10 Discontinued Chili's Menu Items We Desperately Want Back

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The corporate chain as we know it would not exist without Chili's, who set the blueprint for the all-ages sit-down dining destination in 1975. Before making a name off the iconic babyback ribs and downright amazing happy hour deals, Larry Levine, the founder, envisioned a neighborhood watering hole that was welcoming and could please any crowd.

Offering bottomless choices with little to no cohesion may explain the real reasons Chili's struggled in the past. Naturally, many of the retired dishes are ones customers adored, and purchased fairly frequently to justify repeat visits. So, we figured it's time to pour one out for the Chili's menu items that are doubtfully making a return any time soon. And these items in particular are ones we desperately want back.

Technically, Chili's Chicken Crispers haven't gone anywhere. So why are we including the crave-inducing poultry plate to begin with? and aren't afraid to get the job done. For context, Chili's dredged its tenders in a different breading to the denser coating found today. This batter was light and super flaky, and it created an airy texture that was simply uncommon in normal fast food establishments. "It's like eating fish and chips but instead of fish, it was chicken, or like a tempura chicken," one poster described on Reddit, adding "I am sure that if Chili's reintroduced them or marketed them better, they'd sell so well especially since they are unique."

That being said, in 2022 diners witnessed the star menu item vanish from restaurants. Despite enjoying a rabid following, the crispers couldn't compete with two of the franchise's other tender offerings, the regular Chicken Crispers and Honey-Chipotle Chicken Crispers, respectively. Corporate explained to Today that the delicate batter style didn't entice patrons to the same degree. On the other hand, it was the melt-in-your-mouth crispiness

This was a loaded salad combining Chicken Crispers drenched in Buffalo sauce, tossed with bacon bits, bleu cheese, crunchy tortilla strips, tomatoes, onions, cheese, and a thick dressing. people clearly yearn for this particular salad bowl to make a comeback. But it hasn't, and customers swear on never returning because of it. "It was the only thing I liked on the menu, now I won't eat there," admitted a commenter on Reddit.

Truth be told, there are claims that the Buffalo Chicken Salad leading up to its elimination. In a side-by-side comparison of the dish from 2020 and 2023, Reddit posters complained that the chain had gotten stingy, tossing in fewer, scrawnier pieces.  is the closest you'll find to the retired offering. Nab a side of Buffalo sauce (for $1 extra) and you can create a substitute that's semi-authentic. Although, as visitors lament, it can't hold a candle to the real thing. It appears American restaurants ditched the menu item, since internationally, it's still accessible —

Chili's definitely makes attempts to lure in diet-conscious customers not wanting to indulge too much. section is intended to veer leanly low-calorie. But at the end of the day, the corporate chain knows what sells well, and that's salty, saucy grease-bombs. That's to a limit however, should the infamous 'Awesome Blossom' serve as the ultimate example. It turns out polarizing as it was,

Of course, a deep-fried whole onion ain't healthy, but Chili's starter towered over the threshold of what was acceptable as a junk food. In fact, Men's Health Magazine notoriously battered the 2,710 calories, 203 grams of fat, and double the sodium nutritionists advise for one's daily consumption in a "worst-of" round-up in 2008, the same year the Awesome Blossom vanished.

Regardless, not all hope is lost. item thrives. And, yes, that mouthwatering, creamy Buffalo ranch sauce is still included.

When brainstorming great savory additions to waffles, it's truly hard to picture a more fitting accompaniment than fried chicken. The Honey Chipotle Chicken Crispers & Waffles was , and featured a spicy, tongue-tingling sauce plus jalapeños and chopped bacon. Not to mention, the presentation was very appetizer-like — one waffle, split into four wedges affixed with a chicken strip, h'ors d'oeuvres-style. Restaurants also served the platter with a side of crispy French fries.

Why Chili's would willingly abandon such a winner of a meal shocked dedicated customers, who confirm The move wasn't publicized, but on Reddit, a user posted a screenshot of an employee-only menu confirming the entrée was indeed getting booted from the picture. And regardless of the and requests, loyal diners have yet to find any sign of the comforting dish's return. Admittedly, the fiery chicken strips didn't entirely go away.

With highly-ranked burger sliders and chicken wings under its belt, Chili's does a bang-up job when it comes to the bar grub. Yet the other half of the menu, however, veers in a decisively Tex-Mex direction. Enchiladas (beef, cheese, and Green Chile Chicken) at least until the company announced their departure in — when else? — 2017. Another casualty of the great menu clean-out that, years after, fans are still distraught over.

