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How Chili's Has Pulled Off A Remarkable Comeback

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February 04, 2025, 01:59 PM
PASig
How Chili's Has Pulled Off A Remarkable Comeback
What a concept: update your menu, improve your quality and give value for the prices you charge! I have to say that Big Smasher deal is really good as far as chains like this go:

Chili's has pulled off a remarkable comeback, which experts are hailing as the 'best one of all time.' The 49-year-old casual dining restaurant, which is known for its baby back ribs and Tex Mex menu, has seen a surge in customers in the last year. As other restaurant chains are filing for bankruptcy and struggling to get people through the door, foot traffic to Chili's increased 20 percent in the last quarter.


February 04, 2025, 02:08 PM
HRK
haven't been in a while might have to check them out...


February 04, 2025, 02:09 PM
6guns
I'd read about this and it's quite unusual. Interesting story.




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February 04, 2025, 02:09 PM
konata88
They lost me as a customer long ago. They don't offer anything that I can't get better someplace else.

But it's good to know that they've improved. If I'm traveling and am desperate, I may give them a shot. But locally, absolutely no need to go.




"Wrong does not cease to be wrong because the majority share in it." L.Tolstoy
"A government is just a body of people, usually, notably, ungoverned." Shepherd Book
February 04, 2025, 02:27 PM
lbsid
After watching the singing jalapeno commercial for the 40 or 50th time, my wife and I
decided that the Smasher burger looked promising, so off we went on a Saturday night
to try them again after many years. Drove into the parking lot and the lights were off
and a for lease sign posted in the window. So much for that.


-------------

The sadder but wiser girl for me.
February 04, 2025, 02:30 PM
HRK
Here's a link to their open locations

a link

Two in Boise
One in Idaho Falls
Two in Meridian
One In Twin Falls
February 04, 2025, 02:36 PM
ArtieS
The one local to me makes a very good burger. There are plenty of places where I can pay more for a burger here, but there aren't many where I can get a better burger.



"I vowed to myself to fight against evil more completely and more wholeheartedly than I ever did before. . . . That’s the only way to pay back part of that vast debt, to live up to and try to fulfill that tremendous obligation."

Alfred Hornik, Sunday, December 2, 1945 to his family, on his continuing duty to others for surviving WW II.
February 04, 2025, 03:13 PM
old rugged cross
I know applebee's has their hater too. But the one in my neck of the woods is pretty darn good.
They also made a bit of a comeback imho.

Good for both of them.



"Practice like you want to play in the game"
February 04, 2025, 03:42 PM
P250UA5
quote:
Originally posted by old rugged cross:
I know applebee's has their hater too. But the one in my neck of the woods is pretty darn good.
They also made a bit of a comeback imho.

Good for both of them.


Applebee's always seemed to have incredibly small portions, for the price, IMO.
Never was a fan.




The Enemy's gate is down.
February 04, 2025, 03:53 PM
jhe888
I started eating at Chilis here in Houston in the early'80s when it was still owned by the original guy. We liked it, and it was cheapish which was important for college students. It was a very small chain at the time.

I haven't been to a Chilis in years because the quality was terrible starting ten or fifteen years ago. I'll give them another try.




The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
February 04, 2025, 04:40 PM
Black92LX
For $9.99 I get a drink (soda), unlimited chips and salsa (for the table and a refill of chips and salsa to take home), a burger (fairly good one at that) and fries.

Value is excellent, quality is above average.


————————————————
The world's not perfect, but it's not that bad.
If we got each other, and that's all we have.
I will be your brother, and I'll hold your hand.
You should know I'll be there for you!
February 04, 2025, 04:48 PM
arfmel
Haven’t considered going to Chili’s for probably 20 years. Maybe time to give them another shot,next time I’m in the city.
February 04, 2025, 05:28 PM
kkina
Too late for me. Mine has already been converted to a Benihana, which I'm happier about anyway.



ACCU-STRUT FOR MINI-14
"Pen & Sword as one."
February 04, 2025, 06:02 PM
PowerSurge
Their burgers are terrible. I would actually rather have a quarter pounder with cheese than theirs. Haven’t been in a Chili’s in probably 3 or 4 years since.


———————————————
The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Psalm 14:1
February 04, 2025, 06:03 PM
Rey HRH
It's a regular go-to after trying it sometime last year. I like their triple dipper but I order all sliders. I split that with my wife and we're full after eating two each.



"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
February 04, 2025, 06:05 PM
P-220
I will have to give them a try. It has been years, only due to locations.


Niech Zyje P-220

Steve
February 04, 2025, 06:10 PM
PASig
quote:
Originally posted by PowerSurge:
Their burgers are terrible. I would actually rather have a quarter pounder with cheese than theirs. Haven’t been in a Chili’s in probably 3 or 4 years since.


Their burgers now are NOTHING like they were 4 years ago

They’re actually pretty good


February 04, 2025, 06:12 PM
egregore
Like or dislike the food, I don't care, but that's missing the point. Why not be happy that they've upped their game, are turning a profit, are staying open and keeping their people working? You can't say that about a lot of restaurants. Although I eat out little, I'm going to give that burger meal a try sometime.
February 04, 2025, 06:32 PM
WaterburyBob
I think Chili's burgers are pretty good, especially considering the price.

No comparison to McDonald's or Burger King's crap offerings.
I haven't been to either of those in many years and will probably never go again.



"If Gun Control worked, Chicago would look like Mayberry, not Thunderdome" - Cam Edwards
February 04, 2025, 06:41 PM
Lucnik
Ours has good food and service. Wife and I can split a burger and fries portions are so large.