• Tip: To set the mood, listen to Chili’s Radio Network while reading this post. They have some GREAT music over there!
With a name like Chili’s, you can be sure that the food is sizzling hot and packed with flavour!
Chili’s Grill and Bar, the casual dining restaurant chain originating from Dallas opened in Singapore in 2009, its 200th restaurant worldwide. It brings to town an expansive and diverse menu so diners can chow down on their signature fajitas, American favourites such as ribs and burgers, and Tex-Mex cuisine, while sipping on one of their margaritas.
The decor is Southwestern-America style and the atmosphere is vibrant and lively, with ample booth seats, a bar and flat screen TVs showing sports. As part of its tradition, every Chili’s restaurant also sports a single upside down photo. We try to eye-hunt it down whilst waiting for our food, but once the piping hot dishes arrive, we dive in and give up on the photo hunting. If you do find it, let us know!
S$14.90++
Rating:
I am particularly excited to try the margarita grilled chicken, because it looks every bit like one of those colourful Tex-Mex dishes with refried beans and Pico de gallo I fell in love with during my last trip to Dallas. I have been trying to locate decent Mexican or Tex-Mex food in Singapore ever since and haven’t found any. Swensen’s did try once but flopped.
The slab of chicken breast is seasoned with margarita mix and grilled. This is served atop rice with crispy tortilla strips on a bed of black beans, and topped with Pico de gallo. I think there is supposed to be tequila in it but I haven’t tasted any.
A Mexican expatriate once told me there is no such thing as good Mexican or Tex-Mex food in Singapore. For a long time I had to agree with him. Well, Chili’s does not disappoint and this is by far the best taste I’ve had of Tex-Mex cuisine in a long while.
S$19.90++
Rating:
Right off the chicken menu comes the Crispers. These are chunky strips of hand-battered chicken, served with sweet corn on the cob, a large portion of fries, and honey-mustard dressing. The chicken is tender, but pretty plain on its own. So do make full use of the dip, which is delicious and adds a lot of flavour.
For extra crispy and spicy Crispers, go for the honey-chipotle variety that is tossed in a spicy sauce.
S$13.90++
The chocolate molten cake is highly recommended. This is similar to my favourite dessert, the chocolate lava cake. It is warm chocolate cake topped with vanilla ice cream, with a core of warm chocolate fudge filling.
On a return visit, I am definitely having a fajita and a margarita!
Jan 11, 2010
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Sparklette Digest! Chili’s Grill and Bar – Hot Stuff! http://sparklette.net/food/chilis/
Jan 11, 2010
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@sparklette Nice review! For Mexican food can I recommend Tequlia Blue out at Changi Village? Must try burrito with Chilli Colorado.
Jan 11, 2010
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@Falchion Wow! Sounds promising. Thanks for the recommendation! I’ll check it out.
Jan 11, 2010
1
Do they sell pork?
Btw I love Lava Cake too, the one in Starbucks :D
Jan 11, 2010
3472
They have pork ribs. Hey I never realised Starbucks sells lava cakes. You got me curious enough to give it a try! Thanks!
Jan 12, 2010
51
Erm, did you mean 2009 or 1999? I was under the impression Chilis used to be at 74 Boat Quay no?
Remember bartending part-time in ’93, I had colleagues who use to work at Chilis. Office was in Circular Rd in ’99-’01 and past by Chilis every evening on the way to the MRT station. Or is this a new franchise management?
Brownie and ice-cream is very American. Choc cake is new to me but should be interesting. A full brownie is usually too heavy for me after dinner.
Jan 12, 2010
3472
Wow! My bad. They left Singapore and only came back in 2009. Same deal with TGI Friday’s. Hehe I really have no clue as I was still in primary school back then. A couple months’ back I was yelling on Twitter about how exciting it is that Friday’s is finally coming to Singapore! Until someone said that uh they were already here before! How different it must have been in those years for them to close shop and leave. Those 2 are doing great ever since they re-opened here. Chili’s is opening a second one at Resorts World Sentosa.
Yes, you must check out the chocolate lava cake. It is difficult to not fall in love with that molten chocolate centre!
Jan 12, 2010
51
Yup, I saw your twit on TGIF… decided to shussh up. :) You were in primary school?!? Ok, I better keep quiet. This is making me sound like old man.
Jan 12, 2010
7
I”ve tried the ribs at Chillis and I thought they were pretty good too. Soft and came of the bone easily.
Jan 12, 2010
3472
That’s great! I was really curious about the ribs, but my dining partner wasn’t interested so we had all the other things. I used to like Tony’s ribs, but found the flesh lacking. Good to know of another option!
Jan 13, 2010
1
Lol I didn’t know Chilli’s was such a popular place in Singapore…this amused me. Especially love the web based music! Too funny.
Jan 14, 2010
3472
lol did i sound overly enthusiastic? That music comes from their website and most of the songs are great!
Jan 15, 2010
182
Thank you for the post. I didn’t know that Chili’s opened its outlet at Tanglin Mall only in 2009. I have been on this quest for the best mashed potato in Singapore, and I have found out that the mashed potato from Chili’s is wonderful. :)
Jan 19, 2010
3472
Is it really? I’m definitely ordering it then at my next visit. The ribs, too :) I usually like the mashed or even the baked potato at Tony Roma’s.
Jan 21, 2010
137
Never knew Chili’s can be considered Mexican. Always thought they are an all-American restaurant and that’s it.
Speaking of American restaurants, have you been to TGIF’s and Wendy’s yet?
Jan 21, 2010
3472
Oh I am itching to check out TGIF’s and Wendy’s! When I do you would be the first to hear about it here.
Chili’s do have some Tex-Mex items on their menu because they are originally from Dallas, Texas. I don’t know if they could be considered Mexican though.
Nov 12, 2010
1
Went to chili’s in Tanglin for the first time today.
Overpriced and revolting are the two words I would use to sum it up.
Ordered the fajitas. Came with 3 tortillas. If you wanted more you had to pay extra! For $30 fajitas!!!!!
First and the last time I give them a cent of my money.
Jul 24, 2011
1
Hello Veron, I loved this place, it one of my favorites! It is a mix between mexican and american food. The quality of the food is excellent and the drinks are amazing! The margaritas especially! Actually, after seeing this pictures I think I’m going tonight haha. Thanks!