It's A Bit Chili Out There! - good thing we had a gift card!

Times have been tough lately, and we had just finished stretching a few dollars on some grocery items. And I do mean stretching. A few things that could be combined with a few staples already in the pantry, to create several evening meals for a family of five.

So how did we end up with a veritable smorgasbord of delicacies from Chili's restaurant for dinner tonight? With one simple ingredient: a leftover balance on an old gift card.

Months ago, during Employee Appreciation Week, Hubsy had received two Chili's gift cards from management. We saved them for a few months to be able to treat ourselves to an anniversary dinner. We used one whole card, and a teensy bit of the other.

Now lately, as you know, we've had it kinda rough. Although my Darling Hubsy wrestled with his intestinal symptoms, we were actually able to wrangle some good news out of this day, and wanted to celebrate. (The GI Specialist agreed to do Hubsy's Colonoscopy, even though we couldn't afford the $800 fee, up front, that he was originally asking.

Taking the gift card, that held a balance of $43.10... we ordered 2 of Chili's "Two for Twenty" meal deals. Each meal comes with an appetizer plate, and two entrees, with sides. We ordered online and picked it up an hour later. Of course, with tax, there was a tiny overage.  Are you ready for this?

The Appetizers:

  • Fried Cheese Sticks
  • Spiced Panko Onion Rings


The Meals:

  • Half Rack of BBQ Ribs
  • Crispy Chicken Crispers (chicken strips)
  • Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas
  • Chicken and Pork Carnitas Fajitas


The Sides:

  • Loaded Mashed Potatoes 
  • Homestyle Fries
  • Flavored Rice

We brought it home and spread it all out on the kitchen counters, and all five of us lined up for the buffet that costs us a total of FIVE DOLLARS out of pocket!

God Bless Us... Everyone!