Texas Chili Parlor
(512) 472-2828
1409 Lavaca St
Austin,
TX
78701
30.2768
-97.742
Neighborhood: Downtown
What People Are Saying About Texas Chili Parlor
The Editor
Contributor
Citysearch
In Short
This Capitol area cafe's decor mixes the faux antique signs of chain restaurants with beer joint bric-a-brac. The crowd includes businessmen, construction workers and state employees. The dining rooms are small and the tables are close together at peak times. The chili is served with only a few slivers of onion and jalapeno. The meat is tender, yet keeps its shape. There are three serving sizes and three levels of heat.
User Reviews
waynenorton
February 21, 2009
Really good food, great prices and weekend specials. Friendly waitstaff and good service. We walked by and didnt think twice about it, and then the wonderful smell of the food touched my nose and I was drawn back... walked inside and had a great meal. Mmmmmm Mmmmmm Good
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lac78727
May 21, 2008
The last time I was here, I remember having a very good lunch. But today, I was severely disappointed. First of all, I walked across downtown Austin to get here, because I was in the mood for some decent chili. Second, it was almost a hundred degrees out. So, I was not in a fantastic mood. The two guys working there were total stoners, which is to be expected in Austin... and I'm ok with it, as long as they are capable of doing their jobs! I got there, sat down, and waited five minutes until the first stoner boy came up to take my drink order (ice water). Ten minutes later, my water arrived. Within those ten minutes, 5 other customers entered (a total of 9 now). All of their orders were promptly taken and their lunches were brought out to them. At least 3 times I asked for someone to take my order, but the stoner-boy waiters never failed to get lost in la-la land right after I asked them. Half an hour later, I was sitting there with a glass of ice... no order taken and no refills of water. This place freakin' bites and I'm never going there again. I'm not exactly one of the homeless vagrants that they are probably used to coping with... but then again, if I had been, maybe I would have actually gotten some service!
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zeeboe82
May 04, 2008
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 a bit about 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.
read full reviewThe Details on Texas Chili Parlor
Know Before You Go:
Chili doesn't just come in bowls. Many of the dishes, like Frito Pie and enchiladas, are doused with this hearty staple.
The Extras:
For those abstaining from chili, there's burgers, sandwiches and a large selection of Tex-Mex dishes, including the filling and substantial chicken quesadillas.
Category:
Restaurants, Barbecue Restaurants
Payment Methods:
American Express, Visa, Discover, Travelers Check
Restaurant Special Features:
Local Favorite, Family-Friendly Dining, Late Night Dining, People Watching, Lunch Spot, Group Dining
