Baby back booths: Chili’s brings back its iconic retro look in restaurant redesign

Baby Back Ribs made Chili’s famous. Now, it’s the baby back booths making a comeback.

The iconic casual dining chain is serving up a hefty side of nostalgia this year, rolling out a retro-inspired glow-up that revives the signature red booths, colorful décor and quirky details that made Chili’s a ’90s dining institution.

The nationwide overhaul comes after the casual dining giant spent the past several years sharpening its menu and improving service. 

Now, it’s turning its attention to the restaurant experience itself.

According to a company fact sheet, as per Fox News Digital, “The guiding idea behind the project was simple: ‘Make Chili’s More Chili’s.'”

In other words: if it ain’t broke, bring it back.

The refreshed design takes cues from Chili’s original Greenville Avenue restaurant in Dallas, along with the vibrant Southwestern-inspired aesthetic that longtime fans may remember from the chain’s heyday.

But the makeover isn’t just some quick fresh coat of paint or anything.

The retro refresh will welcome the return of Chili’s signature red booths, tile tabletops and beaming neon bar areas.

Behind the bar, expect larger horseshoe layouts, extra TVs and can’t-miss signs pointing to a “Margarita Bar.”

The redesign wasn’t dreamed up overnight.

Sharp-eyed diners will spot plenty of nods to the company’s past, including framed sheet music for the infectious baby back ribs jingle.

They’ll also find the original 1975 menu along with wallpaper featuring tortilla-chip UFOs beaming up chili peppers and margarita-filled swimming pools.

Before taking the concept nationwide, Chili’s tested multiple versions at four restaurants in the Dallas area, where executives could easily gather customer feedback and fine-tune the look before giving it the green light.

The first remodeled locations outside Texas reopened July 1 in Fayetteville, Arkansas; Monrovia, California; Kennesaw, Georgia; Lake Charles and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Greensboro, North Carolina; Cookeville, Tennessee; and El Paso, Texas.

About 10% of Chili’s roughly 1,200 U.S. locations will get the vintage-tinged transformation each year until the retro refresh goes nationwide. 

This comes as the Tex-Mex giant continues to court budget-minded diners with a winning recipe of throwback charm and wallet-friendly deals.

As previously reported by The Post, the chain went viral earlier this year after roasting fast-food prices on X. 

When one user questioned why a Burger King meal cost nearly $20, Chili’s fired back: “Why do y’all let fast food play you like this?” before plugging its $10.99 3 for Me meal deal, complete with a Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich, fries, bottomless chips and salsa and an unlimited drink.

The clapback racked up millions of views and plenty of praise from customers, with fans calling Chili’s “for the people.” 

The value meal also spotlighted the chain’s new (as of April) Big Crispy Chicken Sandwich lineup, which executives said was designed to deliver on the value fast-food rivals increasingly struggle to match.

Now, Chili’s is betting nostalgia will be just as irresistible as a bargain meal — luring longtime fans back to fiery red booths to dig into a Triple Dipper and pile on the chips and salsa.