8 Chili’s Menu Items You Should Skip And 8 Worth Every Penny, According To Customers
I recently went on a Chili’s marathon, trying nearly everything on their menu over a month (my wallet and waistline still haven’t forgiven me).
Whether you’re a Chili’s regular or an occasional visitor, knowing which dishes deserve your dollars can make or break your dining experience.
Based on my personal taste tests and countless customer reviews, I’ve compiled the definitive guide to navigating the Chili’s menu like a pro.
1. SKIP: Cajun Chicken Pasta
Last Tuesday, I ordered this pasta expecting a spicy Cajun kick, but what arrived was a bland noodle disaster drowning in cream sauce. The chicken pieces were dry as the Sahara, and the promised Cajun seasoning must have taken a detour to another restaurant entirely.
Customer reviews consistently mention this disappointing disconnect between menu description and reality. “It’s like they forgot the ‘Cajun’ part of Cajun pasta,” one reviewer noted. Many diners report the dish tastes mass-produced rather than freshly made.
For $14.99, you’re essentially paying premium prices for glorified alfredo with a sprinkle of paprika. Save your pasta cravings for an Italian restaurant that knows its noodles.
2. WORTH IT: Oldtimer With Cheese
Holy burger heaven! The first bite of Chili’s Oldtimer with Cheese transported me back to those perfect summer cookouts where the grill master actually knows what they’re doing. This classic burger doesn’t try to be fancy – it’s just perfectly seasoned beef with melty American cheese on a toasted bun.
The mustard tang plays beautifully with the sweet, grilled onions, creating that perfect savory-sweet balance that makes you close your eyes while chewing. Customers rave about the consistency of this burger across locations, which is rare in chain restaurants.
At around $10, it’s one of the more affordable entrées that doesn’t sacrifice quality. I’ve tried dozens of chain restaurant burgers, and this unpretentious classic consistently ranks in my top three.
3. SKIP: Skillet Queso
Remember that cheese dip your friend made for game day using Velveeta and a can of Ro-Tel? Chili’s Skillet Queso is basically that, except it costs $8 and comes with fewer chips than you’d expect. My disappointment was immeasurable when this lukewarm bowl of processed cheese arrived at our table.
The texture falls somewhere between plastic and library paste, with a strange artificial aftertaste that lingers uncomfortably. Countless reviewers have noted the queso quickly develops an unappetizing skin if not eaten immediately – not exactly the mark of quality cheese.
If you’re craving queso, literally any Tex-Mex restaurant within a 10-mile radius probably makes a better version. Even the pre-packaged grocery store stuff might leave you less disappointed than this skillet of sadness.
4. WORTH IT: Classic Sirloin
Color me shocked! I didn’t expect a chain restaurant steak to be this good, but Chili’s Classic Sirloin has become my guilty pleasure. The 6-ounce cut arrives perfectly cooked to your specification with a flavorful char that enhances the beef’s natural taste without overwhelming it.
The seasoning is simple but effective – just enough to complement the meat without masking its quality. What really elevates this dish are the sides: the garlic butter mashed potatoes are creamy heaven, and the seasonal veggies are actually cooked properly (not mushy or raw).
At around $15, it’s reasonably priced compared to dedicated steakhouses charging triple for comparable quality. “I’ve had $30 steaks that weren’t this tender,” one reviewer wrote, and after three visits ordering this, I completely agree.
5. SKIP: Texas Cheese Fries
My arteries hardened just looking at this mountain of dietary regret. The Texas Cheese Fries arrived looking impressive – a pile of fries buried under a landslide of bacon bits, jalapeños, and what appeared to be an entire block of melted cheese. Unfortunately, the execution falls flatter than week-old soda.
The fries themselves quickly become soggy under their heavy toppings, creating a texturally confusing mess. By the time you’re halfway through, you’re essentially eating a potato-based soup with a fork. Customer reviews frequently mention inconsistency issues – sometimes there’s barely any cheese, other times it’s drowning.
For nearly $11, this appetizer fails to justify its caloric or financial cost. If you’re determined to enjoy cheese fries, split them immediately upon arrival before they transform into the sad, soggy mess they’re destined to become.
6. WORTH IT: Southwestern Eggrolls
These crispy cylinders of Tex-Mex goodness have ruined regular eggrolls for me forever! Chili’s Southwestern Eggrolls pack an incredible flavor punch – chicken, black beans, corn, jalapeño jack cheese, red peppers, and spinach all wrapped in a crunchy shell that shatters perfectly with each bite.
