May 22, 2014 Achrafieh Beirut Lebanon Middle East

Chili's: Back on its Feet

Phone Number: +961 1 334 900

Address: Zahhar, Achrafyeh, Independence Avenue, Beirut, Lebanon

Website: https://www.facebook.com/chilisbeirut

Price Range: 25-50 $

RATING:72/100

Welcoming: 4/5

Food Temperature: 8/10

Ambiance / Music: 8/10

Menu Choice: 4/5

Food Taste: 24/30

Architecture / Interior: 8/10

Food presentation: 8/10

Service: 8/10

Value for money: Soon

My story with Chili's is one of those long ones that started when it first opened, and still continues to date. Ups, downs, enjoyment and disappointments, it sometimes feels like a love relationship...
 
I have always been a huge fan of Chili's, naming it my favorite diner in Lebanon back in 2011 until things changed last year. Chili's seemed to have lost interest in the market, quality dropped drastically, service kind of vanished... It took two reviews until my alarm reached the concerned departments. I went on to enjoy a nice meal and wrote a detailed review with happiness and joy about the come back of Chili's.
 
Chilis_Beirut_Diner_Food_Restaurant_Review02
 
A month ago, my wife went to Chili's and left extremely happy and satisfied. She came back home with a smile on her face telling me about the tasty food, the perfect service and the enjoyment of a memorable night. She insisted that I go see for myself and here we are, doing exactly that.

Chili's is as good as I expected it to be; the service was great, the food was tasty, the drinks were created meticulously, making our night a great one on all fronts. I heard that the menu will be changed soon, something they do every two years to refresh. So here is the last review before changes are made. The menu sections:

  • Premium and signature Margaritas
  • Specialty drinks, beer, wine
  • Appetizers
  • Soups and Chili Salads
  • Sandwiches
  • Big Mouth Burgers
  • Southwestern Pastas
  • Baby Back Ribs
  • Fire Grilled Steaks
  • Southwest Grill (Quesadillas, Tacos, Fajitas)
  • Chicken and Seafood
  • Custom Combos and Side Dishes

We ordered and enjoyed:

Some details I enjoyed:

  • Fresh-looking food
  • Adequate food temperature
  • Oil-free plates
  • Crunchy, fresh and super tasty nachos
  • Beautifully presented plates
  • Tasty soft drinks full of flavor and gas
  • One-of-a-kind meat, soft like butter
  • Superb pork ribs
  • Extravagant desserts
  • A waiter that just makes you smile continuously

Adnan, our waiter that night, did everything to put a smile on our faces. He has been working at Chili's for the last decade after all... he breathes Chili's and he's proud of it. We were pampered while spending a memorable night of fun and enjoyment. To accompany our dinner, what else but a Margarita? I remembered the last experience and it was a total mess. A soggy undrinkable margarita; I'm not sure if the bartender has been changed, but tonight's was as good as the one I enjoy at Habana in Jounieh. An intense taste, without being too sweet or too alcoholic and a beautiful color with a pleasant aftertaste that accompanies you during dinner.

My recommendation: Ask for a basket of chips and enjoy their crunch. Dip them into the sauce and feel the earthquake

The unacceptable: The menus! Please change the menus. They are unacceptable. It's not up to standard to see papers torn apart this way. In Arabic; "3ayb".

Chili's, the last international diner to survive the Lebanese crisis, is still a place I'll consider for my "no-calorie-count" meals. I hope and wish the quality remains, as it is and even better.




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