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Big and Bold: Where to Get Awesome Chili Around the Nation

Nothing satisfies like a great big bowl of chili. Whether you're warding off the winter chill or looking to sate a serious hunger, you can't go wrong at these top spots for chili around the U.S.
By Sahara Borja
Tolbert's Restaurant, Grapevine, TX
Courtesy of Tolberts
Winter begets the need for comfort food. And what's the go-to fave? A steaming bowl of chili. Whether you're warding off the chill or just looking to sate a serious hunger, you can't go wrong at these top spots for chili around the U.S. Salivating? Understandable. Make some of your own chili with these easy weeknight chili and stew recipes, or perfect your favorite soup with the help of this handy collection.
1

A Nice Bowl o' Red

Tolbert's Restaurant, Grapevine, TX
Courtesy of Tolberts
Chili is the perfect meal on a cold winter day — or when hosting a gang of hungry teenagers or sports fans for dinner. No doubt you've perfected your own recipe, but if you're in the mood for trying a different type, stop by one of these spots around the country for a stellar bowl of chili.
2

Daisy May's BBQ, New York City, NY

Daisy May's BBQ, New York City, NY
Courtesy of Daisy May's

At Adam Perry Lang's Daisy May's BBQ in New York City, you might come in for the brisket and Carolina Pulled Pork sandwiches, but you'll leave in love with the chili. This "Bowl o' Red," as it's called, is thick and dark with a sauce made from "whole-pod ancho, chipotle, and New Mexican Hatch chiles." (Yeah, it might make your eyes tear up a bit.) The chili is made with braised cubes of beef and comes with shredded cheddar cheese, two "fixins'"(or sides), and a tortilla.


623 11th Ave.; 212-977-1500; daisymaysbbq.com

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3

Chili John's, Burbank, CA

Chili John's, Burbank, CA
Courtesy of Chili John's

The odds are slim that after stuffing yourself with a bowl of chili from Chili John's in Burbank, California, you'd have any room left for their also-famous lemon pie. We suggest you make some, however; the same lemon pie recipe has been on the menu since the 1960s. Chili John's interior harkens back to the 50s and 60s, when diners were a hub of social activity. The circular layout of Chili John's certainly encourages socializing, and allows drooling chili enthusiasts to watch the vats of beef chili (available mild, medium, or hot), vegetarian chili (made with the same chili spices as original, except with bulgur wheat instead of meat, available medium to hot), and chicken chili (served medium or hot). Chili is served with beans, with spaghetti, with spaghetti and beans, or just "straight" (chili alone). And, cheese, onions, and sour cream go well on top, of course.


2018 West Burbank Boulevard; 818-846-3611; chilijohnsca.com

4

Camp Washington Chili, Cincinnati, OH

<p>A spice blend that includes cinnamon and cloves and the unusual practice of serving over spaghetti differentiates Cincinnati chili from the rest of its American variants. Most chili historians cite a number of Cincinnati restaurateurs who emigrated from Greece and Macedonia as the originators of this fragrant, bean-less stew, which customers order by specifying the number of "ways", or additions, they'd like with their bowl of chili. 3-Way is the basic order which consists of a mound of spaghetti topped with ground-beef chili and shredded Cheddar cheese. If you're hungry for the works, go for a 5-Way which also includes diced onions and red beans. Like other venerable chili parlors in the Queen City, Camp Washington Chili dishes up their secret-recipe chili in a bowl, on hot dogs (called Coney Dogs), in a steamed bun sandwich with cheese, and over French fries.</p><br /><p><i>3005 Colerain Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio; (513) 541-0061; <a href="http://www.campwashingtonchili.com/index.cfm" target="_blank">campwashingtonchili.com</a></i></p>
Courtesy of Camp Washington Chili

Chili is a hot topic in Cincinnati, where there are over 300 chili parlors sprinkled throughout the city, vying for local adoration. A few of these, like Camp Washington Chili, have garnered national attention, too. Founded in 1940, Camp Washington has a gang of loyalists who come by several times a week to eat 3-Way (spaghetti, chili, and beans), 4-Way (spaghetti, chili, beans, and onions), or 5-Way Chili (spaghetti, chili, beans, onions, and shredded cheddar cheese), and talk shop. Given a James Beard award for being an "American Regional Classic," Camp Washington Chili also serves "Coneys" — their variation of a hot dog and chili in a bun — 24 hours a day. And if that isn't enough, order up a batch of chili cheese fries, just to triple confirm you're in chili heaven!


