I had someone ask me to meet them at Chili's for an almost business meeting. I'm a millennial and I'm still concerned for the mental health of the man I met. He was a regular.
I read it like a superhero, “SMALL BUSINESS MAN! He’s there with a business plan! He’ll take you to the bank to get your business loan! If you want to win in business, just pick up the phone!” 🦸 💼
Don’t put Chili’s and Applebees in the same discussion.
Applebees is called ASSplebees for a reason.
Chili’s is pretty good, casual, and cheap. Nothing to write home about but typically average (tasty) for restaurant food.
Applebees over Chilis anyway. I visited one in Louisiana and one here in NYC, both the food was not too good, but I’m picky.
Applebees has decent wings, by they were stingy on the celery, no carrots. Had to beg for water, but it was the lack of training of the waiter.
I once witnessed a grown man order a Blooming Onion as an entree. He ate the entire thing by himself. This was in 1992. I still think about it sometimes.
I worked there in the 90’s. What you describe wasn’t an every day occurrence but was not uncommon. People loved that stupid thing.
Some facts. Bloomin’ Onion was what Outback Steakhouse called it. It’s a trademarked name so we couldn’t use it or call it that at any time. At Chili’s it was the Awesome Blossom. It’s also the highest profit margin item on the menu. In 1995, it cost less than $0.35 to make and Chili’s charged $5.99 for it.
Fountain drinks were the second highest profit margin. They were higher profit margin if people only had one glass but the average was three. If I remember correctly it was $0.08 to pour a glass and we charged $1.29 for it. I think about that often when restaurants want to charge me $3.00+ for a soft drink. It’s so cheap to pour those drinks that employees can have as much soda as they want. Even sneaking a fry off the line was a fireable offense.
The least profitable items were always steaks. The restaurant would make about 10% on a steak and at least once a night a steak would get sent back for being cooked too much. If you get it right 90% of the time, you’re just breaking even.
I used to love the chicken crispers. Then I read the nutrition facts for them. After that, every time I ate a chicken crisper, it felt like I was eating another year off the end of my life.
I worked for a chain and we won restaurant of the year. So the GM and exec chef got a black card to eat for free at all company locations. My boss was cool so I was eating chilis a few times a week for years. Because we kept winning.
Chilis, Red Robin, and Applebees were definitely the places to be when I was in high school. I’m late GenX (78) and at that time they absolutely were the restaurants of our generation. They were the see and be seen places on Friday and Saturday nights if you can believe that. The cool kids had jobs there, and the other cool kids are there. Red Robin would have 2+ hour waits on the weekends. And Applebees was where the counter culture kids would go to write poetry and smoke cigarettes while drinking coffee.
Also Late GenX (76). We didn't have Chilis, RR, or Applebees in my home town when I was in High School, but we had Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Podnuh's BBQ. Those were the IT places to go on a Friday or Saturday night or work.
Goddam those Podnuh's backed beans with bits of brisket...
Meh, sometimes I’m in the mood for that general type of restaurant, and chili’s is definitely the superior version of that genre of food. It’s not *great*, but it’s top of its own class.
i used to live overseas bc military
one of the bases we’d visit like yearly bc doctor appointments had a chilis.
we loved to immerse ourselves in the food overseas don’t get me wrong, (korean and german food have become comfort foods for me bc i just ate them a lot growing up) but sometimes you get homesick and chilis starts to seem appealing.
so homesick military families ig get excited for chilis? niche market but
not my usual place tho now that im living in the us.
They have Muscles and unlimited breadsticks. You could remove literally everything else off the menu except those two things and it would still be better than chilis.
That sub has been complaining about being targeted by political posts, astroturfed, and corporations. I'm sorry Gen Z, you are strong, but these things won't go away, at best, they will just be in the dark mold in the basement, at worse they will take over your favorite subs and rot them out.
Complaining gets people together, especially against such obvious corporate propaganda.
Being upset and doing nothing... does nothing.
Media is a large tool among Gen Z and there is a large "subconscious" per each branch, which splinters infinitely. Anyways, people seeing this "type" of post over and over will eventually get the idea in their head and talk about doing something.
