I compared 3-course meals at Chili's and TGI Fridays. The prices were nearly identical, but the differences in the food were stark.
- I ordered mozzarella sticks, ribs, and a specialty dessert at both TGI Fridays and Chili's.
- Each chain had its strengths, but I didn't like the mozzarella sticks at Chili's.
- The meals ended up being remarkably close in price, with a mere $0.22 difference between them.
TGI Fridays and Chili's have a lot in common, but both menus have some highs and lows.
Both casual-dining chains offer standard American fare at similar price points and are primarily based in the US.
One big difference is size. Fridays has about just over 200 locations here after closing 36 of them earlier this year. Chili's has over 1,200 (although it also closed a handful of restaurants in 2024).
Still, I was curious how their food compared. To put them to the test, I ate similar three-course meals at each spot.
My final bills were only $0.22 apart, which meant price was an even playing field and my judgment could really come down to the taste of the food.
Here's how TGI Fridays' and Chili's appetizers, sides, entrées, and desserts stacked up.
There's hardly a more delicious appetizer than a mozzarella stick, especially when it's dunked in marinara sauce.
The mozzarella sticks at Fridays were the perfect size. I could polish one off in two or three bites, and I enjoyed how thick and crisp the breading was. The added herbs and spices didn't hurt either.
The cheese was hot but not scalding, and there was a good ratio of cheese-to-breading.
Chili's mozzarella sticks were massive — each was almost the size of a pack of playing cards.
Even with a small bite, there was just too much cheese in my mouth. They also weren't as hot as I'd have liked. I took only two bites of one before throwing in the towel.
The meat on my half-rack of ribs tasted fine, even if it was a bit tough. The problem was that there was just so little of it on the bone.
I had to work to get a decent chunk of the stuff, usually cobbling together bits from two ribs into one honest bite.
Maybe I just got a bad rack of ribs with less meat than usual. I'd certainly consider ordering them again to see if that's the case because the sauce was great.
Many may recall Chili's famous "baby back, baby back, baby back" jingle. Although I'm sorry for planting that earworm in your brain, the chain legitimately has something to sing about.
My half-rack was simply superb. The meat was tender and moist, and there was a lot of it, too. The barbecue sauce was also tangy, smoky, and pleasantly sweet.
I would absolutely order Chili's ribs again.
My ribs came with two sides — one was incredible, and the other let me down.
They were a bit gelatinous and gummy, and I couldn't really taste much flavor. The side reminded me of the times I've had instant mashed potatoes at home.
On the other hand, the broccoli was just right.
It was tender yet crisp, with a light, garlicky, buttery flavor. I plan to try to emulate the side the next time I cook it at home.
The mashed potatoes at Chili's were excellent — hot and fresh with a good creaminess and a light buttery taste.
I could see bits of potato skins, which I personally love. I'd order them again in a heartbeat.
But the broccoli at Chili's wasn't my favorite. The soft texture made me think it had been boiled and the pieces didn't have much flavor.
I'm really not a dessert guy — I prefer to get my calories from the meal itself — but in the name of science, I figured it was only fair to order one at each chain.
I went with the Brownie Obsession at TGI Fridays because it seemed fancier and richer than I'm used to at a chain establishment.
The presentation was lovely, the brownie was moist and tender, the ice cream tasted top-quality, and the toppings only made things better.
Fridays surprised me with this one — I'd almost certainly eat it again.
I thought I remembered Chili's having a brownie sundae as well, which would've made for a perfect comparison. But it wasn't an option when I went.
In its place, I ordered a skillet chocolate-chip cookie because it seemed equally as upscale as Fridays' treat and both came topped with ice cream.
Unfortunately, it was just mediocre. The cookie itself wasn't all that flavorful, and the ice cream was nothing to write home about.
It's a decent size if you want to share a dessert with the table, but it wasn't a stand-out for me.
My meal at TGI Fridays came to $45.05, and my Chili's total was $44.83. Given the similar menus, I guess I shouldn't have been that shocked by how close the chains are in price.
In all honesty, I wish I could've merged the two meals.
The mozzarella sticks, broccoli, and dessert from Fridays were exceptional. I'd return for the chain for those items — although I'm curious how the rest of its menu fares.
From the list of things I tried, I wouldn't go back to Chili's for anything but the meat and potatoes.