I grew up in Berwyn, and the flagship Bishops was 2 blocks west of our town's western border, and was one of the first "lad's hangouts" we had. Bowls of great Red and we could order Near Beer (q.v.) even! Bishops had an old-school vibe 10 meters thick, and when it was learned it was to be razed to the ground making way for the Turano Baking complex, there were more than a few long faces. They moved their operations to downtown Westmont, and like an idiot I refused to go there for years, in stubborn protest to the original going away. We do dumb things, don't we? After a while, I relented and paid a visit, and damned if it wasn't the same as it ever was. This Yelp is a long time coming... Our fave mechanic (besides my Cousin, Randy) is a bit south on Cass avenue and post recent oil-change I was waxing poetic about Bishops. Wife does not eat Chili, but sweetheart that she is, she insisted I stop to get myself a bowl. One bowl (light beans, extra raw onions) turned into two bowls (natch!) with a fine Usinger's Brat on the side. Wife et oyster crackers. She likes them. Nostalgia, dear readers. Nostalgia on the hoof. The bowls of red were just as I remembered. The bottle of chili pepper vinegar close at hand, applied deftly, added a slight sourness complimenting the brew wonderfully. Back in the day, if you knew about it, you could ask the attendant for their "secret" home-made hot sauce, which would come out in a small metal container. Bishop's brew is not a "hot" chili in its natural state, so if you wish the capsicum kick, you add some of the fiercely red secret potion to your bowl. It's no longer a secret item, its out in the open. (and truth be told, although it has a kick, it's not a "hurt your mouth" hot sauce) The Usinger Brat is a Usinger Brat. They define the category. Yum! Now the solitary gripe: One of the great things about going to Bishops was Filbert's RootBeer on tap. Yum personified. I don't know what the foul beverage they presented actually was, but it wasn't anything close to Filbert's RootBeer as I knew it. Maybe the draft lines were dirty, or maybe the Filbert's recipe has changed for the worse over the years. In any case I wasn't happy about it, and switched to a Diet Coke, and THAT wasn't a great bibe either. Bummer. I shoulda ordered a straight beer. The place was pretty empty (it was the middle of a weekday afternoon). A couple of folks came in and got take-out. The gal behind the bar looked and sounded like a tough cookie, (said respectfully). Then again, it wouldn't have been in Bishop's character to have anyone else in attendance. She was ok. They say you can't go home again, but you CAN get close if you know where to look. Throwing 5, because...Bishops! read more

Can't complain about the food, Chili Mac is great & the brats are really good! The bowl of oyster crackers is a great addition to the meal. Been here many times, never had to wait to be seated or served. This is a cash only establishment, there is an ATM in the building, so please remember that, stop in and give it a try. My only suggestion I have is the bun that the brat is served on should be a bit bigger, a hot dog bun doesn't quite work. read more

Bishop's Chili - Brat & chips - American Near Me - Westmont, Illinois

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Ok so they claim to be Chicago's chili for 100 years. But doesn't give them the right to have horrible service and be way overpriced. Chili was ok if you like under spiced and over beaned. read more

Took an hour drive to visit an old neighborhood gem. Food was warm hospitality let's say ive had a much warmer welcome from an enemy..wear a bib bcz most likey the angry waitress may toss bowl at u. God forbid u ask for some hot sauce not like I asked for ger first born. Its not a seat yourself establishment more like ill tell u where n when to sit with an attitude. #racist read more

Bishop's Chili - American Near Me - Westmont, Illinois

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The best chili ever even tho the guys customer service wasn't up to par. The food makes up for it. Wish I could leave 5 stars but attitude is everything especially when I tip 20-25% read more

Always friendly service. Always cold beer. Always leave with chili (unless you are eating here). This is arguably the best smelling dive bar in the world. read more

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Best chili I ever had. I've been coming here for over twenty years and ashamed I didn't write this sooner. This place has phenomenal food and excellent service. It is family owned and the chili recipe is out of this world. It was a regular weekly stop when I worked in the area. Now that I retired, I try to come back as often as possible. This is the best. The ambience is very diners and dives and that just adds to its down home charm. read more

Love place always love the place always good food family owned been here a long time and I'm in the mood for it. I come here and it's always hot. It's always tasty. read more

The same Bishop's Chili recipe that I remember from the original location. Ambiance lacking, looks like a VFW from the 1950's. Westmont is waaay out of my milieu, so we only visit every couple of years. They do have frozen for takeout, read more

