The Economy

[Cosmo]

Good point. I stopped in at a DQ for a small blizzard yesterday and it struck me that I can't ever remember getting actual food there, even though they sell burgers, chicken, etc.

 

[swingline]

Growing up poor, we almost never ate out. It was a major thing to go to Burger Chef (Mom's favorite).

The first time I went to Chili's was in 1985 in Nashville, and I was blown away by all the food my friend's family bought for the table. Mozzarella sticks; how cosmopolitan! Jalapeño poppers; how exotic!

I haven't been there in years — literally. The last time I went, I was still married and meeting the in-laws there.

 

[Hermes]

I went from having standards to "Will my six year-old eat here without an hour-long discussion of the quality of my parenting because they don't have day-glo mac and cheese at this establishment."

 

[dixiehack]

Several years ago I made my kids eat one meal in Charleston that did not involve a burger or chicken finger. Then they were forced to wait outdoors for our carriage tour without benefit of electronics. From their wails you would have thought I had apprenticed them to Ebenezer Scrooge himself.

 

[Michael_ Gee]

When we traveled with our two children when they were little (early-mid '90s mostly), Alice installed only two rules. Milk twice a day and french fries only once a day. The latter was deeply resented.

 

[Hermes]

Schools have taught kids to express their feelings too well. My kindergartner told me he's feeling "unheard" because I took him to a Japanese steakhouse last weekend.

If I can't win with a smoking volcano onion on a hibachi, I don't know what to tell that little ashhole.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

We have at least three local Mexican chains in this area and, as embarrashing as it is, I prefer the fajitas at Chili's because they give you shredded cheese while these other places don't. We were just there Saturday to try the specials for National Margarita Day.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

What do the other local places give you? I'm afraid to ask, but curious.

We have a local chain that people flock to, but I'm part of a significant subset that believes it is straight trash Mexican food. Wife and I went there for the first time when we just moved to the area, ordered nachos as an appetizer and was brought a plate of chips out of a bag with cold American cheese slices on top. I asked the waitress if this is what it's supposed to look be, and she responded like I had 3 heads for expecting decent (maybe even homemade?) tortilla chips and some sort of melted cheese/queso. That was almost 30 years ago, and we've never been back.

fork that place.

 

[BitterYoungMatador2]

What do the other local places give you? I'm afraid to ask, but curious.

We have a local chain that people flock to, but I'm part of a significant subset that believes it is straight trash Mexican food. Wife and I went there for the first time when we just moved to the area, ordered nachos as an appetizer and was brought a plate of chips out of a bag with cold American cheese slices on top. I asked the waitress if this is what it's supposed to look be, and she responded like I had 3 heads for expecting decent (maybe even homemade?) tortilla chips and some sort of melted cheese/queso. That was almost 30 years ago, and we've never been back.

fork that place.

Shredded lettuce, diced tomato and a watery sour cream. I asked for cheese once and they melted it on everything and I immediately thought, "know what? That's on me. I should have been more clear with the directions."

I also like the chips and salsa at Chili's. Another sin, I know.

 

[BurnsWhenIPee]

I'm going to hell then. I can get down with a lot of the Chili's apps. Haven't tried the big blocks of fried mozzarella - looks to be too much for me. But seems popular.

 

[DanielSimpsonDay]

the thread needs a dose at this point and i recommend weekly injections at the rate it's going

 

[dixiehack]

Chili's has actually clawed back from the grave thanks to better quality food and tolerable prices. If we had one convenient to this end of town I'd put it in the rotation.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/30/business/chilis-brinker-international-stock/index.html