Cheli's Chili Bar & Restaurant

Chris, I'd LOVE to give your place a 5-star review because I admired how you played and how you extended your career by the effort you made in off-season training; a warrior, that's what you are.  However, you did not bring that attention to detail to your restaurant in a few important ways (Dearborn location).  I have eaten there a dozen times or more throughout the years because I grew up just a couple miles away, in a sports-crazy family. When we learned a Cheli's Chili was opening nearby we were ecstatic.  I've lived in TX, CA (No. and So.), NV and now in AZ, where both sons played tons of travel hockey. Coming to Michigan for their summer break in July was the highlight of their year:  a chance to see all their relatives, attend great hockey camps and eat at Cheli's Chili; who could beat that (after all they'd read and seen of your career, and of course, being raised Red Wing fans)?

It's funny how varied the reviews on this site are, but appropriate as well.  I've seen Cheli's go from a pretty decent new business, to the "made-some-improvements" stage, to the "grown complacent" stage, to the "we don't care" stage.  I'll be curious to see where you're at during this summer's visit.  I've brought different groups with me each time:  friends who enjoy sports, relatives celebrating "whatever" occasion, my sons with their out-of-town hockey buddies, elderly relatives for a quick meal.  

So, based on my experiences I offer the following:

FOOD: THREE STARS  (The chili is decent, but it should come with some add-ons for people who need theirs spicier.  The food in general needs to be served when still hot, NOT warm.  Otherwise it's pretty good, especially the spinach salad that, in my opinion, is to die for.  Burgers are super as well. Waffle fries are a cool twist on an old stand-by and usually good. The fish is outstanding, but again it's better served hot. Onion rings, only 4, are huge and tasty. Mixed drinks, overpriced.  Beer, haven't tried it.)

VIEWING SPORTS:  FIVE STARS  (Actually hearing anything that's happening in the game, however, is near impossible - See Below.)

SERVICE:  1 STAR   (Either the servers are too overburdened with covering other tables, or they are not trained properly, so service tends to be on the slow side.  Some servers are not only curt with their answers to customers' inquiries, but downright rude - THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED.  These servers should be imbued with the old "Customer is Always Right" attitude and they will see their tips rise.  This is a moot point, however, if there are not enough servers to handle the crowd.  Sometimes it's impossible to keep your cool when you're tearing your hair out.)

AMBIENCE:  1 STAR   (Ok, two things here: PLEASE get some better lighting, or at least some dimmers so lighting can be adjusted higher, because most of the guests I've brought with me comment on how dark it is. Secondly, THE NOISE. Oh my!  I am not hard of hearing, but plenty of elderly relatives won't even come with me to Cheli's anymore because of this. If you are a normal person, not hearing impaired that is, you have to yell to the person sitting right next to you!  Unacceptable. There is definitely something off with the acoustics.  As for hearing the sports on the many screens around the restaurant, nope, ain't happening.  Unless there are only a few other patrons and the sound is turned up, it is impossible to hear details from the games.)

PARKING:  2 STARS  (I get that you probably pay a premium for being centrally located right on the main strip, Michigan Ave., and you'd like to recoup some of that expense through parking fees.  It really is a turn-off to customers, though.  Maybe if you only charge for valet parking after dark, during the "entertainment" hours, it would be more palatable to people bringing their families to dine at the dinner hours.  Personally, I never pay for parking because I don't use the valet. NOTE PEOPLE:  There IS metered parking on the streets, and by walking a little bit you can save the valet charge.)

All that being said (AVG. 2.4 stars), I will continue to visit Cheli's Chili when I'm in town, but just not with certain relatives who refuse to go.  My now-grown boys still love it, though, and I personally enjoy the sports atmosphere.

I just ran in for an inquiry on chili for a group. Pretty expensive... BUT, I bought myself a tureen of chili with all the fixins. I got a carry out, so I wasn't there for any real time. One thing I noticed about this place is the lighting. It's SO dark in there. I understand it's a bar, but it's more of a restaurant, also. With the selection of other bars, this wouldn't be my first choice if I want to settle up on a bar stool and have a drink.

Cheli, dude?  What's up. Do you really want to put your name on this place? I think you need to do some house cleaning.  

When we went there was no A/C. Our waitress talked to us twice in our whole meal and there were flies landing on me and my food. These are the things that get you on one of those reality shows. Time for some overhauls.

With all that being said, the chili is still good and gets them up to 2 stars.