What Chili's Bar & Grill Is and How to Order
Chili's Bar & Grill is a casual dining chain where you sit at a table, order from a menu, and a server brings your food to you. You can dine in, order takeout, or use delivery through third-party apps. When you arrive for dine-in service, a host or hostess seats you, a server takes your order at the table, and you pay either at the table or at a register when you leave.
Most Chili's locations are open for lunch and dinner seven days a week, though hours vary by location. You can find your nearest restaurant and check its hours on the Chili's website or by calling ahead. Takeout orders can be placed by phone, through the Chili's website, or through the Chili's mobile app, and you pick them up at a designated time.
Key Takeaways
- Chili's operates as a full-service restaurant where servers take your order at the table and bring food to you, or you can order takeout or delivery.
- The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, ribs, fajitas, pasta, salads, and appetizers, with prices typically ranging from $8 to $20 for entrees depending on location and current pricing.
- You can order online through the Chili's website or app for faster pickup, or call your local restaurant to place a phone order.
- Chili's accepts most major credit cards, debit cards, and cash at the table; payment methods for online orders depend on the platform you use.
- The restaurant has a kids menu, offers customization of most dishes, and provides nutritional information on its website if you have dietary concerns.
The Menu and What Foods Cost
Chili's menu centers on American casual dining fare: burgers, sandwiches, ribs, fajitas, pasta dishes, salads, and appetizers. Entrees typically come with two sides — usually a choice of fries, rice, beans, or seasonal vegetables. Appetizers like nachos, wings, and fried cheese are meant for sharing or eating before your meal arrives.
Prices vary by location and change over time, but entrees generally fall between $8 and $20. Appetizers run $6 to $12, and desserts cost $4 to $7. The restaurant also serves alcoholic beverages — beer, wine, and cocktails — at bar prices that vary by drink and location. Non-alcoholic drinks include soft drinks, iced tea, lemonade, and coffee, usually priced at $2 to $3.
Chili's regularly runs promotions and limited-time offers, which you can find on its website or by asking your server. The kids menu has smaller portions and lower prices, typically $5 to $8 per entree.
How to Order Dine-In at a Chili's Location
When you arrive for dine-in service, tell the host or hostess how many people are in your party. They will seat you at a table and give you menus. A server will come to your table within a few minutes to take your drink order first, then return to take your food order.
You can ask your server questions about any dish — what it comes with, how spicy it is, whether it can be modified, or what the restaurant recommends. Most items can be customized: you can request substitutions for sides, ask for sauces on the side, or request modifications for dietary reasons. Tell your server about any food allergies so the kitchen can take precautions.
After you order, food typically arrives within 15 to 25 minutes, depending on how busy the restaurant is and how complex your order is. When you are finished eating, your server will ask if you want dessert or coffee. To pay, you can ask your server to bring the check to the table, or some locations allow you to pay directly at the table using a card reader.
Ordering Takeout or Delivery
To order takeout, call your local Chili's, visit the Chili's website, or use the Chili's mobile app. You will select your items, specify any customizations or allergies, and choose a pickup time. Most locations have pickup times available within 15 to 45 minutes of when you place the order, depending on how busy they are.
When you arrive for pickup, go to the takeout counter or call the number provided in your order confirmation, and staff will bring your food to you. Takeout orders are packed in containers designed to keep food warm during transport. If you order through a third-party delivery app like DoorDash, Uber Eats, or Grubhub, the app will show you the restaurant's menu, let you customize items, and a delivery driver will bring your order to your address.
Delivery fees, service fees, and taxes are added by the delivery app and vary based on your location and the app you use. Chili's does not control these fees — the app does.
Payment Methods and What Happens at the End
At a Chili's location, you can pay with major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover), debit cards, or cash. When you are ready to pay, your server brings the check to your table or you can ask for it. You can hand your card or cash to the server, who will process it and return with your receipt and change.
For dine-in orders, you can add a tip on the receipt or through the card reader at the table. Typical tip amounts are 15 to 20 percent of your bill before tax, though you can tip any amount you choose. For takeout orders placed online or by phone, you usually pay when you place the order using a credit or debit card, and you can add a tip at that time or when you pick up your food.
If you order through a delivery app, you pay the app directly, not the restaurant. The app collects payment, takes a commission, and sends the restaurant its portion of the order total.
Dietary Information and Customization
Chili's publishes nutritional information for its menu items on its website, including calories, fat, sodium, and allergen details. You can view this information before you order to help make decisions about what to eat. If you have a food allergy or dietary restriction — vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, low-sodium — tell your server or include it in the notes when you order online.
Most Chili's dishes can be modified. You can request grilled instead of fried, ask for sauces and dressings on the side, substitute vegetables for fries, or remove ingredients you do not want. The kitchen will do its best to accommodate requests, but some items are prepared in ways that cannot be easily changed. Your server can tell you which dishes are most flexible.
If you have a severe allergy, inform your server when ready so they can alert the kitchen. Cross-contamination is possible in any restaurant kitchen, so if your allergy is life-threatening, discuss your concerns with a manager before ordering.
What to Know About Wait Times and Busy Periods
Chili's is busiest during lunch (11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.) and dinner (5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.), especially on weekends and holidays. If you arrive during these times, expect to wait 15 to 45 minutes for a table, depending on how many people are ahead of you. You can call ahead to ask how long the wait is, or some locations allow you to add your name to a waitlist through the Chili's app.
If you order takeout or delivery during peak times, your order may take longer to prepare. Ordering during off-peak hours — mid-afternoon or late evening — usually results in shorter waits. If you are ordering online for pickup, the restaurant will give you a specific time, and your food will be ready then or shortly after.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make a reservation at Chili's?
Most Chili's locations do not take reservations and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You can call ahead to ask about the current wait time, or use the Chili's app to check wait times at your nearest location. Some locations may accommodate large groups with advance notice — call the restaurant directly to ask.
Does Chili's have a kids menu?
Yes. The kids menu includes smaller portions of popular items like burgers, chicken tenders, mac and cheese, and quesadillas, typically priced $5 to $8. Kids meals usually come with a side, a drink, and a dessert or treat. You can order from the kids menu for children of any age.
What if I have a complaint about my food or service?
Tell your server or a manager when ready while you are still at the restaurant. They can remake your food, offer a replacement, or adjust your bill. If you ordered takeout or delivery and have an issue, contact the restaurant by phone or through the app as soon as you discover the problem.
Does Chili's offer catering or large group orders?
Yes. Chili's can prepare catering orders for parties and events. Call your local restaurant or visit the Chili's website to ask about catering options, pricing, and how far in advance you need to order. Large groups dining in should call ahead so the restaurant can prepare.
Can I use coupons or promotional codes at Chili's?
Chili's regularly offers coupons, discounts, and promotions through its website, app, email newsletter, and social media. You can show a digital coupon from the app or website to your server, or enter a promo code when ordering online. Ask your server what current offers are available, or check the Chili's website before you visit.