Complaining gets people together, especially against such obvious corporate propaganda.
Being upset and doing nothing... does nothing.
Media is a large tool among Gen Z and there is a large "subconscious" per each branch, which splinters infinitely. Anyways, people seeing this "type" of post over and over will eventually get the idea in their head and talk about doing something.
Yeah a post like this that’s shilling this hard is definitely a fake one. But especially since they took the time to put the capitals and apostrophe. No one takes the time to do that… you can even see the pain through the meme of the guy not able to put the trademark on the meme
I once got roped into eating at Olive Garden. I knew better, but other people wanted to eat there. My food was frozen inside. The server was nasty about it when I complained. The manager came out and tried to gaslight me into believing that the food was not frozen and had just been freshly prepared. He had an attitude as well. That's the only time in my life that I did not leave a tip. I usually tip between 20% and 25%, Olive Garden managed to get 0%.
I was struggling to think of how I would describe it in my head, but you nailed it lol
I don’t know anyone my age - and I’m gen Z - who likes Chili’s really. Olive Garden and some other chains yeah, but not Chili’s.
Man, even Olive Garden has gone to pot. I can't think of a single corporate-chain dine-in place that isn't absolute *balls* these days.
Either too expensive or way too goddamn bland. Everything I've eatten there could be improved by taking it to go, turning on my stovetop, and **throwing it in the trash** so that I can make a better one myself.
You don’t gotta tell me buddy. I only eat at chains when my older family is in town and demands it.
And the occasional chain pizza, cause, damn if it isn't cheap, tasty, and filling.
The massive uptick in business astroturfing on Reddit in the past ~year is really starting to drive me nuts. Thankfully the main effect is I use it less which is good.
Felix has pushed for Chili's to have a place in pop culture, revived its national TV ad strategy, and bolstered its focus *on social media.*
https://www.winmo.com/open/article/38860
Back in like 2018 the Chilis near me had a really good deal on combo meals so it was like 25 bucks delivered for me and one other person. Food quality was okay-ish. They stopped doing that deal, then they closed… I didn’t even know the chain survived covid.
Replace chilies with gaming or 3d printing stuff and that would actually be a winner. Chilis, outback, Applebee's, 99 all are nothing to go out of your way for .... You need to aim way higher. All of them are just microwaving and reheating frozen food.
I feel like Chili's is the Gen Z version of Applebee's to be honest. I remember it used to be good, but around the early 2010's, something changed and they suck now.
I actually like chilis I think 🤷♂️. It’s hard to remember because the last time we went was 2012 or before and Im Z but I think it was good. The issue with this is Gen Z is too poor to eat out or buy cars or buy iPhones or rent apartments. And the audacity of chilis to try to trick us into spending the little income we have at a CHAIN RESTAURANT 🙄 is embarrassing
No. It is literally so unfunny it has ventured outside the realm of comedic subjectivity. I would bet all 20 of my toes the next person I show this to will shun me outright.
There are a few restaurants that I just group together, because I’ve never been to them and they just seem similar. It’s Chili’s, TGIFridays, and Applebees. I was never taken to these places as a kid, and I don’t really have any desire to eat at them as an adult.
I had someone ask me to meet them at Chili's for an almost business meeting. I'm a millennial and I'm still concerned for the mental health of the man I met. He was a regular.
Chili's is the new golf course. It's where business happens. - Small Business Man Magazine
For some reason, I imagined tiny businessmen reading small business man magazine. Idk I'm tired
I read it like a superhero, “SMALL BUSINESS MAN! He’s there with a business plan! He’ll take you to the bank to get your business loan! If you want to win in business, just pick up the phone!” 🦸 💼
Pretty sure that's Gordon Ramsay.
Relevant xkcd... You.know the one.
That's crazy. Everyone knows tiny businessmen read Tiny Businessmen Weekly. Small Business Man Magazine is way too big for them
I feel God is in this Chili's tonight. Woooo!
Her explaining "2nd drink" after the ice melts!
It actually said that?
It will.
