Chilis, there's hope... maybe.

I really want to say that there is a chance for Chili's if they get their acts together. I've eaten at about five of their different restaurants within the past few months in the Chicago suburbs. Two of the restaurants at Plainfield and Naperville always dose me with wheat (I have a celiac disorder that causes my intestines to attack themselves). The wait staff at both restaurants seem a little annoyed by the request for food that won't make me sick. The bottomless beverages at these two restaurants do indeed have a bottom at about two (or at least that's been our experience).

At the Chili's in Plainfield I think I got a scatterbrain for a waitress because despite me saying "I'm allergic to wheat" they brought out a piece of bread on my plate (bread crumbs on all of my food). This of course was followed by the restaurant manager coming and apologizing and the very same food being returned to me (now cold) after a brief waiting period in the kitchen... you know, because waiting makes bread crumbs go away. I'm reluctant to return to this restaurant. I'm learning to be more assertive when it comes to something that is going to burn up a day.

At Chili's Shorewood my experience is hit or miss. The stars sometimes align, but other times it's obvious they have wheat flinging monkeys on hand in the kitchen. This is the restaurant where I've seen bits of fried breaded things in the chips appetizer (even though the chips are on their gluten-free menu). On Kid's Eat Free Tuesdays they aren't as packed as usual.

In another Chili's restaurant in Romeoville, I've had one experience on a Friday night with a waiter who was concerned for my condition (a little too much) but I did not get dosed that night. In fact that was the best steak I've had from a Chili's ever. He was curious to begin with, but then I felt like I was being grilled about my condition, then it was some sort of a twisted non-ending examination. I'm not much for direct personal attention (especially when I'm trying not to attract attention to myself). Another trip to the same restaurant (in the bar) and I managed to become ill (Kid's eat free Tuesday), although the staff at this restaurant is nice and attentive.

At Chili's Bollingbrook I'm always a little afraid because the restaurant itself is seldom clean. The plates silverware and dishes are always nasty (this restaurant led me to bringing my own silverware and asking for a take-out plate). The last time I ate there I did not get dosed (because of my own silverware) but my "special request" cost me an additional $5 for the wheat-free substitutions from the two-for-$20 menu. Our waiter also tried to bill full-price for the meal even though we specifically said two-for-$20. In his defense he was super busy and there were no less than six other staff hanging out just outside of the kitchen that night. There was much garbage on the floor and the tables were slid too close to the benches (little cramped back corner). Our appetizer came 18 minutes into a 20 minute wait for our food.

When I go out I always order the same things. Non-seasoned 6oz Steak from the 2-for-$20 menu with a side of rice and corn on the cob in a to-go box. I always state that I am allergic to wheat and the I do not trust the cleanliness of their dishes. Although my wife gets a kick out of my preparations and frequently embarrasses me by calling me "Melvin." I guess this is as good as it gets.