My heart and stomach were filled with trepidation as our party approached the restaurant. Reaching into the deepest darkest corners of my mind I tried to recall what I had ordered the last time I was here over 15 years ago. Chicken tenders?? Yup, definitely chicken tenders… As we entered this fine establishment we were greeted by an absolutely packed house - and I feared for the state of our society. Who goes to Chili’s in the year 2024? Apparently all the good people of Southglenn! After all, it was National Margarita Day, and they were running some specials that delivered some stellar sweet and a little sour $5 margs in souvenir cups. We started with chips and guacamole which were the low light for the evening. Either they forgot the salt completely or intentionally serve it sodium free out of deep sense of concern over their patrons heart health. Fortunately my heart is in stellar shape and I was able to season my guac to my hearts content with the large salt shakers on our table. My dear roommate and I shared an epic Ultimate Smokehouse Combo with ribs (good!), chipotle honey chicken crispers (very good!), and brisket quesadillas (Chili’s no hablas espanol and they definitely forgot to put queso in these). Of the sides I sampled the Mac n Cheese was the standout, as it was rich, velvety, and perfectly al dente. The fries were bountiful, and the corn elote was tasty but a bit overdone and under sauced. At this point in the evening, an ABSOLUTE UNIT of a molten chocolate lava cake appeared and our dining party erupted into song - Happy birthday to you! I initially tried to join in before I realized it was me being serenaded, and this was not someone’s birthday but rather a sinister prank at my expense. To my dismay, table after table throughout the restaurant paused their meals, turned to our table, and joined in on the public harassment of my poor 30 year old self. The entire Chili’s community united together in this one beautiful moment of song, and throughout the rest of the evening diners and staff alike passed our table to wish me the happiest of birthdays. Fortunately the trauma melted quicker than the ice cream on our molten cake, whose unctuous, sweet, creamy, rich chocolate decadence quickly washed away all feelings of embarrassment and self loathing with its horrifically calorically dense embrace. And with that, I was fully converted to the Chili’s lifestyle. This whole experience cost under $30 (taxes and tips included). I would strongly recommend any diner try the Chipotle Honey Chicken Crispers and Molten Chocolate Lava Cake for their fix of “sweet (and crunchy) sticky icky and warm oo-ey gooey for real dawg.”
I don't know if there wasn't enough staff or they weren't well organized, but it took them a long time to get to my table, my daughters' macaroni and cheese was very dry, they didn't want to eat it.