Chili’s is making some major menu cuts.
The casual dining chain announced last week that it is cutting 40% of items from its menu starting September 18. According to Chili’s, it’s ditching trendy items in favor of classics: burgers, ribs, and fajitas.
A survey of a Staten Island Chili’s menu reveals how truly over-stuffed the chain’s menus had become. With 115 menu items, a 40% cut means that 46 items will be removed from the menu.
Chili’s hasn’t formally announced exactly which items are going to disappear from the menu when the chain cuts it down to 75 items. However, Chili’s has revealed a couple of items that are on the chopping block – and we have some guesses at other menu items that may be at risk.
Here are the Chili’s items that are disappearing from the menu:
Mango Tilapia
Mango Tilapia has already been cut from the menu at the Staten Island location, though the Mango-Chile Chicken persists - but perhaps not for long.
Crispy Asparagus
"We value every Guest and we know that cutting even one entrée like Mango Chili Tilapia, or a delicious appetizer like Crispy Asparagus, could disappoint a Guest who loves that dish," Kelli Valade, president of Chili's, said in a statement.
Buffalo Fried Cauliflower
Valade's statement continued: "In January 2017, the menu peaked with 125 appetizers, entrees, desserts, cocktails and add-ons, including sections devoted to burritos, enchiladas and flatbreads, with ingredients ranging from cauliflower to quinoa, making it one of the largest chain restaurant menus."
That's just the beginning.
While those are the only cut menu items that Chili's has announced so far, we have some guesses about what else will soon be gone.
Chili's says it is done with chasing "consumer trends," meaning that items like Honey-Chipotle Crispers and Waffles and the Fresh Mex Bowls might soon be gone. With Mango Tilapia off the menu, it would make sense if Mango-Chile Chicken and Ancho Salmon were also cut.
The chain is doubling down on fajitas, so more creative items using similar ingredients like the Quesadilla Explosion Salad might be on their way out. And, with 20 soups, salads, and chilis on the menu, this seems like an easy area to make some cuts, starting with the Santa Fe Crisper Salad.
We'll keep updating this list as Chili's announces what other items are being cut from the menu, so stay tuned.