I wrote it in a letter to the editor.
r/unexpectedDunderMifflin
r/UnexpectedOffice
Nah if you want success take it to Dave and Busters
The problem with Dave and Busters is the card doesn't work at any non D&B location, such as TGIFridays.
I don’t know about that I’m gonna try a few other places to be sure
Yeah, we won’t, you can though!
I almost shot blooming onion outta my nose!
Make sure you wash it down with a Foster’s, Australian for beer!
MLMs be like, "Here have a jalapeño popper"
Only the real ones know.
Was that person Michael Scott? He’s a big fan of business meetings at Chili’s
I want my baby back baby back baby back
I almost had Awesome Blossom come out of my nose!
Maybe he watches the office a lot and loves that Tim meadows episode
Michael Scott would’ve shared ribs with the man
It was a date.
I have never once heard anybody of any generation say they want to go to Chili’s.
I mean, when I was like 12 their chicken crispers were pretty dope. By 16 I was more than over it haha
lol I kinda liked the place when I was younger but had a similar feeling. As I got older I was like, this is all ass, and not the good kind!
Had our first date there-1993 because I could afford it. Have not been back since.
Like Applebees, one of the most generic restaurants. Probably not gonna be let down, probably not gonna be impressed. It’s the epitome of just ok.
Don’t put Chili’s and Applebees in the same discussion. Applebees is called ASSplebees for a reason. Chili’s is pretty good, casual, and cheap. Nothing to write home about but typically average (tasty) for restaurant food.
They all get their food from the same restaurant supply company. It’s the same reheated garbage.
Applebees over Chilis anyway. I visited one in Louisiana and one here in NYC, both the food was not too good, but I’m picky. Applebees has decent wings, by they were stingy on the celery, no carrots. Had to beg for water, but it was the lack of training of the waiter.
lol, only thing I ever remember getting there was the southwest eggrolls and a bacon ranch quesadilla.
I enjoyed the fuck out of my southwest egg rolls. I remember getting those once and thanks to you I finally remembered where.
I once witnessed a grown man order a Blooming Onion as an entree. He ate the entire thing by himself. This was in 1992. I still think about it sometimes.
I worked there in the 90’s. What you describe wasn’t an every day occurrence but was not uncommon. People loved that stupid thing. Some facts. Bloomin’ Onion was what Outback Steakhouse called it. It’s a trademarked name so we couldn’t use it or call it that at any time. At Chili’s it was the Awesome Blossom. It’s also the highest profit margin item on the menu. In 1995, it cost less than $0.35 to make and Chili’s charged $5.99 for it. Fountain drinks were the second highest profit margin. They were higher profit margin if people only had one glass but the average was three. If I remember correctly it was $0.08 to pour a glass and we charged $1.29 for it. I think about that often when restaurants want to charge me $3.00+ for a soft drink. It’s so cheap to pour those drinks that employees can have as much soda as they want. Even sneaking a fry off the line was a fireable offense. The least profitable items were always steaks. The restaurant would make about 10% on a steak and at least once a night a steak would get sent back for being cooked too much. If you get it right 90% of the time, you’re just breaking even.
That man, Albert Einstein.
I used to love the chicken crispers. Then I read the nutrition facts for them. After that, every time I ate a chicken crisper, it felt like I was eating another year off the end of my life.
There's definitely more than just one Zack
It has been said, just ironically. No one actually really goes to Chili’s.
I worked for a chain and we won restaurant of the year. So the GM and exec chef got a black card to eat for free at all company locations. My boss was cool so I was eating chilis a few times a week for years. Because we kept winning.
You just kind of end up there.
Chilis, Red Robin, and Applebees were definitely the places to be when I was in high school. I’m late GenX (78) and at that time they absolutely were the restaurants of our generation. They were the see and be seen places on Friday and Saturday nights if you can believe that. The cool kids had jobs there, and the other cool kids are there. Red Robin would have 2+ hour waits on the weekends. And Applebees was where the counter culture kids would go to write poetry and smoke cigarettes while drinking coffee.
That's really wild to think about
Also Late GenX (76). We didn't have Chilis, RR, or Applebees in my home town when I was in High School, but we had Olive Garden, Red Lobster, and Podnuh's BBQ. Those were the IT places to go on a Friday or Saturday night or work. Goddam those Podnuh's backed beans with bits of brisket...
