Chili's Grill & Bar — Restaurant in Merriam

Visited 5/26/2022 approximately 5:15 - like most places they were very short staffed. I did not count that against them in the rating. The young man, Nelson who was our waiter was polite and did a good job for being the only waiter on the entire side we sat in. He did his best to provide good service. The service was bad but he was trying. Again didn’t count that against him or the rating. I would assume the kitchen staff was also short staffed. The food was slow to come out. Again due to being short staffed and that isn’t just Chili’s but most placed I didn’t count this against them. The main reason for my 3 stars, which is probably high should have probably been lower but gave grace due to so many places struggling these days- the quality of food. I know inflation has hit everyone, not just consumers at the grocery stores. I ordered the chicken crispers with corn on the cob and fries. The chicken and fries were warm at best. Had been fried and sat for while. The chicken was tough and grisly - unsure if these are breaded in store or come in frozen but they were over breaded and not much chicken in each “crisper”. Very disappointing for sure. The fries were barely golden, likely pulled early from the fryer but then just sat - hence barely warm. Also felt like I got the bottom of the bag. Almost every fry was less than 1 1/2 inch long. Would have been nice to get some nice good length fries - maybe shake the bag and distribute long and short fries. I would guess they fried more than one order at a time so plate a better variety of fries. I know short fries need to be served to help food cost but I don’t want an entire order of the bottom of the bag or last of what’s in the fry basket. The corn on the cob (regular, not the street corn). The flavor was good, nicely seasoned and buttery. The only complaint one end was browning. I have a feeling they were being held and the end of the cob closest to the heating element had caused this. Needs to be rotated or turned down, possibly over prepped. It had not yet effected the taste but wasn’t far from it. It is very hard for the industry right now, I am sympathetic but also like everyone I still want a decent meal for what I pay. I can deal with slower service when a young man is busting tail being the only waiter and he just can’t handle it alone. I do not like food not being up to quality most of which wasn’t entirely because of being short staffed. As we ate I did notice the staff was making guests wait to be seated even though many open tables. I believe they were trying not to overwhelm the wait staff and cooking staff. That is fine (as long as customers are made aware) but that also means take care of the customers best as possible which does include quality of the food. Quality is a training issue, service is a staffing issue. I am forgiving of staffing but not...

My wife, our one year old and I went in to Chili's on a Saturday night at around 5:30. This was not a good experience all around save the kind & prompt service. There was a faint sewer smell as we entered the restaurant. This smell faded once we fully entered the breezeway. A very nice greeting from the host staff was diminished as we were given a forced sales resatation of the several menu items after we were seated.

We were seated in a crowded section staffed by a single server. This was odd as we passed several empty tables in our way to this section. Over 22 people sat in this server's section. The on table electronic display was not operational but the server didn't remove it. The was dried food (ketchup possibly?) splattered across the wall at it booth. Another oddity was the lighting in this section was set to a bright overhead light that created the need to strain the eyes to look around. Harsh shadows and sickly atmosphere was the ultimate result.

My wife asked for broccoli in lieu of the fries with her sandwich. Nonetheless, fries came with her entree.

These issues by themselves wouldn't be a problem. However, combined with the food I was served they amount to one of the worst experiences I've ever had at a Chili's.

My entree was the steak and shrimp fajitas. The plate was barely hot when it arrived; let alone "sizzling". Of the steak I attempted to eat, each piece had a tough sinew or gristle running the length of the slice. Not only could I not chew through it, I couldn't cut it with the edge of my fork. No knife was provided. (fajitas for should not require one.) Moreover, the shrimp were not opaque and pink. They were translucent. Of the two I attempted to eat, they tasted as if they had gone bad; rubbery and slightly metallic.

Our server was very nice to remove the entree and deduct it's cost from our bill.

We paid it tab, tipped 20%+ on the...

I came in to get a drink before I leave the state brought in my luggage asked if I could sit alone so I could have space and be out of the way. I went to the bar and was told if I wanted drink special need to be at bar. I was already there but ok. Bartender was black 2 what I assume was white older male return or regulars so he was super attentive to them. I get it but I sat there not greeted then when I was I asked about different margaritas. Number 1 the way the bartender presented the advertising was a little rude kind of in your face needs to watch his body language then I got just a regular margarita because it was a tall glass. Went back to my table and went outside for a smoke. Left my luggage inside and even asked bartender if I need to pay he said no I can finish once I'm done pay. I come back in go back to the bar a manager approaches me it's the manager he said. I don't mind if you drink don't mind you leave your stuff but pay at bar..... Number 1 I offered to pay at the bar so what's the confusion it's as if I didn't or wasn't going to pay or ran out my luggage is inside. I'm 33 from Guam a single mom who travels nationwide in the medical field so this was so off. Then when I was walking staff gave me no room or stopped when I was walking I worked the service industry a long time ago and never would I treat a customer like this.did I travel back in time where it said whites only or I treat them better gtfoh. Kansas has a lot of poverty country people and drug addicts specifically meth so this was a huge slap in the face. Then their young host was smirking about everything because I said you guys don't get people who travels much smart mouth lil b.... You work at a god dang chili's get your head out of the...