Do Yourself A Favor And Order The Chili's Side We Ranked Absolute Best On Your Next Visit

There's no doubt that Chili's often catches a lot of grief for a variety of reasons. Depending on the location, the service can be iffy, much of the food comes premade and frozen (though the burgers are fresh),  and with prices climbing in recent years, there are still plenty of items worth skipping. It's a stereotypical large-scale casual dining chain — so you kind of know what to expect when you visit.

Though it might seem like restaurant chains this size just phone in food quality across the board, that's not always the case. Chili's is well known for its wide range of margaritas and southwest-inspired appetizers. But the chain also has some standouts, which we found out when we tried and ranked nine sides from Chili's. At the top of the list was Chili's loaded white cheddar mac & cheese. Most of Chili's sides cost $3.99, but the loaded mac comes with a $1.50 upcharge. And, in our opinion, the $5.49 price tag is well worth the cost.

We thought the Chili's mac and cheese was such a good side that it stole the limelight from the main course, instead of complementing it. It's even good enough on its own as a quick and hearty dish. And while the mac and cheese is stellar on its own, the loaded version really amps up the taste — coming with bacon ($1 extra), shredded cheese, and green onions.

Our review refers to Chili's loaded mac and cheese as "an indulgent creation that gleefully flaunts how bad it is for you." Though the calorie count isn't awful (350), this side packs in 13 grams of saturated fat and 1140 milligrams of sodium. That's about ⅔ of your suggested saturated fat intake daily and half of the suggested sodium amount.

The main culprit in all of this is most likely the thick white cheddar cheese sauce, which drenches the slightly overcooked macaroni. We thought the added bacon provided textural contrast, and the green onions brought a small amount of acidity. Altogether, the components elevate this mac and cheese beyond the typical humble expectations of a simple side dish.

So while you might scoff at the idea that Chili's, of all places, can make quality food, in this instance, it's actually true. This loaded white cheddar mac and cheese is fabulous as a true side — maybe with Chili's famous ribs or chicken crispers — or even as a standalone quick bite at the bar with a margarita. It's truly a standout side on the Chili's menu.