We love Bishops Chili. It is a very different tasting chili-not a Tex Mex usual. It's very unique. I grew up in the area and have moved to Texas. Whenever we are back in the area it is a MUST have. Always have a nice bowl and an Old Style! read more

Bishop's Chili - The best treat for us! - American Near Me - Westmont, Illinois

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Walked in expecting a huge line of people on their cell phones. To surprise none of that, big circular bar to sit at and watch sports and pound down some brews. 1 guy was manning the kitchen and bar they could have had some help for the guy. Anyways the star of the show was the chili for it Cincinnati style with the pasta. Chili was flavorful and once hit with all 3 homemade hot sauces it was great. Had to order a pint to go. I guess place has been around since the 1920s or something like that ... glad they stuck to the roots and didn't change it up. Go try it read more

Very good but needs a little more spice They do sell onions, cheese, and I think jalapeños for extra charge read more

Must try. Friendly service, cozy, clean, no frills, reasonable prices and most importantly the chili is deeelish. Extra points for the selection of homemade hot sauces to add to your chili. Polish sausage and tamales also tasty. Menu is simple but adequate and fitting for this local staple. read more

First time here. Went to the original location as a kid. The chili and cheese/ jalapeño brat was excellent. They only have chili and a few sandwiches. Yet, the reason was chili. read more

I've been there a few times for chili and beers - and also take-out chili. The chili is good. Used to go to the original on 18th st in the city. When I'm in the Westmont area, this place is on my list. Don't expect a 5 star restaurant, it's a bar with good chili. A good place to chill! read more

Bishop's Chili - From the parking lot... - American Near Me - Westmont, Illinois

I walked in to order 3 quarts of chili. The owner gave me a hard time because I did not pre-order. She was impatient and not very hospitable. She seemed annoyed that I even giving her some business. The chili was more like soup. Not sure I would go back again. Left with a bad taste. Not a positive experience. read more

Exactly what we expected. Great servers, great location, great Chili! Highly recommend! read more

Great selection of items with chili and don't forget to try the hot sauces and the draft root beer!

Nice atmosphere and staff. But honestly the worst chili i've ever had. It tasted stale with no flavor. A descent place for a drink but don't expect their only food item to be any good. read more

Bishops Chili has been a around for about since the 20's. When I was little, my dad used to take me to Bishops and we used to have a bowl of chili and watch tv. Yep, I would sit at the bar with him. That being said, I am used to the taste, and consistency read more

The last time I had Bishops chili I was but a tot sitting next to my dad. That was 1966. I told the waitress I had made a special trip 53 years later and she literally yawned. But the chili was good. read more

Truly disappointing. This was THE WORST chili I've ever had. If indeed this place was ever famous for their chili, then they must have lost the recipe! Save yourself the money and go to Wendy's drive thru for a better chili! Now let's talk about the place... Dirty old bar filled with slot machines. Just don't. Unless you like that kinda place. read more

I didn't enjoy my visit today. The coney dog fell apart with the first bite and I had to finish it with a spoon they gave me. I got a glass full of ice with maybe 8 oz of root beer in a 20 oz glass. I don't feel the need to return. $9.46 for a coney and a root beer? read more

1. We lived in Woodridge and my friend's dad would take me & my buddy to this place as kids in the late 1970's during the winter. Fun! Over the years and now fast forward to present day, been to this place and the Chili in no longer the best. Not even close. I have boasted about this place and took my lady there several times. No longer good Chili. What happened? All beans & no meat detected - NONE! You can still buy ground beef at any major food stores such as Jewel but there was none that we could taste or see? Total opposite of what the Chili content was years ago. You will have all beans in your spoon. 2. This place only takes cash - Beware . 3. Prices are on the high side for area. Canned beer is not bad but should be about $2.00/can - $3.00/can, not greater than $3.00/can. 4. Cleanliness of place, who cares? It's not as bad as other reviews make it... read more

I am giving this place three stars, with one of the stars for old times sake. I had fond memories of getting a bowl of Bishops Chili in my younger years, when they were at 18th and Damen. Now they are in Westmont, and still serve the same recipe chili as they did way back when. I guess i don't remember the chili being average, but it is now. Not worth going out of your way to try. read more

