Texas Chili Parlor in Austin

Ok. The outside looks a little rough. The inside looks a little rougher. But every thing we ordered was excellent and the staff was very friendly (as is everyone we've met here in Austin). The black bean chili was outstanding. The chicken tacos were excellent as was the beef chili without beans. Make your way over here if you're in Austin.

Like a great dive bar but with great chili and margaritas

Texas Chili Parler is a great Austin original. It features several different kinds of chili and each of them worth making a meal out of. If you're in the mood for something other than a corporate owned chain, TCP will serve you a generous portion of local flavor. With the capitol only a few blocks away, you're likely to share the place with a few legislators when Congress is in session.

As a first timer in Texas I had to have the best chili and EVERY single person we asked told us to go here. It did not quite deliver what I expected though. The chili was good as far as taste and size goes, but since I was warned about the XXX (the hot chili) I expected it to be hot and...well...it's not. Not nearly enough anyway.Cool place though, real old style, great staff and still good food. Just don't expect too much.

Great place to take the family. There is a temperature level to suit everyone. Just don't let your ego overwhelm your common sense and go for the hottest stuff they have, as my son did. After about a dozen spoonfulls, he had finished his beer, my beer, and was waving the empty bottle over his head begging our server to bring more. Quickly! Very tasty, especially for the more sane among us.

This restaurant is either kitschy or rundown depending on your view. When I go into the bathroom, I’m leaning toward the latter. Immortalized in Guy Clark’s song Dublin Blues, the food is decent and the chili is the definition of chunky.

Nothing says Austin more than a bowl of red and a Topo Chico mineral water. This is the real deal, the original Texas Chili made the same way it's been done for decades. If you really want to be in with the In Crowd, just call it a 'bowl of red". That's what the locals say. This is all meat chili, no beans. Of course this place has other stuff as well, but it's really all about the chili.

Queso is amazing! Large portions, tender meats, great flavor. Frozen margaritas are great too. Prices were great, and so was our server. I'd definitely go back again!

Friendly staff. Practiced government guidelines. Good food.

We went cause of all the great reviews. The service was excellent and I had high hopes for the chili especially after reading the story on the menu. I got the habanero chili and mac-n-cheese. The mac-n-cheese was decent. Sadly though I was highly disappointed with the chili. It had very little flavor and was mildly spicy at best. I got to disagree with the menu. Chili outside of Texas is much better if that is what the best chili in Texas is like.

Awesome bartender made the best Old Fashioned ever, and the atmosphere is everything you want. Love the feel of the place!

The quintessential Texas dive never disappoints. Their chicken and sausage gumbo is a perennial favorite, but I switched to the triple combo chili con queso/tamale w/chili/quacamole salad and found a new favorite.

To savor a bowl of tasty chili with a nacho side dish at this joint is close to feeling like a real Texan in the heart of it all, Austin. The service was fast, efficient and friendly, and the food was delicious. I will remember my first taste of chili in the shadow of the Texas Capitol and its Lady Liberty. Great memory to be had. Great food and service. Very casual and homey feeling. Lots of wood! Several of us met there and had a real nice time. Ok to be a little loud. Great beer menu!

Never mind all the menu choices. Get the chili. Absolutely the best with big chunks of meat with onions and jalapenos on the side. Along with crackers. Can add cheese and sour cream. I'll describe the place as being on the "historic" which it might be as it's been there forever. But remember you came for the chili not the facilities.

For an Indian, it's a good spicy place to visit. We can try some different beer and venison, which is deer meat. 🤪

So classic and delicious! You can adjust the spice level. The plates are large and the service excellent! Great place to visit any time you’re in Austin!

The Chili was very delicious. I especially enjoyed the beanless option which is what authentic Texas chili is. If you are wedded to the notion of having beans with your chili those options are also available. The atmosphere is very rustic and no frills. There are no locks on the bathroom doors and there are curtains on the stalls. You may want to take care of your bathroom needs ahead of time. Lunch is very crowded as this is a popular spot.

