Chili's got rid of the skillet queso from their menu. What is happening to our country?

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fiftymilesofbadroad@reddit

Well, you're in luck. One of my adopted kids (now grown) worked as a cook at Chili's while in school.

Here's the Chili's recipe.

1 16 oz block Velveeta cheese cut in cubes 1 15 oz can Hormel no bean chili 1 cup milk 2 tsp. chili powder 2 tsp. paprika 1/2 tsp. cumin No matter what, DO NOT ADD SALT

Heat on med-low, ideally in a cast iron skillet.

Store brand restaurant style tortilla chips to serve.

You're welcome.

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Big_Wave9732@reddit

Ask your adopted kid how they use to make the chicken crimpers. Por favor!

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fiftymilesofbadroad@reddit

Give me a bit. He's on the road this week.

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monkeyman80@reddit

The chili, cheese and chips has plenty of salt already. You can always adjust to taste if it’s not enough for you.

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fiftymilesofbadroad@reddit

No clue. That's what he put in the text. I'm guessing because all of the major ingredients have enough sodium in them, adding salt would make it taste bad?

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fiftymilesofbadroad@reddit

Sorry I pasted that from a text message, didn't hit enter at end of each line.

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taniffy91@reddit

A little buddy told me Chilis got bullied into putting it back on the menu/keeping it

Should be announced in a few days

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Plane-Investment-791@reddit

Damn they stealing the McRib technique

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HotDogMagoo@reddit

Or the Cracker Barrel playbook. Create ‘fake outrage’ then bring it back after the public ‘demands’ it. 🙄🙄

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KM964@reddit

Hopefully they follow with the Original Chicken Crispers.

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ftwclem@reddit

The original crispers and the queso were my two favorites on the menu. After hearing both of those were gone, I have zero desire to ever go back to Chili’s

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AwHellNawFetaCheese@reddit

When was the last time you went to Chili’s?

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ftwclem@reddit

Idk, several months ago? I know the crispers have been gone for awhile but now that the queso is gone too, no reason to go back

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Yodaddyroberto@reddit

EXACT same order for me too. Haven’t been back since 😭

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melalovelady@reddit

Can confirm. I also have a lil birdie on the inside.

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Rakebleed@reddit

Someone needs to bully them into trashing that “fiesta” queso 🤢.

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stokr22445@reddit

Dude they stopped serving chocolate milk shakes years ago. Same question

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demonhalo@reddit

Corn on the cob - gone

Original chicken crispers - gone

Don’t know how much more I can take.

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ashdeb89@reddit

They also changed their white cheddar mac&cheese :(

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btc4p@reddit

Anything not frozen from Sysco - gone

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monkeyman80@reddit

I get it, hand battering to order individually is a time sink. But they tasted good damn it.

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FourScores1@reddit

Damn with honey mustard. Was the best

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IShouldLiveInPepper@reddit

And their corn on the cob. Maybe most people don’t give a damn about corn on the cob, but theirs was seasoned to perfection.

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Herry_Up@reddit

Wingstop used to have really good corn on the cob with Cajun seasoning. The last time I got it, it was trash.

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Rubychan11@reddit

Yeah I've gotten it a few times from the Casa Linda location and sometimes it has little to no seasoning, then I get it and it's loaded and perfect. It's really hit or miss.

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casiepierce@reddit

That's sad because of all the Wing Stops in East Dallas, that location is the most reliable one.

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KingOfNothing_85@reddit

A side of fries, corn on the cob and skillet queso was my mom's go to order. I legit don't think I'll ever be back since I only went there with her.

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Falukas@reddit

Me either. Those were my favorites too.

My son, though, HATED Chilis. To his credit, he expanded our tastes and we’ve completely quit going to chains because of him.

(He’s a huge Metallica fan, not sure if your user name is related to that)

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I haven't gone in years either, not because I hate it, I just don't eat out much anymore. I've been carb and sugar free now for years, I'm not going to bother some poor waitress with an overly complicated order because of something I don't eat, I just won't go. Funny story, growing up in a very rural part of Northern California, also in the depth of poverty, eating out was a special occasion. My first time eating at a Chili's I was 19 years old, I would see the commercials, but it was like a fantasy ever eating there. When I finally did it was delicious, it was everything I thought it was and then some. Sometimes its the simple things that make life exciting.

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kozzy1ted2@reddit

They don’t sell chili at freaking Chilis!!

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couchjellyfish@reddit

Chili at Chilli's was the only thing with low enough calories to be considered healthy.

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kozzy1ted2@reddit

It was also delicious!

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fiftymilesofbadroad@reddit

Just saw your chocolate shake comment. Guess what? Here's the recipe:

2 scoops vanilla ice cream 1/3 to 1/2 cup whole milk 1/3 cup hot fudge (preferably) or chocolate syrup Chocolate sprinkles Canned whipped cream

Throw all ingredients in the blender, and mix on medium. Start with the 1/3 cup milk and if too thick add the difference to 1/2 cup.

Pour into a glass, add your whipped cream and sprinkles.

Enjoy.

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zoemi@reddit

It's the chicken fried steak for me.

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AnxietyDepressedFun@reddit

OMG they used to have the best chocolate shakes with the chocolate sprinkles... I kinda forgot about that.

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big-dal-tex@reddit

Wow chocolate shake with chocolate sprinkles gang. I would ask for extra sprinkles and they'd bring a whole ramekin full

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stokr22445@reddit

Exactly. Haven’t been back since I found out

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Left_Ad_8268@reddit

Wow, it wasn’t until this comment that I realized I haven’t thought about them as a kid. I used to LOVE those

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ClassyUser@reddit

This whole thread has me wondering what they even serve anymore. It’s been a while since I had the money to even go to Chili’s.

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p8nt_junkie@reddit

Honestly forgot about those until just read your comment! What a treat those were, in the frosty glass mug!

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D_Dumps@reddit

I was under the impression they were just getting rid of the skillet part for cost reasons. Are they changing the recipe too?

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ercinequay@reddit

Yeah now it’s honestly like velveeta with some cut up peppers. It’s not bad but it’s like……not what I’m used to.

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melalovelady@reddit

My husband works at corporate. They tested like 30 different quesos, came up with the recipe based on ratings and tastings of others and that… is what they came up with. I haven’t let my husband hear the end of it.

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Big_Wave9732@reddit

Tell your husband they done fucked up with the chicken crispers. They had one of the greatest restaurant menu items. The chicken on the menu is ass now.

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box_fan_man@reddit

So they tested it with a bunch of northerners who don’t know any better. Shameful.

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melalovelady@reddit

What are you talking about? The office is here in Dallas and most of the people grew up here, as well as the queso’s were from restaurants around here?

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box_fan_man@reddit

Corporate marketing does a lot of testing. My wife did this at perriman and Crowe

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ercinequay@reddit

You are an angel for speaking for the people!! Big time fumble on their part.

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ExplanationHot9963@reddit

Velveta and hormel chili with no beans add to a crockpot = your own chili’s queso

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LowkeyLogic007@reddit

Chili's been fell off........

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DistanceIndividual88@reddit

THANKS GUYS! Internet pressure convinced them to reverse course! Long live Chili's.

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blcksabbat@reddit

They announced this morning it’s coming back

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AggravatingMath717@reddit

You live in Dallas and you’re complaining about losing one option for queso?This town is DROWNING IN AN ENDLESS OCEAN OF FRIGGIN QUESO! 😂

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dare_me_to_831@reddit

But it’s not SKILLET queso!! 😆 My husband was/is soooo disappointed.

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yarmulke@reddit

Doesn’t the queso at Torchy’s come in a skillet?

