Cancel

Open app

Search

Real Chili Restaurant

3.6 (79 reviews)
InexpensiveAmerican
Closed 11:00 am - 2:00 AM (Next day)

Order Real Chili Restaurant Takeout or Delivery

Real Chili Restaurant Photos

REAL CHILI RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Casual
Moderate noise
Good for kids
Good for groups

You might also consider

More like Real Chili Restaurant

Recommended Reviews - Real Chili Restaurant

Your trust is our priority, so businesses can't pay to alter or remove their reviews. Learn more about reviews.
Yelp app icon
Browse more easily on the app
Review Feed Illustration

Reviews With Photos

Pots of chili simmering.
Anthony B.

Oh yea this is good! Wanted something warm and simple to eat and found this place for a frito pie! Chili is fantastic meaty and has great spice and flavor. Heck they even give you a bowl of oyster crackers, Dang! This place is definitely going on my favorites list. Great service, good food, and great conversation.

The chili, artfully arranged with a few Jackson Pollock-style flourishes.
Mark D.

Ignore the haters. This is solid Wisconsin-style chili. If you don't know what that means, come in with a loving heart, an open mind, and an acceptance of noodles and crackers. (Don't expect Cincinnati-style chili, either. While there are visual similarities, the flavor profile is very different.) Recommend starting with a medium-spiced bowl without the toppings. Don't get hung up on spice level: from what I can gather the spice is just a reflection of how much chili sauce / oil you're getting. The flavor is the same regardless. Disclaimer: Came sober mid-day. Was not confronted by any airborne crackers. Also, did not sample non-chili items at a restaurant named "Real Chili."

Chili was great. Been going to this location since 1978. We live in Texas now so we visit when we come back for Packer games. I'll say that things have changed. The portion size has definitely decreased over the last few years while price has increased near 20% and it appears the recipe has changed as well. In the pic below, the top pic was from 2024 and the bottom is from 2021. The color of the chili is now near black. Just observations.

the outside of the restaurant
Steven T.

This was a long time bookmark and since we found our original lunch choice closed and realized that we were parked in front of the place we stopped for lunch. We looked at the menu and thought that the chili cheese nachos with onions sounded really good. The great sounding nachos looked pretty crappy with a 7/11 or a gas station look which surprised us. The chili looked a little light and the nachos had so many chips with nothing on them, at least layer it a couple times so you don't have so many chips with no toppings. The chips were like horrible gas station quality and super salty but they were fresh and crisp. The chili was like a weird meat paste with no beans and slight greasy which I don't mind. Overall this was not a very good nacho and we should have picked a chili dish from the menu.

See all

1 year ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

28 days ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 1
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 1

2 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 3
Oh no 1

1 year ago

Chili was good. Ambiance (50s diner) was cool. Service was quick. Only down side it's a bit pricey, but I'd go again.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mark D.
58
80
122

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

2 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Steven T.
244
2286
38745

6 years ago

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Phil G.
146
1636
1867

5 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Rory H.
311
18
7

4 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

14 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

4 years ago

I will defend this place with my life, the best food and anyone who says different can catch a different kind of marquette special

Helpful 4
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Real Chili is so real. The service was hella amazing. I love the ambiance! The next day real chili shits are worth it.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

3 years ago

A bit too salty for my taste. My daughter seems to like it though. Service was fast and the staff was friendl.

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Tim S.
0
10
1

3 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

It's great chili and I'd like it on my deathbed. If I eat it before though, I'll be on my deathbed

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

4 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 3
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

3 years ago

Consistently closes early. Will open for certain guests and not others. Terrible service and workers don't want to stay open

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Nicole C.
301
24
10

9 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0
Photo of Beau T.
0
13
16

11 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

6 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0
Photo of Albert M.
399
152
10

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 2
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Mimi K.
219
25
16

9 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0
Photo of Zac R.
21
4
0

9 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

12 years ago

Helpful 2
Thanks 0
Love this 4
Oh no 0

7 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

8 years ago

Helpful 0
Thanks 0
Love this 0
Oh no 0

15 years ago

Helpful 1
Thanks 0
Love this 1
Oh no 0

Page 1 of 2

Ask the Community - Real Chili Restaurant

Review Highlights - Real Chili Restaurant

Often when I was in college at Marquette, I would be the only loser in there during lunch time and it was worth it.

