Oh no... this was NOT good. Dirty, nasty, and overpriced. Go to Skyline over Nicks. Got two Carolina Dogs and a bowl of chili. First off, the slaw was not good. Not even close to a slaw you get in SC and a poppy seed bun for it? Scraped it off the second dog. The chili was bland. Felt like it had no flavor. Service is lunchroom style with a tray but staff were not the most welcoming. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Chili - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

It's been a long time since I've eaten in a greasy spoon this greasy...and GOOD! From the cornbread, to the chili five ways, to the foot long, to the lovely ladies behind the counter effusing Hoosier hospitality, everything was just like it should be. I'm unsure this is the best chili in the city, but my 5-way chili and hot dog were terrific. Leave the pretensions and diets at the door, wear your eatin' shirt, and enjoy a taste of Indy. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Foot-long hot dog, large bowl of 5-way chili, and refillable soda, $17.08, tax incl. - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

I kept hearing this was the best chili in Indianapolis, so I had to go check it out and YEP! It is cafeteria style to order and the staff was so nice making your food right there. They knew the names of the people in front of us and after us, so you know it's good enough to be a regular at. I saw the signs also saying it has been voted best hot dog in Indy, so I went with the foot long chili dog. LOVED IT! If you aren't getting a foot long then definitely get 2 chili dogs because you are going to want more! I loved the retro ambiance. Can't wait to go back! read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Chicago Dog, French Fries, 5-way Chili - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This place has been around for 50 years for a reason! Such delicious, homemade everything. Chili, onion rings and the cakes...omg the cakes!! read more

Chili was good and Chicago Dog was excellent. The only part that was a negative was the staff. They were not the most friendly or social group I've ever been served by. Barely a word or a smile. read more

This Place has been great for 50 years. We started coming when the originally opened. Never disappointed.

Food service and ambiance were great. Always have been since I was a little girl. I haven't been here in years but since I've lost my dad a few months ago I have been visiting his favorite spots and Nick's Chili was one of them. Definitely a great foodie spot for those cold fall and winter days. Food well seasoned and so good. My friends only thing is he wanted more meat in his chili. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Its officially Chili season! - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I pass by Nick's Chili Parlor daily, I would always say I'm going to stop by which I never did until Thursday evening September 12th. It was a nice evening that Thursday, Nick's Chili Parlor is staple to Indianapolis Westside that has been in the area for 50yrs now. I went inside the staff greeted me, the ambiance of the place bright lights, bright yellow and red colors, and in the front you'll noticed the hot dog & chili area. The menus are above the hot dog & chili station, the prices of food at the restaurant are very reasonable, and Nick's Chili Parlor even have daily specials on certain foods items. I ended up ordering two cheese hot dogs with ketchup on it along with a fountain drink. Then, I watched the worker at the hot dog station put the shredded cheese on the hot dogs which I assumed wouldn't melt at all. I made it home to eat the cheese dogs, it was still fresh & hot when I was home. The cheese hot dogs were beef dogs, very juicy, and delicious. I will definitely go back to try more food items especially their popular chili. read more

See all

Great food, very reasonable prices, friendly staff & good service ! Love their chili over spaghetti & chili dogs!

I wish they were as good as they used to be. The last 3 times I've ate here over the past 5 years, the food has caused me to vomit after eating. read more

Absolutely LOVED the original chili dog! The staff was great and made it a good experience. I will be coming back often! read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Original chili dog, no onion - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

One of my favorite places to eat in the city, it opened in 1974 and I've been eating there for well over 45 years. They have great chili(one of my must haves when I order) that you can have as a 4way or 5way (with or without pasta), Another must have for me is there chili dogs regular size or foot long. They also have many other great items along with deserts. They always have great friendly service and a nostalgic vibe that takes me back to my childhood. If your a chili lover this is definitely a must try! read more

