Longtime Chili’s restaurant at VCU closes permanently

Chili’s had operated at VCU for 16 years. (Mike Platania photo)

There’s now one less place to get a sizzling fajita platter in the city. 

The Chili’s restaurant on the ground floor of VCU’s Cary & Belvidere dormitory at 355 W. Cary St. has closed permanently. Its last day of business was May 10, a VCU spokesperson confirmed. 

The closure ends a 16-year run for the restaurant, which was a founding tenant in the 407-bed dorm when it opened in 2008. 

Chili’s occupied about 6,500 square feet in the building, according to city records. It was also a location for It’s Just Wings, a Chili’s ghost kitchen concept that the restaurant’s parent company, Brinker International, introduced in recent years. Brinker spokespeople didn’t respond to requests for comment. 

It’s unclear what VCU’s plans are for the space now that it’s vacant. 

Other past food tenants at Cary & Belvidere over the years have included Starbucks and Cary Street Market & Deli, the latter of which closed in 2020 to make way for AVO Kitchen, a health-focused fast-casual restaurant that VCU owns. 

Chili’s now has three locations in the Richmond region: in Chester, Midlothian and near the Henrico Sports & Events Center off Brook Road. 

More eateries are en route to the area around VCU’s Monroe Park campus, including chains such as Pizza Hut and local spots like Polpetti Italian and La Fe Cafe. 

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