Chili's vs Applebee's

[I-39]

What is your favorite?

Mine is Chili's, hands down. Way more selection and good Chips and Salsa!

[jeffandnicole]

Chili's.  For their con queso or whatever they hell it's called. 

[realjd]

Microwaved food is microwaved food is microwaved food. Both have cold beer though. Sticking with stuff from the frier is generally a good idea because then it's at least cooked fresh.

Have I ever told any of you my theory on shitty chain restaurants? If you go to an Applebee's in small town America, the food will be not bad. If you go to an Applebee's in a big city, the food will taste like the nasty frozen dinner it is. My theory is that there are good cooks everywhere. In small towns, they work for chain restaurants and actually make an effort with the food. In big cities, they work in real restaurants and places like Applebee's get the B or C team of cook staff.

I'm not anti-chain, although I do admittedly avoid chain restaurants when traveling because I can eat that at home and would rather find something interesting and local. Texas Roadhouse and Outback are guilty pleasures for dirt cheap steaks and deep fried onions, and BWW is one of my go-to wing and beer spots at home. Higher end chains like PF Changs and Cantina Laredo and generally a good, if safe, option. I avoid the low end chains though even at home because I'm not paying for stupid microwaved fajitas or ribs.

Edit: the last Chilis I ate at was in Greenville, TX. It was apparently the only place in the county with a liquor license, so I went primarily for the beer. If nothing else they have a decent bar with an ok, if glaringly unofficensive, beer selection. And yes, Chili's does have good chips and salsa. The chips are probably the one of the few things they cook fresh, which makes sense because they're fried.

[Thing 342]

I think both serve rather tasteless reheated entrees, but Chili's wins with its chips and salsa and chicken tenders.

[TravelingBethelite]

I used to really like Chili's for their chicken-fried steak, but since they got rid of it, I'm not a big fan of either. Last time I ate at a Chili's was in Waynesboro, VA, in mid-April. It was really     

[ET21]

I just want food, so both

[empirestate]

Definitely Chili's. Every time I go to Applebee's I'm reminded that I don't actually like their menu a whole lot. Same with Friday's.

But whatever; if any of them is next door to a hotel where I'm staying without transportation, and especially if the hour is late, they're all reliable enough.

[JakeFromNewEngland]

Honestly I prefer TGI Friday's over both. The last few times I had Chili's it was "okay".

[nexus73]

I'll vote for Sizzler over either one of these places. 

Rick

[triplemultiplex]

But whatever; if any of them is next door to a hotel where I'm staying without transportation, and especially if the hour is late, they're all reliable enough.

This.

When you're staying in a three exit town, its one of those or their regional equivalent.  There's usually one close enough to the hotel to walk, even though there's usually no good path since those types of commercial developments are built for cars and not people.  Between Chili's and Applebees specifically, I can't tell the difference.  Same food, same layout inside, same people working there, same beers on tap, same corporate bullshit about serving alcohol.  I much prefer find a local place to grub at, but many times that is not practical.  The answer is "whichever is closer".

[Rothman]

Ugh.  This is like choosing between two evils, but Applebee's is much worse than Chili's.  If there are other places around, I wouldn't bother with either of them.

[SignGeek101]

I got a couple Applebee's coupons if anyone wants them... 

They may only work in Canada

I have no opinion. Applebee's and Chili's are rare in Canada, and I have only eaten at them a couple of times. I did go to a Chili's in Orlando FL once though. It was "ok", but nothing special.

[DandyDan]

I'm not sure there is a real difference between the two.  This thread also made me remember I have a 2 year old Chili's gift card to use some time.

[DaBigE]

Luckily, towns that have these two restaurants are large enough to have something else. If I'm staying in a hotel in such a town, I'll choose the local grocery store first and make something in my room before I'll go to either Chili's or Applebee's.

Last time I was at either place, Chili's was overpriced with pathetic service and Applebee's served cold food. Gun to my head, I'd probably go with Applebee's since I can find more things on their menu that I like.

[US71]

Don't care much for Applebee's and Chili's isn't much better, IMO.

The quality of the food and service have suffered over the years.

[AlexandriaVA]

Ruby Tuesday's on account of its salad bar

[rawmustard]

These types of chains are usually ones I'll go to only upon the invitation of someone else. They aren't awful; there are other places (usually local) that I prefer when dining in this segment.

[OCGuy81]

Both are pretty similar, but I'll go Applebee's, mostly because the one nearest to me has a bit better of a beer selection than Chili's.

[signalman]

I don't think I've ever eaten in an Applebee's.  I can't recall a visit to any of their locations.  I was to Chili's once many years ago.  The food was okay, but nothing phenominal.  I didn't have a bad experience overall, (decent food and a relatively attentive waiter) however, I remember them having the air conditioning set way too cold.  This is vivid in my mind because I remember joking with my friend that that's how they came up with the name of the restaurant.  If I'm going to patronize a chain place when dining with a friend(s), I'll choose Longhorn.  I've never had a bad meal there.  Can't say that about their other Darden affiliates.

When traveling, I tend to stay away from restaurants; whether it be chain or local fare.  I'm often alone when road tripping and I don't like dining alone.  Instead, I'll either get fast food and take it back to my motel room or I'll go to a grocery store for something to consume in the room if there's a store a reasonable distance from the hotel.  Added bonus if my room has a microwave so I can get something intended to be eaten hot.

[spooky]

same corporate bullshit about serving alcohol. 

what's this now?

[Pete from Boston]

These types of chains are usually ones I'll go to only upon the invitation of someone else. They aren't awful; there are other places (usually local) that I prefer when dining in this segment.

Exactly.  It's pub-grub.  Commonly cooked with love in local restaurants everywhere, and now with innumerable apps to give one an idea of what's good, much of the uncertainty is gone from the equation. 

And for the "known quantity on the road" argument, did you drive all the way to place X to eat in an identical version of home?

[1995hoo]

I would always go to Chili's over Applbee's just based on the type of food on the menu.

I was once at a Chili's near Trenton with a big group including some executives from Matsushita. The executives were rather unfamiliar with how to eat fajitas and the like!

[Big John]

Do I really have to choose one of those when there are far better options available?

[Darkchylde]

Neither. They're both too expensive for me.

[hbelkins]

Both are overpriced for what they are. That said, I tend to prefer Chili's because their chicken strips/tenders/whatever used to be great. I'm presuming they still come in a dinner with fries and corn on the cob. (Yes, it's been that many years since I've eaten at a Chili's.)