When temperatures dip, chili season officially kicks into high gear. Cabbagetown’s beloved Chomp & Stomp returns Saturday, November 7, bringing the neighborhood together for its annual chili cook-off featuring more than 100 amateur cooks and restaurant teams. But there’s no need to wait until festival day to satisfy a chili craving. From hearty bowls of smoky beef chili to lighter turkey and vegetarian versions, Atlanta restaurants are serving up plenty of takes on the cold-weather classic.
Whether you like yours loaded with toppings, packed with heat, or served straight up, these local spots have you covered.
Bantam & Biddy
Bantam & Biddy serves a meatless take on comfort food with its vegetarian chili, made with soy crumbles and topped with sour cream and cheddar. Served with cornbread and available by the cup or bowl, it’s a hearty option for diners looking for alternatives to meat. 1544 Piedmont Ave., Ste. 301 Atlanta, bantamandbiddy.com
Frazie’s Meat & Market
Frazie’s Meat & Market took third place at Chomp & Stomp in 2025, earning bragging rights for its smoked chili. The award-winning recipe is available by the pint at the northwest Atlanta butcher shop, where smoky, meat-forward flavor makes it a standout for anyone looking beyond a traditional bowl of ground beef and beans. Pick up a pint for a cozy fall meal at home or a chili fix to enjoy later. 2030 Main St., NW, Ste. R204, Atlanta, fraziesmeatandmarket.com
Souper Jenny
Souper Jenny’s My Dad’s Turkey Chili offers a lighter alternative to the beef-heavy bowls around town. The gluten-free, dairy-free recipe appears on the cafe’s rotating soup menu, so check the daily lineup before making a special trip. Beyond the Westside location in Atlanta, Souper Jenny has 5 other locations including Decatur and Buckhead. 1082 Huff Rd., NW, Atlanta, souperjennyatl.com
Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q
Smoked brisket gives Fox Bros. Bar-B-Q’s chili a distinctly Texas-style barbecue flavor. The all-meat, no-bean chili is available by the cup or pint and stars in its Frito pie, layered over crunchy corn chips with shredded cheese and diced red onions. For a heartier side, chili mac pairs the barbecue staple with macaroni and cheese for a smoky, cheesy comfort-food classic. 1238 DeKalb Ave., NE, Atlanta, foxbrosbbq.com
The Vortex Bar & Grill
The Vortex serves chili two ways, giving diners a choice between beef and turkey. The beef chili combines ground sirloin, chipotle peppers and cayenne in a bean-free bowl with smoky heat. Tasty turkey chili takes a different approach, blending fire-roasted tomatoes, green chiles, jalapeños and black beans for a smoky, pepper-forward flavor. The 50/50 bowl brings both recipes together in one serving for those who want the best of both worlds. 438 Moreland Ave., NE, Atlanta, thevortexbar.com
Little’s Food Store
A longtime Cabbagetown staple, Little’s Food Store serves up burgers, sandwiches, and hot dogs for a quick, casual bite. Its popular chili dog piles the shop’s award-winning beef chili onto a classic hot dog for a hearty take on the American favorite. Grab a side of fries to round out the meal, and enjoy a taste of one of the neighborhood’s most beloved hangouts. 198 Carroll St., SE, Atlanta, littlesfoodstore.com
Ormsby’s
At Westside Provisions District, Ormsby’s serves a hearty, bean-free beef chili that brings classic pub comfort to the menu. Order it over fries or try the Texas-style chili mac, which layers the beef chili over house-made macaroni and cheese for an indulgent pub classic. 1170 Howell Mill Rd., Ste. P20, Atlanta, ormsbysatlanta.com
The Varsity
An Atlanta institution since 1928, The Varsity brings its signature chili to the drive-in classics that have made it famous. Add chili to a hot dog, cheeseburger or fries, or order a chili cheese slaw dog piled with chili, shredded cheese and coleslaw. The closely guarded recipe, created by founder Frank Gordy, has become part of the restaurant’s legacy. Canned Varsity chili also lets fans recreate a taste of this Atlanta staple at home. 61 North Ave., NW, Atlanta, thevarsity.com
Skip’s Chicago Dogs
Skip’s Chicago Dogs’ homemade chili is served by the bowl and piled onto hot dogs. The Hot Tamale Supreme takes the chili dog in a bolder direction, adding cheddar, raw onions and hot peppers. The family-run restaurant has been serving Chicago-style favorites in metro Atlanta since 1979, making it a longtime destination for chili-dog fans. 48 N. Avondale Rd., Avondale Estates, skipschicagodogs.com
Pepper’s Hotdogs
Pepper’s Hotdogs puts a different spin on the classic chili dog with its turkey chili-topped Red Dawg. Cheddar and jack cheeses add a creamy, sharp bite, while raw onions, garlic aioli and spicy mustard layer in crunch, richness and tangy heat. The weekday hot dog stand makes a convenient downtown lunch stop for a chili dog with a little extra personality. 84 Peachtree St., NW, Atlanta, peppershotdogs.com
Grindhouse Killer Burgers
Grindhouse Killer Burgers spices up its beef chili with chorizo, available by the cup or bowl. It also tops the Hillbilly Style burger with American cheese, jalapeños, onion and diablo sauce. Dirty South Fries pile chili, bacon, pico de gallo, jalapeños, cheese sauce, chipotle ranch and cheddar over crispy fries. Grindhouse earned second place at Cabbagetown’s Chomp & Stomp chili festival in 2025. 701 Memorial Dr., SE, Atlanta, grindhouseburgers.com
Patty & Frank’s
At Chattahoochee Food Works, Patty & Frank’s serves chili over comfort food. The Chili Cheese Patty stacks two beef patties with American cheese and black bean chili, while chili cheese fries deliver the same savory combination over crispy fries. 1235 Chattahoochee Ave., NW, Ste. 130, Atlanta, pattyandfranksatl.com
Home grown GA
Home grown gives the classic hot dog a twist with its Chili Cheddar Slaw Dog, featuring a beef hot dog on a wheat bun topped with chili, cheddar and jalapeño slaw. Chili Cheddar Home Fries offer a hearty, cheesy side. 968 Memorial Dr., SE, Atlanta, homegrownga.com