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The_DaHowie@reddit

Torchy's is too expensive for what you get

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selfiecritic@reddit

Not anymore - Torchy’s was surprisingly cheap when I went 6 months ago and I walk out for a meal for 2 for 30$ which is reasonable. It’s like it got market corrected in pricing lol

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ConflictedTrashPanda@reddit

and it comes with huge dollop of guac. enough that chipotle would easily charge $4 extra

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5yrup@reddit

The old Chili's skillet queso was almost halfway to a chili, I don't know any other place that's had that kind of queso. It wasn't super amazing or anything but it was definitely a unique flavor.

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ConstructionNo1038@reddit

This is a great point - I’m not sure it’s even accurate to really call it queso, I feel like any cheese flavor is almost non-existent. It had the chunks of beef, my husband and I loved it and are so sad it’s gone.

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kjb38@reddit

It’s in a bowl.

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Estosnutts@reddit

Not a 3 for me deal anywhere else in dallas. We want the queso back!!

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MagicWishMonkey@reddit

I have no idea what that is and now I'm bummed that I didn't get to try it.

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Razor1834@reddit

Most of the queso here is bad anyways, and chili’s beats a lot of tex-mex places sadly. Melted velveeta is not queso.

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permalink_save@reddit

Basically all of the restaurant queso is land o lakes. That includes Chilis. It's all the same cheese and some places add different ingredients like salsa. Yeah, it basically is made like velveeta, emulsified cheddar and/or colby with some additional milk products for consistency. Rarely places will .ake their own but it won't be a bright yellow dip. I believe Mesomaya does theirs in house because of the consistency is closer to a roux based sauce.

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L0udFlow3r@reddit

Chilis skillet queso was not the bright yellow restaurant queso you are describing here. That’s why it was so beloved. You can’t find it anywhere now.

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permalink_save@reddit

There's nothing publicly listed as to what was officially in it but copycat recipes all say velveeta and chili, and if it has the least resemblance to velveeta in a restaurant it's extra melt.

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L0udFlow3r@reddit

You obviously never had chilis skillet queso.

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dogpaddle@reddit

The white cheese dip out east is the best, and impossible to find west of Little Rock for some reason

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evolseven@reddit

I don’t know if it’s what you’re talking about but fuzzy’s has a white queso that isn’t terrible.. the rest of the place isn’t as good as what it used to be but I don’t think their queso has changed.

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Livid-Individual-535@reddit

You and I know about cheese dip!

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eventualist@reddit

Uhhh no, velveetah is not queso.

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ScamuelLemons@reddit

I guarantee you that every chili con queso you've ever had at any Tex Mex restaurant (including Chili's) has been made with processed cheese.

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RaccoonAwareness@reddit

You're totally right. It has to have sodium citrate

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badsheepy2@reddit

Well, not totally right as you can just add sodium citrate to any cheese you like.

But it is essential for sure.

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darkblueshapes@reddit

It is a very specific flavor/style of queso unique to Chili’s. It is basically like if you took beef chili and put it in queso dip in a skillet but better? Idk how else to describe it. It is the stuff of childhood memories. Super thin tortilla chips constantly breaking as you tried to dip so you learned to spoon some onto your small plate so you could eat it like an absolute goblin with tiny chip shards…

I truly have no reason to go back to chilis anymore as they’ve gotten rid of the nostalgic items I can’t get anywhere else so there’s no appeal for me to return and just get generic chain restaurant food.

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vinhluanluu@reddit

On the Border also changes their salsa and I think queso too. I’d imagine they’re all running into supplier issues with all the tariff shenanigans.

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71NoLookPass@reddit

the old salsa was good, but new one is really bad. They changed to the style like Uncle Julio's instead of the tomato based one. I will not be going anymore now.

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omgfloofy@reddit

On the Border is no longer owned by Brinker. It's owned by Pappa's, so the changes are likely based on their own distributors.

