Chili's Grill - Bellingham

It's not usual to have a perfect steak at a Chili's but this one was delicious. A medium ribeye (almost forgot to take a picture) with loaded mash and steamed broccoli. It was busy but the service was great. The staff seemed to be busy but Iattribute that to most places being short staffed. They did a fantastic job.

I've observed a consistent issue over the past three years where young staff members at the front avoid eye contact and act as if they don't see or hear you. The manager seems very defensive and appears to be overwhelmed with responsibilities. As for the food, it's disappointing—the quesadilla was barely warm and wasn't even sealed properly, while the fries were extremely hard, suggesting they were either the bottom of a remake or simply warmed up.

The waitstaff is very friendly, and our food arrived promptly. Unfortunately, the chips were overly salty, and the salsa was quite watery. Overall, the rest of the meal was disappointing—some dishes were bland, while others were just passable. The ribs were the standout item; they were the only thing we genuinely enjoyed.

I want to provide some honest feedback for the improvement of the franchise, rather than for my own amusement. Having worked in the food service industry for 21 years, I genuinely care about the quality of dining experiences. With that in mind, I must say I was not impressed. I ordered a tequila and lime juice shot and was given a pint glass that tasted overwhelmingly of lime juice rather than a balanced mix. When my shrimp and chicken fajitas were served, I was surprised that they were not sizzling at all, and I only received silverware after I requested it. The cheese was hard, as if it had been sitting out for a while. Overall, the food was just okay at best, and I left feeling a bit shortchanged.

Excellent service, $6 drinks for August 5/5, great food.