Years in business

Established in 1919

Price:

$

Last updated 8.10.11

Category:

Restaurants

Payment Methods:

Visa, MasterCard

Cuisine:

Mexican, Traditional American

Reviews & Ratings for Dixon's Chili Parlor

4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

15 reviews

What users are saying:

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Reviews from:
2.5 Star Rating: Below Average

05/24/02

5

by wolfsblood at Citysearch

This place is a Kansas City icon. But from my point of view it is mediocre at best. A plate of mildly seasoned ground beef does not a chili make. Sure, it's not half bad when served on a hot dog or a plate of spaghetti, but I could do this at home. Why can't we have real chili here?

  • Pros: not expensive, plenty of tables
  • Cons: ketchup on spaghetti?, chili is bogus
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/23/11

great

by ITSOKAY at Citysearch

I love this place, the food will melt in your mouth. A nice place to bring the family. I could eat here everyday....The people are nice as can be and the atmosphere is great also.

4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/04/10

A Kansas City Star

by ginarac at Citysearch

My grandfather lives right down the road from Dixon's, so it's been a part of our family tradition for years now.

While it's not traditional chili, it is delicious. And you can't go wrong with beef, cheese, sour cream. The service is exceptional and the atmosphere is pure, friendly midwestern.

For the historians out there, this was also one of Harry Truman's favorite spots :)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/01/10

Unique--but the best!!!

by JMMC at Citysearch

Not your mother's chili--but equally fantastic! You get a plate of steamed beef, steamed beans, and you season it however you want!!! There is a learning curve, but by the 2nd time you should be getting the hang of it!

The tacos are equally fantastic--I always get one on the side.

The personnel are always friendly--at both locations--and we've seen the same ones for years!!!

  • Pros: Staff, food, prices, uniqueness
  • Cons: Takes a time or two to learn how to season your chili
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/08/09

Very unique, don't miss

by bricknord at Citysearch

This place is an experience. Make sure to ask for a sampler plate prior to ordering and have your server give you the rundown on what soupy and greasy are, etc. This is not chili like you have been taught to think of it, but that is not a bad thing. The vinegar sauce in the bottle that looks like it is hot ( peppers inside ) is not hot and is wonderful, try it. If you live in Kansas City and haven't eaten here, you're missing out. You won't leave hungry. Old-school in a good way.

  • Pros: Nothing else like this place, tasty
  • Cons: If you aren't open to a new experience, avoid
1 Star Rating: Poor

07/26/09

Avoid at all Costs, Should not be called Chili

by kbliznick at Citysearch

This has got to be the worst "chili" i have ever had. To call the extremely lightly seasoned ground beef chili is false advertising. No flavor, no heat or spicyness, just greasy ground beef.

  • Cons: Tasteless "chili"
4 Star Rating: Recommended

09/22/07

BEST CHILI IN THE AREA

by jessgrin at Citysearch

GREAT SERVICE, GREAT TACO'S, AND EXCELLENT CHILI THAT YOU CAN CREATE THE WAY YOU LIKE IT! LOVE IT SO MUCH!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/05/06

Service is great - BUT TRY THE FOOD!

by tjofosho at Citysearch

Everyone who has ever eaten there knows that there is no other place like Dixon's Famous Chili Parlor. Wolfsblood said that you could just make this at home, but in all reality, you cannot. All of the work and all of the effort that goes into the food there, and the place to keep it looking clean. It has a rating of 3rd best in Kansas City for cleanliness. When they cook the meat, they put in ingredients that makes the chili, well Dixon's Chili. There is no other place like this, and that is a fact. You can try and make this at your house, but I can guarantee it will not taste the same. My favorite thing up at Dixon's Chili is the taco salad and I well recommend it. I have had everything there is there, and I've tried things in many different ways. If you are looking for good food in a relaxing enviroment, then you chose the right place. THERE IS TRUELY NO OTHER PLACE LIKE IT! I LOVE IT!

~TJO

  • Pros: Great Service
  • Cons: NON
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/29/06

The most unique chili anywhere

by ghgibson at Citysearch

Dixon's Chili Parlor is simply one of a kind. If you are trying to compare their chili to anyone else's, you are frankly missing the point! It's not like anyone else's....which is why the place has lasted so long. Harry Truman was eating here about the time of World War One.

If you want "normal" chili, this is not your place. If you want fancy surroundings, this is REALLY not your place; the joint is all formica and chrome chairs right out of the '50's (Not new chairs and tables made to look old, I'm pretty sure they are the same tables and chairs that were here when I first came here as a child in the mid 60's!)

But the chili is, in my opinion fantastic! You can doctor it up however you please, with onions, spices, vinigar, and for people who really "don't get it" ketchup!

Believe it or not, although I have dined there dozens of times, over 40 years, I have never had anything but the chili. I am sure everything else is fine, but I come for the chili. Having moved from KC years ago, no visit is complete until I have been to Dixon's.

08/06/05

Editorial Review

by Contributor at Citysearch

Chili parlor chain started in 1919 offers various chili-based dishes including spaghetti, tacos, burritos and hot dogs.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

12/10/04

Different, but good!

by debismoon at Citysearch

This may not be what you expect when you think chili, but keep an open mind and you'll be glad you tried it! You get to season to your liking with chili seasoning right on the table, and yes some people like ketchup on their chili. They have great burritos and tacos as well.

Showing 1-10 of 11 reviews

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