Tom Thornton

It's not often that our minds wander to the best chili in Austin. Tourists and locals alike can be forgiven for overlooking humble chili as a classic staple of Central Texas cooking: having the country’s best barbecue and a stellar taco scene will do that. They may wish to reconsider, though: those looking for a taste of classic Austin won’t do better than grabbing some of the best craft beer in Austin to pair with one of our city’s many great bowls of Texas red. Chefs and enthusiasts can debate ingredient lists and prep methods all day long (and they will)—but this list of winning local entries proves that any number of approaches can lead to the perfect recipe for chili success.

While pie often evokes thoughts of the holidays, the best bakeries in Austin—and their super talented pastry chefs—have shown an abiding love for the classic dessert. Whether you crave savory fall flavors like pumpkin and sweet potato or comforting classics like coconut cream when looking for the best pies in town, there’s a perfect local option to find your favorite. The choices range from neighborhood bakeries to Austin’s top fine-dining restaurants—there’s even a barbecue joint or two in the mix. Adding coffee and ice cream to your order are optional, but taking time to visit these top pie destinations should be mandatory.

The old guard favorite of many Austinites, Texas Chili Parlor’s gruff service, dive bar ethos and 70s vibe make it a popular spot for UT students, tourists and the lege. A standard bowl of red comes in three different heat levels, while a “chili with beans” range includes venison, white pork and hatch chile, and a five bean vegetarian version. There’s a full bar here, but simple is best: grab a Negra Modelo or a Shiner and soak in one of Austin’s classic institutions.

Crestview favorite Black Star complements their smart brewpub beer list with a classic bowl of red. Their “Hill Country-style” chili on the dinner menu uses beef chuck from 44 Farms, and adds heat from a blend of chipotle, ancho and guajillo peppers. Garnishes of onions, jalapenos and cheddar complete the plate, which pairs well with the crisp, housemade Self Esteem blonde.

This roving truck casts a wide net for chili lovers: variations named after Texas cities offer a range of ingredient and flavor combinations. Their San Antonio chili is a beef and pork-based hearty chili utilizing seeded chili pods and chili puree for a rib-sticking carnivore feast. (No beans or tomatoes for the Alamo City.) The Austin chili goes the opposite direction—it’s a vegetarian lentil chili with tomatoes, but still delivers classic chili heat and spice. Three other variants honor El Paso, Houston and Dallas, and sides of potato salad, Fritos and cornbread are also on offer. The truck is a frequent visitor at both Austin Beerworks and Oskar Blues breweries.