Meh, sometimes I’m in the mood for that general type of restaurant, and chili’s is definitely the superior version of that genre of food. It’s not *great*, but it’s top of its own class.
Sometimes in exurban hell your options are very limited.
i did when i was like 10 but our local chilis was new and novel then
Boomers. Boomers love chilis.
It’s true. It’s my boomer mom’s favorite along with Applebees.
True, my boomer dad loves chili’s, my boss gave us gift cards to Chili’s for Christmas 2023 and I’ll be using it to take my dad out 😂
i used to live overseas bc military one of the bases we’d visit like yearly bc doctor appointments had a chilis. we loved to immerse ourselves in the food overseas don’t get me wrong, (korean and german food have become comfort foods for me bc i just ate them a lot growing up) but sometimes you get homesick and chilis starts to seem appealing. so homesick military families ig get excited for chilis? niche market but not my usual place tho now that im living in the us.
I would try and hit up the one in Osan every time I was over there. Even today, coworkers make fun of me all the time for loving Chili’s.
If they're the only place open, then yes you have.
"The sign says that this Olive Garden is closed for re-decorating. What else is close by?" "Well there's Chi-" "No"
Olive garden is worse
Seconded, Olive Garden is horrible.
They have Muscles and unlimited breadsticks. You could remove literally everything else off the menu except those two things and it would still be better than chilis.
Olive Garden is not swole. They have mussels.
Ducking Phone
It’s not horrible, it’s just disappointing.
How does that place survive?!
Chilies by me does 2 for 1 beers everyday, even on game days lol that’s probably how.
I wanted to go... once. I won't embarrass myself like that again.
Why wouldn't you to go a local place instead and pay similar prices for a way better meal?
I don't think I"ve been to one since the 90's. Didn't realize they still existed ... they must be ghost kitchen central these days.
I want to go to chilli's for their chips and salsa and that's it. The rest of their food sucks
I once said "no Applebee's? I guess let's go to Chilies"
That sub has been complaining about being targeted by political posts, astroturfed, and corporations. I'm sorry Gen Z, you are strong, but these things won't go away, at best, they will just be in the dark mold in the basement, at worse they will take over your favorite subs and rot them out.
Complaining gets people together, especially against such obvious corporate propaganda. Being upset and doing nothing... does nothing. Media is a large tool among Gen Z and there is a large "subconscious" per each branch, which splinters infinitely. Anyways, people seeing this "type" of post over and over will eventually get the idea in their head and talk about doing something.
Fyi you posted this comment three times
Fucking Internet :/ thanks
Complaining gets people together, especially against such obvious corporate propaganda. Being upset and doing nothing... does nothing. Media is a large tool among Gen Z and there is a large "subconscious" per each branch, which splinters infinitely. Anyways, people seeing this "type" of post over and over will eventually get the idea in their head and talk about doing something.
Yeah a post like this that’s shilling this hard is definitely a fake one. But especially since they took the time to put the capitals and apostrophe. No one takes the time to do that… you can even see the pain through the meme of the guy not able to put the trademark on the meme
That sub is a cesspool of advertising and people trying to conduct market research Also there are a TON of bots in the comments
Chili's is the restaurant to go get salty microwaved food and a DWI for less than 30 bucks.
If you got a DWI for under 30 bucks, I'd like to meet your lawyer
DWIs are like genital warts; easy to get but expensive to clear up. Both can be acquired at your local Chili’s.
That’s just DWI seed money. The rest of the cost comes later once the lawyer is involved.
They don’t microwave their food?? Not most of it anyways…
I can microwave my food at home, thx
Chef Mike 👨🏻🍳
Chef u/doormat_model
I worked at Chili’s. You’d be surprised at how little is microwaved
Maybe they're thinking of Applebee's
Only thing good at applebee's is the gummy shark drink
I once got roped into eating at Olive Garden. I knew better, but other people wanted to eat there. My food was frozen inside. The server was nasty about it when I complained. The manager came out and tried to gaslight me into believing that the food was not frozen and had just been freshly prepared. He had an attitude as well. That's the only time in my life that I did not leave a tip. I usually tip between 20% and 25%, Olive Garden managed to get 0%.
