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Chili’s replaced Skillet Queso and White Skillet Queso with Southwestern Queso, beginning October 7, 2025. The longtime dips had been menu fixtures for roughly three decades, according to Southern Living’s report, published via AOL. Chili’s current U.S. menu lists Southwestern Queso, though options can vary by restaurant.
What replaced Chili’s Skillet Queso?
The replacement is Southwestern Queso, a dip described as a blend of American and cheddar cheeses with fire-roasted green chilies, sweet onions, and a hint of lime. It is served with tortilla chips. Chili’s current U.S. menu lists Southwestern Queso among its appetizers.
The change applied to both Skillet Queso and White Skillet Queso. The replacement date announced in 2025 was October 7; the current menu listing confirms that Southwestern Queso remains an option, but does not establish whether every location offers it.
Why did Chili’s discontinue the old queso?
Chili’s senior vice president and chief marketing officer George Felix told Chron, as quoted by Southern Living, that sales of the previous queso offerings had declined and together accounted for one percent of total sales. That is the company’s reported explanation, not an independently audited item-level sales finding.
“We recognize there are some guests who have a lot of love for our current queso offerings, but in taking a closer look at our sales data, we recognized that guests were actually ordering the current queso infrequently.”
The quotation is attributed to Felix speaking to Chron and is carried by Southern Living; the underlying Chron interview was not separately available in the reporting source.
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Southern Living also reported Chili’s claim that 70% of people who tried both dips preferred Southwestern Queso. The report supplies no sample size or testing method, so the percentage should be understood as a company-reported result, not a verified measure of customer preference across Chili’s guests.
How the queso change fits Chili’s menu strategy
Brinker International, Chili’s parent company, said in a quarterly filing for the period ended March 25, 2026, that it had simplified the menu around core items including burgers, fajitas, Chicken Crispers, margaritas, and Triple Dipper. The filing says fewer menu items help team members make core items more consistently. It does not specifically identify that strategy as the reason Skillet Queso was removed.
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For the latest options at a particular restaurant, check Chili’s menu and select the relevant location; the national listing is not a guarantee of local availability.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to order if you want another appetizer
Chili’s lists several other appetizers on its current menu, including Southwestern Eggrolls, Dip Trio, and Triple Dipper. The Triple Dipper is a build-your-own sampler with three appetizers and sauces. Its listed choices include wings, Chicken Crispers, Fried Mozzarella, and Southwestern Eggrolls. Choices and availability may differ locally.
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