See all

Real deal hot dog diner on Lafayette Road with a great Sunday special. This was our first visit after recommendation by a friend. The sign outside says "Not Famous-Yet!" Apparently, the diner has been around since the 1970s based on the old photos on the wall. Inside, the diner is sparkling red and yellow - very clean. A table of Indy police was enjoying their dogs. You go to the back, grab a tray and pick your dog. They offer a selection of dogs including Nicks chili cheese ($2.39) and Chicago dogs ($3.89). We selected the Sunday special 2 chili cheese dogs, fries and a drink for $6.99. The cheese is real, the server was packing up freshly graded cheddar. They had a tempting selection of pies that I was able to resist. They have other interesting things on the menu including tamales. The staff was friendly and efficient. The dogs came up quickly followed by hot fries. The dogs were on fresh plain hotdog buns coated with chili sauce and covered with onions and cheese. They were good. The fries were hot and crisp and tasted fresh. Bathrooms clean/nice. There was plenty of parking. Inside dining room seats about 80 people. I'll be back. They recommend putting chili and cheese on the tamales! Got to try it. read more

See all

service was good, chili was tasty...but, no one wants to eat cold chili! spaghetti was cold and chili was room temp, barely warm!!

Very unreliable when they are open. Posted hours mean absolutely nothing. They close whenever they want to or feel like it.

First time eating here. Food was really good. Will definitely come back and try other menu suggestions

You go down the line and let them know what you would like. A west side staple for a reason! They are consistent. The food is good and there is plenty of options! Always get the chili cheese dogs and burgers. Always find myself here some how or other. Basic seating inside like a mcds. read more

I love Nick's Chili!! The food is bomb, try the chili 5 way...Chili, beans, noodles, cheese, and onion and I promise you won't be disappointed. read more

This place brings back memories! I had my first job at Nick's some 27 years ago and some of the same faces are still working there and just as kind as they were 27 years ago. The inside has gotten a major face lift and looks great. It still has the classic old Diner feel and the music...that will take you back. They were playing some good ol stuff from the 60's and 70's. So, I went a different route this time and opted out of chili anything for the Breaded Tenderloin and fries. The tenderloin came out of the freezer and was a touch dry bit still had great flavor and had a fresh garden of garnishments to go with it which countered the slight dryness. Everything was hot, fresh, and tasty! read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

I realize my pictures may not look as good as those that ate in the restaurant, it's only because all the cheese melted into the chili goodness on the drive back home. I got chili with spaghetti (because that's how you eat spaghetti) but husband got chili with cheese, onions, & beans...and no spaghetti! Oh well, everyone has their faults. He also got a polish dog covered in chili & cheese, and it's amazing. Of course everyone has a different chili recipe that they love, and neither of us are willing to agree on which homemade chili recipe we love the most, but we both agree on Nick's chili. A tiny kick (for him, quite a bit of a kick for me) just like it should be for a fast food restaurant, and fresh ingredients make this chili one of my all time favorites! Eat at this place-it's so good! We've had onion rings & fried mushrooms (frozen, not fresh battered) in the past & both were delicious. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - 1/4 Lb Grilled Polish Sausage with chili & cheese. So good! - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Nick's is an institution in this city. That said, I think they started to read and believe their own press. Not as good as it used to be, but still a good chili dog or 5 way. read more

Fantastic food and prices. I have been going there for over 25 years. Definitely the best chili in the city!

Damn ! It's a rough neighborhood over here but Nick's is worth the trip. It's a classic Coney hot dog joint with a nice sit down area. Reminds me of Skyline Chile but Nick's brew is not of the Cincinnati variety (no Cinnamon) which is fine by me. It's just a nice savory mix of meat, onions, and a few non-exotic spices. I smothered a couple dogs and a plate of fries with it and was pretty happy. Need a good junk food fix? Nick's will get ya done. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Chili on everything please ! - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The owner needs to put on their website that the business is closed for remodeling and that it will reopen in August so people don't waste their gas going there like I did from 86th Ditch Road read more

I've tried nick's three times over the past couple of years. I love their menu, but I've never had a good hot dog from there. They have a weird, soft texture and a somewhat weird taste. I've tried both regular and large dogs. With chili, slaw, plain, etc. I love hot dogs, but Nick's just doesn't tick the boxes for me. It might be the type of place you had to grow up with. If you went as a child, then it's what you like. Unfortunately, that's not the case for me. I will give Nicks another try, but will order a burger or tenderloin. read more

Best chili in Indianapolis! Excellent hot dogs and hamburgers. Great service by super nice people.

