Key Takeaways
- Chili’s is launching an all-new version of a beloved menu item.
- For a limited time, fans can try the new offering for free.
If it seems like Chili’s is on a mission lately, that’s because it is. For the last three years, the chain has made strides to improve its kitchen efficiency and revamp recipes to ensure its food and casual atmosphere remain appealing to customers in the growing sea of fast food options.
Over the summer, Chili’s helped us beat the heat with a new trio of frozen drinks. More recently, the Texas-based company brought back its viral Halloween costume, a duo suit inspired by its viral fried mozzarella sticks. Now, Chili’s is introducing a refreshed version of a popular appetizer—plus an all-new menu item that’s perfect for football season.
Chili’s Introduces New Southwestern Queso
For the last two years, Chili’s has been keeping a secret. While guests have been digging into the chain’s new burgers and decadent desserts, the restaurant has been hard at work developing a new-and-improved version of a fan-favorite menu item.
Starting Oct. 7, Chili’s has an all-new cheesy dip on menus nationwide. Chili’s Southwestern Queso features a blend of American and Cheddar cheeses, fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and a squeeze of lime to tie it all together.
Chili’s
You can try Southwestern Queso as an appetizer alongside salsa and a basket of chips or order it as part of the Dip Trio. In addition, guests can opt for a side portion to go with the chain’s famous fajitas or enjoy it drizzled on top of the new Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos. The new nachos feature a bed of crispy tortilla chips topped with chicken, bacon, and the reformulated queso. Each basket of nachos is finished with pico de gallo, sour cream, and a drizzle of Chili’s signature house-made ranch.
Chili’s believes in this new offering so much that it’s removing two other beloved queso dips from the menu: Skillet Beef Queso and White Skillet Queso. In a recent Reddit thread, many customers expressed frustration over the news. “The queso is really what has kept us there for 30 years. If that goes away, we likely will as well,” wrote one fan. “I’m very disappointed about the skillet queso. It’s been one of my favorites for such a long time,” added another.
But Chili’s is confident that the new Southwestern Queso is something fans will love just as much, if not more. According to the chain, nearly 70 percent of taste-testers agreed that the revamped formula is a winner.
Still not convinced? We have good news—you can try it for free. From Oct. 7 through Oct. 21, My Chili’s Rewards members can redeem a free order of Southwestern Queso and chips so you can judge for yourself how the new recipe stacks up.
