Best Chili in Nashville?

[SavageSig]

Or the surrounding area? Whenever I go to a new place, I always try their chili if it's available. And generally I am very disappointed. Who's got a suggestion?

Right now, my favorite is probably from Longhorn. It seems to have the best balance of flavor and heartiness that I desire in a chili. Most other places serve hamburger and bean soup.

Vietti is good too, but it's from a can and sort of salty.

[56FordGuy]

Vietti is good too, but it's from a can and sort of salty.

I can't really recommend Vietti chili, or beans, or anything else they make. While the products are made in Nashville, I've not had good experiences with them.

[JeffL]

Varallo's is pretty good. I wouldn't go out of my way to get it but I work downtown. It's good comfort food on a cold winter day.

[Mike.357]

I would have never equated chili with Nashville

[BigK]

I would have never equated chili with Nashville

Wherever you wind up, it's good to know where to get good chili...I think John Wayne said that, if not, I'm sure he was thinking it

I like a velvety smooth rich sauce instead of brothy or soupy. I like pintos instead of kidney beans and tomatoes are welcome as long as they don't try to be the star of the bowl. I grew up with hamburger meat flavored chili (read: mostly made up of beans), so steak or shredded beef is wasted on my pallette.

Laugh all you want, but the chili at Krystal and Waffle House is how I like it. I know how funny it sounds to name those 2 when recommending chili spots, but I make no excuses for how I like my chili.

Edited August 5, 2010 by BigK

[Guest Drewsett]

Best chili in Nashville comes out of my kitchen

Since I'm not inviting all you gun-toting crazy people over to my tiny condo (just kidding...about the crazy part that is),

the next best thing I would say either Rotier's or Varallo's.

[Metalhead]

Last time I went to Texas Roadhouse I remember them having excellent chili. Wasnt soupy, beans, and meat. Just like chili should be.

[Guest Fuel]

Try the "Texas Red Chili" at the Mojo Grill/Broadway Brewhouse over in the Vanderbilt area. Never fails to please. If you catch them on the right day it can have a good bit of heat to it. Comes in half pint and full pint servings. Good stuff!

[KahrMan]

Try the "Texas Red Chili" at the Mojo Grill/Broadway Brewhouse over in the Vanderbilt area. Never fails to please. If you catch them on the right day it can have a good bit of heat to it. Comes in half pint and full pint servings. Good stuff!

+1 All of Brewhouse's soups are good.

[Defender]

All good...rarely have I met a chili I didnt like, lol. Also, Red Robin has a surprisingly good chili.

Side note: When I was in Germany in the USAF, we had a chili cookoff for charity, and there many entrants from all over the country as we had cops there form all over. I had never seen so many different things that were called chili, lol. Some had no beans, some had beefsteak shredded some chunked, not HB meat, some had peppers, some had potatos, an amazingly diverse collection of chilis, and some were adamant that a true chili was only this or that, lol.

[Il Duce]

there is nothing like a good hot cup of chili on a cold day

[Guest HvyMtl]

Varallo's?

Varallos Chile Parlor & Restaurant

[Guest Tiny G]

TGO Chili Cook-Off ?

[Il Duce]

Now that would be fun

[mikegideon]

I would have never equated chili with Nashville

That's what I thought. I've been here for awhile, and couldn't think of a place. At home, it's Wick Fowler's, Carrol Shelby's, or Wolf Brand in a can. Then, there's the occaisional Skyline fix, but some wouldn't call that chili.

[Garufa]

Then, there's the occaisional Skyline fix, but some wouldn't call that chili.

That Cincinnatti chocolate gruel.

Edited August 5, 2010 by Garufa
spelling difficulties

[mikegideon]

That Cincinatti chocolate gruel.

Gotta have it sometimes. I used to order the Gold Star seasoning packs, but the frozen Skyline is almost like being there.

[Mike.357]

. Then, there's the occaisional Skyline fix, but some wouldn't call that chili.

Some don't know what they are talking about

That Cincinnatti chocolate gruel.

proof my above comment is true

Gotta have it sometimes. I used to order the Gold Star seasoning packs, but the frozen Skyline is almost like being there.

Got some of that too, here is a pic of my Skyline, Goldstar, Cincinnati Chili stash. Actually we are having 4-Ways for dinner tonight!

[Garufa]

I knew you'd be along when Skyline got dissed.

Thanks for playing.

[Mike.357]

well I was not going to bring it up, but when mikeg did my interest was piqued.

And I do understand you all to feel the way I do about Skyline, for the most part none of you ever had the chance to go to one at 2:30 in the morning. Thats where one's true love for their fine product is cultivated. The stuff is food of the God's, that why it originated with Greeks.

Edited August 6, 2010 by Mike.357
clarrify

[mikegideon]

All my 2:30 in the morning was done at Waffle House and White Castle. Got to be a Skyline fan hanging out in Cincinnati, and have been importing it ever since... a few times in coolers. It will make it from Cinci to Nashville and still be hot enough to eat if you pack it right.

[SavageSig]

I like Skyline 4-ways every once in a while, but it's nothing like a good cup of straight chili. Or with onions and jalapenos.

I like the chili fries at White Castle, but I'm afraid I can't imagine eating a whole bowl of that greasy stuff. I ate a bowl of chili at Rotier's last night, and found it to be decent, if a little bland. I will have to check out this Brewhouse and Texas Roadhouse. Oh and Varallo's.

[Defender]

I think Ive seen the Skyline brand at my local Krogers. IS it a chili in the can ready to heat and eat or is it a base for a pot of chili? I notice in these pics it show some other stuff with it..

[mikegideon]

I think Ive seen the Skyline brand at my local Krogers. IS it a chili in the can ready to heat and eat or is it a base for a pot of chili? I notice in these pics it show some other stuff with it..

Best way is to use it like spaghetti sauce. Over spaghetti, topped with a LOT of shredded cheddar cheese. Throw chopped onions on it too if you got 'em. Also good for chili dogs... don't forget the cheese and onions (and usually a little mustard). Not sure what will happen to you if you just eat a bowl of it

[Guest HvyMtl]

Skyline is complete chili out of a can, but is not a "bowl" chili. Based out of Cincinnati, Ohio, they have a chain of sit down/fast food restaurants selling this. Gold Star Chili is similar, and can, also, be bought out of a restaurant chain. Personally, I am not a fan. It IS way better used as a topping. I am fan of thicker chili, which can be eaten by itself.

Basically, in Ohio, and other Mid- Western areas, Chili is "thinner" and used as something to toss on noodles...

If you want thicker chili, head West.

My suggestion: NOTE: This is something eaten at 3am in the Mid West. Known as a "Slinger" in St. Louis. (because they "sling" everything on a plate...)

THE SLINGER: Take 2 grilled hamburger patties, or 2 sandwich sausage patties grilled, 3 eggs sunny side up, hashbrowns, chili, cheese, onions, and spaghetti.

Large plate necessary. Cook Spaghetti, place on plate, followed by the 2 patties, then the hashbrowns. Add the eggs on top. Then scoop chili on top of that and cover with onions and cheese. Pepper to taste. Mustard adds to it too. Enjoy.

Edited August 6, 2010 by HvyMtl