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I was saddened by the news that Brinker International has closed all of their UK restaurants – officially confirmed at the end of last week – not least because this means the demise of one of my more recent favourite restaurants, Chilis.
Chilis was what I supposed can be described as a tex-mex style restaurant, offering the usual classics such as chilli cheese fries, burgers, quesadillas, and New York strip steaks.
I know you can get that stuff everywhere, but you know, sometimes you just find a place you like and roll with it. And besides, it was a bit more 50’s than, say, TGIs (I remember it having a black and white chequered bar floor, at least!) and I love all things 50’s.
I’m sure I’ll get over it, and it may even prompt me to visit some of the better, more classic American diners peppered across the UK. (The 50s American Diner, Swadlincote, Derbyshire; Nelsons Diner in Newbury, Berkshire; Woodies or JJBs, both in Brighton; or one of the Ed’s Easy Diners across London and the south.)
Hopefully, this sad news will also give some still-existing chains food for thought; if even an American giant like Brinker have given up the ghost, perhaps it’s become more important than ever to offer value for money, good service and a reason for your customers to return.
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