Chili’s has made a comeback and its sudden uprise can be accredited to teenagers in America.
In 1975, the informal restaurant was founded by Larry Lavine in Dallas, Texas.
The viral marketing of Chili’s on social media has attracted many customers of a younger demographic. With value meals such as the Triple Dipper, 3 for Me, and different combos, the variety of foods with smaller prices contribute to the mass impulse of dining in.
Social media is a large contributing factor towards the popularization of this casual restaurant chain. On TikTok, various mukbangs have revealed the infamous Fried Mozzarella “cheese pull” and Triple Dipper selections.
“Social media, specifically Tiktok, always influences me to go to Chili’s. My friends influence me as well when we go all together. I usually go for the cookie skillet and quesadillas,” Sophomore Haley Bogues shared.
Other than the main courses, Chili’s has gone viral for their desserts. While they have a chocolate lava cake, cheesecake, and peanut butter pie, WHS student Isabella Maheu has strong opinions on one of their other dessert options.
“The cookie skillet is one of the most delicious desserts on the Chili’s menu. I love it so much and would recommend it to anybody who goes to Chili’s.”
But why is this restaurant so popular within Waterford High school? Students have various answers.
“Typically I would go to Chili’s when it’s either in a group setting, or after a football game because I personally get really hungry after those games. I feel like since Chili’s is nearby with good food I have to go, but going with friends in general is great because it makes a better experience with being able to chat over their type of food,” Sophomore Pedro Grullon shares.
“I usually just go with my friends when I am hungry because they have a good menu,” Freshman Gianna Gingras adds.
“My friends influence me to go before or after events and we always have so much fun there,” Senior Lexie Hullivan includes.
Ranging from appetizers to desserts, students prove that all kinds of dishes on the Chili’s menu are worth it.
For an appetizer, junior Ava Tucker says, “My go to order is usually the fried mozzarella and the chips & salsa.”
As a meal, senior Gabe Lombardi shares, “I like the burger and chicken wings.” while sophomore Brooklyn Hume emphasizes, “The chicken bacon ranch quesadillas are my favorite thing from Chili’s by far.”
Chili’s is a great choice for socialization among teens as the menu has simple meal choices that can fit any mood. Customers have the ability to share meals and sit at large tables together, without spending too much money individually.
While the items themselves are not very expensive, it is easy to get carried away. With the desserts and refillable chips & salsa appetizer, the monstrous grand total for a large group is hard to grasp.
“I went with a group of eight people and we had a pretty large bill. It took us so long to pay for the bill for no reason, but also it was my first time going with a large group. Honestly I think the whole process of paying, while it was stressful, became a core memory because we all did not know what to do,” Sophomore Alexys Valda shares.
Ultimately, the unexpected uprise in Chili’s caught lots of attention. While WHS students go to Chili’s for different reasons and to get various dishes, they all mutually enjoy the restaurant as a whole.
Valda adds, “I’m so glad that there is a Chili’s in Waterford because it is such a good spot to go after a Friday night football game and it is a great place for hanging out with friends.”
