"Why is Chili’s on this list? This franchise opened in 1999 and operated in blissful anonymity for about a decade before Reddit began ironically recommending it as Austin’s best restaurant. Now it’s a local cult favorite, with long wait times on the weekends and official recognition by the mayor’s office. The menu is the same as any other location, but the service and execution push the limits of what a mass-produced chain restaurant can achieve. Head to 45th and Lamar, grab an El Presidente margarita, and see what Austin’s biggest inside joke is all about." - nicolai mccrary, matthew jacobs
