Chili Dog

Springfield Illinois Chili – The Chili Parlor

Published on February 6, 2017 in Other 49 States by Doug

Recently I posted about my love of Chili and first foray into the Florida Chili scene. Well…. I was recently back in the town of my birth and had to hit one of the granddaddy’s of the Springfield Illinois Chili scene.

The Chili Parlor was founded in 1945 and still uses the original recipe.

The Chili Parlor. Originally started as the Den, eventually morphed into Joe Rogers and finally settling where we are today with The Chili Parlor name. Back in the day I visited the South Grand Avenue location where the lucky few would eat at the counter and the rest would form a line, along the wall, behind the counter stools. The ordering and cash register was on the far end of the counter from the door. Just enough room for a line of patrons, an exit from the cash register and the lunch counter. It was a tight fit.

I tried explaining the Springfield, Illinois brand of Chili to my Florida friends at work and their appreciation was a bit lacking. The food in the heartland is a bit heartier I believe, and maybe a bit greasier.

I don’t know The Chili Bowl secret recipe, but can guess that it consists of meat, beans, spices, oils and some beef fat. Beef Suet seems to be a common ingredient in Springfield Chili. My Dad makes his brand of chili with a pound of hamburger and a pound of beef fat, red beans and the Joe Defrates Chili Man chili spices. With some oyster crackers it’s pretty tasty… even without the oyster crackers its tasty.

Bowl of Medium Hot Chili. Tailor your heat level to your tastes. You can order a bowl of Mild, Medium, Medium Hot, Hot and Firebrand. If you can complete a bowl of Firebrand you get your name on the wall with the other firebrand diners. The stars next to the names indicate the additional bowls at one sitting.

I’ve had to tone down the heat level over the years and have worked my way back to a medium bowl. Now I’m more about enjoying the flavor and not lighting up my VR1 Receptors. Go figure.

More than the chili, I have grown to love the chili dog. It’s different than what you may picture when thinking of a chili dog. It is a the chili meat placed on the dog, but just the meat. It’s more of a dry mix. Order it with everything and you have a great dog. This chili dog such a favorite of mine that I created my own similar recipe in its honor.

Chili Dog from The Chili Parlor. My favorite item. The Chili Dog with everything consists of the chili meat, mustard and onion. It’s a great combination.

The Chili Parlor is located at 820 S 9th Street, Springfield, IL

Current location of the The Chili Parlor. Just a few blocks North of South Grand on 9th Street. It’s an active place during the lunch hour.

There is a lot of history in those chili beans. If you haven’t tried it… add it to your bucket list. Get your first taste of Illinois Chili.

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