I tried the $10.99 combo at Chili’s, I don't know why I'd go for fast food again (2024)

DINING out can be an expensive splurge but restaurants are trying to entice customers by offering dining deals.

So, I decided to try Chili's, the casual dining chain, which is offering an appetizer, soft drink, and entrée for $10.99.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve noticed fast food getting a lot more expensive lately.

What used to be affordable lunchtime combos are now barely under $20.

Take the Big Mac meal at McDonald’s, for example.

I’ve spent over $20 ordering that with a side of nuggets in New York.

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Likewise, the Burger King near me in Los Angeles stung me for $18 the other week for a similar combo.

So when I saw the Chili’s 3 For Me deal at just $10.99, I had to try it out.

Unlike fast food joints, Chili’s is a sit-down restaurant with table service and real plates and cutlery.

Obviously, it's nothing fancy. There's no tablecloth, and the booth seats could do with some extra padding.

But it certainly makes a nice change from messy McDonald’s tables or my own car seat at lunchtime.

But can you really be in and out in time? And will it taste any good?

HERE’S THE DEAL

First made available in 2022, the 3 For Me combo has your choice of appetizer, entrée, and a soft drink, which is bottomless as always at Chili's.

You can pick between unlimited chips and salsa, soup, or house/Caesar salad as your appetizer.

Then there are numerous entrées to choose from.

To keep the $10.99 price point, there’s a cheeseburger, a secret sauce burger,or a crispy chicken sandwich, all of which come with fries.

You can also upgrade your éntree to premium options like chicken crispers for $14.99 and cajun shrimp pasta for $16.99.

Whatever you choose, there’s an unlimited soft drink, or you can upgrade to a margarita for $3.49 extra.

THE FOOD

Keeping it simple, I choose the chips and salsa, a cheeseburger, and a Diet co*ke.

The appetizer was out in less than two minutes.

Each chip was hot and crispy - and way better than what you would get at Taco Bell.

While the salsa was a little thin, it had a powerful flavor and a good level of spice.

The portion was huge and way more than I could ever eat, especially with an entrée on the way.

Within five minutes, the cheeseburger was out.

This affordable take on the American classic had everything going for it.

The beef patty was cooked medium well and topped with beautifully melted cheese.

Lightly toasted, the brioche bun made a great companion as did the perfect amount of tomatoes, onions, pickles, and lettuce.

I order a burger at almost every restaurant I go to, but it’s hard to think of a better one I’ve had for around $10.

The fries were seasoned nicely with both salt and pepper.

Each one was hot, crispy on the outside, and fluffy on the inside.

I also tried the four Chili’s specialty dipping sauces, including my favorite, secret sauce.

Here’s the secret - it’s like Chick-fil-A sauce but smokier.

It was a surprise highlight of the meal and perfect for dunking my fries into.

AM I GOING BACK?

If I was in a hurry, I could have been in and out of Chili’s in 20 minutes and with plenty of change from a $20 bill.

But it was nice to take my time and enjoy my lunch in a proper restaurant setting, without blowing the budget.

My server, Ethan, added to the experience with his friendly hospitality.

So now I’m wondering, why would I ever get fast food again?

I can get better quality, a more pleasant dining experience, and faster speeds than many drive-thrus at peak hours.

So yes, I will absolutely be back to Chili’s next time I’m craving a burger and don’t want to break the bank at the trendy diner nearby.

The 3 For Me combo is available indefinitely at all locations.

And because it's available all day, it would also be perfect for a quick bite with pals after work.

But Chili’s isn’t the only restaurant chain working hard to offer value for customers.

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