Chilling at Chili’s in Westford
There’s a list of chain restaurants that I avoid…I want to like them because of their convenience and affordability, but after food poisoining from one, hair in my food at another, and general disappointment at many, I created a mental list of “chain restaurants to avoid.” Chili’s Grill and Bar was on this list for awhile – not for any great offense, simply because I often left disappointed. However, after receiving some gift cards for chain restaurants for the holidays, I’m back in the (chain restaurant) saddle.
One reason that I avoided Chili’s was the seemingly unavoidable noise, even on a weeknight. My husband and I returned to Chili’s on a weeknight, and while it wasn’t quiet, I was pleased that we could hear each other easily. The noise certainly didn’t detract from our meal.
Our waiter was warm, friendly, and attentive. He was quick to take our drink order and to deliver them. I ordered a Chambord 1800, a margarita on the rocks with a kick of Chambord. My husband ordered a Long Island Iced Tea. Both drinks were sweet and enjoyable, if a little too full of ice.
For dinner, I had the chicken tacos with sides of rice and black beans. My husband had steak and portobello fajitas with rice. My tacos were good but I found the chicken filling somewhat sparse and the cheese almost non-existent – the filling was predominantly iceberg lettuce and tomatoes. I was surprised that I needed to eat all three tacos to feel full (I was looking forward to left-overs!). The soft taco shell/tortilla was soft and just bready enough to be satisfying. The rice, on the other hand, was so salty it was nearly inedible. Interestingly, my husband had what appeared to be the same rice but we both found his appropriately seasoned and agreed that mine tasted like a salt shaker. The black beans were cooked appropriately and were decent. My husband also enjoyed his fajitas but the portabello mushrooms were very few and far between, and he also complained of the lack of cheese.
For dessert, we split a gargantuan order of chocolate chip cookie molten cake. It was a warm, moist white cake full of chocolate chips and topped with a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream. There were two chocolate sauces on the dessert - an enjoyable chocolate shell that ensconced the ice cream, and a soft chocolate sauce that surrounded the cake. It was decadent.
Our bill came to just over $50 including tip, a fairly reasonable price. I recommend Chili’s for their fun drinks and desserts, but entrees can be inconsistent. Regardless, I think Chili’ls has redeemed itself enough to be removed from my list.
Tags: chili's grill and bar, fajitas, molten cake, rice, tacos, westford
Comments
No comments so far.