Chili John's

There's a certain sense of nostalgia that permeates your experience at Chili John's, whether this is your first time here or the millionth time you've ordered a bowl of chili from one of the amicable servers behind the bar. Red bar stools, neon fixtures and plaques touting the restaurant's achievements (and yes, that episode of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives) give this place an old-school vibe, but it also opened in 1946, so it's pretty old-school anyway. When ordering, choose your chili type—beef, chicken or vegetarian—then a style, which includes chili served over beans and rice, spaghetti or simply spooned into a bowl. There are also chili dogs, sandwiches and homemade tamales, but first-timers would be wise to order a bowl of the good stuff—and top with a heavy dosing of cheese and sour cream, of course.