Mike`s Chili Parlor in Seattle

Classic place with rich history. Have to stop at least once to experience. Chile is awesome and burgers hit the spot. Ambiance is the blue collar after work have a few drinks kinda place. Only knock I would give the small joint is that they could do better on the bathrooms.

Like the other comments have pointed out, the waitress here was extremely rude, really had that IDGAF attitude. Which was disappointing as the environment and food were quite great. Wouldn't recommend due to the service.

The chili did not disappoint. Cannot say it is my favorite, though, while good, it is too "blended" for me. I like getting hunks of meat.

Exactly what we expected...they say they serve chili and yes they do! Bowl of chili (straight bowl has meat but now beans) was delicious and the small order of chili fries was huge!

The owner Mike was extremely rude to us when we attempted to eat there one day with our young son. We are out of towners and from NC, so we didn’t know it was only a 21 and over place to eat. All he had to do was let us know in a nice way, but instead he yelled. My husband eventually went back and said the food was mediocre. I can tell you that we will not be back and I don’t recommend this place.

Mike's was started in 1922 still in business so we had to go check it out and let me tell you we had the chili dog and chili fries and they didn't disappoint and don't worry about leaving hungry we could not eat it all. Oh! The beers are ice cold! Service is great, friendly, and fast! Waitress took the time to explained the special details of the menu. WONDERFUL!!!!Check Mike's Chili Parlor! Highly recommend MUST TRY!

Chilli burger with jalapeno was excellent- tender round meat, great chili flavor and nice heat from the jalapeno.

Mike's Chili is the place to be when you are in Ballard. And when you are not in Ballard you should drive there so you are. The supergoose is the go-to beer and I go for the chili dog with the works every time. You can't go wrong here.

Great experience at Mike's Chili Parlor. I visited on a Monday night to a quiet bar. The bartenders were friendly and considerate, it was not like some other reviews I had seen. I had the chili pasta and the chili fries and both were great. The chili pasta is probably not exactly like Cincinnati chili but it was delicious nonetheless. The chili fries were messy and amazing as well. Long live Mike's Chili Parlor.

Mike's is an institution. If you like chili, the place smells amazing and the chili is delicious. If you don't like chili, the beer is cold.

Was an awesome evening celebrating a birthday!

Nice local dive, more famous than it should be. Reasonable prices and decent chili, if a bit of a grease bomb.

We just happened upon this little gem and man are we happy about it! I am a travel nurse and work all over the country. When I can find an old bar like this I am beyond thrilled. The bartender and the owner were friendly, we got to chat with some cool locals and felt totally comfortable here. The chili and a stout really hit the spot on a cold day. This is a must!

Service was very effective, but very rude..(maybe it is a thing). Fries were awesome, chili was...

Great food and atmosphere awesome service second time I've been in there while in Seattle first time was last summer I had the chilli burger just great overall food and service Mike does an awesome job definitely be back again when I'm in town

Loses a bit of a star for cash only. And a bit for the swarm of flies just inside the entrance. Chili was pretty good. Also a lot of minced Jalapeños on top. But extras ARE extra (0.50) so watch it. I'd really like to rate it 3.5. Apparently it was on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives. One guess which category this falls in :-)

The first place I visited after the coronavirus and everyone was really nice and decently priced bar I enjoyed this a lot

Great hole in the wall for chili. Please keep in mind that they are a cash only establishment.

Been living in Ballard for the past 7+ years and kicking ourselves for not coming here sooner. Finally made it a point to enjoy with friends and couldn’t rave more about this establishment and the experience had. Fourth generation Mike and his personable, attentive service paired with exceptional food preparation and delivery speaks volumes for exactly why we believe Mike’s Chili Tavern has been thriving for years, and here’s hopeful to many more!

Always a hit!! One of my happy places.

if you're coming to this place for some fine dining experience and "friendly" wait staff you should try somewhere else. this is the kind of place you slap down some cash, order a beer and the biggest bowl of chili they have. I promise you you won't leave hungry. solid chili, good vibes. Staff isn't overfriendly and won't pepper you checking in on how everything's tasting and all that - if there's a problem I'll flag someone down but when I come here I'm here for chili and beer and I don't need anyone else bothering me

Great time! Yummy chili, cheap beer, classic atmosphere. A place with real soul!