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Dick_Lazer@reddit

On The Border is still in business?! I don't think I've seen one in years.

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Pure-Breath-6885@reddit

Hell, they actually got rid of chili for awhile. They finally brought it back but it’s never tasted like the same recipe

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therealradberry@reddit

Is this only Dallas (North Texas) Chili's?

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SupaflyTNT@reddit

As long as they leave my Southwest egg rolls alone.

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dangsdots@reddit

Google the (copycat ) recipe. I make it all the time.

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specialtomebabe@reddit

It's coming back

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CFH75@reddit

this country gives me nothing to be proud of.

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boldoldpilot@reddit

Womp womp

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universal-mustard@reddit

They also got rid of chili… found that out last time I went and that’s why it was the last time I went.

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OvenReasonable1066@reddit

Quasimodo predicted this

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JokersGlascowSmile@reddit

It never has the makings of varsity queso.

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JokersGlascowSmile@reddit

If it makes you feel any better, it was not in an iron skillet anymore. It was served in a skillet shaped plastic bowl and the taste was never the same.

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gianniscan@reddit

Haven’t been since the Trip left

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Tejanisima@reddit

See, this is what I don't get about modern day Chili's. What even is the point when they've gotten rid of pretty much everything that made them famous or distinctive?

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Tejanisima@reddit

I haven't cared what's on the Chili's menu since they took off pretty much everything I grew up eating there in the 1970s. If you do a search, you can find a Reddit post with the 1979 menu, virtually just chili and a bunch of different burgers. Until running across this article on the rise, fall, and return of Chili's I'd forgotten they used to serve the burgers and soft tacos (with their chili as the main ingredient) in baskets on into the early '80s. Those soft tacos were my go-to for years, three for three bucks and you could get them to bring you just two for 2/3 of the price. Later, they added fajitas when those first became a thing across the whole state, and I would go back and forth between that and the soft tacos.

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ParsonJackRussell@reddit

Skillet queso is back according to chilis subreddit

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FewAd1484@reddit

Because it’s terrible now. Was only good as a kid because we didn’t know any better lol

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Hrdcorefan@reddit

They brought it back. Announced today.

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Distinct_Reality5860@reddit

This is just a PR stunt by Chilis to take something off the menu to stay in the social conversation. Like this post was started by their PR agency.

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MemoryOfRagnarok@reddit (OP)

Yeah wouldn't surprise me either. I thought the same thing about the Cracker Barrel deal. I promise you though I just love the skillet queso. I went to order doordash yesterday and was like where the hell is the skillet queso.

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melalovelady@reddit

It actually wasn’t. The skillet queso wasn’t a huge pull anymore, wasn’t getting people in the door or making the money it should.

But yes, this is bringing it back into conversation. There’s no other queso like it on the market and frankly, it was both a smart and stupid move.

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ChrysMYO@reddit

I very briefly worked for Sysco (training period). There is incredible consolidation of the market in Food Suppliers. This problem likely got worse thru CoVID as smaller suppliers probably had to bow out.

The 5 alarm fire they were having during COVID was trying to supply alternative options to Restauranteurs and Franchisee's when there standard orders run out. People needed to search databases for alternate sizing options and comping the price difference. Or substituting with an alternate brand.

This messed up alot of Franchise menus. They started simplifying their ingredients so that there were less unique ingredients for specific meals. Because those would be the most likely to be removed from the menu on bad supply weeks.

I'm guessing the lessons learned from these large brands coming out of COVID was run less people per shift to save costs daily. Simplify and buy cheaper ingredients that are used in most the menu. This is all while raising prices, and some brands pivoting to higher income clientele.

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MemoryOfRagnarok@reddit (OP)

Wow this is wild. A microcosm of what is unironically wrong in our country. The consolidation is happening everywhere in every market sadly. Leading to the enshitification and blandness of everything. Also gives way too much power for price abuse.