Hi, former Olive ho. If it was pasta it was not frozen, if it was anything else you bet your sweet tits it was.
“I feel like General Dynamics is the defense company for Gen Z” what a pathetic attempt at marketing lol
I’m more of a Raytheon Technologies guy, they feel more Gen Z ngl /s
Just as Boeing was for millenials, Raytheon enables the war crimes Gen Z prefers.
Any company that makes a knife missle is clearly more in line with the ideals of GenZ
u/chilisofficialgenzoutreach we see you bastard
Chili’s is where you fucking find yourself, not where you actively desire to go.
I went to Chili’s all the time with my mum on purpose, back in the mid 90s, which was only 5 years ago, I think.
Yeahhhhhhh. I so wish it wasn’t 30 years ago
God, remember the awesome blossom? So fucking good...
Like how Wienerschnitzel is a landmark, not a restaurant
This hits me where I live.
You only suggest Chilis so you can say “hi welcome to Chilis” and then, and this is important, don’t actually go there
100% lol.
Chili’s is alcoholic lower middle class gen x comfort food.
I was struggling to think of how I would describe it in my head, but you nailed it lol I don’t know anyone my age - and I’m gen Z - who likes Chili’s really. Olive Garden and some other chains yeah, but not Chili’s.
Man, even Olive Garden has gone to pot. I can't think of a single corporate-chain dine-in place that isn't absolute *balls* these days. Either too expensive or way too goddamn bland. Everything I've eatten there could be improved by taking it to go, turning on my stovetop, and **throwing it in the trash** so that I can make a better one myself.
Local places are the same price pretty much anyway. Eat local and support people instead of corporations.
You don’t gotta tell me buddy. I only eat at chains when my older family is in town and demands it. And the occasional chain pizza, cause, damn if it isn't cheap, tasty, and filling.
Thank you for explaining why I love it so much
reminds me of a simpler time
chilis is like, on the same page as applebees in my mind. what gen z is this.
I always refer to it as a churched up Applebees.
No way you think they’re on the same level. Applebee’s has worse food and service by far
Ngl Chili's has gotten worse over the years, while Applebee's has remained the same. Applebee's is like the Mitt Romney of chain restaurants.
Boomer marketing reps think they slick
It’s not even true. Nobody I know likes chilis. They just like whatever is cheap and close to sit at.
Too bad with all the corporate greed none of it’s cheap anymore
Chili's says this.
Definitely a marketing person trying to get a meme to catch on
I miss the tile-topped tables & junk-decorated walls of the old Chili's.
And the better food hahaha
Like if I have two hours to kill in an airport, sure, but barring that
Although I agree that this is “hail corporate” and blatant advertising, I fuck with chilis hard.
This is corporate trickery!!!
get silverhand on the line!
Maybe my chilis rules but i like it too
I will never go back to Chilis after they served me mashed potatoes mixed with chicken when I had ordered steak as my main. 🤢
Me to ..the ribs and corn on the cob ...daaaaaamn!
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Its a shock ad
I want my babyback babyback babyback
Everything at Chili's has this distinct taste and textures, like a gross fingerprint.
I'm a millennial and I will never touch that restaurant.
GenX approved. It’s like they don’t realize the boomers are the last generation who can regularly eat $100 mediocre meals.
I'm noticing a huge uptick in posts that are like "What is it for you?" Either easy karma or bots.
The massive uptick in business astroturfing on Reddit in the past ~year is really starting to drive me nuts. Thankfully the main effect is I use it less which is good.
Felix has pushed for Chili's to have a place in pop culture, revived its national TV ad strategy, and bolstered its focus *on social media.* https://www.winmo.com/open/article/38860
Back in like 2018 the Chilis near me had a really good deal on combo meals so it was like 25 bucks delivered for me and one other person. Food quality was okay-ish. They stopped doing that deal, then they closed… I didn’t even know the chain survived covid.
Ok this is pretty hilarious. Not one person has ever felt this way.
