Gate A-side in Terminal 1, Chili’s is your sit-down option
Chili’s sits airside in Terminal 1 at RIC, past security on the A-side near the main cluster of gates. It runs most of the day, typically from early morning until the last bank of departures, so you can usually grab a seat for breakfast, lunch, or dinner before a flight. This is the only full-service national chain in the concourse, so if you want table service instead of a bar snack or pre-made sandwich, this is the obvious stop.
Menu is the standard Chili’s playbook: burgers, fajitas, chicken crispers, salads, and Tex-Mex plates, all scaled to airport pricing. Expect burgers and sandwiches in the $15–$20 range before tax and tip, with add-ons like bacon or guac bumping that a couple of dollars. Portions run a bit smaller than a suburban Chili’s but still fine for a 2–3 hour hop. Beer, wine, and basic cocktails are available, and draft pints usually run a few dollars more than in town.
If you need something predictable before a 90-minute flight, the Oldtimer burger or the Just Bacon Burger is usually the safest call, and the chicken crispers basket travels reasonably well if you have to pivot to takeaway at boarding time. Fajitas and saucy pasta plates are harder to rush if your flight starts boarding 30 minutes out. Service pace swings a lot by time of day; during the 5–7 a.m. departure push and late afternoon bank, factor in 30–40 minutes for a full meal with check drop.
Seats line up along the concourse windows, so you can often see boarding for nearby gates while you eat, especially on the A10–A14 side. Bar seats turn faster than tables, so solo travelers usually get in and out quicker there. Tip: check your gate assignment first; if you’re out at a far A-gate and they’re boarding 45 minutes before departure, order something you can finish in 15–20 minutes and ask for the check when the food lands.