My roommate and I have been burned before with Chili's, but recently we had a decent experience at one in Hesperia. So, we figure, heck, we're out here at the Bevmo anyway, it's getting to be 9 on a Friday, where can we get in that's still open? Chili's? Sure, why not?
Well... as you can imagine on a Friday night, it was pretty crowded. It's right next to a movie theater, so that's to be expected. They were able to get us in fairly quickly, but I noticed that unlike other times I've gone, there was no offer to sit by the bar instead, or even a suggestion of a wait time for that. When we were led to our table, the first thing I noticed was there were about 4 or 5 check folders on the table. The hostess almost didn't notice them, til I started moving them around. Then as I slid into the booth, the back of my pants got all wet. I immediately stood up to see a puddle of water all along the back of the booth. The hostess got a rag to clean it up w/ a "sorry 'bout that" (I'm just glad I was wearing jeans and that it was water.)
A few minutes later our server 'Tammy' shows up and asks if we'd like anything to drink. My roommate (whose been having some throat issues lately) says, "A really really big glass of water, please." and spreads his hands to show how big. She nods and brings us back two small glasses w/a LOT of ice. Roomie is kinda miffed about this "Why doesn't anyone ever believe me when I ask for a really BIG water?" I indicate that he shouldn't really worry about it since they normally refill a lot. My mistake.
Now admittedly, we did ask for another minute to decide whther we wanted to do the special of 3 courses for 2 people for $20, but we decided, heck, we'll order from the actual menu so she can get a decent tip. We order the triple dipper appetizer w/Big Mouth bites, Chicken Crispers and Hot artichoke dip. This was very tasty and our server did put in the appetizer order before we ordered our regular food so we got it in plenty of time. However, I was not warned that there would be Jalepenos in my ranch dressing (I can't stand jalepenos), but I didn't even see one til the end of the dressing so I really couldn't say anything.
I order the 'create your own combo' w/steak (1.50 extra) and ribs and substitued a side salad for veggies (also an extra 1.50). He ordered the same, but with the Monterey chicken and fried shrimp, potatoes w/ gravy instead of loaded potatoes. The food (which naturally arrived before we were finished with appetzers) was very tasty. Tammy had given me a head's up that the salad had minced and shredded veggies, which was new, and the steak was cooked a wonderful medium rare.
The appetizers? Nothing to write home about.
The steak? Delicious!
The chicken? enh. I could probably make something similar at home it had so much cheese.
The shrimp? Seriously? only like 4 shrimp
and the ribs? Once you've had ribs at Chili's they don't really change. But I did get a chance to try their new Shiner Bock sauce. Mmmmm. that was tasty.
My biggest beef (and my roommates) was we got one refill before getting out check, and that was from someone not even ou server. As 'Tammy' came back around, I asked her for another refill, and she asked me to speak up since it was so loud. I guess it must have been really loud, since we waited another 20 minutes (during which my roommate couldn't even eat his food without his water), just to watch her come back with water and go give reills to another table. That ticked us both off and though I tried to get her attention again, waving and calling, trying to be polite and not snapping my fingers, we didn't see her again til she came to give us our check. Funny thing though, she heard our request for water that time before we put a card in the folder. Also kinda funny, she was immediately back after we paid. No questions on if we'd like dessert and one more offer for a refill when she brought the check back.
I give 2 stars since it started ok and the food was pretty good. But, in regards to service? I wish it had stayed consistant. A small thing like a bigger glass of water (or a refill for us instead of the other table) could have easily brought this up to a 4. read more