Chili´s Grill & Bar

My other half and I are both big shopper and big eaters. I love to dine out, nothing like having someone else make your food for you! We have been going to Chili's based in Hatfield, in the Galleria shopping centre for a few years now since it opened. My review is based on this one restaurant as I haven't been to another.

Look and Layout
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The Chili's in Hatfield is quite large with plenty ...
...4, or be pushed together for larger parties. There is a large circular booth which seats approx. 8 people and all down the sides of the restaurant are 2 seat and 4 seat booths.

There is a nice bar also in this Chili's. It has a few tables next to it, so you can order some food there and continue to drink, as well as bar stools for those who are only there for the booze.

All tables and booths are either brown or blue ... more

My other half and I are both big shopper and big eaters. I love to dine out, nothing like having someone else make your food for you! We have been going to Chili's based in Hatfield, in the Galleria shopping centre for a few years now since it opened. My review is based on this one restaurant as I haven't been to another.

Look and Layout
----------------------

The Chili's in Hatfield is quite large with plenty of seating. There are large square tables that can seat 4, or be pushed together for larger parties. There is a large circular booth which seats approx. 8 people and all down the sides of the restaurant are 2 seat and 4 seat booths.

There is a nice bar also in this Chili's. It has a few tables next to it, so you can order some food there and continue to drink, as well as bar stools for those who are only there for the booze.

All tables and booths are either brown or blue with hints of red and green in the marbling on the tables. The Chili's logo is large green writing with a large chilli pepper under it; all items here are in keeping with the colours and theme. None are too loud or offensive and thankfully it isn't like some American style places, with all the memorabilia and tat over the walls. There are however, a few neon light advertising their lovely baby back ribs and burgers, and a few small pictures dotted around, but these are relevant and usually again in theme with the whole room.

I've never seen it dirty in here, the floors are always clear and clean, all tables are cleared and wiped immediately, the staffs wear coloured shirts and black trousers, the shirts are either blue for the people who seat you, red for the waitresses and waiters or black for the higher management. They all look smart and presentable.

Staff and Service
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As I said, the staff is easily identifiable by their coloured shirts, and in my own personal experience, have always been decent. In the beginning, the first few months, it could be a little hit and miss as they went through the start up teething problems, but now seem to have settled with regular staff and established their routine. There may be one or two of the waitresses that slightly over does the "niceness" and after the third time interrupting your meal to ask if everything is ok, I do get a little frustrated as this is one of my pet hates. If I have a problem with the food I am more than capable of asking/telling you myself. Besides this, the service has always been, quick, helpful and polite.

Food Glorious Food
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Most importantly, is the food any good? I hear you cry. In a word, yes.

The menu here is very diverse and caters for meat lovers like myself, with several burgers, ribs, steaks, chicken dishes on offer as well as vegetarian dishes including pastas, fajitas and a wide selection of salads and all in between. There is a good selection of starters and sides as well as lots of chili dishes or if you fancy it, just a bowl of chili!

I am not going to list the full menu for you all but it is on the website at: http://www.chilis.uk.com/menu/

I will however say that the dessert menu is a little thin on the ground with only 4 items to choose from and one is a milk shake, and another has nuts, not wanting a milkshake for dessert and not being a nut fan, I'm left to choose between the vanilla American style cheesecake or the molten chocolate cake, which is extremely tasty, but not great choice there.

When ordering all steaks and burgers dishes, you will be asked how you would like them cooked, but most importantly, they arrive as you asked. I hate asking for medium/well-done and getting a very bloody steak.

I will also say that something I love here, that might not appeal to everyone is that all fries are made with the potatoes skin still on. The mash potato also has skin in it, I find this tasty and an extra texture in the meal.

The portions here are on the large side, which suits me fine. I have a very "healthy" (meaning greedy) appetite but do usually struggle to finish a full meal here without feeling like I've over indulged. I usually stick to just 2 courses.

There is a cocktail menu with a nice variety of alcoholic and virgin cocktails as well as a good selection of beers and soft drinks. All soft drinks are refillable for free, which really helps wash down a large meal.

Price and Consistency
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Like I said, we have been going here for the last few years since it opened, maybe once or twice a month, sometimes more. The menu has changed twice to make additions, but has never removed anything as far as I can tell, which is nice to know your good old favourites will still be available. There are also certain promotions including certain dishes on certain days being cheaper, or choosing 2 courses from a list for only £6.99.

Pricewise, it is slightly on the dearer side. Most starters are about £5-£8, the mains vary depending on your choice but I feel are worth the money. For me and my boyfriend to have a 2 course meal each and soft drink usually costs about £45, considering I do tend to go for the steaks or ribs which are dearer I think this is reasonable for good service and a large and tasty meal.

Service charges or tips are at your digression which is always a bonus. If you seem to have an exceptionally bad experience and then have to cough up the 12% they add to a bill, I find it insulting.

Other
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Also just to note that the resturant has both male and female toilet facilities as well as disabled and baby changing facilities. These have always been clean and pleasent in my experience.

(And they have one of those Dyson Air-Blade hand driers which facinate me!)

Conclusion
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Well the fact we keep coming back to this restaurant is testament that it must be doing something right (and also that we go to the cinema a lot, and this is right next door)

I think it's worth paying that little extra as the service and food is always to a high standard and I have never left disappointed or hungry, and with a large variety, it doesn't become repetitive to frequent here.

I would suggest anyone passing through Hatfield or the Galleria who is hungry to pop their head in; I think most would agree with me.

Thanks for reading :) 

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