Chili's Grill & Bar

Great location

Favorite casual restaurant.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Place is nasty, the service sucks, the food will give you diarrhea.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 3

Service: 3

Chili’s Oconomowoc managed to turn a quiet, mostly empty restaurant into a full-blown conflict—and then blamed the wrong people for it.

We were a party of four, mid-meal, in a calm dining room with plenty of open tables. Halfway through our meal, a couple with two very young children was seated immediately next to us across the aisle, despite the restaurant being nearly vacant. One child in a high chair was positioned less than two feet from our table and placed directly in the aisle, making the space noticeably cramped.

Within minutes, the screaming started. Not fussing—full, ear-piercing tantrums. Nonstop. Objects being thrown on the floor. Parents doing absolutely nothing. Conversation at our table became impossible.

At one point our server approached our table and had to navigate around the high chair that had been placed directly in the aisle, leaving barely enough room to pass. I apologized for being distracted and joked to my table that I apparently always get seated in the “colicky baby section,” whether in restaurants or on airplanes. That was it. No confrontation. No scene. We ignored the neighboring table entirely and continued our meal.

Apparently, that joke was enough to summon the Chili’s police.

The parents overheard, took offense, and aggressively confronted us—telling us to move if it bothered us. I calmly said we were finishing up and waiting for the bill. We disengaged and ignored them, because it wasn’t worth the drama.

Then a manager suddenly appeared.

Without asking what happened or hearing our side, he immediately berated our table for causing a scene and asking that we move tables. When one of my dining companions pushed back and said we had done nothing wrong, the manager escalated—raising his voice and literally yelling at my friend’s father in the middle of the restaurant.

Only after that did the manager finally ask the tantrum family if they could move tables—which they agreed to.

But he wasn’t done. He continued arguing with us, repeatedly insisting that he thought we were “waiting for our meals” because all he saw on our table were leftover chips and dip. He kept circling back to the chips. Over and over. As if tortilla chips were the root cause of the entire situation.

To recap:
• A nearly empty restaurant seated screaming children directly next to an occupied table
• The noise was ignored
• The parents confronted us
• Management assumed we were at fault
• Management yelled at a guest
• And somehow…the chips were put on trial

I later learned (after we left) that the father at the other table was visibly enraged and muttering to himself while we were calmly ignoring them. Ironically, ignoring the situation seems to be what triggered management involvement in the first place.

This wasn’t about kids being kids. It was about poor seating decisions, zero situational awareness, and shockingly unprofessional management behavior.

If you want a peaceful meal, competent conflict handling, or a manager who asks questions before yelling, I’d recommend dining literally anywhere else.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Our kids had a basketball game in town a couple weeks ago and we absolutely love Chili’s. Service is usually good and on that day, it seemed we had a newer server who was good, small things could have been better but nothing that took away from the experience. Today, we returned for more basketball and again ate at Chili’s. Wow! We had Shelby as our server and hands down, she is the best server we have had anywhere. When a small child guest that we had with wanted to order the biggest things on the menu, she naturally guided him to an item that was a perfect choice based on what he was wanting. She remembered every detail despite getting very busy fast. Thank you Shelby - you are the best!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Delicious food and great online pick up process!

Food: 5

Service: 5

We've been here several times and have always been pleased with the service and the food is great.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Great meal and dessert

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Dominic was the best! You have a great employee in him!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

We came to Chili’s in Oconomowoc for burgers, their latest promotional. We ordered mozzarella sticks for appetizer. Everything was delicious! Chili’s has the best Ranch dressing I’ve ever had! The burgers were nice & juicy. The service was delightful! We’ll definitely be back!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Except it took ever to get our food, service was great. Thanks Justin.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 4

Service: 4

Recommended dishes: Chicken Tenders

Spent alot of money for dinner. Don't know how you can afford to take a family of 4 to eat. Could have went to a high class restuarnt for what it cost. Food and service were good.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Hamburger, Fries, Half Rack of Ribs

This is the literal best Chili’s in the country. Never disappointed and always having a great time.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Friendly staff. Quick service. Tasty. Great place for a burger and a beer.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 5

great restaurant

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5