IT'S ALIVE! Nick's Chili Parlor

When I first arrived in Indianapolis 25 years ago, there were (I think) three Nick's Chili Parlors: one 'way up North somewhere, the original at 2621 Lafayette Road, and the one I knew in the strip mall on the Northwest corner of Stop 11 Road and Madison Avenue.  I ate there once, really liked the chili and vowed to return, but by the time I did, the danged place had closed.  In its infinite wisdom, however, the strip mall management left the sign for the place up on their marquee out by the street for at least a year or longer, taunting me.  "Don't you wish you could eat here again?" it would sneer. I think the Northside location closed, too, and I actually had no idea at the time where the original location was, so I just assumed they had all closed.

Fast forward to the present:  I had cause to drive up Lafayette Road for work the other day, and lo and behold, what do I see but a big Nick's Chili Parlor sign out in front of the original location!  Welllll, you just know I had to have me some, even though I'd just finished lunch.  I locked up the brakes, returned the obscene gesture of the trucker who'd been behind me, and pulled onto the lot.  Contrary to the photos you'll see on Google, the place is quite nice and has a warm, modern feel.  It was about 2:00 in the afternoon, so the lunch rush was over, and I was able to step right up to the counter.  It was then that my digesting lunch audibly reminded me of its presence... so I decided to forego the delicious-looking hot dogs on the steam table and ordered a half-gallon of chili to go for something like $16.99.  The two ladies behind the counter acknowledged my order and then resumed their conversation, with one complaining about how her family members take advantage of her, and the other commiserating.  They acted like I wasn't there, but they worked as they talked and soon had my order ready, so I didn't mind.  

To cut to the chase, Nick's chili may not be the best restaurant chili I've ever had, but it's darned close: The Five Way had a really nice balance of meat, beans, and spaghetti, with two big portions of shredded cheese and diced onions on the side.  The liquid part of the chili was not a broth, it was opague, thick, and delicious.  It was the epitome of Midwestern-style chili, flavorful but not very spicy, so I had to add some Tabasco sauce, but that was just for to satisfy my Southern tastes.  The Little Woman and I ate half of it that night, and the rest will surely disappear before the week is out. It's worth the trip up to the 'hood, y'all!