Bars are not family friendly establishments, sports bars can be better in this regard, yet they are not the first choice for family gatherings. How then, to marry the high revenue of alcohol sales with a ubiquitous appeal that draws a crowd of any age? Enter the casual dining sports bar that puts an equal focus on drinks, dinner, and a massive collection of TVs. One of the earliest adopters of this idea has become an iconic name, Chili’s. They have a catchy jingle about their ribs and are famous for their family meal deals and drink specials. What started as a little Texas restaurant has grown to a major national chain. Despite their popularity, Chili’s doesn’t have the market on family friendly bars cornered. One of the newest challengers in this domain is Walk-On’s, a sports bistreaux that is backed by a famous athlete and brings a Louisiana twist to the menu. Are they ready to challenge Goliath?

Like most chains, Chili’s is the same no matter where you visit. It may be surprising to learn that the company started in 1975 as a mom-and-pop Dallas restaurant that was focused on serving authentic cuisine. At the time of their inception, there was a lack of family friendly restaurants that also served drinks and could appeal to an adult crowd. Their initial culinary focus was on two Dallas staples, burgers and chili, and offered them at affordable prices along with an array of alcoholic beverages. The company was meant to be a place you could stop by after work, have a family meal on the weekend, or even a first date. The ubiquitous atmosphere of the restaurant leveraged the high volume of tourists in Dallas looking for an authentic meal while also becoming a watering hole for locals. They have since spun that formula into a nationwide phenomenon. They are still famous for their Dallas inspired menu and as a restaurant that reserves one half for traditional dining booths and the other for a sports bar. The company is almost as big as the state it calls home.

With a goliath like Chili’s on the horizon, any competitor will need to bring flavor and pizzaz in equal measure to stand a chance. Just in time for Mardi Gras, Walk-On’s is giving the casual dining bar a Cajun kick into the modern era. The company began as an idea between friends Brandon Landry and Jack Warner; the pair met as walk-on’s for LSU’s basketball team. During their travels with LSU, they visited most major sports bars in the U.S. and decided to develop their own concept with a little Louisiana flavor. They focused the menu on two local traditions, Cajun flavors and seafood. Opening their first restaurant in 2003 right next to LSU’s Tiger Stadium was a boon as they drew in college students and football fans in droves. The concept spread quickly across the state and caught the eye of one of Louisiana’s most iconic athletes. NFL and New Orleans Saints QB Drew Brees loved the concept and saw a vision that could expand into other regions. He joined the ownership team in 2015 and the company has expanded into fourteen other states. They serve traditional Louisiana cuisine at every location along with a full bar and an endless amount of TV’s. The most important ingredient to their success has been the friendly atmosphere. Walk-On’s can work for any occasion and even the menu has proven adaptable by offering items for patrons who are reluctant to fully commit to Cajun cuisine. This unique sports bar concept has no plans to slow their expansion and there is little standing in their way.

Walk-On’s still has a way to go to catch the name recognition of Chili’s, yet they seem to be on the path to success. The desire for family-friendly sports bars has grown in the last few years and it has been interesting to see new companies enter the fray and old favorites change with the times. Both companies have a widespread appeal and offer reasonable prices that seem to be exactly what consumers are looking for.