Chili's Grill & Bar — Restaurant in Oceanside

We've been enjoying various Chili's Grill & Bar Restaurants for a long time. However, during the pandemic, we avoided in-person eating. So, when the distancing rules changed, it seemed like a good time to visit a Chili's location.

Finding a parking spot near this Chili's restaurant isn't easy. There is plenty of parking space in the Vista Village parking area, but many other businesses fill many parking spaces at various times. This time, we were lucky to catch a car leaving near the Chili's entrance.

When we entered Chili's Oceanside location, there wasn't any need to get on the next-in-line list. The lady asked how many and then gave us a seat near the windows in the bar area. We found the seating and tables spotless, and the sanitizing activity would happen right after a guest left a table. Our server appeared within minutes and offered to bring drinks. We ordered water and mentioned we knew our menu selection.

Our long history with other Chili's locations showed we favored Chili's "Oldtimer®." My partner likes it with Cheese, and I like it without Cheese. Previously, Chili's Burgers were a quarter pound of meat. Today, Chili's Burgers are a half-pound. Burgers are in a six-inch round bun that doesn't hide the entire burger. Its added items are Pickles, lettuce, tomato, a red onion slice, and mustard.

Previously, their side dish options were only fries, fruit, or a small salad. When we asked this time, the server said we could get an ear of corn and some other things. After hearing the corn on the cobb, I stopped listening. For this visit, the corn with their burger made it an excellent meal.

Prices for their burgers is more that it was a couple of years ago, but the quality of the meal is still tasty and fresh. When the burgers were quarter-pounders, I cut them in half and got a box to take the other half home. The one-pounder is large enough to cut it in half two times and get a larger container to take home.

We requested our burgers to show some red color after cooking. Unfortunately, they were cooked longer, and both were into some pieces because of the spatula pressure.

Our server was attentive and pleasant. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to ask for the Senior discount on the bill. It would have been nice for the server to include it when it he had seniors at his table.

This Chili's Menu showed a better menu layout with many options, and the service creates the conditions needed for a...

Dude. Chili’s is like that one kid in school who’s super average but thinks they’re the coolest person in the room because their parents bought them a trampoline. You walk in, and BAM—it’s sensory overload. Bright lights, pop music from 2016, and a smell that’s equal parts fried onions and misplaced dreams.

So, I sit down, right? The waiter rolls up like, “Welcome to Chili’s!” with the kind of enthusiasm usually reserved for cult leaders and MLM pitches. I order the Triple Dipper because, let’s be real, I’m here to eat my feelings and a sampler platter is the edible version of a therapy session. Mozzarella sticks? Perfectly mediocre. Chicken Crispers? Basically fried depression. The egg rolls? They taste like someone whispered “Asian fusion” over a vat of grease.

Then there’s the Baby Back Ribs. Oh, man. Everyone hypes these things up like they’re Moses and the burning bush, but nah, dude. They’re just ribs with barbecue sauce so sweet it might be legally classified as candy. But fine, I ate them anyway because when in Rome…or, y’know, a strip mall in Middle America.

The drinks, though? Freakin’ lethal. The margarita comes in a glass so big it might double as a birdbath. I swear, after two sips, I could hear Kenny’s muffled voice going, “Mmmph rrrmph Chili’s!” It’s glorious.

And the crowd? It’s a beautiful mix of suburban dads, Karen-lookalikes, and that one couple in the corner who’s way too handsy. Like, dude, this is Chili’s, not a romantic getaway. Relax.

But the kicker? The check arrives, and I realize I’ve just paid $40 to feel like I ate at a slightly fancier Applebee’s. And you know what? I’d do it again in a heartbeat. Chili’s is chaos. Chili’s is America. Chili’s is the friend who makes bad choices but somehow always gets invited back.

Final thoughts? Chili’s didn’t just take me to Flavortown—it dragged me kicking and screaming and then charged me for parking. 10/10...

My husband and I are personally fans of Chili's, and we just recently moved to the area from Indiana. It was my birthday and we were expecting the fun, welcoming attitude we always receive when we come to a Chili's. This was sadly the worst experience we had. When we walked in we did not get a friendly "Welcome, how many?" we were just guided to take a seat. We were in a great mood until our waitress greeted us in an upset manner. I mentioned it was my birthday and she totally ignored it and talked over me, eventually when she was done speaking she said happy birthday and in the worst manner. She was a very cold woman, and of course you shouldn't feel uncomfortable on your 21st birthday. I asked for some recommendations for drinks and she said I can choose myself. She took our order, but the busser was bringing us our food and checking up. We ordered some fried pickles, but the waitress forgot about them and by the time we received them they were soggy and cold. The busser continued to take care of us and I finally tipped her most of the tip I would give to our waitress because it would not be fair for the girl to put in all of that work and for me to tip a waitress that was never around. When we were about finished with our meal, our waitress came up and asked if we were having dessert and I said it's my birthday don't we usually get a scoop of ice cream? and she answered in a loud and rude manner that I would be getting my ice-cream and that she was asking to see if we would want more. She left to get ice cream for me, and took about 15 min. I was so fed up and the margarita I ordered that she made was terrible looking, and was mostly booze and no fruit. We will be giving this place another try which is why I gave two stars instead of one, but I hope to never see that...