Chili’s Grill & Bar: What’s Vegetarian Editorial Review

Chili’s is a Tex-Mex burger chain built around meat, but it doesn’t leave vegetarians with just a side salad. The Black Bean Patty gives you a dedicated meatless protein, and you can build a real entree around it, a veggie fajita plate, or a customized bowl instead of just picking at appetizers.

What to order at Chili’s Grill & Bar

The Black Bean Patty is the workhorse, a house-made bean patty rather than a branded product like Beyond or Impossible, and it works as a swap on any of the standard burger builds. The Black Bean & Veggie Fajitas make a full entree once you skip the butter, sour cream, and cheese, and the Chipotle Fresh Mex Bowl works the same way without meat, cheese, pesto, or ranch. Bottomless Chips & Salsa and Fresh Guacamole & Chips round out the table.

What to watch out for

Several of the best options run through a shared fryer, so fries, fried pickles, and the chips all carry a cross-contact warning even though the food itself is plant-based. The Awesome Blossom Petals, Crispy Cheddar Bites, and both the skillet and white spinach quesos are vegetarian but not vegan, since they lean on dairy. Ask about the black beans and Mexican rice too, since lard use in the prep can vary by location, and check the tortillas if you’re picky about shared prep surfaces.