I rarely visit establishments in this segment – fast casual chains. Just not my thing. However, I’ll go, if I’m invited and somebody is insistent.
In this case, when I asked the inviter why she chose this restaurant, she said “for the irony.” I get it. You probably don’t.
Anyway, this is a “new” location for Chili’s, in that they moved a bit west from a location they had occupied for decades. So in that regard, it isn’t “brand new,” personnel should be used to the menu, systems, customer service and such.
It’s too loud. If one of the restaurants goals is to get people to linger at the bar, they ain’t gonna, if they can’t carry on a conversation. It’s quite an extensive menu, offering appetizers, salads, sandwiches, burgers, entrees and some Tex-Mex. I’m gonna go out on a limb here and suggest these types of restaurants, with this many items offered, aren’t cooking from scratch in-house. Lots of ‘heat and eat’ going on, especially in the entree department.
There were three of us, we skipped the appetizers, tried some of their fancy pants cocktails (meh), and ordered. One sandwich, one spicy burger, and my entree choice.
Fifteen minutes and a “manager” shows up and tells me they are out of my entree, but will get some in the following morning. I offer to wait, but she doesn’t get it. I’m forced to make a decision for a substitute within seconds. I screw up and order a burger. (Incidentally, this is one of those places that doesn’t trust your judgment to order a burger at the doneness level you prefer).
Few minutes go by, the rest of the tables food arrives. Not mine. Tick tock tick tock. Fifteen minutes. Just a burger and fries, nothing special except the cost – 2-3x fast food. Fries have seasoned salt on them, which I don’t care for generally. Cheese and bun were both cold. Not “not warmed,” but cold. With the order confusion, I think they should have knocked something off the check. Nope.
They’ve joined the technology age in they have the tablets at the table where you can order, pay, or play games (for a fee). The tablet completely freaked out trying to pay the bill. Saw this same unit (“Ziosk”) at another chain recently, also not working.
Despite this automation upgrade, four different servers called at our table, not out of a quest for excellent service, but rather out of confusion.
The entire experience reminded me of why I don’t like fast casual. Also a segment which millenials are abandoning in droves, I’ve read. Expect some to fold.
Chilis Grill & Bar Review
Chilis Grill & Bar Review