Chili’s, the iconic Tex-Mex casual dining chain, is now open in Yas Mall, Abu Dhabi.

I visited their newest branch last night for a scrumptious, indulgent dinner.

 The Yas Mall branch is Chili’s fifth store in the capital.

Every Chili’s branch I have visited till date has the iconic All-American rodeo style interiors, which is probably an influence of the brand’s Texan heritage. Chili’s at Yas Mall looks like an upgraded, chic new version.

The funky set-up lends a casual, feel-good ambience which is amplified by the ever-friendly staff. Each table has a dedicated staff member who is knowledgeable about the menu offerings, and open to personal preferences and modifications.

Another reason I am such a Chili’s fan is that they are kid-friendly! My frisky toddler was kept busy with a few crayons and a coloring booklet, and the Yas Mall branch was spacious enough for her to walk about and explore.

The stylish, new-age lighting at Chili’s, Yas Mall really caught my eye.

We started off with the Chili’s Triple Dipper platter, and sipped on refreshing strawberry and mint lemonades.

The staff recommended the Enchilada soup. The bowl might look tiny, but don’t let size deceive you. This is one rich soup. It has the delicious taste of slow-cooked beef, and is a blend of comforting lentils and a generous dollop of cheese. I didn’t need the crackers on the side. The Enchilada soup is the perfect treat on a cold winter’s day.

For the mains, we ordered a plate of Salmon & Shrimps. The salmon steak was an overly generous proportion, and the grilled shrimps were coated in a tantalizing salty-sweet barbeque sauce.

The seafood was accompanied by a small hill of finely mashed potatoes and crisp, sautéed vegetables.

We also ordered the Beef Fajita. This order is a Mexican party on a platter, ole!

Chili’s serves American-style upsized portions, and we definitely over-ordered!

A visit to Chili’s is incomplete without their star desert, the Chocolate Molten Cake. I’ve had many a molten cake. Quite a few fast-food joints have started adding it to their menus, but the one at Chili’s is famous for a reason. Nothing comes close.

The Chili’s Chocolate Molten Cake is a tower of divine chocolate goodness. A generously large chocolate sponge sits in a pool of sticky caramel sauce and is topped with a creamy scoop of vanilla ice-cream and crackle chocolate topping. The molten lava oozes out of the sponge in the first scoop, and is rich, dark and decadent.

One portion can easily be shared by four, or two very greedy diners with a sweet-tooth!

The new Chili’s branch at Yas Mall lives up to the brand’s excellent service and well-loved menu offerings.

So pop in to the newest branch at Yas Mall. Chili’s, ‘Like No Place Else’.