The contrast between the crispy exterior and savory, slightly spicy filling creates a texture party in your mouth. The avocado ranch dipping sauce deserves its own fan club – creamy, tangy, and the perfect cool counterpoint to the warm eggrolls. I’ve actually seen tables order second rounds of these before their entrées arrived.
At around $10 for the appetizer portion, they’re substantial enough to share but so delicious you might not want to. Pro tip: These make an excellent main course paired with a side salad if you’re not super hungry.
7. SKIP: Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
I had high hopes when I ordered these quesadillas – I mean, bacon, ranch, and cheese in a tortilla sounds like a guaranteed win, right? Wrong. What arrived was a greasy triangle of disappointment that left an oil slick on my plate and regret in my heart.
The chicken inside was sparse and suspiciously uniform in shape, suggesting it came pre-processed rather than freshly grilled. The dominant flavor wasn’t bacon or ranch but rather an overwhelming saltiness that had me reaching for water after every bite. Several customers have noted the quesadillas often arrive burned on the outside while somehow remaining barely warm inside.
For $12, these quesadillas commit the cardinal sin of food: they’re boring despite promising exciting flavors. Even my teenager, who typically inhales anything involving cheese, left half of his portion untouched.
8. WORTH IT: Triple Dipper
The indecisive appetizer lover’s dream come true! When I couldn’t choose between starters, my server suggested the Triple Dipper, and it’s now my go-to Chili’s order. This customizable appetizer platter lets you pick three from options like Southwestern Eggrolls, Wings, Fried Pickles, and more.
The genius is in the variety – you can please everyone at the table or satisfy your own conflicting cravings. Each component arrives fresh and hot, suggesting they’re prepared to order rather than sitting under a heat lamp. The accompanying dipping sauces complement each item perfectly, from the ranch with the wings to the honey-chipotle with the chicken crispers.
At around $15, it’s actually a solid value when you consider the cost of three separate appetizers. For couples or small groups, this can even serve as a complete meal with enough variety to keep your taste buds entertained.
9. SKIP: Caribbean Salad
The Caribbean Salad at Chili’s is the restaurant equivalent of a vacation brochure photo versus the actual hotel room. The menu promises a tropical paradise of fresh ingredients, but reality delivers a sad bowl of wilted lettuce topped with canned pineapple and dried-out grilled chicken.
During my visit, the mandarin oranges tasted distinctly like they came from a syrup-packed can, and the promised honey-lime dressing was so sparse I had to request extra. The flavors never harmonize – instead, you get random bites of sweetness that clash with the supposedly grilled chicken, which lacks any discernible seasoning.
At nearly $13 (more with shrimp), this salad commits the ultimate healthy-option crime: it’s both unsatisfying and not particularly healthy, with high sugar content from the fruit and dressing. Your money and calories are better spent elsewhere on the menu.
10. WORTH IT: Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers
My taste buds literally did a happy dance when I first tried these sweet-spicy strips of chicken perfection! The Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers feature tender white meat in a light, crispy batter that somehow stays crunchy even when coated in their signature sauce.
That sauce – oh my goodness – strikes the perfect balance between sweet honey and smoky chipotle heat that builds gradually rather than overwhelming your palate. The accompanying corn on the cob and fries aren’t afterthoughts either; they’re well-executed sides that complement the main attraction. Customer reviews consistently praise the portion size, which is generous enough to provide leftovers for many diners.
At around $14, these crispers represent one of the best values on the menu. I’ve literally changed dinner plans specifically to satisfy a craving for these sweet-heat masterpieces, and I’m not alone – they’ve developed something of a cult following among Chili’s regulars.
11. SKIP: Boneless Wings
Let’s be honest here – these aren’t wings. They’re chicken nuggets dressed up in buffalo clothing. My recent order of Chili’s Boneless Wings arrived looking suspiciously uniform in shape, with that processed, previously-frozen texture that no amount of sauce can disguise.
Speaking of sauce, the buffalo coating was applied with such inconsistency that some pieces were drowning while others were practically naked. The breading quickly became soggy, creating a mushy exterior rather than the crispy bite you want from wings. Fellow customers frequently mention the small portion size relative to the $12+ price tag.
