DALLAS, May 2, 2011 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ --

The countdown to Cinco de Mayo at Chili's® Grill & Bar is underway and the casual dining brand invites guests to have a good time with friends for several days of fun and great eats. Commemorating the annual Hispanic cultural celebration, today through Wednesday all day, Chili's is offering free Chips & Queso at participating locations nationwide. Skillet Queso, a guest favorite seasoned with ground beef and served with warm tostada chips and house-made salsa, is available with a purchase of any adult entree.

The Chips & Queso offer, available in the dining and bar areas, is the perfect start to kick off Cinco de Mayo. For guests eating in the bar area, Chili's is sweetening the deal by touting a selection of popular appetizer specials including Southwestern Eggrolls, Crispy Onion String & Jalapeno Stack and more, now through Cinco de MayoMay 5.

Shake things up during Margarita Madness® at Chili's just in time for Cinco! The Cinco appetizer specials are perfectly complemented by a signature Presidente Margarita® or one of Chili's 13 other margaritas, made with premium ingredients. Chili's is hyping up Margarita Madness across the country, encouraging guests to upload and share pictures of good times at Chili's to www.chilismargaritamadness.com. One winner per day will receive a $20 Chili's gift card and three lucky guests will have the opportunity to win a trip for two to a sunny Caribbean destination! Sometimes a (lime) wedge can bring people together, so head over to Chili's to ring in Cinco de Mayo festivities with a freshly prepared margarita.

In celebration of Cinco at Chili's, guests can open and print the following Chips & Queso coupon and redeem the special today through Wednesday at their local Chili's, or display the coupon code on their smartphones to servers. The discounted appetizer offer is available in the bar area only. For official rules and submission requirements for the Margarita Madness contest, please visit www.chilismargaritamadness.com.

About Chili's Grill & Bar

Chili's Grill & Bar is the flagship brand of Dallas-based Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT), a recognized leader in casual dining. Chili's offers a fun, energetic atmosphere and a distinct, fresh mix of grilled American favorites at more than 1,500 locations in 31 countries and two territories. Brinker's wholly-owned restaurant brands include Chili's® Grill & Bar and Maggiano's Little Italy®. Brinker also holds a minority investment in Romano's Macaroni Grill®. For more information, please visit www.chilis.com.

SOURCE Chili's Grill & Bar