Hendersonville Restaurant Buzz - 2/15/2008

(Update 4/1/2008 - the initial crowds have thinned just a bit which translates into shorter or no waits to be seated)

Chili's South Ridge opened on January 31st at 420 Airport Rd, Arden. This location is just south of Southridge Shopping Center (aka the Target shopping center), putting it between I26 and the shopping center.

My husband and I stopped in for lunch yesterday and had a 20 minute wait. According to the hosts, Patrick and Nate (who said, "I see you making notes. If you use my name, be sure to say how good looking I am"), this is how things have been going since they opened:

• Somewhere around 11:00AM (when they open) or 12:00 noon, the 15 to 20 minute wait begins, lasting until 3:30PM or 4:00PM when things slow down a bit.
• Around 5:00PM the 15 or 20 minute wait begins again and lasts until around 8:00PM.

Luckily, they are very efficient at keeping things moving, using the flashing-vibrating thing that always makes me jump when it goes off and very efficient hosting/table management.

Here's a tip - Chili's has a "phone ahead wait list". Just call before you leave for Chili's and they will add your name to their wait list.

I don't normally review national chains because most people know what to expect, but I will say that the service was terrific, thanks Connie, and our salads were piled high and delicious. We had:

• Southwestern Cobb salad ($8.49) - boneless crispy chicken breast with corn relish, applewood smoked bacon, diced eggs, mixed cheeses and fresh pico de gallo, served with Chili's avocado-ranch dressing.
• Quesadilla Explosion salad ($8.79) - fajita-marinated chicken, corn relish, mixed cheeses, cilantro, diced tomato and crispy tortilla strips, garnished with a chipotle-ranch drizzle and cheese quesadilla wedges, served with Chili's citrus-balsamic dressing.

Chili's has a very nice bar area where you can enjoy drinks or a full meal. You can also call for a meal "to go".

Hopefully things will slow down a bit after the newness wears off, but for now we'll be calling ahead to add our name to the list.

Chili's South Ridge
420 Airport Rd
Arden, NC
(828) 684-5067

Monday - Thursday 11:00AM to 11:00PM
Friday - Sunday 11:00AM to 12:00 midnight

Rate Chili's Grill and Bar - South Ridge