Mentioned in 15 reviews

Read more highlights

You might also consider

Verify this business for free

People searched for American 2,543 times last month within 15 miles of this business.

Verify this business

Swingin' Door Exchange - Carrots and Grilled Beets!! Delicious

Swingin' Door Exchange

4.5(1.2k reviews)
1.3 miDowntown, East Town
$$

We were happy to find parking super close to the front door and then dismayed to find out we had a…read more45 minute wait time with nowhere to sit or stand without being in the way of servers. We got lucky and had bar seats open up after about 5 minutes which allowed us to grab cocktails and relax. After a bit we ordered some Brussel sprouts as an appetitizer and before they could show up our table opened up. My wife chose the 2 piece cod fry with chips while I opted for the perch fry with fries. Everything was spectacular. The bartenders were jumping around each other to keep people happy at the bar and the rest of the staff get people's bellies filled with food. If you go keep in mind there are no reservations and will probably be a wait, but they will take great care of you and serve you some awesome fish!

I was heading to the Downer Theater after work for a movie on Friday night and of course wanted a…read morefish fry beforehand. I surprisingly don't have many options in my "MKE - Fish Fry" collection that are near downtown, but Swinging Door Exchange was one of them. I was pressed for time, so I placed a to go order rather than dining in. I got the combo fish fry (two pieces of cod, two pieces of perch, and three fried shrimp) with potato pancakes. I was also very easily talked into the half rack rib appetizer. The ribs were good, even though I prefer sauce that's more sweet and smokey. Their sauce was on the tangy side with a tease of spice that really only became noticeable when the majority of the half rack was gone. If I were in the mood for ribs as my main meal, I'd consider getting theirs as an entree. The two potato pancakes weren't homemade; instead, they were premade hash brown patties that some other restaurants also serve with their fish frys. These were perfectly acceptable in lieu of homemade pancakes. The cod tasted great, but the breading didn't hold up very well. Either the fish itself was too wet or the two block walk back to my car allowed for condensation to wreck it or possibly both. The perch was not yellow lake perch but probably something like pike perch. Even though both kinds of fish and the shrimp were all good sized portions, $29 feels like a lot. I wouldn't say no to it, though, if I were dining in next time and avoid the extra cost of their takeout fee. Shout-out to the bartenders working that night. The bar area was absolutely packed, but both of the ones I talked to about placing my order were friendly and helpful even with being super busy.

Photos
Swingin' Door Exchange - Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Hometown old school bar and restaurant. Has a Cheers feel to it

Swingin' Door Exchange - Ahi Tuna Steak

Ahi Tuna Steak

Swingin' Door Exchange - Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

See all

Historic Mackie Building, once the site of the Grain Exchange. Swingin Door is bottom right

Oak Barrel Public House - Whiskey Battered Cheese Curds

Oak Barrel Public House

3.9(367 reviews)
1.0 miWestown, Bronzeville
$$

Our night at Oak Barrel was wonderful. Our food was delicious. The music was spot on. More than…read moreanything though, the service was so wonderful. The manager was so kind and so attentive. The servers were checking in on us and made sure me and my daughter had a great night. Great staff!

Came here on a Friday night around 6pm for dinner, there were three of us, one child. The street…read morewas busy, full of older adults, drinking so we thought it would be hard to get a table, but it was very easy. They have a catcher machine in here, I got one, didn't win. They start you with free bacon grease popcorn, it was tasty, you can for sure taste the bacon! The staff were efficient, quick, nice. I got a German beer, and a soda water, my partner did as well. My kiddo got a lemonade. For appetizers we got the pretzel sticks, and the curds with marinara and ranch. So good! Both were well seasoned and delicious. For meals, I got the chicken Caesar salad wrap, with fries. It was good, creamy, and I had crispy chicken replace the grilled. The fries were good. My partner got the Cajun Mac and cheese with chicken and the waitress suggested a side of fries, he said it was very good. My child got the pepperoni pizza, they have a 12inch pizza and it was enjoyed! Definitely recommend for dinner when you're about to go to a show or if you're in the area!

