I want my babyback, babyback, babyback Can you name the jingle? Chilis seared the tune into our heads for years while promoting its famed baby back ribs. So whats a vegan to eat at a restaurant known for barbecue-slathered rib cages? Actually, plenty.

The next time youre seated in a plush red booth or hightop with a giant chili anchored on the wall in front of you, pull up this guide to order the best vegan food at Chilis.

Jump to the Guide

Before diving into the specifics of the Chilis restaurant menu, it helps to know what to look for when seeking out vegan options at non-vegan eateries.

The first tier is to look for a vegan menusome chains and quite a few independent establishments offer a dedicated menu for plant-based patrons. The second tier is dedicated vegan items. Each company signifies these animal-free options differentlyV, VG, Vegan, or a carrot or leaf icon are the most common. Scan the bottom of the menu to look for the key and ensure the icon stands for vegan, not vegetarian.

Jessie McCall

Chilis doesnt offer a dedicated vegan menu, but it does offer a vegan/vegetarian/allergen menu online that indicates vegan-as-is items and denotes common allergens.

When a restaurant does not label its vegan-friendly items, thats when you need to get creative and ask for help. First, look at the sides. These are often vegetable or grain-based and are naturally vegan or can be modified as such. Steamed or roasted vegetables, fries, side salads, beans, and more are usually fair game. All of these options are available at Chilis, making it easy to cobble together a filling meal if you cant find a satisfying entre option.

After scanning the sides, look at the salads, but dont get your hopes up. Many colossal chain restaurants (like Chilis) go heavy on the meat and cheese for their entre salads, and putting a plant-based spin on them may reduce a $20 salad down to sad lettuce. Modify to the best of your ability by removing any animal products, choosing a vegan dressing, and omitting croutons (they often contain dairy).

Priscilla Du Preez

The best strategy when assessing an omnivore menu is to go back to your food groups: vegetables, fruits, grains, and protein in the form of beans, tofu, or plant-based meats. Find these items, ensure theyre not paired with animal ingredients, and you can hack your way through any menu.

A note of importance: once you decide on your order and modifications, tell your server you are vegan and double-check that your request is free from animal products.

Looking at the menu and not seeing a single vegan thing? Ask the chef. Some chefs are more than happy to accommodate a vegan diet. Youre more likely to encounter a flexible chef in an independently owned, table service restaurant as opposed to a fast-casual or a large chain, but it never hurts to ask. Some people may pleasantly surprise you.

The next time you find yourself at Chilis, check out these options for a vegan-friendly meal.

Chilis

The Chilis menu is a bit of a chain restaurant smorgasbord. The eclectic selection brings to mind a taste of Outback Steakhouse, On the Border, and TGI Fridays. As such, youll find Tex-Mex staples such as guacamole and chips and salsaall of which are vegan.

Chilis

Every salad at Chilis comes with meat, cheese, or a combination of the two, but that doesnt mean you cant find a vegan green here. For a salad that has a little more to it than just chopped lettuce, opt for the Santa Fe Salad (no cheese, chicken, ranch, or Santa Fe sauce). Request a side of the Citrus Balsamic Vinaigrette and avocado to add even more substance to your bowl of greens.

If youre looking for something basic to accompany a larger main, the House Salad made with romaine, tomatoes, red onion, and cucumbers is vegan when ordered with no croutons or cheese.

Chilis has some work to do in the burger department. But it does now offer a vegan burger bun and one vegan black bean patty, which is great progress. You can also order the Mushroom Swiss Burger, which comes with sauted onions, mushrooms, lettuce, and tomato, without the mayo and the Swiss cheese.

Chilis

Chilis used to offer a Black Bean & Veggie Fajita, but this has been removed from the menu. However, for a completely plant-based sizzling skillet, ask to modify the Chicken Fajitas, instead. You can swap the chicken for one of the chains vegan black bean patties, and dont forget to take off the dairy-based sauces and cheese, too.

You wont find a menu subsection with this title, but if you look under the Chicken & Seafood section, youll find the Chipotle Bowl. Its layered with field greens, Mexican rice, pico de gallo, corn salsa, avocado, cilantro, and tortilla stripsall of which are vegan-friendly. Just request no meat, pesto, cheese, or ranch, and youve got yourself a flavorful rice bowl. Add Mango Habanero Sauce for a fruity accent.

Chilis

Chilis isnt a steakhouse, but it does offer steakhouse-adjacent sides. Vegan options include steamed broccoli, plain corn on the cob, roasted asparagus, and fries. Ask for a side of the House BBQ Sauce (which is vegan) for dipping. On the Tex-Mex side, the corn and flour tortillas, Mexican rice, black beans, grilled avocado, guacamole, salsa, and pico de gallo are vegan as well. You could easily build your own tacos from that hearty spread.

Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.

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The VegNews Guide to Chili's - VegNews