Chilis
3210 S Main St
Lindale
Tx 75771
903 882 3227

For those that don’t know – Chilis is an American and once-upon-a-time vaguely Mexican restaurant with a bar. They have burgers, Tex-mex , chicken, ribs, the odd salad (not as healthy an option as you might think) steaks, plus monstrous desserts and margaritas.

I am a fairly easy-to-please foodie but Chilis in Lindale is quite frankly, horrible. I have simply NO idea why American families would subject themselves to this extremely high calorie, often pre-cooked, junk. I can only assume that with so many locations nationwide, that there is some comfort in eating somewhere familiar. Or perhaps the bar makes it popular (not many of those in Lindale). Maybe it is because at Chili’s the prices are reasonable for a family of four or for those sharing a meal. Maybe it’s just because it’s near Walmart and the I20 and the coloring on the menu keeps the children quiet. There must be reasons, because it can’t be the food!

The place itself is dark and smoky. The bar is always busy and loud and the large amount of smokers mean that the smoke penetrates everywhere. Chilis in Lindale is also very busy. Consequently, service is poor, the servers are overworked and if you go there in the evening, expect a poor meal from the overwhelmed kitchen staff too.

We had cheese and brocoli soup to start which was more like a thick cheese sauce than soup, and crispy onions with ranch. These seemed very fatty so I looked up the nutritional information afterwards and found to my horror – that this appetizer contained more calories than a woman my size should have for the whole day!

We also ate chicken crispers (dry and nasty) fajitas (more greasy than you could imagine) and the kids shared grilled cheese and corn dogs. Vegetable options were available but poorly cooked and unappetizing. From my observation of the steaks going to other tables, I would say, don’t waste your money. I did like the idea of the sweet shots – small sized desserts but don’t be tempted by a brownie sundae, they are around 1300 calories too! The choice of Margaritas is pretty large but they are quite expensive. Beer comes in frosted mugs which is good on a hot day.

All in all, Chili’s is a poor choice for a meal out. I would seriously say – for your healths sake and for your mood, don’t do it! Try Posados across the road for TexMex or the Cracker Barrel for country fare.

I’m sure that somewhere in the US the Chili’s Grill must have a good reputation – but not Lindale Chili’s! There is also a Chilis in Tyler on the West SW loop. Perhaps that one is better!