Old school chili con carne ... who's got the best?

[Robin Garr]

I'm not talking about Tex-Mex bowl of red, and I'm not talking about cinnamon-scented Cincinnati chili. I'm asking who's got the city's best old-fashioned Ohio River "chile con carne" served over spaghetti, of course. Is Check's still a contender? Did Cunningham's old bowl transfer successfully out River Road? Who else? Where's the best?

I've never had true Chili Con Carne served over spaghetti, I've only ever seen that done with Cincinnati Chili. I really haven't found any place in Louisville that makes good Chili Con Carne except in our kitchen! I've tried it at several places and haven't really found one yet that hits the spot. They either don't have the correct ratio of meat to beans, have too much sauce and not enough body or don't have the correct level spice. Hopefully somebody will post a place that they think have good Chili so I can try it!

Is this emanating from your canned tamale reference? Because chile con carne only had negative memories for me.

The best I ever had was in a little Mexican restaurant in Olympia, WA, run by a guy Philip Moreno (the restaurant was aptly named Moreno's) and who's wife worked in the kitchen serving up awesome chili and the best chili rellenos I have ever eaten. Unfortunately, they are both gone now, but the food was memorable. Chili must be prepared with time as one of it's seasoning ingredients, as the flavors must marry and be allowed to age to perfection. Most restaurants don't have the time or the patience to do that. These days they want to open a can, maybe toss in a little fresh onion or garlic and call it home made. I've had some pretty awesome chili at chili cook off's but those are often the benefactors of time, love and TLC that no restaurant can afford to include in their recipe. Too bad, because chili, made well is an art form worth savoring.

[Robin Garr]

Harvey, your memory makes me desperate for some of that chili. Right now, though, I'm looking for the classic old-school Louisville-style, before Cincinnati polluted it. It's popular pub grub around this town, but it can be greasy and weird if it's not made well. A lot of chili snobs hate it, but for those who grew up around here in a certain era, it's comfort food.

Robin,

I will show my age, ahem, but the best Louisville Chili I remember were right around the corner from each other-

Mazzoni's Oysters and Holly's Legal Eagle(bar?). These were down at 7th and Liberty area. I was YOUNG and underage but my co-workers at Colwell Financial and I would visit both of these places for lunch. Since I was with an older crowd they never questioned me at Holly's.

Anyone else remember these- for their chili- Mazzoni's is legendary for the oysters- Shout out to Homerun Burgers & Fries for the closest rolled oyster I have found.

Thanks!

Lora

[Robin Garr]

Lora, thanks for the trip down memory lane! I do remember Mazzoni's, and Holly's too, mostly through my father, I guess. Of course Mazzoni's lingered on for years on Taylorsville Road and then for a very short time after moving to Middletown.

There's a reason why Home Run Burger's rolled oyster tastes like the original! The owner, Bob Kiper, who used to run Hungry Pelican, talked a Mazzoni oyster roller into giving up the secret! All the others are back-engineered imitations, but Bob has the secret recipe.

I've tried to follow and duplicate my mother's chili recipe, but it lacked the richness and life I remember when she made it. I think she wrote down the wrong measurements for some ingredients.

As far as other people's, I remember Old Walnut Chili Parlor had a reputation, but I was never into it. It was too oily for me. When I was kid in the 1970's, I always liked Wendy's chili, but I think they've either changed the formula or my palette matured.

[Robin Garr]

When I was kid in the 1970's, I always liked Wendy's chili, but I think they've either changed the formula or my palette matured.

Or both?

Silver Dollar - tons of meat (brisket?)
Hilltop - sweet and tons of beans, topped with fritos
FABD - smoky with bbq scraps and hamburger

[Robin Garr]

Thanks, Justin! After all that, it turns out we're taking the story in a different direction, but it's good to have this on the record anyway!

Silver Dollar - tons of meat (brisket?)
Hilltop - sweet and tons of beans, topped with fritos
FABD - smoky with bbq scraps and hamburger

Thanks for the suggestions Justin. I've actually tried all 3 of those in the only when I like it all with someone from Silver Dollar. As you mentioned the one from Hilltop is sweet IMO not enough spice in the one from FABD to me has an off taste because of the smokiness.

Check's hasn't changed save for the price. It's up to $4.00 a bowl maybe? Still good, greasy and you can get it with noodles or not. Ask for cheese and slight glare from old guys at the bar. This ain't Skyline.

If I recall, Rush Inn has chili and it's good. Morris's deli is good too, but pricey. And you might have to eat with Mitch McConnell. That would make me lose my appetite.

[Robin Garr]

And you might have to eat with Mitch McConnell. That would make me lose my appetite.

I lost mine just contemplating the possibility.

you might have to eat with Mitch McConnell. That would make me lose my appetite.

That wouldn't bother me but if Yarmuth showed up it might be a completely different matter, but I'm assuming he's fancies a certain barbecue joint!