Chili's All Spiced Up

Not that long ago Chili's Restaurant had basically, well, boring food, typical of what you'd find in any chain restaurant.The food was OK, with the typical array of burgers, soups and salads.It's all changed The beloved chain has given itself a spicy shake.The result? Fun, flavorful dishes. I spent lunchtime at the restaurant, excited with the new choices, It's more like it's cousin,the attached Mexican restaurant On The Border. There 's a strong Tex Mex vibe but not so loaded with fajitas and chilis( although those dishes are featured)The kitchen has embraced new food trends like flatbread which is crispy and flavorful.It's served in a long narrow dish.It was a spin on the Margherita pizza, with fresh tomatoes and basil but with the addition of a drizzle of cilantro basil pesto.The other flatbreads have the plus of chicken and avocados.The flatbread was like a crispy cracker with a tangy topping. They have many more burgers, starting with a traditional cheeseburger to burgers loaded with applewood bacon and sauces.Try their chicken quesadillas,.These are laden with chicken and cheese complete with salsa and black beans.There's also a chicken enchilada soup that is like a tasty cheese soup loaded with chicken along with another chicken soup.This is closest to a true Mexican recipe with hominy or maize added along with tortilla strips. Chili's has maintained some of it's American dishes. They still serve thickly cut steaks with a delicate garlic butter along with the traditional broccoli and mashed potatoes.There's also the homey country fried steak with a black pepper gravy along with fresh corn on the cob and mashed potatoes.Another dish that could come straight from a country kitchen is a rack of ribs graced by cinnamon apples and homestyle fries.Luckily Chili's provides lighter fare with salads and fish.The salads are not your typical fare.There's the Caribbean salad, full of fruit and veggies plus chicken along with quesadilla salad that has the addition of extra quesadillas.For those truly watching their weight, Chili's has a mango salsa tilapia,and for really healthy fare, there's salmon with just broccoli and rice.The desserts are pure Chili's , starting with the yummy skillet cookies.Diners can have the choice of the giant chocolate chip or peanut butter cookie, complete with a scoop of vanilla and drizzles of caramel or chocolate.There's also the brownie sundae and a New York cheesecake as well as the very decadent molten chocolate cake that has every decadent plus, from a candy shell to ice cream to gooey chocolate. Go to your neighborhood Chili's.It's livened up with new dishes,from Tex Mex fare to fun desserts.It's far from a boring chain ,restaurant with ho hum fair.It's amped up its dishes with new recipes and ingredients.