Chili My Soul

Chili My Soul
4928 Balboa Blvd.
Encino, CA 91316
818-981-2202

Chili My Soul has a unique way of making chili. Their chili is a long process that is suppose to be leaner and more healthy for you then regular chili. They have 30 different flavors of chili, of which 11-15 are picked and served daily. All chili is served with your choice of corn bread, tortilla chips, or garlic bread.

I got a cup of chili, $6.95, Rio Grande, lean ground beef in a rich beef stock with baby pinto and tender black beans topped with sour cream and cheddar cheese. Chili My Soul has a spicy scale from 1-10, 10 being the hottest. Rio Grande was a 5. For me chili has to have beans. This was a tasty chili, lots of flavor, they put a good amount of cumin in their chili. Rich, thick, a bit thicker than I like chili but still good. Good amount of beef and beans. The corn bread was pretty good. Nice and moist inside. But I prefer cornbread that the crust is a bit burnt and crunchy. Overall I was impressed with the chili.

Service is very good. The lady at the counter allows you to try any chili you like. I only had 2 chili the rio grande and Texas Pride, The classic Texas-style beef chili brought "up-town" without all that fat. Lean bacon is simmered into this wondrous blend of thee rich, red chiles, black pepper, roasted cumin, and rich beef stock, also a 5 on the spicy scale. But the Texas Pride was more spicy. As I said, I prefer chili with beans, that is why I didn't order the Texas Pride.

I would go back to Chili My Soul. I do think the prices are a bit high but the quality of the chili is great. I will be back if I'm in the area.

Update April 28, 2009

Somebody asked if Chili My Soul is better than Chili John's in Burbank. Two words, HELL YES. I thought Chili John's was overpriced and they charged for extra toppings, sour cream, without telling you they were extra. I did like the fact Chili John's had spaghetti with their chili. Nothing better than a four way!!!!!!