Chili's® Sets the Queso Standard with All-New Southwestern Queso

Rhea-AI Summary

Chili's (NYSE:EAT) is launching its new Southwestern Queso nationwide on October 7, 2025, replacing two previous queso offerings that each accounted for only 1% of sales. The new recipe, developed over nearly two years, features a blend of American and cheddar cheeses with fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and lime.

In taste tests, 70% of respondents preferred the new Southwestern Queso over the previous version. To promote the launch, Chili's is offering free Southwestern Queso and chips to My Chili's members from October 7-21, 2025. The new queso will be available as a standalone appetizer, in the Dip Trio, with fajitas, and on the new Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos.

Positive

• 70% of taste test respondents prefer the new queso recipe
• Free promotional offer to drive customer engagement and loyalty program membership
• Part of company's broader investment in menu improvements

Negative

• Previous queso offerings each generated only 1% of sales
• Two-year development period indicates significant resource investment

Launching nationwide on Oct. 7, Chili's new Southwestern Queso delivers distinct, bold flavors — and it's free to try for a limited time

DALLAS, Oct. 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Chili's® Grill & Bar is introducing a standout addition to its menu with the new Southwestern Queso, a must-try for queso fans everywhere. After nearly two years in development, Southwestern Queso will replace two previous iterations, Skillet Beef and White Skillet Queso, with a new recipe that finally gives guests the queso they deserve, starting Tuesday, Oct. 7.

Over the past three years, Chili's has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to improve its food, service and atmosphere – including upgrading menu staples like the improved Baby Back Ribs and revamped Frozen Margaritas made with PATRÓN – helping to restore the brand's place as the top casual dining restaurant in the U.S. Given Skillet Beef and White Skillet Queso each only account for about 1% of sales, guests are clearly looking for a better queso from Chili's. The grill and bar recognized it was time to invest in this area and set out to develop the best queso to enjoy alongside its fan-favorite chips and salsa.

With a clear goal and clear guest feedback, Chili's created a better option for guests nationwide. The result is the new Southwestern Queso, which delivers the upgrade fans have been craving. Featuring a melty blend of American and cheddar cheeses, fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and a hint of lime, the new queso delivers a smooth texture and Southwestern flavors that are the perfect pairing for Chili's iconic tortilla chips. Listening to guests and restaurant teams for real-time feedback is a crucial piece of Chili's DNA and a critical part of this process. In a taste test, nearly 70% of respondents prefer the new, refined flavor profile of the Southwestern Queso when compared to the previous Skillet Beef Queso.

Chili's is so confident in this new offering that it's also giving guests the opportunity to try it for free. From Oct. 7 – Oct. 21, all My Chili's members can redeem free Southwestern Queso and chips, giving guests the chance to try what Chili's believes is the best queso available nationwide (limit one per My Chili's member; restrictions apply).

Guests will have more ways of pairing the new queso with favorite menu items — available as a standalone appetizer with Chili's signature thin chips and house-made salsa, as part of the Dip Trio, or as a dippable side with Chili's famous Sizzlin' Fajitas. Southwestern Queso also tops new Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos — a very-Chili's take on nachos inspired by the fan-favorite flavor combination, featuring chicken, bacon bits, a generous pour of Southwestern Queso and topped with Pico de Gallo, sour cream and a drizzle of Chili's signature house-made ranch.

Chili's invites all guests in to try the new Southwestern Queso and Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos beginning Tuesday, Oct. 7. To find a Chili's near you or to join the My Chili's program, please visit chilis.com.

About Chili's® Grill & Bar    
Hi, welcome to Chili's! A proud leader in the casual dining industry and the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), Chili's was named Ad Age's 2025 Brand of the Year. Founded in 1975, Chili's is known for serving Big Mouth Burgers®, Crispy Chicken Crispers®, and sizzling fajitas, while hand-shaking more margaritas than any other restaurant brand in the United States. Chili's operates 1,600 restaurants in 29 countries and two territories with over 70,000 team members. With a purpose to make everyone feel special, Chiliheads take food, drink and service seriously – but not themselves. Chili's was a proud winner at the 2025 MenuMasters Awards for Best New Menu Item for Nashville Hot Mozz, the breakout addition to the social media-famous Triple Dipper. For more than 20 years, Chili's has been a proud supporter of St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and has raised more than $120 million for the organization through generous guest and team member donations. Find more information at chilis.com, follow on X or Instagram, like on Facebook, or join Chili's on TikTok. 

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SOURCE Chili's Grill & Bar

FAQ

When is Chili's (NYSE:EAT) launching its new Southwestern Queso nationwide?

Chili's is launching its new Southwestern Queso nationwide on October 7, 2025.

How can customers get free Southwestern Queso at Chili's?

My Chili's members can get free Southwestern Queso and chips from October 7-21, 2025 (limit one per member, restrictions apply).

What are the ingredients in Chili's new Southwestern Queso?

The new Southwestern Queso features a blend of American and cheddar cheeses, fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and a hint of lime.

How does the new Southwestern Queso compare to Chili's previous queso offerings?

In taste tests, 70% of respondents preferred the new Southwestern Queso compared to the previous Skillet Beef Queso. The previous queso offerings each only accounted for about 1% of sales.

What menu items can Chili's Southwestern Queso be ordered with?

The Southwestern Queso is available as a standalone appetizer with chips and salsa, in the Dip Trio, with Sizzlin' Fajitas, and on the new Chicken Bacon Ranch Nachos.