It’s not hard to pick out Chili’s from the sea of casual dining establishments. The trademark red chili pepper logo tells hungry diners that they’re in for a flavorful south-of-the-border experience. Chili’s has been serving up delicious Mexican-inspired cuisine since 1975, growing to over 1,600 locations worldwide. Many fans of the restaurant wonder if there’s a Chili’s secret menu that would allow them to enjoy their old favorites with a new twist.

If you ask your server about what’s on Chili’s secret menu, she’ll likely tell you that what you see isn’t exactly all you can get. There are plenty of modifications you can make to a wide variety of items on the menu. They even have special nutritional, allergen and vegetarian menus to accommodate the needs of all diners. From toppings to sauces, Chili’s makes it easy for you to customize every part of your meal.

Official secret menu vs. customer creations?

Chili’s encourages customers to personalize their meal, and it’s easy to do with all the sides, sauces and toppings that you can add to your entrées. If you’re in the mood for a refreshing beverage, you can have that your way, too. Give these classic customer creations a try on your next visit:

Chili’s makes their delicious lemonades in-house, including the popular Strawberry Lemonade. While the margaritas are great, ask the bartender to turn one of the house lemonades into a refreshing adult beverage. You could even ask for a shot of vodka in their Arnold Palmer drink to create a Spiked Arnold Palmer.

You can give any item on the menu a kick by adding jalapenos. Favorite dishes that taste great with a little extra spice include the Bacon Ranch Chicken Quesadillas and Brisket Quesadillas. Be sure to order them with ancho-chile ranch dressing for even more flavor!

The most popular Chili’s secret menu items

Don’t let the lack of a secret menu at Chili’s keep you from trying some of this eatery’s classic favorites. There’s something here for everyone, whether you’re a carnivore, a vegetarian or even  a pescatarian. Keep in mind that you can customize anything you order, and if they offer a sauce to go with your meal, always choose something a little different – it can totally switch up the flavors in the best way possible. Some of the most-loved items on the menu include:

• Skillet Queso (appetizer)
• Boneless Wings with your choice of sauce (appetizer)
• Texas Dry Rub Full Order Ribs (entrée)
• Beef Bacon Ranch Quesadillas (entrée)
• Caribbean Salad with Seared Shrimp (entrée)
• Black Bean & Veggie Fajitas (entrée)
• Molten Chocolate Cake (dessert)
• Skillet Chocolate Chip Cookie (dessert)
• Presidente Margarita (cocktail)
• Dreamy Frosé Margarita (cocktail)

Don’t forget to ask about the current specials at your local Chili’s. It never hurts to find a great deal on delicious food.

How to order from the hidden menu

Even though there’s no official Chili’s secret menu, there are plenty of creative ways to hack the menu and invent a meal to suit your tastes. If you can’t find what you’re looking for on Chili’s jam-packed menu, you’re clearly not looking too hard. Once you find something you like, ask your server how you can make it your own. Whether you’re in the mood for a spicy kick or an indulgent, cheesy experience, get creative with your order at Chili’s and experience some south-of-the-border flavors with a twist.