Nick's Chili Parlor - Indianapolis, IN

Posted By Michael Stern on June 8, 2011 4:05 PM

Thanks to Ben Morton and Rick Garrett for alerting me to this happy chili parlor on a rather unhappy stretch of recession-blighted shopping centers. If cash is short, Nick's is an especially good place to know about: a big bowl of 5-way is less than $5; a chili dog with cheese is $1.99. The chili is hearty, not too hot or betwitchingly spiced, but mighty satisfying, especially in concert with spaghetti noodles, red beans, finely grated cheddar cheese and crisp raw onions. Next time, I am going to pay 50 cents and get extra cheese on the chili. I ran out of it before excavating halfway through the bowl.

While the hot dogs themselves are nothing special, the chili does add panache that makes them into the sort of food that never makes one say "wow, this is delicious," but somehow completely vanishes from the plate, inducing temptation for just one more.

As has been pointed out in previous reviews, the staff is great fun and seem always to be kibbitzing with each other and with willing customers. While they all are African-American, the clientele when I dined at Nick's was a racial rainbow that included youth in hip-hop uniforms and geriatric couples who came through the door in dual walkers.

Overall Rating

Chili 5 Way

Basic Chili

Chili Dog

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Posted By Pete Runnels on June 9, 2011 5:20 PM

Been eating here for almost 40 years. I've even played golf a couple of times with Nick and his brother. It's been in a changing neighborhood for 20+ years, but that doesn't keep anyone away. The place is always packed for lunch.

None of the food here is particularly extraordinary, it's just darned good, comfortable, and satisfying. The people here are pleasant, the service exceptionally good.

Overall Rating

Chili 5 Way

Chili Cheese Fries

Chili Dog

Homemade Pie

Tenderloin

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Posted By Rick Garrett on July 3, 2008 11:31 AM

Nick's Chili is an Indianapolis landmark. I eat at Nick's at least once a week for lunch and thought it was time to add it to Roadfood! Housed in a building that was formerly a Rax Roast Beef restaurant, Nick's is packed for lunch and dinner, and is usually fairly busy throughout the day.

Although they have a few other menu items, Nick's does chili and does it well. A bowl of chili, chili dogs, and chili cheeseburgers are their most popular items. With large chunks of meat, hearty beans, and just enough spices to give it some bite, the chili is a warm, satisfying meal on a chilly fall night. Hot tamales are wonderful, rivaling the best I've had.

If you've got a hearty appetite, you can't go wrong with their fish sandwich. This is a HUGE fillet of whitefish, deep-fried, on a hoagie bun, with homemade tartar sauce, and you can't beat it. Nick's has wonderful skin on fries. Their chili cheese fries are a real treat. Add to that great, HUGE onion rings, and an array of homemade desserts... you can't beat a trip to Nick's.

At Nick's, you're served cafeteria style. You work your way down through a line, picking and adding items as you go. And I must add a note about the staff: they are among the friendliest group of folks you'll meet. Nick's cooks and staff are largely retired folks working part-time. You'll feel like a loving grandma is serving you food.

Overall Rating

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