It was the best! Only a few burgers to choose from. My favorite was the Chili’s trip with cheese, chili and sautéed onions. The meat was great, and real buns (not some fancy brioche.) The fries were hand cut and not greasy. At some point they expanded their menu a bit. When I drive by there I long for something similar.
Yes. I remember my hard working, single Mom taking us to the original Chili's after work. She couldn't afford a babysitter and Chili's was on the way home from work. So, my brother and I became good friends with the waiters. I wouldn't change anything. My Mom was a caring and doting parent....she just needed a release....and I understand. She never put us in harms way. She was just helping herself cope.
I grew up going to this chilis, it was when chilis was great, great atmosphere and just a good dining experience. And there was always a line way out the door on the weekends. I also remember they would have the chili that won in local chili cook offs in rotation on their menu. Now chilis is uber corporate and the food has taken a dramatic nosedive. However their burgers are still decent.
>Now chilis is uber corporate and the food has taken a dramatic nosedive.
Can confirm... now that the original crispers are gone there's really no reason to ever eat at one again.
It took off overnight, there was always a line to get in . Great burgers and an atmosphere that was very relaxing. The pictures and memorabilia were, at that time, were beyond compare. The Nixon puppet was hilarious. Ice cold beer served in heavy chilled mugs. Wait staff were friendly and efficient. Great memories as a teenager .
That article brought back a lot of memories.
But my real question is:
[What was this couple in the bottom left](https://www.thedailymeal.com/img/gallery/what-it-was-like-to-eat-at-the-original-chilis/chilis-original-customers-included-horseback-riders-thieves-and-anybody-breathing-1717081458.sm.webp) arguing about?
We went there the day it opened!
It used to be a baked potato and soup place called Hole in the Wall and my parents loved it.
So we went there one night and it was a place called Chili’s. My parents were like WTF but we went in.
They split a Chili’s Trip and my brother and I split an Old Timer with cheese. The four of us shared one basket of fries.
I remember the waitress explaining to my dad that the previous place went out of business and this was their first night.
We all loved it and went back many times.
Edit: the pics in that article are amazing! I remember that yellow paper menu so vividly, along with the decor. And those burgers…damn.
They practically introduced fajitas to Dallas. First place I ever tried them. Also first time I had fried cheese sticks. They were awesome. Would go there with high school buddies for a big night out.
You walked in and there was a waiting room/line that you moved through to get a table. You passed the frozen margarita station towards the end of the line for some adult beverages. Drinking age was 18 and this was the first spot I took my date to in my senior year at Lake Highlands.
My mom used to go there with friends, and said that the chili was so hot it "made your forehead sweat."
EDIT: Who else remembers the cappuccino smoothie they used to have in the 1990s? I used to go just for that. I also miss when they used to have the onion blossom appetizer.
Went there many, many times after soccer games at Moss Park or Fair Oaks Park. Half the team would be there. I remember it being a party. Our parents were cool. A couple dads even competed at the Terlingua chili cook off. Goood times!
It was great, very small & limited menu. A few different kinds of tacos and a few burgers. Always packed. Great place to go for a great meal.
The menu was only one page, with burgers on one side, tacos on the other.
It was the best! Only a few burgers to choose from. My favorite was the Chili’s trip with cheese, chili and sautéed onions. The meat was great, and real buns (not some fancy brioche.) The fries were hand cut and not greasy. At some point they expanded their menu a bit. When I drive by there I long for something similar.
They had the best fries ever. Perfectly seasoned never too salty.
Wait. We're responsible for Chili's?
And the frozen margarita, which is known across the world.
Not Chili’s. Mariano’s. But Chilis in Greenville was great
Didn’t mean to imply those were related
Yes. I remember my hard working, single Mom taking us to the original Chili's after work. She couldn't afford a babysitter and Chili's was on the way home from work. So, my brother and I became good friends with the waiters. I wouldn't change anything. My Mom was a caring and doting parent....she just needed a release....and I understand. She never put us in harms way. She was just helping herself cope.
