Chillis - Complaint [Archive]

facepot

8 Jul 08, 04:11 PM

Last Friday went to Chillis on US27 (Clermont). I have to say I would not be going back.

Service was poor, waitress would go missing for ages. She turned up and put the bill down whilst we were on our mains. Took half a drink without asking (which they replaced).

The food was poor too. DD loves steak but this was tough. So tough it asked me for a fight in the carpark!

I had Chilli, now, I have had chili oin many restaurants in many countries and remember seeing mince beef in them all. Not from this place it was awful loads of melted cheese it was like soup!

Wife would not let me complain. How does she expect these places to improve.

kimmy

8 Jul 08, 04:15 PM

Oh no,we v never been to Chillis ,and was maybe going to try it this time ( not so sure now)You should have complained really,as you said.

Nicole

8 Jul 08, 04:15 PM

Also the food seems at times not to be very fresh as if it has been hanging around.Certainly they have gone down in the last couple of years.

joanneclaire

8 Jul 08, 04:25 PM

wow this surprises me, we love Chillis!

To be honest we havent had a bad meal there, have tried a few locations, but as the one on H27 is the closest to us, we do tend to go there most.

we havent encountered such poor customer service either, I would certainly have complained, like you say, the service wont improve if nothing gets reported back to the manager.

We arnt back now until Nov..... so hope this isnt a sign of things to come??

Joanne

facepot

8 Jul 08, 04:37 PM

Hi Jo,

To be honest I've quite struggled with many of the servers in restaurants. Most were "grumpy" and the effort wasn't there which really supprised me. Also found the same in Walmart, 7-Eleven, gas stations etc etc... The Americans were not a happy bunch of folk. Personally I think its their rising costs, theyv'e really been hit hard with $4.00 a gallon now!

Fultons was a different cattle of fish altogether, no punn intended. Really slick and the food was amazing. You can draw on the tables too which my DD loved. Not cheap though.

Ros & Jim

8 Jul 08, 04:42 PM

Leanne1977

8 Jul 08, 04:55 PM

Sorry you had a bad experience. We haven't been to that one but we have been to the one in LBV and it was our fav off-site restaurant.:thumbs-up

Can't wait to eat there again next month. Yum!:tounge:

I am also surprised you encountered so many miserable people.:omg: We have never had that experience and one of the things I love about Florida is that everyone is always so helpful and friendly.

Maybe they were all having a bad day!!:erm:

Michelle

8 Jul 08, 05:04 PM

We too had a bad meal at Chillis in LBV. That was the first and last time we went.

disneyvisit

8 Jul 08, 10:16 PM

We went to one in Clearwater for the 1st time and had a fab nite. The food drink and service was fab, our server had a great sense of homour, Ill certainly try them again.

slayervixen

8 Jul 08, 10:20 PM

Been to the one on I-Drive twice and love it. We had two fabulous servers and two superb meals. I'd go back in a heartbeat. So sorry about your experience.

kcanderson

8 Jul 08, 10:22 PM

I wouldn't tar all Chilis with the same brush. We have eaten in the one at Cagan's Crossing several times and must admit we were not impressed with either the service or the food. However, I have never had any complaints with the one at Championsgate and love the food in there.

We called in this one (champions gate) last Aug ,server told us to wait until a table came free ,there were loads of tables spare :confused2 ,came back to us again 10 min later couldnt even remember us ,then said ill look far a table :confused2 ,needles to say we left and went to applebys ;)
DW wants to try chillis again but not that one
Chris

Vabeth

8 Jul 08, 10:24 PM

In February we had a fantastic meal at the one on I-Drive! It was our first ever visit to Chillis and we really enjoyed it! We'll definately go back again! :wavey:

robbinsretreat

8 Jul 08, 10:25 PM

Hey Facepot

I love Chillis; it's one of our favourites, but we go to the one at champions gate - we were there on the day it opened and we have never had a bad meal/experience there at all. It must have been bad luck!! you should complain to the manager as it's not good for business if they allow bad service /food to taint your experience (a bit like me not flying with us air again). We had really bad service etc in the IHOP on US 192 - i wasn't going to complain (it's not in my nature), but when i went to pay the manager asked how everything was. I told him the truth and that we wouldnt be back. I do hope that you didnt leave a tip!

regards
Phil

Bellestar

8 Jul 08, 10:51 PM

Oh dear we eat a chillis but not that one and have never had any problems, if you ever encounter any problems like that please complain..:):wavey:

larky

8 Jul 08, 11:01 PM

Hey Facepot

We had really bad service etc in the IHOP on US 192 - i wasn't going to complain (it's not in my nature), but when i went to pay the manager asked how everything was. I told him the truth and that we wouldnt be back. I do hope that you didnt leave a tip!

regards
Phil

We were at the IHOP on the 192 last week and the service was terrible. We were finished our meals before my husband was served his. We had to ask 3 times for the dipping sauces which should have come with my meal. They didn't charge my DH for his meal and we only left a small tip. We also went to Chilis at Championsgate and the meals and service were excellent.