Not sure which was better, the food or the service! Kerry was awesome. We had a burger, chili and steak. Everything was great! Definitely recommend.

Excellent service, food, and drinks. I'll definitely be back. Thanks Brendan!

The best chili around! When in TX you have to experience are bowl of chili... People who say there is “no flavor” must not have experienced much cuisine. Prices are the best around as well and after traveling the world my wife and I may come back every year. Drinks were yummy too. Laid back atmosphere was appreciated! Genuine Texas chili hot spot!!! Come here! Great music as well.

We stopped in about 8pm on a Wednesday night. It's definitely what you consider a "hole in the wall" or "dive bar" and I'm completely fine with that... The waitress was super nice and kept our drinks full. I had a green chile chicken enchilada and some Texas Chili. I wasn't overly impressed with the Texas Chili, but the enchilada was very good. We also had some guac & chips and they were good as well. As long as you can get past the rougher than usual look of the place, it's definitely worth checking out.

Kind of dive place but the Chili was really good. The guacamole was delicious. The breakfast steak and scramble was really good. The prices are good as well. It's worth a visit if you're looking for something different in downtown Austin.

My boyfriend loved it. Great history happened in the Texas chili parlor bar. We had to stop and have a mad dog margarita. Chili is fantastic. Well worth the trip to the bar.

The chili taste like tomato paste. I’ve had good Texas chili, but this is not the place for chili. The restaurant is mostly empty and the food lacks flavor & substance. I ate here several years ago and it was excellent, but something has changed. Perhaps the management team changed or maybe the real cooks left for a better gig.

Hole in the wall chili parlor, very "Texas" atmosphere with all sorts of Texas memorabilia on the walls. Menu is stocked with a few different varieties of chili and other meals (mostly involving chili). We started with chips and queso which was tasty; I ordered the cheese enchiladas smothered in the XX Texas Red chili. Not too spicy and very delicious, but the cheese enchiladas were a bit much in terms of cheese. In the future, would order chicken enchiladas to avoid getting too much cheese. Great lunch place that isn't too pricey. (Make sure you look at the flow chart in the restroom; very funny!)

Excellent chili $2.50+ beer and delicious mac and cheese.

Great Austin atmosphere! Cleaned my plate! Burgers and chili, without , with, and vegetarian were all highly praised. Lunch crowd was pretty hectic, come early. Happy to to dine here again given occasion and circumstance. Thanks folks!

THE true and original hole-in-the-walk home of an authentic, Texas "bowl of red". (Tasty burgers and other options for the unprepared.) Margaritas and mixed drink specialties!This restaurant connects you with our state dish in its true form! As LBJ said, "chili concocted outside of Texas is a weak, apologetic imitation of the real thing,"But you can find the real thing here for sure!

Great revisiting an old hangout. Had one...or was three... obligatory Mad Dog margs... Can't remember... Chili was excellent as usual... Glad to see it's still around especially with the recent closure of other Austin eating institutions...

Great place, nice food, slow service

If you reading this is the kind of person who needs a smile with your table service or a little “southern hospitality” mixed into your ordering, don’t go here. You go here for the chili and atmosphere. It’s old Austin at its finest; gruff, weird, and unique. Pretty cool Tarantino filmed a scene from “Death Proof” here. And it’s fun dive bar to watch a UT game in (if you can get it).

An Austin original eclectic dive bar in the middle of downtown severing up fantastic variations of chili and tasty beverages! A must visit.

There was a really cool atmosphere here when we visited. It was Saturday afternoon so it wasn't too busy as well. I got the chili potato with brisket chili and it was really good. My wife got the enchilada and steak and really enjoyed it was well. If you're in the area, definitely go try it out!