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mideon2000@reddit

No more chilli, no more chicken fried steak and apparently no more corn on the cobb. Luckily that 3 for me is a steal and the fried mozzarella wedges are great.

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rangerfan123@reddit

New queso is better btw. They got rid of skillet queso because nobody bought it

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rabidwolf86@reddit

As long as they still have the tripple dipper I'll be good

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casiepierce@reddit

Wow, that's like one of the only reasons to even agree to go to a Chili's.

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friskyintellect@reddit

I feel god in this Chili’s tonight.

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Cut-Budget@reddit

They’re bringing the skillet queso back.

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TacosNGuns@reddit

I haven’t been in a chilis in 20 years. I thought the folded Steak and Ale.

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here4pain@reddit

There's a reason they changed it, and it's not because of the skillet but because it was under performing compared to other menu items. That means people weren't buying it. So to most of the people that bitching about it, ask yourself how many times in the last 5 yrs did you actually order it?
They track performance of menu items and this was a sacred cow. They finally decided it's time for a change. Good for them

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Do-you-see-it-now@reddit

Na. Fuck them.

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here4pain@reddit

Sorry you've been so hurt by this. I pray you get over your loss soon

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Aromatic_Cheetah_595@reddit

Your username suggests you enjoy this thread lmao

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here4pain@reddit

If the loss of shitty queso is real pain to people then I guess I am... but they clearly have a pretty spoiled life. If canned chili and velveeta causes you to mourn then I'm sorry. Go buy some Wolf Brand chili with beans, some Velveeta and get over it. I used to work for Chili's and still work with them. Yes there's nostalgia, but really it wasn't good. They just didn't think they were allowed to change it. And they were right apparently. It's not good queso🤷‍♂️

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Aromatic_Cheetah_595@reddit

Could be. I haven't been to chilis in years I just thought your username was funny 😅

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melalovelady@reddit

They’re bringing it back, but you are right about the first part.

There’s so many people in these comments talking about how they’re in mourning, the “WHAT, ITS GONE?”. Clearly they didn’t love it THAT much. It’s been gone since 10/4.

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Leoley5218@reddit

This is what makes you ask what is wrong with our country? 😭

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Texas_Crazy_Curls@reddit

Twin Peaks queso is very similar to chilis queso. Order it with brisket for an extra kick of awesomeness.

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iammusic69@reddit

You watched Siryacht. Friends? 😂

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bratty_bubbles@reddit

WAIT WHAT

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Commercial-Editor775@reddit

Got rid of chicken crispers also ......so I m gone

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DavidBowieEye@reddit

Check this out, my dude: the GOP just got rid of the constitutional republic form of government and civil liberties! Also, skillet queso!

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ruleugim@reddit

Unrelated: Vidorra has the best fucking tomatillo salsa I’ve ever tasted.

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ruleugim@reddit

And the smokehouse combo doesn’t come with garlic toast and corn anymore

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blametheboogie@reddit

They made my shit list when they got rid of the chicken fried steak.

I guess the demographic they're aiming for these days doesn't include me.

Whatever.

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ashleighagate@reddit

My sister just told me today that they changed their ranch, too. They had the best ranch!

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Keep_Plano_Corporate@reddit

Add it to the list...

Mine begins with the Awesome Blossom and also being able to get the Tenders tossed in the Awesome Blossom batter.

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Voodoo1285@reddit

My late wife stopped going when they got rid of the chicken crispers which I refuse to accept was anything but a mass profit driver.

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JohnSolo22@reddit

Hear me out… Fire Nico!!!

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Silverjackel@reddit

For any wanting to scratch the itch: wolf brand chili and velveeta cheese makes a damn close approximation for at home.

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cuttysark1870@reddit

What’s your ratio?

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Silverjackel@reddit

Probably about 1/2 can for the large velveeta block it’s been a long time since I made it.

