Additional Coverage:
- My family went to Chili’s. The prices felt reasonable and the teens loved it, but I still don’t think I get the hype. (businessinsider.com)
Chili’s with the Teens: A Parent’s Perspective
My teenage son and his girlfriend love Chili’s. As a food writer, I was intrigued.
Chili’s? Really?
It’s not exactly what I’d picture as date-night central, but TikTok, apparently, has other ideas. The platform is overflowing with Gen Z Chili’s content, showcasing impressive cheese pulls and towering burgers.
So, when my son requested Chili’s for his birthday dinner, we happily obliged. Our first visit, on a Friday night, was a scene: a 30-minute wait, boisterous groups, and massive margaritas.
It felt like the place to be. The food, though?
Underwhelming.
Always up for second chances, we returned a few weeks later, again on a Friday evening. This time, we were seated immediately.
The menu, like our previous visit, was extensive – almost overwhelmingly so. Burgers, chicken tenders, seafood, salads, quesadillas, steaks, pasta…it’s a lot.
The drinks menu followed suit, with a rainbow of cocktails and themed margaritas. Chili’s seems to be aiming to please everyone, and judging by the crowds, they might just be succeeding.
Thanks to the Chili’s My Rewards program (free to join!), we started with complimentary chips and salsa. A nice perk, even if the chips and salsa themselves were pretty standard. We also ordered drinks: sodas all around for the teens and me, and a beer for my husband.
While we waited, I took in the diverse crowd: groups of 20-somethings dressed up for a night out, families with young children, and even groups of older diners. A quick trip to the restroom confirmed another Chili’s hallmark: those giant, brightly colored margaritas.
My son, predictably, ordered the TikTok-famous Triple Dipper – a customizable appetizer platter that’s easily a meal in itself. He chose cheeseburger sliders, mozzarella sticks, and fries.
He loved it, but planned to swap the fries for chicken tenders next time for maximum value and protein. And speaking of chicken tenders, Chili’s does them right.
Crispy, well-battered, and customizable with various sauces – they were a highlight. My son’s girlfriend opted for the chicken-tender platter with fries and mac and cheese, a dish I’d enjoyed on my previous visit.
My husband and I, driven by curiosity and our low-gluten, high-protein diet, shared the most expensive item on the menu: Fajitas for Two. The sizzling platter arrived loaded with steak, chicken, shrimp, and all the fixings. It was tasty, but I still prefer the fajitas from our local Mexican restaurants.
Our meal came in just under $100 before tip – reasonable, but not necessarily a great value. While the food was generally decent, it wasn’t particularly memorable. I still don’t quite get the Chili’s hype.
But here’s the thing: it’s not about me. It’s about connecting with my teenagers. And if that means braving the Chili’s crowds on a Friday night and bonding over Triple Dippers and sizzling fajitas, then we’re all in.