I know, neither is likely to be even close to real barbecue, but the office is heading out for a quick dinner tonight prior to coming back to another looooong re-organizing the files sessions, and those are the only two places under consideration.
And I want ribs.
So which should I ‘vote’ for?
Which one has those vile “riblets” things? Vote for the other one.
Barbecue Heaven. It’s on Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Street (WHY DID THEY HAVE TO MAKE THE STREET NAME SO STINKING LONG???). Better than both those wannabes.
Well, Chili’s has a much more limited menu, but Applebee’s can’t cook steak. So, go to Chili’s, because Applebee’s is eeeeeeeeeeeeeevil and Chili’s is just mediocre.
Applebee’s serves meat now? Last time I was there I ordered something with meat in it and they brought this uneatable gray… stuff.
I’d say Chili’s even if I’ve never eaten there.
You call that BBQ?
Well, we went to Chili’s. My review: the rack of ribs was just barely acceptable. I think it had been quick roasted, instead of the long, slow smoking/roasting that gives ribs that delectable falling-off-the-bones texture and taste. The sauce was a very thick and gloppy sweet tomato paste, with way more taste of sugar than spices.
I’ve had worse barbecue, but this certainly didn’t rise above mediocre. I brought at least half the ribs home, and hubby devoured them later. He said they were ‘okay.’ Such an eloquent devil, no wonder I love him. 
It came with ‘home style fries’ – long strings like McDonalds, but unpealed. This were okay at the start, but cooled and got limp in about the first minute. Also what they called ‘cinnamon apples’, pretty much a dab of apple pie filling with extra cinnamon. Okay, but nothing thrilling.
The chicken fried steak another girl ordered looked pretty good, though, so I’ll give that a try if I ever go again.
Sticky Fingers in South Carolina.
They ship ribs by mail. Sauce too.
Isn’t this kind of like asking which beer is better, Old Milwaukee or Natural Lite?
Like the op said, it’s not like real BBQ, but Hooter’s has some great babyback ribs (among other assets.)
Poor guy. Having to choose “Applebees or Chilis” for BBQ is like having to choose “Taco Bell or Taco Bueno” for tacos …
Or Olive Garden for pasta.
Yes, it’s all unauthentic and a scourge on our great land and a sign of a weak and sinful constitution, but Chili’s St Louis Style Ribs are delicious. I’ve generally found the food to be better at Chili’s. Try their Peppercorn Burger too. It’s what former kids refer to as “The Bomb, Dawg”.