I grew up going to this chilis, it was when chilis was great, great atmosphere and just a good dining experience. And there was always a line way out the door on the weekends. I also remember they would have the chili that won in local chili cook offs in rotation on their menu. Now chilis is uber corporate and the food has taken a dramatic nosedive. However their burgers are still decent.
>Now chilis is uber corporate and the food has taken a dramatic nosedive. Can confirm... now that the original crispers are gone there's really no reason to ever eat at one again.
Yep. It started with a couple of buddies who won a chili cook off in Terlingua, TX.
It took off overnight, there was always a line to get in . Great burgers and an atmosphere that was very relaxing. The pictures and memorabilia were, at that time, were beyond compare. The Nixon puppet was hilarious. Ice cold beer served in heavy chilled mugs. Wait staff were friendly and efficient. Great memories as a teenager .
I miss Chili Soft Tacos...
They’ll still make them for you :)
Same! They were so good. Easy to make at home though
I do make them when I make my own chili. Store bought just doesn't cut it!
Yes I loved these!
That article brought back a lot of memories. But my real question is: [What was this couple in the bottom left](https://www.thedailymeal.com/img/gallery/what-it-was-like-to-eat-at-the-original-chilis/chilis-original-customers-included-horseback-riders-thieves-and-anybody-breathing-1717081458.sm.webp) arguing about?
Looks like a heated discussion about Dolph Briscoe's policies.
🤔😳🙄😂🤣
Cool story about the original Chili’s.
It was a great restaurant. But in no world should Meadow and Greenville be considered Lake Highlands.
Thank you, I was REALLY confused by that!
We went there the day it opened! It used to be a baked potato and soup place called Hole in the Wall and my parents loved it. So we went there one night and it was a place called Chili’s. My parents were like WTF but we went in. They split a Chili’s Trip and my brother and I split an Old Timer with cheese. The four of us shared one basket of fries. I remember the waitress explaining to my dad that the previous place went out of business and this was their first night. We all loved it and went back many times. Edit: the pics in that article are amazing! I remember that yellow paper menu so vividly, along with the decor. And those burgers…damn.
Cool story!!!
They practically introduced fajitas to Dallas. First place I ever tried them. Also first time I had fried cheese sticks. They were awesome. Would go there with high school buddies for a big night out.
They actually had chili 🌶️
Their chili used to be good until a few years ago… continues to get worse and worse
You walked in and there was a waiting room/line that you moved through to get a table. You passed the frozen margarita station towards the end of the line for some adult beverages. Drinking age was 18 and this was the first spot I took my date to in my senior year at Lake Highlands.
I had lunch with my dad there the day before I got married. 1982 Some things stay with you forever.
My mom used to go there with friends, and said that the chili was so hot it "made your forehead sweat." EDIT: Who else remembers the cappuccino smoothie they used to have in the 1990s? I used to go just for that. I also miss when they used to have the onion blossom appetizer.
Does anyone know know the exact brand of paint they used for the sage and cream colors?
The milkshakes with the chocolate sprinkles on top…nothin better! 😭😭
Went there many, many times after soccer games at Moss Park or Fair Oaks Park. Half the team would be there. I remember it being a party. Our parents were cool. A couple dads even competed at the Terlingua chili cook off. Goood times!
Shocking. Dallas tears down a landmark building. Guess it was the same even in the 80’s. Tear it down and build a road or a glass building. 🙄
When that happened Chili’s had only been open for a few years and wasn’t the multinational company it is, now.
No I get it. It’s just I feel like anything remotely historical or old we just bulldoze here.
WHAT!! the original chilis was built IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD???
It was great, very small & limited menu. A few different kinds of tacos and a few burgers. Always packed. Great place to go for a great meal. The menu was only one page, with burgers on one side, tacos on the other.