Chili's Grill & Bar — Restaurant in San Diego

Man, what's happened to Chili's lately? A lot of these chain restaurants seem to all be going to the dumps lately. I went here with my two sisters and their family, so the party was about 9 including three kids. The servers kept insisting that they have a "team effort" when tending to customers but even as I stared at three other tables waiting in our area for refills, take out boxes, or even a check - I had enough and told several people that it just didn't work.

What was worse was that our server kept trying to explain it to us ... you shouldn't have to explain how service works. You get service or you don't, it's as easy at that.

The food was too salty which didn't help that we couldn't get our drinks refilled until we finally got our check. The chicken enchilada soup I used to crave was thick and came out warm at best.. I was just shocked. Yes there was a decent night, but I literally watched my phone to see when we'd see someone come back to our area and it was nearly 15 minutes before anyone did. It's like the staff all decided to have a meeting or go on break together because three or four of them popped out laughing from back. Food came out in such strange patterns. You would expect drinks, to appetizers, to salads, to entrees, to dessert. But they all came at us in different times, by different people, and varying temperatures. It was sooo slow. I believe after getting our water, some of our drinks came out after two appetizers arrived, then after the last appetizer arrived with salads, we got the last few drinks for people. Refills? Forget about it!

I absolutely loathe this kind of service and will never go again. Hopefully they figure out it wasn't working and go back to the tried and true assigned stations. It works for every other chain, ma 'n pa, hole in the wall, eatery, and fine dining restaurant Chili's. This "group/team" service is a mess and all we got as customers...

I have been to this location many times, and it is usually a satisfactory experience. Actually I have had fun there before, as a nice happy hour before the Gull's games. But, after this last time 3 nights ago, I will never be going back again.

I sat at the bar, which was about 1/2 full. Just FYI, I have been a server, bartender, and event caterer for over 18 years now. I could tell right away that, on this night, the place was not only being poorly managed, but that the bartender hated her job. I could see many other patrons waiting with empty drinks, or waiting to order, or waiting to pay, but she was the slowest moving bartender I have ever seen. Not only that, but she had this scowl on her face the entire time.

After at least 12 minutes of sitting there, she finally dropped a few menus sloppily and asked what I would like to drink. I ordered the same thing I always have, dozens and dozens of times at Chili's, for the last 25 years... a beer and a margarita. She said I that I have to order one drink at a time. Whether this is a new policy (I doubt), or just this particular person's feelings, is irrelevant. The beer took forever to arrive, and I never saw the margarita. In fact, I never saw a water refill, or plates or napkins for the apps, or the bartender in general for the rest of the hour I was there. She was right there, behind the bar, slowly making well drinks while ignoring most of the bar, and especially me.

I have seen bartenders in the weeds before, and this was not the case. She looked like she personally hated everyone, or her job, or both. On its own, that would be ok I guess. But the horrendous sloth-like movement and complete disregard for service of any kind was the deal-breaker for me.

I guess I will be going to Red Lobster for the next happy hour on...

Could not believe the difference from when we had last visited ,ate , at this Chilis . location. Billy , and I had a pretty good top sirloin steak , cooked the way we ordered it with the sides really good .There was broccoli fresh , real potatoes both delicious. This time though the steaks were a better cut rib eyes we ordered and they were like utility beef blah and not too tender .Disappointed by both the food and its price did not fit , at all. Especially , being that this brand of restarurant ,Chilis restaurant, was the place for one of our first dates . And , believe me I remember , the blooming onion , living up to its name Chilis appetizer, the Blooming Onion , was a real hit being a new appetizer in the 1990s to the restaurant menus .Well , I could not believe the order we received, especially when I opened the to go box and found only pieces of the onion petals not a onion bloom ,or blooming onion opening up like a flower made of an onions layers cut into a petals...a blooming onion right. Thought we had done something wrong or asked for their left orders and rib eyes that did not make their cut as dinner or even a breakfast steak , really. So much to say we had both hoped for what we had come to expect from Chilis , I still feel bad about how we were served.And wonder why such a difference , maybethe stay at home orders with no dining in delivery and to go only brought about lesser fan and fare. Well then their menu should and prices to reflect their changes and choices, and why punish us their customers ? I would like them to put themselves in our places and the receiving end as well as ask they could cook and serve their representations they did as Chilis menu items , come on really. No way will that type of food or service be our return...