3005 Colerain Ave.; 513-541-0061; campwashingtonchili.com

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5

Ben's Chili Bowl, Washington, DC

Ben's Chili Bowl, Washington, DC
Courtesy of Ben's Chili Bowl

When Ben and Virginia Ali opened the doors to Ben's Chili Bowl in Washington, DC, Eisenhower was President. This legacy has since passed to their three children, but the original restaurant and recipes remain. To what does the Ali family owe its chili success? Listening to customers, perhaps, and keeping them happy with healthy servings of the original Chili Half-Smoke, a favorite of Mr. Bill Cosby himself since the early 1960s! This signature dish is made with a quarter-pound of pork-and-beef smoked sausage, laid on a warm bun and topped with mustard, onions, and spicy homemade chili sauce. Seems like dedication is a big part of the Ali family's secret recipe.


1213 U Street; 202-667-0909; benschilibowl.com

6

Texas Chili Parlor, Austin, TX

Texas Chili Parlor, Austin, TX
John Hayes/Flickr

Texans know barbecue — and apparently chili, too. Austin's Texas Chili Parlor touts its "great food, full bar, lively staff, and funky atmosphere." As such, it's a natural meeting place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a sweat-inducing bowl of chili. Beyond their "Triple-X" spicy bowl, there's the "Habanero." They also offer white chili, made with pork, and a 5-bean veggie chili — both still spicy! You can also get a "Frito Pie," which is Fritos covered with chili, cheese, onions, jalapeños, and crackers. It's okay. Next time you can order the house salad!


1409 Lavaca Street; 512-472-2828; txchiliparlor.com

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7

Tolbert's Restaurant, Grapevine, TX

Tolbert's Restaurant, Grapevine, TX
Courtesy of Tolberts

In nearby Grapevine, Texas, the chili connoisseurs at Tolbert's Restaurant have been perfecting their offerings for over 25 years. In a nod to their Texas heritage, Tolbert's offers the "Boquillas Burrito," which is a flour tortilla filled with Tolbert's chili, lettuce, and onions. It's topped with chile con queso and served with rice and refried beans. Can you handle it? If not, opt for the "Original Texas Red," served with cheese and onions, and topped with a chili pepper. Seems awesomely unassuming, doesn't it?


423 South Main Street; 817-421-4888; tolbertsrestaurant.com

8

Joe Rogers Chili, Springfield, IL

Joe Roger's Chili
AxEats/Flickr

Established in 1945, the original Joe Rogers Chili location sat only 11 customers. The demand was too great, however, for Joe's "firebrand" chili, and they have since relocated to a bigger space where no one has to get up in a hurry. One aspect that sets Joe Rogers apart is that their chili is made to each customer's specifications. Here, they cook the meat and beans separately, and the spice is cooked into the meat, so customers can decide what caliber of chili to order for themselves, ranging from mild to firebrand, extra or no meat at all, and beans or no beans. Chili-cheese burgers and chili-cheese dogs are also available, in case you're still hungry.


820 S. 9th Street; 217-522-3722; joerogerschili.com

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9

Souper Jenny's, Atlanta, GA

Souper Jenny, Atlanta, GA
Courtesy of Souper Jenny

Souper Jenny's in Atlanta, Georgia, makes its food fresh everyday, including gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan offerings, which extend to the chili options! Are there any chili traditionalists out there reading this? We hope so, because Souper Jenny's gluten-free "My Dad's Turkey Chili" is inspiring. Don't knock it 'til you've tried it.


56 East Andrews Drive NW; 404-237-7687; souperjennyatl.com

10

American Coney Island, Detroit, MI

American Coney Island
Courtesy of American Coney Island

Named after Brooklyn's famous Coney Island, Constantine "Gust" Keros, who immigrated from Greece by way of Ellis Island, founded this legendary chili spot in Detroit in 1917. Now in its third generation of family owners, American Coney Island is supported by a loyal fan base as well as a steady stream of out-of-towners. According to Constantine's granddaughter, Grace Keros, who now helps run the establishment, American Coney Island has become a destination spot for Michigan visitors. She has even seen fans return time and again with children and grand children. Known for their chili cheese dog and chili fries, Grace will send you a "Coney Kit" (hot dogs, buns, signature chili, and sweet onions) if you are unable to enjoy one in person.


114 West Lafayette; 313-961-7758; americanconeyisland.com

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