Tuesday, June 27, 2023

[CLOSURE ALERT] With New Options on the Way, Chili's Quietly Exits West Cobb

Chili's Grill & Bar has closed its longstanding restaurant at The Avenue West Cobb (3625 Dallas Highway) in West Cobb.  The restaurant reportedly closed without notice as of June 25 with signage and fixtures swiftly removed, leaving many would-be diners disappointed and confused.  The restaurant, located in a freestanding building along Dallas Highway, had been in business about 20 years, having opened shortly after the development debuted in late 2003.  

Owned by mega restaurant operator Brinker International (NYSE: EAT), Chili's was first established in Dallas, Texas in 1975, and today includes more than 1,600 restaurants globally.  The West Cobb restaurant, unit #1202, was operated by Brinker Georgia Inc., an affiliate of the Dallas firm.  

Brinker has in recent years closed several Chili's in metro Atlanta including one at the Lindbergh City Center near Buckhead in late 2019 and another in Alpharetta in late 2021.  The company previously closed a unit on Northlake Parkway in Tucker.  A "Chili's Too" near the food court at Sugarloaf Mills in Lawrenceville previously closed, became a Shoney's (yes, that Shoney's!), but is today vacant.  

The Lindbergh City Center location recently reopened as Uptown Kitchen, a pop-up and test kitchen of sorts for local chefs and would-be restaurateurs via Chow Club ATL.  The former Alpharetta Chili's reopened this past December as an outpost of breakfast eatery First Watch, while the former Tucker outpost today operates as Hudson Grille.  

Following the most recent closure, Chili's continues to operate more than 40 restaurants around Georgia including those in Kennesaw, East Cobb, Dunwoody, Toco Hills and in Alpharetta near North Point Mall, among others.  

According to a source close to The Avenue West Cobb, there is not yet a definitive plan for their former Chili's restaurant.  

While the West Cobb area may now be without a Chili's, the Avenue development will soon welcome two new eateries.  

Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux, a sports bar backed by former NFL star quarterback Drew Brees, is slated to open as soon as July 17, according to an updated Google listing.  The new restaurant, which ToNeTo Atlanta exclusively reported on this past February, replaces the former Romano's Macaroni Grill, a onetime Brinker-owned concept, also located in the Avenue development.  

A new outpost of The Peach Cobbler Factory, a franchise specializing in cobblers, cookies and puddings, is also opening "soon" in the center. 

Are you surprised to see Chili's close at The Avenue West Cobb?  Did you realize Chili's still existed?  What would you like to see open in place of the former Chili's in West Cobb?

Please share your thoughts below. 

31 comments:

Kris Starring said...

Chili's better not close in Woodstock anytime soon. I get their Margarita Chicken to go quite a bit for dinner! Love it!

Kris Starring said...

Chili's better not close in Woodstock anytime soon. I get their Margarita Chicken to go quite a bit for dinner! I love it!

Anonymous said...

Krystal in Conyers has closed

Anonymous said...

Totally know that Chili's still exist. Still miss the Northlake location but there is one nearby at Toco Hills that I go to occasionally.

Anonymous said...

Used to visit the Lindbergh location, but I guess the current demographic of the area doesn't like Chili's.

CJ said...

I worked at the Chili's on Northlake Parkway in the mid-1980's while in high school. A little trivia for you...at the time that location opened in the early 1980's, it was the 8th location in the chain and the 1st location in Georgia and outside of Texas.

Anonymous said...

This location has had a skeleton crew since COVID. We have tried to eat there several times and we’re seated in the bar area because they didn’t have the servers for the main restaurant. The quality of the food dropped as well. One time this Chili’s was totally closed because of a lack of staff. The manager who worked there tried her best and was super nice, but ithis location was really struggling.

Anonymous said...

I wouldn’t worry about that one. It stays packed.

Alex said...

@Anonymous at June 28, 2023

The one on the East West Connector in Austell has similar issues. In fact, I thought this story was going to be about that one.

Anonymous said...

Close them all they suck!!!

Anonymous said...

I am surprised to see this Chili’s close but not shocked. I don’t go there as often as I used to and the quality of the food had declined. I would like to see a Moxie Burger take over this site.

Anonymous said...

The Avenues of West Cobb has drove away several businesses due to outrageous rent increases. Ive had student's who have lost their jobs because of it. West Cobb needs a Bonefish Grill, Ruby Tuesday, Texas Roadhouse, and a Maggianos Little Italy. We do not need another bank, Mexican restaurant or car wash! 😞

Anonymous said...

Nice Seafood place would be nice.

Anonymous said...

Seafood restaurant would be nice.

Anonymous said...

This particular Chili's used to be extremely busy. Covid and very poor management caused them to close.

Anonymous said...

Ruby Tuesday would be a good replacement.

Anonymous said...

You know they mostly closing Ruby Tuesday down

Anonymous said...

I hope the one in Hiram doesn't close.

Anonymous said...

Another new Hooters would be nice. Love to look at tits while I suck chicken meat off bone

Anonymous said...

I had hoped it was because we’ve tried several times to go there and it just was a struggle.

Anonymous said...

The was a Maggiano's right next to the West Cobb Chili's.. it went out of business 2 years ago

Anonymous said...

That was a macaroni Grill that closed. Not Maggianos.

Anonymous said...

First watch would be amazing!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Same! Go there for lunch a lot

Anonymous said...

I so agree with you! Same experience I had there. Definitely was struggling!!! A great place for a Bonefish Grill!

Anonymous said...

MY THOUGHTS EXACTLY!! Kennesaw/Acworth area sucks for restaurants choices. What is going on with all the closures..... 2 Wendys closing also, best buy closed on 41 etc
Where the heck is everyone eating or working?

Anonymous said...

It’s a shame the Tucker location is longer a Chili’s, but Brinker has messed up Chili’s. They keep removing items from their menu like the Alpine burger and the chocolate shake way back and recently the super nachos and the spicy shrimp tacos. What’s the next the old timer?

Anonymous said...

First watch is gross.

Anonymous said...

Houston’s would be the one, hands down it would Thrive

Tony Whaley said...

Either open a First Watch or Another Broken Egg Cafe at the old Chili's West Cobb location. A breakfast place would do great.

Anonymous said...

Would love to have an Outback there or a nice seafood restaurant.

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