Bishop's Chili is a small neighborhood bar and eatery located in Westmont just off of Cass avenue. I decided to stop in on a cold January evening and give this place a try. Once you walk in the door there's a large bar with a TV set up. Most of the other patrons apparently come here to drink rather than to try the items on its menu. Shortly after seating myself at the bar I was given a paper menu and quickly settled on their #1 combo which is Chilli with a hot dog and a bag of chips. I was asked what I wanted on my hot dog and found out they only have a small number of ingredients and settled on mustard, onions, relish and sport peppers. Almost immediately after ordering my chili was brought over. The chili had a nice flavor with a thicker broth than a lot of others. Since this is only the second chili place I've review I'll compare it to another chili place I reviewed some months ago, Lindy's chili. This chili is spicier but has a less rich flavor to it. I'd say the quality of the chili is about equal to that of Lindy's, this one is a little less watery and a little more spicy. Soon thereafter my hot dog was brought out. This was a skinless dog with meat on the inside that was white. The hot dog flavor itself reminded me of many grocery store brands. Due to the lack of condiments available there wasn't much to comment on with regards to the assembly of the dog itself. The bun was soft and was a standard non-poppy seed bun. Overall this was a very poor hot dog. If I were rating Bishops strictly on the dog alone this would be a one star review. Overall my opinion of Bishop's is that it would be a great place to get chili to go, but that you don't want to risk the hot dog. I've noticed they have chili dogs and polishes as well which might wind up being better. The fact that the Hot dog was of such poor quality and that this is #1 on their combo list brought the score down. This is clearly a key item on their menu and it's awful. The chili here is great, but avoid the hot dog. I give it two stars. read more

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ok food, i have had better chili, i think all food i a matter of taste. it's fine and it works for me in a pinch

This is truly, unequivocally the worst famous chili I've ever had. Where are they famous? This chili, if you call it that is tasteless and way to expensive for. The lady is rude when you don't take any of that famous rubbish home. This old hag needs to learn how to add. She charged me 5.65 for a ice tea and tax on a 10.99 meal that was. Not clear how they calculate. Bratwurst was grey and nasty looking. No flavor or famous anything at this place other than a stinky smelly bar. Whatever you do don't ask for chili sauce!! That lady is mean no smiles, no greeting no famous!! read more

Old school chili parlor - 95 years in business and run by the 4th generation now. Solid chili, reasonable prices, very friendly and great service. Besides chili they offer tamales, brats, dogs, and grilled cheese sandwiches. Simple food, but good on a rainy fall day. read more

Well...ive gone to Bishops Chilli for years. Decades. I had a bowl today!!! Just as delicious as always. We'll be back each time we're near. Live a few blocks from Indiana. Always worth the trip! read more

This is a great place to eat some great home made chili. Their vinegar chili sauce is awesome on their chili. Some like their other hot sauces. I liked my chili with the spaghetti noodles with cheese n onions. Some like their chili with just oyster crackers. Awesome place for great chili. The atmosphere is a bar setting. But the chili is what they are known for You can buy quarts of homemade chili as well. Yum read more

Bishop's Chili - American Near Me - Westmont, Illinois

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This place used to be great with great chili ! Now the chili is watered down with no meat and no flavor ! The woman behind the bar was extremely rude to us especially my 93 year old mother ! She set the food out of reach when it was ready and did not serve it ! I never wrote a review before but felt I had to ! I used to recommend this place but now I never will and will never go back here ! I was never treated worse in my life ! One star for the video games and location ! read more

OK - a classic old school place that begs me to give it five stars just because places like these are fading fast, but still have a bunch of charm and often some special food or offerings not to be found elsewhere. It says "Chili" in the name - so there's the specialty, the reason to yearn to be there. Not. I went in on quite a crummy cold weather day - one that makes one beckon for a bowl of chili - good comfort food day. The bartender server was nice and helpful - would have included her name here as I'll do that when the service is a positive experience. One type, one size of chili with a few topping options. So I order a bowl and add onions and cheese to it. I'm looking at the menu (half blind because I've left my reading glasses in the car and don't care to go back to it in the middle of the cold driving rain). Looks like there might be burritos, but it's mostly hot dogs or tamales along with a bowl of chili. So I add a tamale to my chili order. The tamale comes out - it's nothing special - one of those steamed Supreme type tamales. But that's OK, because if the chili is awesome, the tamale is just there to augment the good stuff. Now for the chili... eh. Hate to say it, but it might as well have been canned (I'm sure it wasn't - but I've had canned chili that would stand up to it). What's so famous about it? It's sitting in a bay-marie at the end of the bar - it's warm temperature wise, but can't find the goodness. I see in some of the reviews there's talk of "spiciness" - I'm not into super hot food, but this chili wasn't spicy at all. There were different sauces that could be added and give the chili some punch, but for me - the dish needs to stand on its own - and it didn't. The best part of the meal was the draft root beer - that is a nice touch. I truly wish this was a four or five star place - stops like this are few and far between. If it wasn't a classic place with good service, Bishop's would be two stars - food falls short of expectations. Cash only. read more