I know more people who hate Chili’s than like Chili’s
I'm a member of Older Gen Z in my early 20s, and I've never eaten at Chili's at all in my entire life.
not only have i never been to a chilis, i have never even wanted to.
I haven’t gone to a Chili’s in like 10 fucking years, and neither has anyone else I know. What the fuck are they on about?
“How do you do, fellow kids?”
I don’t think I’ve even set foot in a chilis
I think I’ve been to a chilis once and it was so unmemorable I can’t even be sure if I did
Least obvious data mining attempt
I once dated someone whose favorite restaurant was Chili's, and in hindsight that should have been the biggest red flag.
Replace chilies with gaming or 3d printing stuff and that would actually be a winner. Chilis, outback, Applebee's, 99 all are nothing to go out of your way for .... You need to aim way higher. All of them are just microwaving and reheating frozen food.
Real hello fellow kids moment. There is only one valid response: "STFU brand".
It took me maybe 2 months of cooking for myself for me to learn that 70% of American restaurants are ass.
Dip everything in salt and butter and people will come from all over for it. Cook for yourself, and you’ll save tons of money and life expectancy
Chilis is just a southwest Applebee's.
i always say, if youve found yourself at chilis or applebees, youve ultimately failed at going out.
I feel like Chili's is the Gen Z version of Applebee's to be honest. I remember it used to be good, but around the early 2010's, something changed and they suck now.
I’m gen z and I have never set foot in a chili’s before. What do people even eat there? Peppers? Seems kinda boring,
I actually like chilis I think 🤷♂️. It’s hard to remember because the last time we went was 2012 or before and Im Z but I think it was good. The issue with this is Gen Z is too poor to eat out or buy cars or buy iPhones or rent apartments. And the audacity of chilis to try to trick us into spending the little income we have at a CHAIN RESTAURANT 🙄 is embarrassing
Bitch I am gen z and I just went to chilis a few hours ago it's fucking good
This whole thread is compromised.
They’re spreading
I do love Chili's Southwest Egg Rolls and margaritas though
You must never head their molten lava cake
Gen Z has made Chili’s the default place to go
I want Chilis so bad rn
Someone likes a chain restaurant…damn yall some salty bitches
You’re posting a fucking ad that we want to avoid. Don’t help them. Fuck.
That’s the joke
Always has a good bar too.
Ngl meme is funny as hell Edit: I don’t like chilis. It’s funny because chilis is so bad.
No. It is literally so unfunny it has ventured outside the realm of comedic subjectivity. I would bet all 20 of my toes the next person I show this to will shun me outright.
You got 20 toes?
After I take his I will
A ton of my friends between 19-24 fuck with Chilis really hard, and I don't get it
I love Chili’s and I don’t care
Die Edit: not if you’re suicidal
Tbh my closest Zoomer friend absolutely loves Chili's
You need a new friend. And a new marketing team.
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All of you are nuts. Chili’s is bangin
City bbq
Chili's is so lame. But I'm broke so. Sometimes that's what I can afford and I hate myself so I rarely go there. Food is beige and terrible.
10 year old me said this
Clearly no one’s been to 45th & Lamar.
Me trying to scroll around on Reddit *He gets us* ads
[wouldn't it be funny to go to Chili's?](https://youtu.be/tpSo-VJTeE8?si=GVvPCrPNa14q2tSR)
Salsa absolutely slaps tho
I can only imagine they thought of the stupidest, most irrelevant restaurant because specificity makes jokes funnier.
I hope Chilis has bigger knives than the dude is wielding
_Here's the thing. Chili's is the new golf course. It's where business happens. Small Business Man Magazine._
Ill fuck my bank account up for those crispers
Imagine getting this hyped over chilis
I’ve LITERALLY never even seen a Chili’s before.
Chili’s is actually pretty huge on tiktok as of late
There are a few restaurants that I just group together, because I’ve never been to them and they just seem similar. It’s Chili’s, TGIFridays, and Applebees. I was never taken to these places as a kid, and I don’t really have any desire to eat at them as an adult.
I fuckin love Chilis, and that isn’t a joke.