Gate-side margaritas hit different in MEM’s Terminal A
Chili’s Grill & Bar sits post-security in Terminal A, handy if your flight boards from any A-gate and you’ve got 45–60 minutes to kill. It’s a full-service, sit-down American chain, not a grab-and-go counter, so budget real time for ordering and the check. The space feels like a standard mall Chili’s dropped into MEM, with TVs running ESPN and other sports channels most of the day.
Hours stretch from 90 minutes before the first departure out of A until about 30 minutes after the last flight leaves, so early-morning eggs and late-night burgers are both in play. You’ll be seated by a host, with table service plus a bar rail if you’d rather eat solo. It’s all post-security, so you need a boarding pass in hand before you think about chips and salsa.
Menu is classic Chili’s: think Oldtimer or Big Mouth burgers, chicken crispers, fajitas that come out sizzling, and the usual skillet queso and chips. Expect mid-airport pricing, around $15–$20 for mains and $8–$12 for most starters. Margaritas and beer run roughly $8–$14 depending on size and brand. Portions lean large, so one appetizer can easily feed two people if you’re just snacking before an A15 or A27 departure.
Service speed varies by rush patterns tied to banked departures, especially mid-morning and late afternoon when multiple flights out of A push at once. If your boarding time is under 35 minutes away, skip the full meal and sit at the bar for something fast like fries or wings. Tabs close out via standard check presenters; there’s no pay-at-the-table tech, so flag your server early if you see your flight at “now boarding.”
Tip: If you’re on a tight A-gate connection under 45 minutes, grab a burger and drink here instead of walking toward B or C and risking a long backtrack to your gate.