Listen, it's a mess. But it is some of the best chili you'll have by a mile. Prices are good, servings are beyond generous, the people are beyond friendly to a nerd trying to eat some chili.

Great chili, awesome bread to go with it. friendly servers

The best bowl of chili ever! And a basket of fries to boot! Atmosphere was excellent and service top notch!!!!! Definitely worth a.repeat visit!!!!!

Omg- what to recommend? It's all good! Had chili fries today, forgot how good the fries are! The big attraction is the ambiance! (Don't forget it's cash only)

Awesome place, it's cash only but they have an ATM so it's all good!

With it showing up in the name of the establishment, I guess I expected more out of the chili. It was good enough. Server was friendly. Place had that divey sports bar vibe. For that environment, I prefer Kate's Pub in Wallingford. At Kate's, I want to hang out and have a few. At Mike's, I was fine to just have my chili and go.

Very good chili. The staff were very nice.

Well, I'm pretty sure it's part of the "charm" but the staff isn't the nicest in the world, but friendly enough. Beer flows freely and the food is good. Solid in my book.

Awesome patio and very tasty chilli!

Chili is great! Service is super fast!

Horrible service waitress had a attitude and didn't want to be helpful food was bad also no one wearing masks wish i didn't come also believe i was over charged nothing matched the price on the wall

Queso is awesome! Chili....eh!!! Have had way better chili. Very greasy which dilutes the flavor of the chili. Just not that good for being a chili parlor. Female waitress is purposely rude and seems put out if you’re not a regular. My husband and I were shocked at how rude she was for no given reason other than we existed. Take the stick out of your a$$ honey, there’s no reason to treat people the way you do. If you think it’s cool or charming, think again...it’s very off putting.

You'll love it or hate it. I love it. I don't mind that sometimes the service is sometimes slow despite being so small, because when I come here, I'm trying to get away from the fast paced world outside. I don't mind that they don't take plastic. The place has character and the food is good. A small chilli fries is a meal. Chilli dogs are drowned in chilli, and with cheese, onions, and jalapeños on top, you won't even see the bun until you dig in.Worth giving a shot.

Good beer. Good chili. Can't go wrong.

Great place for locals. Lots of history. Chilli is good if you're from Cincinnati. Charming.

Oh Mikes Chili. A fantastic family run establishment that is so hard to find these days. No nonsense. Cash only. Sassy staff. Seriously the best. The chili is a must try. It's not even my favorite but I still shut up and eat it. Cause... Mikes Chili! A piece of Seattle history and a must visit.

Chili is very good but *very* greasy. The place is a dive, but not in a bad way.

Really good chili in an old timey place

Cool place with history, i didnt love the chili it was a bit spicy for me nothin special but liked the bar little whole in the wall with a map to pin where you live on it

Had a great lunch, with the Chili Burger and an order of fries to share (giant order!) I was impressed with the smoothness of the chili! The sauce didn't distract from the well-spiced beef, though the pub-style buns were a little soggy. This would be even better with a pretzel roll substitution!

Neighborhood feel, great chili and beer. Gotta try it!

A great dive. If you like chili give it a shot

Horrible service, got the rolling the eyes when we asked for sauces, not friendly at all!!!!!! Good chili tho.

I hope Mike's stays open forever!. good greasy bowl of chili..... keep sticking it to the real-estate market family! Ballard forever! Ballard forever! USA USA!Friend of mine dad play softball for Mike's Chili Parlor when I was a kid and I can remember the first time he took us down for some chili! It warms my soul ;-)

Most impressive Chili we’ve ever tasted. Super large size, so be careful when ordering.

I haven't been back here in a long time because I had a really terrible service experience, and I tend to hold a grudge. But the chili is freaking amazing and prior to that it was a perfect date spot on our cold Seattle nights!

Time warp. Respect this place when you visit. There vibe

The chili is great. Great customer service.