Bellestar

8 Jul 08, 11:04 PM

We were at the IHOP on the 192 last week and the service was terrible. We were finished our meals before my husband was served his. We had to ask 3 times for the dipping sauces which should have come with my meal. They didn't charge my DH for his meal and we only left a small tip. We also went to Chilis at Championsgate and the meals and service were excellent.

Hi we always eat at the one @ Championsgate it is excellent..:wavey::tounge:

Amyrlin

9 Jul 08, 12:19 AM

Never had a problem at Chilis, but not been to that one.

orlandosgr8

9 Jul 08, 08:17 AM

We had a wonderful meal and service at the Cagan Crossing Chilis in February.

sage

9 Jul 08, 08:26 AM

Chilis at ChampionsGate definitely gets a :thumbs-up from me! The service is good, the staff are friendly and the food is great! We've also eaten at a Chilis near Englewood on the Gulf Coast and they were just as good.

woodville

9 Jul 08, 08:51 AM

Chillis is one of our favourites. You should definitely have complained. We have been half a dozen times to the one at Cagan Crossings and always had good meals and service. We were there in November, March and June. We also like the one at Champions Gate.

You occasionally get bad or grumpy servers in any of the restaurants. It's a great shame because you don't want to go back. We have felt like that about a few places and eventually went back and been pleasantly surprised.

Sallianne

PrincessX2

9 Jul 08, 09:00 AM

We Went to the same Chillis last Thurrsday and twice before that. All times we went the food was lovely (im a pretty fussy eater) Our servers were fantastic and could not do enough for us, we had drink refills before our glasses reached empty. They were fab with the kids and very nice and pleasant. Its a shame you had such a bad experience:( I would have complained. We had steaks a few times and they came and checked if they were how we wanted them. (which they were) In fact we overtipped on one visit as the service and food was so good. I guess every eating place has good and bad servers and good and bad chefs.

ju_itfc

9 Jul 08, 09:55 AM

Chilli's is often very consistent, and in a good way. Certainly I have never had a bad meal or service at the I Drive and LBV restaurants, nor in any other Chilli's we have eaten in throughout the USA.

If you really want a truly awful Chilli's (food and service) head to Cambridge. We've been two times and complained both times (why we went back I do not know!!!).

Amyrlin

9 Jul 08, 11:23 AM

If you really want a truly awful Chilli's (food and service) head to Cambridge. We've been two times and complained both times (why we went back I do not know!!!).

Thank you for posting that. I am in need of a US fix and had been considering driving over to Cambridge to visit Chilis, but now I'll wait another 8 weeks!

ClaireB

9 Jul 08, 11:32 AM

We love Chillis and have never had any probs with the one on 192, you really should have complained, we did in TGIs once as our main came out with appertisers and they appogised and said they would re cook - steak, but they brought out the same ones. Our server brought the manager over and they said we would not be paying for the meal and drinks and gave us vouchers to come back another time. We did give our server a good tip as it wasnt his fault and he got us the good outcome

BONZO

9 Jul 08, 11:33 AM

We've eaten in Chilli's many times and still remains one of our favourite places for quality, quantity and value of food.

Ok, some of the service has been a big sluggish at times but we are never normally in a big rush so no big deal, we prefer to linger and chat.

welshwiz

9 Jul 08, 11:44 AM

Sorry about your bad experience. :( I do hope it hasn't put you off for good as it seems to be a very unusual experience at Chili's.

We regularly go to the one at Champions Gate and find the servers to be very friendly and efficient and the food is always fresh and excellent value. Even at busy times you are given a pager or these days we just go to the free tables on the bar side and they clear your table straight away.

freckles

9 Jul 08, 12:11 PM

What a shame, we have always had great meals at Chili's and its one of our regular favourites.

You can get a poor server anywhere though, and it does spoil the meal.

I'm surprised about the food though, that is usually so reliable & one of the reasons we eat there.

I've only been to Championsgate & LBV ones though.

Ian & Ann

9 Jul 08, 03:58 PM

Been to quite a few Chillis at various places and have never had a bad meal. Had a steak that was not cooked as required but once highlighted to the staff they cooked another and never charged us for it!