Just exactly like I had envisioned! I’ve wanted to eat hers since I first heard Dublin Blues. I ate A small Frito Pie and drank a glass of tea at the bar, I could just envision Guy Clark sitting next to me with his wish come true. The lunch crowd fills the place during the noon hour. Some patrons drank cocktails or beer. Memorable outing for sure. The staff was busy; cashier looked like manager. He pointed out open seats as diners entered. From my seat at the bar I could see into the tiny, crowded kitchen. The cook stayed on top of everything. Notice the flames in my pictures. Be prepared for spicy chili, by the way. I added jalapeños and onions to tone it down, and that isn’t an exaggeration.

A variety of chilis--I highly recommend getting the sampler. I got a cheese enchilada as an add-on/side to the sampler, ask your waitstaff for that. Liked it so well we went back a 2nd time on this 5-night trip. Atmosphere: dive bar. Food: terrific. Staff: BUSY but lots of attention our 1st eve, avg attention the 2nd trip. Wheelchair accessible and just a block from the Capitol.

This place has been a mainstay in my trips to Austin. All of the menu items have been great values and delicious. Only dropped one star because our work group somehow got cut off after the first couple rounds of drinks because we were "loud."I get it, loud patrons can drive off additional business, but without any conversation before we get the axe all I can think is that we were just annoying. Tough but fair I guess, but a warning would have been nice.Bottom line, tldr, good food, good drinks, great staff (minus one). Go, and if the bartender isn't pepe, tell him he's a jerk 😉

Had all six chili types. Favorite was the black bean an sausage, least favorite was the venison. Beer selection was okay but the place itself felt very cozy. Also had a sample of there classic burger. Tasty char broiled flavor.

Great chili with different degrees of heat. Had the xx Frito pie and it was pretty spicy. Great frozen margarita. Very good service. There was a "hole in the wall" atmosphere that was pretty cool. All they need is a jukebox 🙂.

Austin's best place for lunch with a kick. Great salsa and burgers. Cold drinks all at a great price. Come often to try different menu items. You will not be disappointed.

Best way to warm up on a cold day! I got the chili sampler and asked for the best three Chile’s! I left very satisfied

Great place to enjoy good classic rock. The staff is great and so is the food. Love the atmosphere...a step back in time. Not like today's loud and bright sports bars. Keep up the good work Texas Chili Parlor.

We stopped here on our way through town and it did not disappoint. Their chili is so unique! I started with the nachos which were amazing. I then had their 3 chili combo and each was great. My favorite was one with sausage and black beans.

This was my first time coming here, I had a wonderful time. I ordered a loaded chili potatoes. It was huge and the staff were nice. Definitely going back again!

Great food with lots of menu variety in a hole-in-the-wall type place. Very friendly wait staff and fast service.

Super service! Amy and Kyle rocked the bar and the gumbo was fantastic! Homey, divey and tons of character.

Ok I actually have opinions about this place so buckle up. It's got good chili. But not the best. Ive had had the best. And so they get 3 stars. If you're a Texan though, you'll enjoy this place

Amazing chili spot! Definitely get the Frito pie. The hot chili has a bit of a kick to it, but more than manageable. Janelle had great recommendations and was very attentive. Highly recommended.

This had the most interesting and tasty chilli I ever had. Im definitely coming back.

This place was awesome and had great service, we went right before lunch and it was a little busy but not too bad yet, it got to where you had to wait a few minutes to sit down later, I got the chili taster option and picked three different chilis, I got the white pork, habanero beef and original xxx hot, they were all very good but the original had really good big chunks of meat. Really loud good music of the classic rock nature and the staff was pretty cool, just so you know when they ask you if you want cheese and sour cream with your chili they cheated you .75 each for that and it comes out to a 1.50 extra, the do have weekend happy hour 3.50 screwdrivers

Food, drinks, and atmosphere some of the best in Austin, if you really want to know how Austin "used to be"....An institution downtown for nearly 50 years....Been a regular for over half that time.