texas chili parlor

if you love death proof, you gotta check this place out!. i'm a big fan of the movie death proof, yet i've never visited any of the austin locations it was shot in. that all changed this weekend. i enjoyed my time at the texas chili parlor, and it was quite a rush being inside there. it was a really fun place. the food was great, the prices were cheap, the staff was very friendly and polite, and the atmosphere was awesome. i'm hoping to become a regular. i loved walking around there, then sitting at the bar in the exact seat kurt russell sat in, and then looking at myself in the mirror. i spoke to the owner and chatted with him abitabout death proof and he told me some cool stories. in death proof, the texas chili parlor is located out in the woods...but in real life, it is actually located in the city side of downtown austin. in the movie, it was also shown having a jukebox, a parking lot and a back porch. in reality, the texas chili parlor doesnt have any of that stuff. that was a special detail quentin tarantino added himself for his own fictional version of the restaraunt. the porch scenes were filmed at another austin location and warren's vintage ami jukebox is owned by quentin tarantino. there was also no nacho grande platter's, club soda's or virgin pina colda's on the menu. but there were nacho's. when i drop about 15 pounds, i'll go back and sit at the bar while eating nacho's for sure. anyway, the texas chili parlor was fun, austiny kinda place and the type of restaurant i'd highly recommend any out-of-towner check out, as well as anyone who loves the movie death proof.

this is a great place. the chili is "old school," no beans in it. spicy up to 5 stars (!) and i particularly like their hot dogs and chili dogs. they also have great entrees, like huge plates of enchiladas. staff is professional, abitgruff, but fun! near the capitol building, when the legislature is in session there are lines out the door at lunch time.

as a big tarantino fan, i wanted to check this place out. i ordered the xxx chili, didn't think it was very good. seemed that all it had was beef, chili powder, cayenne, and water. i had to add a goodbitof salt just to make it palatable. enchiladas with white pork chili were good, as was the guacamole. service during lunch was excellent.

during some down time, i took abitof an urban hike to see the texas capital (pretty, but no west virginia) and stopped at the texas chili parlor on my way.it's abitkitschy, but the restaurant is a tourist favorite so i wanted to mark it off my list. it's pretty dark inside and smells abitmusty. but people from all ends of the spectrum - businessmen in suits to young hipsters - were waiting for their grub.texas chili has no beans in it; in fact, it's sacrilegious. just beef and tomatoes and other tasty spices. but, i wanted to try the chili, and i couldn't think of a better way to do so than atop fritos and with cheese. that's right, i ordered a frito pie. fritos, topped with chili, topped with cheese and then i got sour cream on the side, because it's essential. overall, i thought it was just ok. i did get the mild chili, but i thought it was abitbland. i was looking for all sorts of depth of flavor, and maybe i should've gone the spicy route for that. either way, cover something in cheese and sour cream, and it's good no matter what. a decent rendition of the dish, though i think i've had better. grade: c

chili mac n cheese with brisket!. i visit austin frequently and always go to texas chili parlor. it's right by ut. they put brisket in pretty much anything. i got the chili macaroni and cheese with the most tender and flavorful brisket i've ever had. my friend got the gumbo and it was awesome too, a littlebittoo spicy though.
a must try if you're in the austin area!
it is a hole in the wall bar that you wouldn't think would have good food. i rarely drink when i go there. i just eat the great food.

hasn't changed onebitin 30 years. thank gawd! frieda's enchiladas still great. had a very good waitress. one of my favorites.