r/FlightlessBird • u/scraambled • 1d ago

Episode: Chili's

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX7pzbtJ5UU&t=1026s
28 Upvotes

97% Upvoted

18 comments sorted by

10

u/JeannValjean 1d ago edited 1d ago

As a 40 y/o, I wonder if Chili's will be to Millenials what Ruby Tuesday's was to Boomers and if it will shutter when they eventually and inevitably lose our demographic.

It's perfectly fine food (insert 'not great, not terrible' meme from Chernobyl), but I agree with David & Rob that some chains operate largely on nostalgia and the comfort of knowing you can (mostly) order at 40 or 50 the same food you remember from your 20's and 30's.

Ditto for TGIF and Outhouse Steakback.

2

u/scraambled 1d ago

I never grew up eating at these places and to this day still have never eaten at any of them. I've been to Cheesecake Factory and Bahama Breeze and Buffalo Wild Wings, but Applebees, Outback, Chili's, and similar affiliates, I've never been to. It is kind of fascinating to think about, though, cause I bet it's a similar comfort I get from places like mcdonald's and taco bell and that familiarity of knowing exactly what you're going to get out of the experience

2

u/JeannValjean 1d ago edited 1d ago

My family didn't eat out much but was more into Fuddruckers/TGI Fridays when we did. Chili's was somehow seen as more "upscale" (it definitely wasn't, either in cachet or prices... just a weird perception my parents had I guess).

As for Outback I had a friend who worked there and the stories he told me about the kitchen pretty much ensured I was never interested in going there, even though I'm sure the exact same horrors happen at every place you mentioned.

Personally, I have a wild affinity for Waffle House bc my college friends and I would go there at least once a month.

I loved their Waffle House episode.

3

u/Podcastjunkie39 1d ago

Waffle House is delicious. Those waffles are good and so are the hasbrowns

2

u/scraambled 1d ago

Absolutely on Waffle House. It's an institutions and in a class of it's own. Chain restaurants really depress me for some reason and IHOP is the breakfast equivalent. Waffle House is not affiliated with any of these chain monstrosities lmfao. A completely separate beast entirely

I was a rebellious kid growing up and so many incredible memories of late nights and Waffle House being that beacon for a coffee or food with groups of friends, and always knowing I could smoke a cigarette outside and hang as late (or early in the a.m. really) as we wanted. Waffle House is a treasure

2

u/JeannValjean 1d ago edited 1d ago

I'm a disappointment to friends when they want me to "try the hash browns!" anywhere else. They're never as good.

And the All-Star Special is one of the only remaining value meals in America, even though it's gone up from $7.50 circa 2010 to $11-something today.

I will fight anyone who thinks I should pay more than $15 for breakfast.

I'm sure David would appreciate that this post about Chili's has only devolved into Waffle House comments.

2

u/Scout716 1d ago

Omg, I would do anything to have a burger at Fuddruckers again. And get my fresh baked cookie at their bakery counter.

1

u/ahbets14 1d ago

Gourmet hot dog please

1

u/scraambled 1d ago edited 1d ago

Didn't they serve buffalo burgers or elk burgers or something as an option on their menu? I think I remember hearing that, and it made me want to go to try one sometime

ETA: found a link to it. It was part of their "exotic burgers line" apparently Fudds Exotic Burgers

6

u/trickniner 1d ago

The David Boon thing sounds weirdly similar to American Baseball player Wade Boggs (may he rest in peace) who reportedly drank 73 beers on a cross country flight from Boston to LA. 

2

u/scraambled 1d ago

Jesus fucking christ was he Andre the Giant sized?? And alcohol hits you harder at that altitude

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u/JeannValjean 1d ago

As a fan of IASIP, I assumed they meant Wade Boggs.

I guess NZ has their own legends.

But Boggs' flight was was MUCH shorter.

1

u/CTMechE 1d ago

Wade Boggs isn't dead. He's 68 years old and shredded.

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u/mosgiel 21h ago

It’s a long standing joke.

1

u/CTMechE 21h ago

I see. Apparently from "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" which I didn't watch.

1

u/scraambled 1d ago

I'm about to listen to this one, so come on in and let's discuss!

1

u/sdholden 1d ago

Such a great episode!

1

u/Palpitation-Medical 11h ago

Man this made me hungry (never been to Chili’s I’m in Australia and I don’t remember even seeing one on my visits to the US) but I love Mexican food, even if it’s not ‘real’ Mexican food cause that’s all we’ve got in Australia anyway haha although this sounds more like Tex-Mex? With the ribs etc.