Fans are still mourning Chili’s original chicken crispers — ‘the best thing they ever made.’
A Reddit post about the discontinued menu item went viral, with one user recalling the chicken as ‘untouchable.’
‘That tempura style puffed batter and creamy honey mustard that basically defined my childhood tbh,’ the customer wrote.
‘Now they’re gone, replaced with bland, crumbly wannabe tenders that might as well be from any fast food chain.’
One fan responded: ‘I think about them all the time….its just too hard to talk about them. #foreverinmyheart.’
Chili’s removed the fan-favorite chicken in 2022 to ‘reduce complexity’ for staff.
Unlike the Crispers, Chili’s changes to The Old Timer burger went unnoticed.
This could potentially be a factor behind Chili’s pulling off ‘the best comeback of all time.’
Social media users are morning the loss of Chili’s Original Chicken Crispers
Chili’s axed the fan-favorite chicken off its menus in 2022
Not all menu complaints are about nostalgia.
Some customers have vented about ‘shrinkflation,’ posting about ‘tiny portions’ of quesadillas.
Shrinkflation is when products shrink in size or quantity while the price remains the same or even increases.
Still, Chili’s has weathered rising costs, inflation, and shifting consumer habits, posting five consecutive quarters of sales growth.
Chili’s says it’s attracting shoppers through its doors by focusing on young restaurant-goers and keeping prices low.
The 1,200-store chain says its $10.99 three-plate value is one of its biggest attractions.
It also pointed to a $14.39 burger and fries meal that targets ultra-low-cost establishments like Burger King and McDonald’s.
Analysts say Chili’s — named one of the nation’s favorite restaurant chains — has a bright future unlike its major competitors.
Multiple social media users suggested Chili’s bring the Crispers back for a limited time
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‘Chili’s has been on fire lately and has been significantly boosting traffic to its restaurants,’ Neil Saunders, head of retail at GlobalData, told Daily Mail.
TGI Fridays filed for bankruptcy late last year. The chain has only a couple hundred US locations left, but its CEO is optimistic for its survival.
Hooters axed its iconic ‘bikini nights’ before its March bankruptcy filing — and abruptly shuttered 30 restaurants.
Chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn’s Steakhouse are still putting up a fight, with its parent company planning to open between 40 and 45 locations by next year.