Some Like It Hot! Top Chili Spots Near St. Louis
Let’s face it, when the temperatures drop and the air is nippy, there is nothing better than a hot bowl of chili.
And restaurants throughout the Great Rivers & Routes region know that better than most.
From secret recipe chili at Taylor’s Mexican Chili Parlor in Carlinville to the hot and oh so spicy blend at Old Bakery Beer in Alton, Fall is one of the best times to indulge in a hearty bowl.
Here are just a few of the top chili spots in the area:
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Taylors_Mexican_Chili_Parlor_Carlinville_for_web_047176e9-9242-480c-b1b4-f45e544fd294.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=bf620979cb43ccf9406c9b3c6bf97018 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Taylors_Mexican_Chili_Parlor_Carlinville_for_web_047176e9-9242-480c-b1b4-f45e544fd294.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=85630f4fc3d0c564bfa800acf87a3514 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Taylors_Mexican_Chili_Parlor_Carlinville_for_web_047176e9-9242-480c-b1b4-f45e544fd294.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=6ddc0e68d384400dc629fbf1c6cd5746 627w)
Tempt your tastebuds at Taylor’s Mexican Chili, 510 N. Side Square, Carlinville, with tamales, butter bean soup and an enjoyably authentic bean and beef chili. The chili recipe has been a closely held secret since 1904 and Taylor’s Mexican Chili was recently named an Illinois Maker through the Illinois Made program.
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5cd045304a8355d908cfdb96b175ab8f 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=f6afbe91e450ff803f98b63a245fbffe 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=0a26a24def31f61c08be72397109d2d0 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=fbb385f05e9590a7d199133aa4669950 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=94f5f8f366d23a2d08e280c64d3b1773 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f12882360311243db86a45fc179f0b68 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=718bb25f2aaa4a355734d3f2d3ca1b0a 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=4f2ac083a3d05b4c54f3793da7903461 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/Chili_product_for_web_aae0118d-2ccd-4272-bf6c-b94532848154.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=cd0d7a8c5fe799870b59b236bc702027 3648w)
Red Top Barbecue and Chili, 605 Vandalia, Collinsville: Big things come in small packages and Red Top in Collinsville knows that better than most. Chili and barbecue go hand-in-hand here. Order ahead and enjoy carryout, drive through and curbside service.
Old Bakery Beer, 400 Landmarks, Blvd., Alton: Beer and chili is a great combo. But what about beer flavored chili? Old Bakery Beer often uses its own brews to create make its “Chili of the Day”. Different chili options are offered throughout the fall and winter featuring vegetarian, beef, pork or chicken. And yes, beer.
Cozy Cafe, 633 S. Main St., Hillsboro. When the owner is in the mood, then chili is on the menu at this intimate cafe tucked along the city's Main Street. A closely guarded recipe complete with special spices makes the dish worth the trip!
For more warming food options, check out area restaurants here!
![](https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=fcada74ba9d52d6af9c7b1d7227fc9b6 320w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=5458930944d9583a3467053bdc33c8ff 540w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=ab4be25b269ace44e777909a3ad82540 768w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=41e8dc37ce63bbe83d21cbcca34300c8 1024w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8f8c1e97195926fe88ab7857ba617305 1200w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=cc18a8ea4be1650daf9366b8278709d0 1440w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=135f8292d7a7264bcdf2432734aeaf4b 1920w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=5ff88ee8f207172b01ef9f660b86c657 2560w, https://riversandroutes.imgix.net/images/S7303534_728b8f2f-c70b-4365-b456-8bb6a50c2513.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=c85658a95d54a4f4b827f44a337eca21 3072w)