Is there really any difference between the three?

Ive been to Malibu and TDB I do not notice much just the salad bar.
Has anyone been to Chima in tysons? Seems a bit more upscale with some fish and shrimp on the menu

I've been to Malibu a few times and Chima once. Chima has more stylish decor, but you can pretty much expect the same quality food. Chima had lamb skewers when I was there, which I've never seen at Malibu. I didn't see the shrimp or swordfish either at Chima.

I think these places are sorta lame. The meat's usually great, but I've never been impressed with the salad bar items. In fact, the salad bars suck, IMO. Chima's salad bar is bigger than Malibu's, but that didn't make it anymore interesting.

I ate at the malibu grill in fair oaks when it opened several years ago; haven't been back since. it sucked. salad bar was institutional. then gaucho types walked around with big skewers of meat. you'd call one over and he'd cut a slab of fatty meat off, while the point of the skewer is supported on your table, and the meat falls onto your plate, sort of. ridiculous. go to a regular restaurant.