The best chili I ever had sorry that they are so far away. Is I'm in the area I always get two bowls and a cold beer. Gene C read more

I almost want to review the reviews! Lets put this in perspective, the Western Suburbs are kind of a cultural and culinary void. Sure there are exceptions, but honestly it is a bastion of corporate pandering to a middle America that is so deprived of enjoyment they will order bread sticks with their pizza and call it a day.. Enter Bishops Chili, been there for years, family owned and operated. Their Chili won't win the big Texas cook off, but it tastes like my Dads, and possibly your Dads, and your friends dads, and that is awesome. There is a scruffy ex-Roadie Scotsman slinging suds and if you can slow him down enough to tell you a story hang on tight. The prices are as cheap as you will find, the place is a bit understated (that comment is understated), but there is a level of honesty here, honesty that no corporate dump can ever provide. So if you want "proper Gumbo" and you head East to Pappadeaux's on Rt-83 and you are disappointed after dropping $40, go fuck yourself. If you want an honest bowl of chili with a beer, tell Scotty I said hi. PS, yes beans are in chili, you chili snobs can fuck off. I am almost fifty years old and my father put beans in chili, no he wasn't from Texas or any other god forsaken wind swept red neck haven, none of that matters, if something is done enough overtime it becomes a thing, now go back to kindergarten and learn how to wine less. read more

I really have no idea what the big deal is; maybe the people of Westmont never ate chili before... The chili was way too watery - the spoon kept splashing my face and table with, guess what? Chili water! I guess I prefer a thicker style, but who knew that a thin chili was also available? For chili mac, they serve their chili over cut spaghetti noodles... More like chili spaghetti! If you're into that - I'm not! I found it very expensive for what you get. $3.50 for a cup. They call it a "bowl" but it is a shallow "bowl." Don't forget about all the chili water that comes with it! After I quickly finished the first, the bartender asked if I was ready for a second one... I was gonna tell her that I was ready to go to Wendy's and get a bowl togo. But I kept it down... read more

LOVED the atmosphere here when we stopped in one night for some chili to-go. It's a total dive type bar that is a bit dark and def old school. There was one bartender/to-go person/waitress in the whole place and she handled it amazingly! And she was super friendly despite being the only one to do everything! Awesome! We ordered chili, cornbread and some toppings like cheese and gardiniera and the price was super reasonable. Once we got home, which was a good 20 minutes away, it was still hot and ready for us to eat! Now, to be totally honest, I kind of don't know what all the hype is all about. The chili had a "dirt" type taste, if anyone knows what I mean when it comes to some chilis. I think that flavor comes from the dark chili powder, because I bought a dark one one time and it had that dirty taste. Not pleasant. =[ And the cornbread was pretty dry and crumbly, nothing I will be craving any time soon! So if I had to just rate the food, I would def give it 2 stars, but they get that extra star for the nostalgic feel of the bar. Loved that. But unfortunately I will not be returning for their famous chili, I'm just not that into it. read more

Delicious as has been for 100 years. Lol . Seriously, it still tastes the same as when I was a kid. It was great, spicy, rich and meshed well with my tamale!!!! read more

Mediocre service with subpar food. I'd recommend pretty much anywhere else in the Westmont area over this place.

(Quick tip: Get a tamale with your chili. You won't be disappointed). Also bring cash or check because they do not take credit cards. It is a tad quirky, but it's worth it because the chili is delicious. It's always hot (temperature-wise), with a nice consistency and flavor, and if you like it spicy they have plenty of hot sauces on hand. You pay per extra topping (cheese, raw onions, giardiniera, jalapenos, etc.) but they're only like 45 cents each on top of a bowl of chili that's only about $3-4, so it's still totally affordable. They also have meal options, which includes chili dogs, chili with a tamale on the side (completely delicious), brats, etc. They give you a price break if you order a second bowl, but I'm always filled up by one bowl and a tamale. The dine-in atmosphere won't win any awards, but the staff (usually just the bartender the times I've been there) is very friendly and talkative, despite the shirts they wear that read 'Eat Pay Tip Leave.' Beer of the month is just $2.50 per glass. If you sign up for their text messages, they send out specials for both dine-in and carry-out. In terms of taste and price, Bishop's can't be beat. read more