I’ve Tried Everything on Chili’s 3 for Me Menu, and This Is Hands-Down the Perfect Order

Chili’s may be known for its baby back, baby back, baaaaaby back ribs —but if you haven’t tried the chain’s 3 for Me menu, you’re missing out. Both in terms of flavor and serious savings. It swooped in to replace the brand’s famous 2 for $25 menu—where you could score an appetizer , two entrees and a dessert for less than half a tank of gas—instead offering people a drink, starter and main for $11 to $20ish, depending on what you order.

And, while the combination can increase the price of your overall bill, particularly if each person goes to the extreme, it’s still a more affordable way to indulge in a shrimp or steak dinner, cocktail included, than many restaurants these days. (Heck, sometimes it’s more affordable than my order at McDonald’s .)

Even though the menu is more limited, you can still face analysis paralysis: If you’re ditching those sizzling fajitas (which aren’t offered in the 3 for Me lineup), what do you choose?!

Fear not. As someone who’s tried everything on the menu—I love a deal, OK?!—here’s my perfect order (and what to skip). You won’t miss those charred peppers and onions one bit, promise.

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1. The Drink to Order: Margarita on the Rocks

Chili's

Chili’s sells the full range of Coca-Cola sodas, as well as iced tea and lemonade, which are all available on this list. For an extra $3.99, you can upgrade to a frozen marg or one on the rocks. I vote the latter—always with a salt rim. (If you’re not feeling like a cocktail, the strawberry lemonade is a great choice, or the mango iced tea.)

Skip: The Margarita of the Month (MOTM)

It’s so tempting to pay $6 for the MOTM, but unless you like a syrupy-sweet cocktail, it’s almost always a disappointment. They’re fun and festive—July’s is a Shark Bite, complete with a red-to-blue ombre effect (thanks to blue raspberry syrup and a blackberry syrup floater) and topped with a gummy shark. So Instagrammable! And also, so necessary for half a glass of water between each sip.

2. The Starter to Order: Chips and Salsa

Chili's

The endless bowl of crispy, salty, ultra-thin tortilla chips and fresh salsa is an easy way to pad your stomach before the meal arrives. Plus, the whole table can easily share it with you, making you the MVP of lunch (or dinner).

Skip: The Dip Trio

This combo of guac, queso and salsa is fine, but is it worth the $4 upcharge? Not really. The cups are relatively small for each serving, so you usually wind up with way more chips leftover. And everyone either fighting over the last swipe of guac or playing the “no, I insist, you enjoy it!” game until the entrée arrives.

3. The Entrée to Order: Cilantro-Lime Carne Asada

Chili's

If you’ve had skirt steak that’s tough and chewy, let Chili’s—yes, Chili’s—redeem it for you. Ideally served medium rare, the steak is consistently well seared yet is incredibly tender (practically fork tender, honestly). The limey cilantro-pesto and pico de gallo takes things over the top, creating a savory, salty, citrusy and zesty roller coaster of flavor. You can choose any two sides, but I’d recommend sticking with the black beans and rice; they’re just the blend of creamy and mild to complement the steak.

Honorable Mention: Crispy Chicken Sandwich

If you’re not into steak—or you’re trying to stick to the $11 spectrum of the 3 for Me menu—go for the Crispy Chicken Sandwich. It’s a thick cut of juicy, white meat chicken with breading to rival the Chicken Crispers, only it’s less expensive. And you can ask them to toss it in your favorite Crispers sauce, like Buffalo Ranch or Honey-Chipotle. Whatever you do, ask for a side of ranch. It’s crucial for dunking or drizzling.

Skip: Big Smasher Burger

Topped with Thousand Island, American cheese, red onions, pickles and lettuce, this burger’s a luxe take on fast food, but here’s the problem: The patty’s too thick to get the caramelization and crisp exterior you’d expect from a burger with “smash” in the name. As a result, it’s not as flavorful as it could be, relying on gobs of tangy Thousand Island to compensate.

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