The ranch dressing served alongside tasted suspiciously like it came from a bottle rather than being house-made. For a restaurant with “grill” in its concept, these wings represent a missed opportunity to deliver something that actually tastes like it saw a flame at some point in its journey to your table.
12. WORTH IT: Molten Chocolate Cake
Forget fancy French restaurants – Chili’s has perfected the art of chocolate decadence with their legendary Molten Chocolate Cake! The moment your spoon breaks through the warm chocolate cake to release the river of molten fudge inside is pure theatrical dessert drama that never disappoints.
The temperature contrast between the hot cake and the cold vanilla ice cream creates that magical mouthfeel that makes you close your eyes involuntarily with each bite. The cake itself isn’t overly sweet, allowing the richness of the chocolate to shine without becoming cloying. I’ve witnessed heated debates over who gets the last bite when sharing this dessert.
At around $8, this shareable finale to your meal is the definition of affordable luxury. Pro tip from a regular: Ask for extra ice cream – the ratio of warm cake to cold ice cream is crucial for the full experience!
13. SKIP: Chicken Crispers (Original)
The original Chicken Crispers remind me of that friend who peaked in high school – they might have been impressive once, but now they’re just trading on nostalgia rather than actual quality. During my recent Chili’s visit, these arrived looking pale and uninteresting, like they couldn’t decide if they wanted to be chicken strips or tempura.
The batter lacks seasoning beyond a faint saltiness, and the chicken inside often has that slightly spongy texture that screams “frozen product.” Many customers note inconsistent cooking – sometimes they’re perfectly fine, other times they’re greasy or undercooked in spots. The corn on the cob side was dry, and the fries were lukewarm.
At $13+, you’re essentially paying premium prices for glorified cafeteria food. If you’re craving chicken at Chili’s, literally any other chicken option (especially the flavored Crispers varieties) offers more bang for your buck and more flavor for your palate.
14. WORTH IT: Margarita Grilled Chicken
I ordered this expecting another boring “healthy option,” but Chili’s Margarita Grilled Chicken completely changed my perception of what chain restaurant grilled chicken can be! The citrus-marinated chicken breast is impressively juicy and flavorful, with beautiful grill marks that actually contribute smoky flavor rather than just looking pretty.
The Mexican rice has distinct grains and actual taste (a rarity in chain restaurants), and the black beans provide a hearty complement without being mushy. What truly elevates this dish is the fresh pico de gallo and house-made tortilla strips that add brightness and texture contrast. Customers consistently praise this dish for being flavorful without leaving them feeling heavy afterward.
At around $13, this protein-packed meal delivers restaurant quality with nutritional values you can feel good about. It’s become my go-to order when I want something satisfying that won’t necessitate unbuttoning my pants afterward.
15. SKIP: Original Ribs
My disappointment was immeasurable when I bit into Chili’s Original Ribs and found myself chewing… and chewing… and still chewing. These ribs commit the cardinal sin of barbecue – they require actual effort to separate from the bone, a clear sign they haven’t been cooked low and slow enough.
The sauce tastes suspiciously like it comes straight from a bottle you could buy at any grocery store, lacking the depth and complexity you want in good barbecue. Customer reviews frequently mention inconsistency in portion sizes and meat quality. Some report receiving mostly fat and gristle rather than meat.
At nearly $19 for a full rack, these ribs represent one of the worst values on the menu. If you’re craving ribs, you’re better off visiting a dedicated barbecue joint or even picking up pre-cooked options from your grocery store – both would likely deliver more satisfaction than these chewy disappointments.
16. WORTH IT: Chicken Enchilada Soup
On a chilly day last month, I stumbled upon the hidden gem of Chili’s menu – their Chicken Enchilada Soup. This velvety bowl of comfort tastes like someone’s Mexican grandmother spent hours in the kitchen perfecting the recipe (though I suspect Chili’s didn’t actually hire anyone’s abuela).
The soup strikes a perfect balance between creamy and spicy, with tender shredded chicken, corn, and subtle cheese flavors in every spoonful. The crispy tortilla strips add necessary texture contrast, and the fresh hint of cilantro brightens the whole dish. Regular customers often mention ordering this soup even in summer because it’s too good to enjoy only in cold weather.
At around $6 for a bowl, this soup delivers remarkable value and flavor. Pro tip: Ask for a side of fresh avocado to cool the gentle heat and add another dimension to this already complex soup.