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ladybump82@reddit

Plus a can of Rotel. Yummmmm

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DemonaDrache@reddit

I used to love the cobb salad and they stopped selling it. I'm like, whyyyyy?

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i_drive_a_lancer@reddit

I miss the chicken fried steak :(

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Gingerbreaddoggie@reddit

chicken fried steak is gone too

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danzigmotherfkr@reddit

Chillis had been shit for a decade it boggles my mind people keep eating at these places before tgi went bankrupt they were trying to make shitty sushi they will try anything other make good food for a reasonable price

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AggravatingPie710@reddit

and they changed the nachos

this country loves to just fuck up everything good thing

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melalovelady@reddit

My husband works at corporate. He told me it was going to happen. I was VERY upset. Those nachos HIT, especially when I was pregnant.

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AggravatingPie710@reddit

Best nachos ever anywhere. So sad.

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ChicagoRay312@reddit

The only reason I ever went to that place. RIP

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melalovelady@reddit

It’s coming back.

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emeryldmist@reddit

Finally! I worked at Chili's for a decade in college and after ( '99 - '09) and skillet queso was the one thing on the menu that I could not stand.

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melalovelady@reddit

(They’re bringing it back 😉)

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Dovima@reddit

They don’t have the elotes anymore either

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My3pickles@reddit

They have the street corn in a bowl now. It’s good.

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PassengerOk7529@reddit

ICE threatened to shut them down for a mexican word on their menu. “Queso” is considered an illegal word.

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TiresOrTyres@reddit

Cheddars stopped selling cheese fries after getting v

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SoupDumpling000@reddit

Chili’s has made many menu changes over the years. They are doing something right with their success. I do agree, though—why the skillet queso??

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YOLOSELLHIGH@reddit

what the actual fuck

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Big_Puzzled@reddit

If they take away sampler the world really will come to a end

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TheKillingFields@reddit

Do they still have the old timers with cheese?

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The_DaHowie@reddit

Or the old chicken tacos

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Rakebleed@reddit

Yes. The burgers are still solid and dare I say improved in the last few years.

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rcheneyjr@reddit

I miss the Terlingua Pride!

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xgoronx@reddit

I just want the skillet mashed potatoes back 😭

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Ok-Metal-4719@reddit

The new queso is better. Would be nice if there was an option to add beef but I was happily surprised I enjoyed the new one more. A little kick and better flavor.

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Few-Leadership7674@reddit

The new queso tastes like Velveeta & Rotel.

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Silverjackel@reddit

The new is just On the Border queso if that’s what you’re into go to otb I want the brown queso with meat chunks in it

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pyromaniac112@reddit

OTB queso is just Sysco.

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Sowf_Paw@reddit

Chili's has been shit ever since they stopped giving you root beer in a frosty mug.

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Intelligent-Read-785@reddit

Hell, they dropped chili. Your are years late.

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DTGC1@reddit

You know they just squeeze it out of a bag and warm it up in a skillet right?

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permalink_save@reddit

Cut off of a 5lb block but yeah basically

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CharlieTeller@reddit

You know nearly every restaurant grabs a frozen version of your entree and heats it up right?

Yes I realize that and I realize I can cook something much tastier and cheaper at home, but it’s ok to like something from a restaurant.

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Kathw13@reddit

I go to a restaurant so that some one else can grab the frozen version, put it on a plate and then take care of the plate when I do.

It makes me happy.

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MemoryOfRagnarok@reddit (OP)

And it tastes amazing

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Thramden@reddit

I'm still mourning their Broccoli and Cheese soup

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Fub4rtoo@reddit

I loved the skillet queso too but it apparently didn’t sell well.

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Jim_Nills_Mustache@reddit

Sad but you can make your own version and it will turn out better, the recipes often say canned chili but I made a basic one from scratch and I suggest that if you can be bothered to put in the extra effort.

It’s literally just queso with chili in it.

https://www.cupcakediariesblog.com/copycat-chilis-skillet-queso/

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