If you — like many — have been mad at Chili’s for trying to killet the beloved Skillet Beef Queso from the menu, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The chain announced last Monday that it’s bringing back the fan-favorite in December, a direct result of a massive fan protest online.
“OKAY WE HEAR YOU and we hate when y’all are mad at us,” Chili’s wrote in an Instagram post. “We’re working on bringing Skillet Queso back to Chili’s very soon. Stay tuned for a date.”
Chili’s is having a real comeback moment right now. The chain recently reported killer numbers quarter after quarter due to its $10.99 3-for-Me value meals, which made loyal fans remember why they loved going there in the first place. This honeymoon phase was briefly disrupted last month when the casual dining chain announced it was axing the Skillet Beef Queso in favor of the new Southwestern Queso; fans responded with figurative pitchforks, expletives, and petitions that urged Chili’s to bring it back.
“WE RIDE AT DAWN!” wrote a Redditor on a post announcing the discontinuation.“We used to be a society,” added another.
On top of it all, Chili’s purists are not accepting of the Southwestern Queso, a creamy blend of cheeses with roasted green chiles, sweet onions, and lime. “The new queso is DISGUSTING. Tastes like baseball stadium nacho cheese,” cried one Redditor. “I ordered the Skillet Queso with every group of people I’ve ever been to Chili’s with my whole life. They said it’s ‘not popular’?! Huh?!?!”
Why Did Chili’s Axe the Skillet Queso?
Chili’s announced in October it was giving the boot to two quesos from its menu — Skillet Beef Queso and White Skillet Queso — because of low profitability, with both accounting for only 1% of sales.
But after flooding the chain’s social media, Chili’s admitted mea culpa and decided to bring back the queso.
Kevin Hochman — CEO of Brinker International, the parent company of Chili’s — said on CNBC’s “Mad Money” that while the chain is happy with the feedback on the new Southwestern Queso, it listens closely to what customers want and will bring back the old menu item.
“There’s room for two quesos at Chili’s,” Hochman said, adding that the old favorite is expected to return sometime in December.
Are you looking forward to the return of the Skillet Beef Queso? Let us know in the comments!
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