As temperatures begin to cool, the appeal of comfort foods reaches an all-time high. Soups, stews, and chowders top the list of soul-nourishing, body-warming meals. Texas chili, of course, qualifies as its own category of bowl-and-spoon satisfiers.
First and foremost, true Texas chili never, ever, ever has beans in it because the focus should be on the meat, which around these parts typically means beef. You’ll find a few outliers that use wild game or other proteins, but the basic formulation remains the same.
Whether you’re seeking a bowl topped with shredded cheese, jalapeños, and fresh onions, or plain with a side of crackers, we’ve got the heapin’ scoop on the best places to get your five-alarm fix around DFW.
Tolbert’s Restaurant & Chili Parlor
As the only restaurant in Dallas-Fort Worth with the word “Chili” in its name that actually serves chili (sorry, Chili’s), this Grapevine staple on the town’s historic Main Street deserves a spot at the top of this list. Frank X. Tolbert’s world-famous Original Texas “Bowl of Red,” is a great place to start. Order it by the bowl, cup, or super bowl if you’re really hungry. It packs a bit of heat on its own, but upgrade to 5-alarm or 10-alarm if you like smoke coming out of your ears. Stray from the iconic version if you dare, thanks to vegetarian, chicken, and “north of the border” options with beans. 423 S. Main St., Grapevine, tolbertsrestaurant.com
Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse
For 30 years, Y.O. Ranch Steakhouse in Downtown Dallas’s historic West End District has been a must-visit for out-of-towners and a regular haunt for locals who love fine-dining quality steaks and wild game without the pretense of some of the city’s top dining rooms. The Chuck Wagon Chili comes from a 50-year-old recipe, a version of which you can even make at home. Add an iceberg wedge salad, and you’ve got the perfect lunch or dinner. 702 Ross Ave., Dallas, yoranchsteakhouse.com
All Good Café
Terlingua, Texas, is well-known as the Chili Capital of the World, and this Deep Ellum café’s Famous Terlingua Formula One All Good Texas Chili received the stamp of approval of Terlingua’s self-proclaimed mayor, David Witts. The ghost town has no actual mayor, but it’s still a worthy claim to fame for the bowl of red with cheddar and onions served with a side of saltines. Or get the Frito Pie version topped with cheddar, sour cream, and fresh pico de gallo. 2934 Main St., Dallas, allgood-cafe.com
Angry Dog
This beloved Deep Ellum bar and grill gets its name from a massive, all-beef, Kosher hot dog loaded with chili, cheese, and grilled red onions, but it’s worth trying the Commerce Street Chili in its purest form. Try a bowl with cheddar cheese, raw onions, and pickled jalapeños. For only a buck more, add Fritos to make it a belly-filling Fritos pie. 2726 Commerce St., Dallas, angrydog.com
Billy Can Can
This Dallas dining saloon in the heart of Victory Park has a reputation for elevating Texas and southern staples, such as deviled eggs, pimento cheese dip, and banana pudding, so its chili upgrade naturally follows suit. The Bowl of Red is a classic Texas beef chili, thick and rich, with a shredded longhorn cheddar and pickled jalapeño garnish. It’s the crispy beef bacon added on top, however, that takes the whole dish to new heights. 2386 Victory Park Ln., Dallas, billycancan.com
Katy Trail Ice House
Grab a picnic table facing the Katy Trail for a nonstop parade of walkers, joggers, cyclists, and some of the cutest dogs you may ever encounter. Order up an icy schooner of Shiner Bock to accompany a big bowl of dark-beer venison chili. Get it fully loaded with onions, jalapeños, and cheddar. Or, if you have the appetite of a pro wrestler, dare to get the Man Vs. Food burger with a full pound of beef (four patties!), double cheese, double jalapeños, and two ladles of venison chili. 3127 Routh St., Dallas, katyicehouse.com
Fred’s Texas Café
Since 1978, Fred’s has been a true Fort Worth, Texas original. Now with three locations, the small chain’s cooks grind the beef in-house for the chili. After simmering for hours, it’s served with cheddar, onions, jalapeños, and corn chips for dipping (or adding to each spoonful at a time). If you’re feeling adventurous and wildly non-traditional, Fred’s even has a tasty Australian lamb stew with green chili, potatoes, and carrots. It’s served with tortilla chips for a hint of authenticity. Multiple locations, fredstexascafe.com
Queenie’s Steakhouse
Chef Tim Love has created several concepts, mostly in Fort Worth, but this Denton homage to his mom (nicknamed Queenie) deftly balances elegance and approachability. His Texas Red Chili checks all the comfort-food boxes, plus a few chef-driven touches, such as smoked cheddar cheese, crispy tortilla strips, and crème fraiche. White tablecloths and chili may be the most daring move of any restaurant ever. 115 E.Hickory St., Denton, queeniessteakhouse.com
Haywire
Venison takes the starring role in the chili at this Texas-themed restaurant in Plano and Uptown Dallas. Served in a crock with gobs of melty aged white cheddar, purple onions, and chives, it’s accompanied by a buttered cornbread muffin that is so good crumbled atop. (Maybe you can sweet talk the server for two.) Try it with a Haywire Old Fashioned, and you’ll be set. Multiple locations, haywirerestaurant.com
Mama’s Daughters’ Diner
Leave it to a down-home, classic diner to do chili right. With locations in the Dallas Design District, West Plano, South Irving, Forney, and Lewisville, you’ll never be far from a homemade chili fix. Get it in its simplest form, by the bowl or cup, with crackers or homemade cornbread on the side. Or load it up with Fritos, cheese, and onions. (Pro tip: The chili’s also pretty amazing poured over a baked potato with butter and sour cream.) Multiple locations, mamasdaughtersdiner.com
White Elephant Saloon
Tucked away past the bar at the White Elephant Saloon in the historic Fort Worth Stockyards, you’ll find a dedicated Chili Parlor. Every day, from noon to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., you can score a bowl of Texas red chili and a piece of homemade cornbread for only $6. If you opt for the evening chili service, make sure to settle in with a beer and stick around for some live music.106 E. Exchange Ave., Fort Worth, whiteelephantsaloon.com/chili-parlor
