With four children five and under, we don’t go out to eat very often.
Any guesses as to why?
When Chili’s contacted me about doing a review of their latest promotion, “Shout Out To Eat Out Take 2 Get 2” I was excited about being able to go out for dinner with my family!
MC asked me as we were getting ready this afternoon if we were all going on a date together. I told her that, yes, this was going to be a “family date”.
Chilli’s sent me a $20 gift card to order off of the 2 for $20 menu. For that we were able to get an appetizer (which is a huge treat for us) and two entrees.
The kids ordered off the kids menu.
We ordered chips and salsa from the choices of appetizers so everyone could enjoy it together. Yumm!
For his entrée, my husband ordered his favorite, Chicken Ranch Quesadillas.
And I treated myself to a Bacon Cheeseburger. Yes, a true treat for this Weight Watchers member!
I’m sure I used up my weekly extra points eating just half of my burger, but it was so worth it!
We enjoy being able to go out to eat as a family. It is always a special occasion, but being a family of six, it takes a bit of work.
Here are some tips that work for us when going out to eat…
1. Go as early as possible to avoid crowds and also to get home in time for bed. My kids are used to an early bedtime and thus get very cranky if they’re out too late.
2. Pre-plan and know what you’re going to order before you arrive. This cuts down on wait times significantly.
3. Bring baby food if needed and something to occupy a restless baby.
4. Use the kids menu to keep the older children busy and cut down on costs by having them split meals from the kids menu.
5. Relax and enjoy this special family time!
Chili’s also sent a $20 gift card to giveaway to one of you!
If you would like to receive a gift card just leave a comment below.
Who would you like to take out to eat at Chili’s if you win the giveaway…your family, your spouse, or a friend?
I’d also love to hear any tips you have for having an enjoyable time eating out.
I’ll leave comments open through Friday at 8 pm when I’ll draw for the winner of the Chili’s gift card giveaway.
Post linked to: Works for Me Wednesday at We Are THAT Family
Sue says
Chili’s is our favorite restaurant. We go early to avoid the crowds. We also use the children’s menu to keep little minds busy.
Heather says
My husband and I love Chili’s. I’m also doing weight watchers right now, trying to lose the baby weight after giving birth to my son 7 months ago. My favorite thing about Chili’s are their guilt free options. My son, Jacob, is at the stage where he is beginning to sit in restaurant highchairs, we always make sure to bring along toys that have suction cups so that they can stick to the table and don’t fall on the floor.
Mami2jcn says
I would take my husband and 3 kids. My sons love the kids’ pizza at Chilis. I like the fact that you can get beans as a side with your meal (instead of fries). I love their black beans. We also try to get there early to avoid crowds, and we always order the chips & salsa to keep the kids entertained while they wait for their meals.
Kim says
We just got a Chili’s in our small town a couple of months ago. We have learned that the curbside pick up is the way to go for us. Treat of restaurant without the wait, crowds, or stress of dealing with the kuds. It is even cheaper since we have our own drinks and there is no tip. We would definitely do a family in house date. 🙂
Monica says
That’s our favorite way to have a date night!!!
meeyeehere aka Rachel Crisman says
I would have to take my husband if I won! He is such a fan of Chilli’s! We never get to go because we live 30 minutes away and money is always tight down here but this would give me the excuse to go! Thanks
jacksoncrisman@yahoo.com
Angela says
Yummy! I would take my hubby! We are about to celebrate our 10th anniversary and that would make a great date night! We LOVE the children’s menus at Chili’s and usually end up doing them as a family to keep the children entertained until the food arrives! And, of course we have to get their chips and salsa! My two boys LOVE their chips and salsa!
Amy @ Finer Things says
Yum! I’d take the whole family, since our nearest Chili’s is an hour away and we’d likely make a day of it. 🙂 When we (rarely) go to a restaurant, we like to go at about 3 in the afternoon when no one else is there.
Jacqueline Hale says
My hubby and I would take our 4yo grand-daughter! LOL We are so unusual because we plan everything with her. When we can give her a treat it makes us happier than words can describe. If she is not with us and we get a treat we talk about how much she would enjoy where we are at or what we are doing. We might haha (will) take her mom with us too! Thanks for your generous offer.
Tracie Trump says
I love Chilis and would love to take my boyfriend! tracietrump@yahoo.com
Duane Cooper says
I would love to take my girlfriend! dlcwins55@yahoo.com
Shawn Wright says
We really need a date night! Chilis would be fun!
Aubrey says
I’d love to take my husband out on a date when he comes home from his work trip!
Sheila says
y
Jessie C. says
I’d take my family for a date night out.
tcarolinep at gmail dot com
Tara says
I would take my teen. It’s his favorite place to eat out, which we don’t do very often.
andrea d says
i want to use this with my bf i win ..we love going out to eat and this would be awesome for date night
drea8685 at yahoo dot com
Heather says
We used to eat at Chili’s a lot since it was the only place besides fast food on our overseas base. We haven’t been since being back in the states. I would love to take my family again!
Wendy says
We are a family of 4 and love Chili’s. One thing we do to make it cheaper is get the 2 for $20 deal, but we share the two meals as a family.
MichelleH says
I would treat the kids to a middle of the week, no reason, just because lunch out. We love Chili’s…family friendly and delicious.
april says
definitely my husband…we havent been out toeat as just the2 of us in years
Laura says
Chili’s is a family favorite and now we live around the corner from one! I try to always bring a drink for my older son since selections usually aren’t exactly what I would give a child. I also allow him to bring his choice of small toys (only what he can hold in his hands – which usually means cars). Lately it has been a sticker book that keeps him thoroughly occupied. For our daughter (9months) we bring our own chair for her to sit in that has seat straps and a little tray for her. The restaurant highchairs never seem high enough for the table and are always big. This way I know she fits, will be strapped in, and there are no germs/caked on food/lord knows what else left on it.
Since we just moved down here to texas, I would take the woman who helped us out the most during our move. She did everything in her power to help us out. This would be a nice thank you. Plus a nice ‘adult only’ night since she has children as well!
Rachel Roland says
I’d take my husband and kids! They love Chilis!! Thanks for the giveaway!
Stephanie says
Date night for me and my husband! We love the chips and salsa
sarah k says
Monica – how fun for you all that was so nice that you all got to enjoy the GC. We eat at Chili’s a few times a year and always with the kids. I would probably use this GC for lunch with a friend, its so hard to squeeze girl time in and its so nice to treat a friend who might need a break from the world.
Kriste says
Sounds like fun! I know exactlly what it is like to go out to eat with four kids. I also have four kids and the oldest one is six. We don’t go out much, but it is definitley a treat when we do. It is hard to have a date night with my husband and go out, but if I had a GC we would more likely take the time to go out and have a night to ourselfs.
Nicole says
We are currently living in South Korea and guess what they have at Osan AFB… a Chili’s! We would love to plan a trip down to Osan and eat some “American” Food.
Melanie says
Great tips! I would love to be entered to win.
Blessings!
Melanie
Liz says
I’d take my husband so we can split the fajitas together!
Caroline Marie Childress says
Well I love Chili’s, but it sorta would be pointless to get the gift card since I am in Germany. But if I wasn’t I would take my Uncle Daryl after he gets better. Cause I’m sure that he would like that meal.
Gail says
I have never eaten at Chili’s because the closest one is about a 40 minute drive from me. I have driven past when I am up that way, always thinking “someday” I need to stop and try the food, lol. I would take my son RickyLee because he sometimes takes me out to eat to get me out of the house and off the computer.