The chili was cold when served I guess they turned down the steam table to save money

Excellent chili. First time visitor got the half gallon of chili to go and they add crackers, onions, and cheese. Friendly staff , good value and little cleanup-! read more

See all

Nicks Chili Parlor is a local joint that is pretty close to my office. I find myself traveling there pretty often when I forget my lunch at work. The food here is amazing - but the best part of the experience here is absolutely the staff. They are the most friendly group you will ever meet. They will remember you, and your food will always be hot, and fresh. And you may even find yourself giggling while observing the banter and the jokes between the employees. read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Dining area - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

My parents have been lugging me here for years. Recently, they were in town and really wanted Nick's. Sure, why not. I forget out this gem since I rarely explore the westside. We went on Tuesday, which happens to be the Chili Dog deal day. I won't say how many my dad and I ordered, but worth every bite. There is something about this place. Maybe it's the fact that the same people have been working there for years. Maybe it's the nostalgia of going with my parents. They are open on Sundays now too, if you're out and about. read more

Delicious Chili Dog! I will be back and I wish it was closer to me! Looks like they have a nice selection of other food items too.

Mixed feelings in the taste of the chili, service was fast this was in the middle of the covid issue so maybe this may ah e had a bit to do with it, food just tasted a bit bland, it was a different taste then I remember from the place downtown, still debating on going back read more

Limited menu but that makes it good. Love their chili spaghetti and chili dogs, good deserts. It's an older building but always very clean and well maintained. The staff is helpful and courteous. read more

Great service from the time you arrive! Cafeteria style line and ordering with friendly staff discussions along the way. Lots of options to choose from and most everything is prepared right before your very eyes. Chicago style dog was spot on, lots of sport peppers too! Side of cole slaw was very tasty as well! I didn't even get to the chili this visit but will have to soon since that's what they're known for! read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Chicago Style Dog - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Well it's no Skyline style chili. Not sure if their not yet famous chili will get me to return. Probably should have just gone with a chili cheese dog. Being my 1st visit, the young lady talked me into a 3 way. Their bowl is a hearty serving. Very clean and spacious dining area. read more

See all

This is based on overall experience. So I actually wanted Skyline Chili and searched for one nearby at work but the closest one was 12 miles away. Instead this came up on my search and I was quite pleased. My coworkers says this place was good back in the day but was small and kinda run down. Well, now it's got the diner vibe, clean and bright. They have a serve style station so we got our food right away. The ladies were very friendly with beautiful smiles. I got the foot long and polish sausage and the flavor was Chicago style. Beefy and hearty. In the background, Soul and Motown was playing, making that vibe even more special. Love this place. Another diamond in the rough. read more

My wife and I came to nicks chili parlor after a doctors appointment. We both ordered tenderloins and I got a bowl of chili and my wife got some lemon meringue pie. Everything was a good quality and tasted good nothing special though it is a mom and Pop type restaurant and the service was very friendly and helpful That the tables were a bit on the dirty side and we're not wiped down but there were only two people working that I could see at the restaurant. Also the price for the two sandwiches chili and pie was $30 which I thought was a bit high for a semi fast food establishment. read more

I absolutely love coming here there food is really good everything is cooked fresh I always get chili with out beans the cost is $5.22 with tax. I do feel for $5 bucks it should come with a drink the customer service could use some Sprucing up they also could use a drive thur that would help out the line not being so long in the inside but all and all it's a great place to eat read more

Nick's Chili Parlor - Fast Food Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Chili was tasty but portion was VERY small for the price paid. And they serve it in a BIG china bowl which makes the serving seem even smaller. Some servers were friendly, others didn't seem to care if I was there or not. Restaurant was only semi clean with several tables needing cleared and wiped with disinfectant. Overall, I was a little disappointed since I had read so many 5 star reviews. Sometimes I do wonder WHO write those. Anyone else wonder that at times too? I will probably go back once more and try a chili cheese dog. But they are expensive too, so if the amount of chili and cheese is not adequate, I will not return a third time. read more

I hate only giving this place 2 stars because it's probably the best chili in the city. The rest of the food is great. It's all 4 and 5 star. The problem is the staff. It's almost impossible to get a correct order. If you want to make changes to an item it will 100% of the time get messed up. God forbid you ask for no onions or relish. They'll load your item up with it. It's consistent too. EVERY. TIME. The order is wrong. You have to stand there and babysit them while they make your order. It really kills me to bash them because the food is phenomenal and it's a long-time, family owned business. But it's just so stressful to come in here and order something. read more