Where to Find the Best Chili in Owensboro

Fall has finally arrived in Owensboro, and I am ready for hoodies, football, crunchy leaves, and a big bowl of chili! But before we get into where to find that bowl, we need to settle something that bothered me for years.

What is your chili situation when it comes to noodles?

I grew up in Northern Michigan, and when I moved to Kentucky, I quickly learned that people here have some very strong opinions about chili. Back home, putting spaghetti noodles in your chili was unheard of. Then I moved to Owensboro and found out that for a whole lot of people around here, noodles aren't just allowed in chili. They're practically required!

And then there are the folks who want it exactly the opposite way. Meat. Beans. Maybe some cheese. No noodles anywhere near it.

So, naturally, I need to know where you stand! #chimein

Once the temperatures drop, there's nothing better than a hot bowl of chili, and Owensboro has plenty of places to find one, from old-school drive-ins and burger joints to Cincinnati-style chili, chili dogs, and good old-fashioned comfort food.

I started with Yelp and Tripadvisor, then I dug through an Owensboro Facebook conversation where someone asked: “Best Chili in Owensboro?” Big Dipper absolutely dominated the comments, with Old Hickory, Gary's, Ritzy's, and several others getting plenty of love, too!

Here are some Owensboro spots worth checking out when you're craving chili this fall. And if I missed your favorite, I expect you to tell me about it!

Big Dipper

A longtime Owensboro favorite, Big Dipper absolutely dominated the local Facebook chili conversation, with reviewers and locals alike giving its chili plenty of love.

Old Hickory Bar-B-Que

Old Hickory kept popping up in both review-site searches and local Facebook recommendations, making it one of the most-mentioned chili spots in town.

Ritzy's

This one is a real chili contender, especially if you're a Cincinnati-style chili fan. Reviewers love the 3-Way, 4-Way, and 5-Way versions served over spaghetti.

Gary's Drive In

Gary's gets plenty of love for its classic drive-in comfort food, and local chili fans repeatedly named it when asked where to find a good bowl.

Drake's

Drake's was a surprise addition from the local Facebook chatter, with several people specifically calling out its chili and one commenter declaring it among their favorites.

Texas Roadhouse

Several local chili fans gave Texas Roadhouse a shout-out, with multiple people naming its chili as one of their favorites.

Culver's

Culver's earned several shout-outs in the local conversation, with fans specifically praising its chili and Chili Supreme.

Wonder Whip

This classic Owensboro drive-in gets hometown love for its comfort food, and locals also gave a shout-out to its chili as a fall favorite.

Lic's Deli & Ice Cream

Lic's rounds out the list with another longtime local option, and chili fans have mentioned pairing it with a grilled cheese for the ultimate comfort-food lunch.

SOURCES: Yelp/Tripadvisor/Local Facebook Chatter

I know there are plenty of other Owensboro restaurants, cafés, and mom-and-pop spots that serve up a fantastic bowl of chili that didn't make this list. If your favorite place has chili that deserves some love, tell me about it! I may have to add it to the list and do some very important chili research! #winkwink

LOOK: 24 Childhood Dinners We Swore We Hated (Now We're Craving Them)

Let's set the table and look back at the meals we swore we hated — before we were old enough to know they'd be exactly what we miss most about those average, everyday days at home.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz