reposado (translation: high-quality tequila), orange liqueur and brandy. It is then hand-shaken over 20 times. If you want a good cocktail with your meal, order this one.
11. Big Mouth Bites
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When it comes to food, we're usually of the philosophy that bigger is better. But big mouth bites prove that there are always exceptions to the rule. While the burgers themselves are quite simple (they come with bacon bits, cheese and onions), they pack enough flavor to be a star on the Chili's menu.
Make sure to dip them in ranch sauce for an even better experience. You can order them on their own or as part of the triple dipper.
10. House BBQ Ribs
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Chili's BBQ ribs are a true house classic. This item is responsible for getting the restaurant's "Baby Back" jingle stuck in your head forever. But you can't stay mad at it because the ribs are really good.
Glazed with house BBQ sauce, they're accompanied by French fries and corn on the cob topped with cheese, cilantro, butter and salt. If you're in Kansas City or Texas, skip Chili's and head to a specialty BBQ joint.
Otherwise, go ahead and enjoy the ribs guilt-free.
9. Sirloin with Grilled Avocado
Chili's Grill & Bar / Facebook
Another of Chili's healthy menu items, the sirloin with grilled avocado packs flavor with protein and healthy fats.
Roasted asparagus and tomatoes replace the French fries and other deep-fried, heavier side dishes. And you can choose between a six-ounce or a 10-ounce sirloin.
People who are steakhouse aficionados often scoff at this item, but it's a good, filling option for when you want to leave the restaurant without unbuttoning your pants.
8. Spicy Shrimp Tacos
Chili's Grill & Bar / Facebook
No Tex-Mex restaurant can skip on serving tacos. But many simply don't do the American remix well. For a chain, Chili's has its spicy shrimp recipe down to a T.
The tacos are filled with shrimp doused in chile-lime sauce. Pico de gallo, avocado, coleslaw queso fresco and cilantro are also used. As sides, you get yellow Mexican rice and black beans.
Complement it with a margarita or another tequila-based drink, and you're set.
7. Texas Cheese Fries
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Texas cheese fries are a staple of the Southwest. French fries are topped with cheese, jalapeños, bacon and green onion, then baked until the cheese is melted. The fries become little edible spoons with which you pick up the gooey cheese and toppings.
This is by far one of Chili's best appetizers. And the best part is that you can choose between a full or a half skillet, depending on how big your group and appetite are.
6. Honey-Chipotle Crispers & Waffles
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Chicken and waffles sound like they shouldn't go together. But anyone who's had this Southern dish knows that sometimes intuition lies.
At Chili's, chicken and waffles come as small, bite-sized portions topped with jalapeños and bacon. Fries and honey-chipotle serve to bring this salty-and-sweet food almost to perfection.
5. Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie
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Chili's only has three deserts on its menu, and the chocolate chip cookie skillet is often overlooked for a much more popular item we'll discuss later.
The giant cookie is served hot and soft on a skillet with ice cream and hot fudge sauce. It hits all the right spots and works for those who don't like to be overwhelmed with chocolate.
Just a word of caution. Curb your enthusiasm a bit and don't jump right on the cookie. The skillet is hot, and it most definitely burns.
4. Bone-In Wings
Clotee Pridgen Allochuku / Wikimedia Commons
A personal favorite, the Buffalo wings with bones never fail to satisfy. They're topped with your sauce of choice (usually BBQ) and come with celery and blue cheese sauce. For an even better experience, order the house ranch to dip the wings in.
The wings are great for a small (by Chili's standards) lunch, as an appetizer or as one of the three items in the amazing triple dipper.
3. Just Bacon Burger
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An all-American restaurant should always be able to do great burgers. And Chili's certainly doesn't disappoint. It's hard to choose the best, with Alex's Santa Fe and the Oldtimer coming in close to the just bacon burger. In the end, however, we admire a burger that doesn't need to do too much to impress.
The just bacon is a classic burger with cheddar cheese, pickles, lettuce, red onion and tomato. Oh, and, of course, a generous portion of bacon.
Vegetarians will be happy to know that the restaurant's meatless option, the mushroom Swiss burger, is also delicious.
2. Fajitas Trio
Chili's Grill & Bar / Facebook
While the competition is tough, we think the best meal option at Chili's Restaurant is without a doubt the fajitas trio.
Served in a skillet while they're literally still sizzling, you get steak, chicken and shrimp, with onions and red peppers served with warm tortillas. Make your fajitas by adding whatever combination of meats and veggies your heart calls for.
Guacamole, shredded cheese, pico de gallo, sour cream and sauce are also provided so you can personalize the fajitas to your taste.
1. Molten Chocolate Cake
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Sorry, real food items. You simply can't compete with the addictive sugar rush of Chili's best menu item: the one and only molten chocolate cake.
The cake is hollow in the center to allow for a hot chocolate sauce. Then, it's topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a hard chocolate shell. A drizzle of caramel sauce completes the overindulgent desert.
Over the years, Chili's has offered different versions of the cake, but the chocolate one has prevailed. This is, without a doubt, the restaurant's signature item. And it's so good that we would go to Chili's even if it were the only thing on the menu.