The chain bid the Green Chile Chicken enchiladas a public adieu in the form of a comedic video, though on social media, patrons commenting on the chain's post weren't keen on smiling about it. "I will miss the green chile enchiladas. They were my favorite," lamented one Facebook user. Many folks expressed disappointment and continue to ask around for the recipes to this saucy, cheesy soul fuel. One Reddit commenter took time to answer a poster's inquiries about the beef variety, who revealed the chain's methods don't quite live up to the menu's home-cooked vibe since the sauce is pre-made and the beef is standard frozen meat. Not accounting for the "magic" a dining chain could bring to their version, diners can assemble a similar smothered cheesy beef enchiladas from home without missing a beat.

Skim the dessert section of any restaurant menu, and the choices will be about the same everywhere. At minimum, you can dig into a hot fudge sundae when the pickings are extra-slim. So to Chili's fanatics, the Paradise Pie was a breath of fresh air — or more accurately, a slab of manna. 

The former dessert was an enchanting creation. customers just couldn't believe it. Mind you, this wasn't the first instance Chili's took it off the menu.

For reasons still beyond us it was somehow less ordered, perhaps due to competing with the Molten Chocolate Cake, which remains one of those chain restaurant desserts worth saving room for. Still, the blissful amalgamation of nutty, creamy deliciousness lives on, if only in our memories.

We'll just say it: The year 2017 was simply a downer time to be a Chili's customer. We saw record menu cuts that robbed us of many fan-favorites, including the tastiest selection of signature  These toasty little 'zas were yummy additions to the restaurant's burger-heavy lineup, a refreshing substitute to the grilled portion of the menu. They even helped boost profits that outnumbered the traditional pizzas rolled out by the chain at the same time, per Food Business News.

 Chili's flatbreads appealed to palates craving bold, zesty cuisine, and the restaurant used to offer three varieties to guests: the Chipotle Chicken, California Grilled Chicken, and Margherita, the Italian version of regular cheese pizza. Of course, for the table, but the proportions could be filling enough to satisfy as a single personal pizza. This information aligns with a Facebook post from 2014 advertising the flatbreads as a choice in the company's popular lunch combo deal.

So what happened? Apparently, high sales couldn't protect them from business goals and a shrinking menu. Abroad, Chili's still carries the menu item () so it seems only American eaters have been singled out.

Also referred to as "elote," it consists of a corn cob dressed in a spicy mayo, crumbled creamy cheese, cilantro, and lime. Diners appreciated having it as an option for a couple reasons. Not only were the zingy, creamy flavors on-point, but there was simply nothing else like it in the typical casual family-oriented establishment.

Franchises understandably have to cut items now and then; it's the nature of the capitalistic beast. Unfortunately, the chain didn't do itself any favors by also taking away corn on the cob, as well. One of the most classic side-dishes (and nostalgic of campfire foods everyone loves) can no longer be added to your burger or sauce-slathered ribs. On Reddit, alleged employees speculated its removal had to do with filling orders faster, since the corn apparently took more effort to prepare than other side dishes. At the same time, scrapping the corn offerings made no sense, given how workers saw patrons frequently order them. "We have a guy who comes in weekly and orders ten street cobs he loves them that much," a Redditor said.

Specializing in "Southwestern" cuisine means nothing if you don't have tacos. in Dallas, Texas So to see the whole category swiped off the menu is startling out-of-character. Again, Chili's rationale emerged out of pragmatism, yet it left the roster a little less zesty, and neglected any opportunities to replace it.

Customers mostly miss the Spicy Shrimp tacos and Prime Rib tacos. the Spicy Shrimp was by all accounts a reliable choice, so it shocked regular customers that they couldn't order them again. followers reacted negatively, demanding the dish's return instead. "I don't want the recipe," one commenter wrote. "It was fun to go out to get them." We can't speak for everyone, but it's safe to say sipping on margaritas (some of varying quality) will never be the same.

To date, loads of resources exist out there if you wish to make the crispiest fried pickles of your life. At minimum, you mix up a batter, dredge the briny cukes in said batter (perhaps these Dill Pickle Chips from Whole Foods' 365 line?) and sizzle them in hot, bubbling oil. They're quite quick to whip up, minus the effort, but still not as quick as ordering a basket straight from Chili's. Which we can no longer do, on account of an inconvenient truth: The eatery discontinued them — with little warning to its loyal patrons. Remarked one Reddit poster, "I'll never forgive them for getting rid of the fried pickles."

Even worse, the Fried Pickles joined other popular entrees on the chopping block, including the Buffalo Chicken Salad and Spicy Shrimp Tacos. To fans who haven't forgiven Chili's regrettable error, take the let-down in stride: There's a world of fast food fried pickles at your disposal to savor!