<p class="ingestion featured-caption">I had three-course meals at Chili's and TGI Fridays. Steven John</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>I ordered mozzarella sticks, ribs, and a specialty dessert at both <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tgi-fridays-travel-industry-hotel-based-restaurant-business-struggles-2024-6">TGI Fridays</a> and Chili's.</li><li>Each chain had its strengths, but I didn't like the <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/best-brand-of-frozen-mozzarella-sticks-from-grocery-store-review-photos">mozzarella sticks</a> at Chili's.</li></ul><p>TGI Fridays and Chili's have a lot in common, but both menus have some highs and lows.</p><p>Both <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/chilis-applebees-other-casual-dining-chains-having-moment-fast-food-2024-6">casual-dining chains</a> offer standard American fare at similar price points and are primarily based in the US.</p><p>One big difference is size. Fridays has about just over 200 locations here after <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.businessinsider.com/tgi-fridays-travel-industry-hotel-based-restaurant-business-struggles-2024-6">closing 36 of them</a> earlier this year. Chili's has over 1,200 (although it also <a target="_blank" class href="https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/chilis-is-not-shutting-down-its-outlets-across-us-2024-2024-05-22/">closed a handful of restaurants</a> in 2024).</p><p>Still, I was curious how their food compared. To put them to the test, I ate similar three-course meals at each spot.</p><p>My final bills were only $0.22 apart, which meant price was an even playing field and my judgment could really come down to the taste of the food.</p><p>Here's how TGI Fridays' and Chili's appetizers, sides, entrées, and desserts stacked up.</p>