Just goes to show that wherever you go you can have a bad meal. I am sure we have all had bad meals at home as well!!

Dont be too put off by a one off (hopefully) experience, please try again.

You must complain if you are not happy, from previous experiences in the US if you highlight the problem it will be corrected and you will be recompensed in some way.

ju_itfc

10 Jul 08, 11:36 AM

Thank you for posting that. I am in need of a US fix and had been considering driving over to Cambridge to visit Chilis, but now I'll wait another 8 weeks!

No problems. The other thing you have to take into account in Cambridge is that you are paying the same in sterling as you are in dollars for inferior food and service.

Still my best ever experience of a US chain in the UK is Tony Roma's in Belfast. Still expensive comparably (obviously) but standards of food and service that were up there with their US counterparts. Problem is that that TR's are not very common in the UK.

I still think TGI's do a pretty decent job in the UK and the 2 courses for £9.99 is a good deal. The Popcorn Brownie is still one of my favourite desserts in the world!!!!

brody-maddison

10 Jul 08, 11:45 AM

We went to Chilis for the first time in May and really enjoyed it. We went to the one on the US192 and had a really happy, attentive server. She was great and loved talking to the kids especially DS who went in dressed in his Jack Sparrow costume :blush:

I wouldn't hesitate to go back and would highly recommend it to anyone.

I'm sorry you had a bad experience.

pongo

10 Jul 08, 11:58 AM

What a shame you had a bad experience you should definately have complained !!! I always recommend chilis as its one of our favs we have always had fantastic servers at the one on the 192 not used the championsgate one yet but will certainly be checking it out in oct:thumbs-up

FLGirl-UKNow

10 Jul 08, 02:21 PM

From a resident I would say that this just goes to show that everyone has a bad day and places aren't perfect all the time. It sounds like you, unfortunately, went on a bad day. I've been going to Chili's for years and can honestly say I've not had a bad experience. Typically they provide good service and good food. Having said that I will add that I have always thought that their name is a bit deceiving as far as what type of food they have. I wouldn't consider it mexican at all and personally wouldn't order/think of them for chili (and yes, chili typically has beef). I would put it beside Bennigan's and TGIFriday's for menu type. You can look at their menu (http://www.chilis.com/menu/default.asp) if you haven't been there and want to give it a try.

**TIP: If you are looking for a place to grab a cold beer Chili's is one of the best during happy hour. They offer 2 for 1!

FLGirl-UKNow

10 Jul 08, 02:24 PM

I meant to add that our restaurants are very quick to refill drinks so I'm not surprised that your glass was removed while it was half full. We tend to 'top up' quite quickly. Since refills are free they don't really think about it but just do it.

I would also suggest that you either e-mail your complaint if you still think it could be of use or know that next time you should/can speak to the manager about your experience. I know it may be uncomfortable but if you can do it without it becoming unpleasant it is worth the effort. I've seen people complain before and watched the wife slide under the table with embarassment because of the way the complaint was made. It's all in the delivery. ha!

Nomy

10 Jul 08, 03:11 PM

Love Chili's!

Last year we must have eaten at the one in LBV about 4 times. Absolutely had the best evening there one night when the waiter turned out to be a magician. he entertained us all night with some fantastic stuff right at the table. Had the whole place clapping. Absolutely amazing when you see things inches away! Needless to say, he went home very well off that night.

KINGPIN

10 Jul 08, 03:56 PM

Employers need to know about lapse in service and you need to be satisfied. I think its always best to raise any issues as they arise or when leaving with a superior member of staff

sazperkins

10 Jul 08, 04:55 PM

FLGirl has a really valid point. I worked in the catering industry for 16 years and there is definitely a correct way to complain. Lots of shouting and waving your arms around gets you nowhere! Ask your server if you can see the duty manager then take them to sit at a quiet area of the restaurant or bar and make your complaint quietly but firmly. You will gain so much resepct from the manager and they will then go and have a constructive word with the server. If you shout your mouth off the manager and server will just put their heads together once you've gone and laugh at what an idiot you were. Sad but true - I've seen it happen.
And having worked in both the kitchen and restaurant side of things remember your server only carries the plates - they didn't cook the food. It used to really wind me up if people complained at me about a bad meal as if it was me who'd actually cooked it!
An e-mail to the manager after the event would be worth a go. Most places want you to go away and praise them but in reality a satisfied customer will only tell 2 people if they've had a good meal whereas a dissatisfied one wil tell over 100 (by word of mouth, via the DIBB etc).