Photos
Oak Barrel Public House - Bar

Bar

Oak Barrel Public House - Cheese pizza

Cheese pizza

Oak Barrel Public House - Regular Bacon Fat Popcorn

See all

Regular Bacon Fat Popcorn

The Packing House - 16 oz. Boneless Ribeye with broiled shrimp

The Packing House

3.9(470 reviews)
5.9 miMitchell Field
$$$

I am giving them 5 stars just for the wait staff!! I had…read morereservations for 3 for Christmas night. Our party expected to wait but not over an hour after our reservation time... there were parties of 10-15 there that took up not only the wait staff time but time for smaller tables to be seated at or around Our reservation time. I do not blame the restaurant staff! This was a clear problem of Customers who thought this was their Home and could take 3hrs to leave. You people not only had other waiting over an hr to be seated but a restaurant staff that was working on A Holiday!!! My 5 stars go out to the Restaurant Staff, front house, back house and Wait staff for be on point!!

Food- the chicken Parmesan is desc on the menu as "hand breaded with Italian seasoned bread crumb…read more I was raised on frozen breaded chicken and thats exactly what I was serve. Very disappointed given the price and the fact that both the chicken and the pasta were served cold- after an hour wait. Chicken Marsala is listed in the menu as "seared and basted in a rich mushroom sauce with imported Marsala wine. Imagine our disappointment when the dish came out with one chicken breast & two mushrooms- no sign of any sauce, along side a dish of cold plain linguine. Service was slow, slower and just plain ridiculous. We arrived at 3:50pm and finally received our entrees at 5:30. Overall based on the value, quality, ambiance, service, food and experience I have absolutely nothing to recommend this restaurant

Photos
The Packing House - Indoor Restaurant

Indoor Restaurant

The Packing House - Chicken Caesar Salad with Anchovies

Chicken Caesar Salad with Anchovies

The Packing House - Inside the perfectly cooked cod

See all

Inside the perfectly cooked cod

Pilot Project Brewing - Milwaukee - Sunday Brunch

Pilot Project Brewing - Milwaukee

4.2(136 reviews)
0.7 miWestown, Bronzeville
$$

Stopped for a drink before a game and was pleasantly surprised at the beautiful inside. It was a…read more10-minute walk to Baird Center and the center of downtown. But parking is paid parking on the street, with spots hard to find. Once the parking situation is resolved, things are great. The vibes inside was awesome - very open, with lots of seating. There seems to be tons of seating options, and outdoor seating as well for when the days are warmer. And for a brewery, the most important thing? The beer, of course! And it was good. We've had their beer before and have always like them. It was great getting some more on draft. Agro pop IPA Yummy!! Panther pale ale OK, but not my fave. I wouldn't get it again. Cheese curds $14 These were delicious, but it did get salty after munching through the plate. We were limiting ourselves to just one drink, and needed more drinks or another food item to mediate our tastebuds. I'd order again with a proper meal or with more booze. Service was super nice, though not quite polished, which I don't mind at all. Points for a nice smilze!

Solid food, great vibes. If you are ever in the area looking for some bar food and cool atmosphere,…read morecheck out Pilot Project! My chicken pesto melt was super flavorful and felt light since the chicken was grilled and the focaccia bun was nice and soft. Fries were average bar fries. David's chicken sandwich was huge! He didn't like the pickles that were on it, or the garlic aioli but chicken and bun were good. I wasn't a fan of my sour (Punch Kissed Parasol) but David enjoyed his beer (Falk Bock). Service was great!

Photos
Pilot Project Brewing - Milwaukee - Rooftop Cocktails Happy Hour

Rooftop Cocktails Happy Hour

Pilot Project Brewing - Milwaukee - Stouts!

Stouts!

Pilot Project Brewing - Milwaukee - Taco Special

See all

Taco Special

Real Chili Restaurant - tradamerican - Updated May 2026

Loading...
Loading...
Loading...