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America's 10 Best Chili Places

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Camp Washington Chili in Cincy was voted #6. I can't say I disagree.

 

America's 10 Best Chili Places

 

"1. Ben's Chili Bowl

Washington, D.C.

No reasonable discussion of great chili joints can take place without mention of this U Street institution, open since 1958. Try the Bill Cosby's Original Chili Half-Smoke hot dog and the beef-filled house-made chili sauce, a decadent french-fry topping.

1213 U Street NW; 202-667-0909

 

2. Joe Rogers' Original Recipe Chili Parlor

Springfield, Illinois

Bon Appétit features editor Hugh Garvey was weaned on the chili at the Den, as locals call this 63-year-old no-frills legend. The chili comes with or without beans and in a range of heat—from mild to the scorching J.R. Special.

820 South Ninth Street; 217-522-3722

 

3. Chili My Soul

Encino, California

No single chili style rules at this mostly take-out spot in the Los Angeles area. In fact, every day a dozen or so chilies from a roster of more than 30 varieties are featured. Each type—from Blanco y Verde (tomatillos, Great Northern beans, chicken) to Gunslinger (ground beef, bacon bits, baby pinto beans)—is numbered. (1 has no heat; 10 is blazing!)

4928 Balboa Boulevard; 818-981-7685

 

4. Slim's Last Chance

Seattle, Washington

Part chili shack, part music venue, this Georgetown-neighborhood hangout serves four chilies (Texas red, brisket and bean, chile verde, and turkey and white bean), with optional white-cheddar grits or jalapeño mac and cheese.

5606 First Avenue South; 206-762-7900

 

5. Daisy May's BBQ USA

New York, New York

At the best barbecue joint in the Big Apple, chef Adam Perry Lang's chili is thick with braised cubes of beef and served with house-made chipotle sauce, cheddar cheese, onions, sour cream, and a warm tortilla.

623 11th Avenue; 212-977-1500

 

6. Camp Washington Chili

Cincinnati, Ohio

You either love Cincinnati-style chili or you despise it—there is no middle ground. Order this mild, somewhat sweet, fine-ground beef sauce thusly: 3-Way (spaghetti topped with cheese and chili), 4-Way (spaghetti, cheese, chili, and onions or beans), or 5-Way (the works).

3005 Colerain Avenue; 513-541-0061

 

7. All Star Sandwich Bar

Cambridge, Massachusetts

Fiery-hot Texas State Pen Chili (made with brisket and no beans) is a best seller. Cornbread, sour cream, Jack cheese, lime, and cilantro (served on the side) help tame the flames.

1245 Cambridge Street; 617-868-3065

 

8. Tomasita's

Sante Fe, New Mexico

This is one of the best places to try stew-like New Mexican green chili (named after its green Hatch chiles), filled with your choice of pinto beans, posole, beef, chicken, or cheese. A crispy sopaipilla (puffy fry bread) comes on the side.

500 South Guadalupe Street; 505-983-5721

 

9. Tolbert's Restaurant

Grapevine, Texas

From the Chili Queens of San Antonio to the annual cook-offs, no state takes its chili as seriously as Texas. Halfway between Dallas and Fort Worth, Tolbert's serves a classic bowl of Texas red, bean-free and super-thick with beef chunks.

423 South Main Street; 817-421-4888

 

10. Big Bad Breakfast

Oxford, Mississippi

At chef John Currence's new breakfast-and-lunch-only diner-like spot, you can have the house-made chili on a griddle-fried hot dog atop a sweet waffle, in a two-egg omelet, or simply in a bowl.

719 North Lamar Boulevard; 662-236-2666"

 

 

Anybody else hit up any of the other 9 locations? Opinions on good chili restaurants?

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I've been to Camp Washington Chili a few times...definintely glad its getting some love.

Never been to Camp Washington Chili, mostly because even when I'm at UC, I can't make myself stop in Camp Washington. Not the best part of the world as we know it, ya know what I mean?

 

How much, if any, better is it than other chili places in town?

 

I love chili, and certainly do my part to keep Skyline, Dixie, and Gold Star all thriving in the Cincy area.

I like Skyline, Gold Star and Dixie better than Camp Washington Chili. I prefer Dixie first. JD

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Never been to Camp Washington Chili, mostly because even when I'm at UC, I can't make myself stop in Camp Washington. Not the best part of the world as we know it, ya know what I mean?

 

How much, if any, better is it than other chili places in town?

 

I love chili, and certainly do my part to keep Skyline, Dixie, and Gold Star all thriving in the Cincy area.

 

I honestly like Camp Washington better than Skyline, Gold Star and Empress. I think it's a little bit meatier and I just think it's got the formula really perfected. That, and they certainly don't skimp on the chili on their coneys. I haven't had Dixie in years, honestly, but it was always my favorite of the "chain" restaurants.

 

Cretan's in Carthage, Price Hill Chili, Pleasant Ridge Chili, Blue Ash Chili, and Areti's in Mt. Auburn are some of the other "stand alone" restaurants that I've been to. All of them are certainly good enough to give a shot if you're in the area.

Chili is not something I typically order when I go out to eat. A good chili usually takes some time to settle so that all flavors infuse properly over a few hours. Most places cannot guarantee that. Not that there are not tasty chilis out there, just that it is a dish better served homemade.

I like Skyline, Gold Star and Dixie better than Camp Washington Chili. I prefer Dixie first. JD

 

Your Erlanger blood runs deep JD. Dixie Chili is the chili parlor for Erlanger.

Dixie Chili is my favorite by far.

Voice of Reason yes I agree been raised on it since the late 50's however, the first Dixie Chili was in Newport Ky. JD

I'm with JD. Camp Washington was alright but I prefer the "big 3" locally.

Dixie Chili is my favorite by far.
Same here! Anyone from NKY choosing Gold Star or Skyslime should be hauled off in the middle of the night and left in the woods...in Ohio. :cool:
Same here! Anyone from NKY choosing Gold Star or Skyslime should be hauled off in the middle of the night and left in the woods...in Ohio. :cool:
I agree, however I don't mind Gold Star, but Skilinie is the pits.
Voice of Reason yes I agree been raised on it since the late 50's however, the first Dixie Chili was in Newport Ky. JD

 

True, the first one was in Newport, but how long has there been a Dixie Chilli in Erlanger?

I agree, however I don't mind Gold Star, but Skilinie is the pits.

 

I have nothing but love for all 3.

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