10-1-11 Dixon's Chili Parlor

October is/was scary food adventure month. It could be a place we heard bad stuff about, a haunted restaurant, a chain or just a scary location...or maybe a restaurant we have a coupon for out of the Entertainment Book. Dixon's Chili Parlor was a little bit of each.

Our first encounter with Dixon's is a bit odd. When we lived in an apartment complex about 6 years ago, Jon had the pleasure of taking the dog out in the field behind the complex. While the dog was doing her thing, an older neighbor named Jack was taking his dog out as well. Jack liked to talk quite a bit and on this day, he mentioned how he visited Dixon's for lunch. While he recounted his story, he kept farting and talking about Dixon's. His 20+ minute story was filled with released gas. Jack definitely liked the chili. Thank god for wide open spaces.

We arrived at Dixon's prepared to be underwhelmed. No one was there, but that didn't last long. Perhaps this is a hell mouth or it has loyal followers (like Jack) but what it does have are the best wait staff in the gay area of this city. It officially has an Independence address but is on the border between Independence, Raytown and maybe Kansas City. Which one is it?

The parking lot and restaurant really started filling up at noon. Large groups of big people enter the clean dining room. Jon said, "Do you think they're here for the all-you-can-eat tacos?" And that was exactly what they were there for.

We both ordered spaghetti with chili on it and a taco.

The chili is not what you would expect. It is unseasoned ground beef with your choice of beans. You can order it juicy (or soupy) and you season it yourself with the condiments on the table which included chili powder, vinegar and bottled chili peppers. Saltine crackers are also there for you to put in your chili. The taco was your run of the mill taco (reminded Jon a little of In A Tub in the Northland just not as greasy) with cheese, hamburger meat, and lettuce with a side of taco sauce. We could see how people would like the all-you-can-eat tacos for 6.99.

President Harry S. Truman loved this place and we did too. When we checked out at the register, the young woman asked us if we had been there before and would we be back? We said of course as she punched a frequent visitor card for us. We used a coupon from the Entertainment Book so it was a good deal. And if we would have been hungry for desert, they have huge pie slices available.

For being the longest operating restaurant in the area (since 1919), it was a good food adventure and one we'd try again.

Get your chili on at Dixon's Chili Parlor located in Independence at 9106 U.S. 40.