9 Fast Food Chains That Serve the Best Chili

Hearty soups and stews make an ideal winter meal, and none are more comforting than a steaming bowl of chili.

There are probably as many chili recipes as there are people who enjoy it in the United States, and it has been a popular dish since the 1960s. That’s when U.S. President Lyndon B. Johnson shared his personal chili recipe, which was so popular that the White House sent out recipe cards.

Today, chili comes in different regional styles. Texas-style chili, often called chili con carne, is usually meat-based with few or no beans. Southwest-style chili incorporates green or red chili peppers. In the Midwest and North, chili often contains beans and tomatoes and has a milder, milder flavor profile. Then there’s the unique Cincinnati chili, a spicy meat sauce commonly served over spaghetti and topped with any combination of shredded cheese, onions and red beans. Of course, some peppers are a mixture of several styles.

However, if you’re not ready to stand in front of a hot stove all day adding ingredients, many fast food restaurants prepare tasty cups, bowls and bread bowls of your comforting favorite. Here’s where to find the best chili on-the-go.

Wendy’s

Nutrition: (Per 1 regular order)
Calories: 290
Fat: 12 g (Saturated fat: 4.5 g, Trans fat: 0.5 g)
Sodium: 1,090 mg
Crabs: 31 g (Fiber: 6 g, Sugar: 6 g)
Protein: 17g

The gold standard in fast food chili, Wendy’s Chili Con Carne has been a consistent favorite for decades. Made from tomatoes, chili is packed with protein: chili beans, pink beans, kidney beans and ground beef. Flavored with onions, green peppers and a fairly mild spice, this chili makes a comforting and hearty meal.

10 Healthiest Wendy’s Orders, According to Dietitians

Horizon

Nutrition: (Per 1 small order)
Calories: 400
Fat: 22 g (Saturated fat: 10 g, Trans fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 1,020 mg
Crabs: 25 g (Fiber: 0 g, Sugar: 0 g)
Protein: 25g

Cincinnati-style chili is very different from the stew you’re probably used to making in a bowl. It’s mostly served over pasta, and no chain is more associated with this style than Skyline. The Ohio-based chain’s signature dish, the 3-Way, is unlike any other, with spaghetti noodles covered in secret recipe chili that has a sweet, meaty flavor and a generous helping of cheddar cheese on top .

Culver’s

Nutrition:
George’s Chili (per 1 average order)
Calories: 310
Fat: 13 g (Saturated fat: 4.5 g, Trans fat: 0 g)
Sodium: 1,400mg
Crabs: 26 g (Fibre: 6 g, Sugar: 6 g)
Protein: 17g

The cult Midwestern chain—don’t miss the cheese curds—offers a mild con carne-style chili, with a tomato base, chunks of beef, kidney beans, and plenty of vegetables. This chili has a little more heat than the Wendy’s version, probably because of the secret peppery spice blend.

I tried all the burgers at Culver’s and the best one was meaty and buttery

Belly

Nutrition: (Per 1 cup)
Calories: 250
Fat: 11 g (Saturated fat: 4 g)
Sodium: 930 mg
Crabs: 20 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 7 g)
Protein: 15g

This sandwich shop opened in Chicago in the 1970s and has been serving soups and sandwiches ever since. Potbelly’s version of chili is thicker than most on this list. It’s heavier for meat than for beans. The tomato-based sauce has a peppery flavor that is more savory than spicy. It comes with a pack of oyster crackers for a little crunch, and you can customize it with additions like cheddar cheese and bacon.

Swenson

Nutrition: (For 1 serving)
Calories: 474
Fat: 17 g (Saturated fat: 5 g)
Sodium: 1,298mg
Crabs: 57 g (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 24 g)
Protein: 22g

Founded in 1934, this Ohio-based chain has 350 locations where diners can enjoy their traditional sweet meat and bean chili. Swensons’ bowl is hearty and satisfying, with just the right amount of seasoning to give it a rich flavor.

I tried chili from 5 chain restaurants and the best perfectly balanced flavors

Panera Bread

Nutrition: (Per 1 bowl)
Calories: 270
Fat: 9 g (Saturated fat: 3 g)
Sodium: 1,020 mg
Crabs: 29 g (Fibre: 9 g, Sugar: 5 g)
Protein: 18g

While Panera Bread has offered turkey chili for years, the popular bakery-cafe chain recently switched to a hearty fireside chili made with beef, and it’s worth serving. This chili has a smoky flavor with hints of cumin and is a little hotter than most people might expect from a chain restaurant, but it works.

Waffle house

Nutrition:
Bert’s Chili (per 1 order)
Calories: 150
Fat: 6 g (Saturated fat: 2 g)
Sodium: 770 mg
Crabs: 15 g (Fiber: 4 g, Sugar: 3 g)
Protein: 10g

Named for longtime Waffle House executive Bert Thorton, Bert’s Chili is a little different because it’s made with lean ground beef and breakfast sausage (with onions, tomato sauce, and spices). You could say that the inclusion of breakfast sausage means you can eat a bowl at any time, and it’s perfect with an order of hash browns.

The Secret Waffle House Ordering Trick You Need to Try

Fire Station Subs

Nutrition: (Per 1 cup)
Calories: 180
Fat: 9 g (Saturated fat: 3.5 g)
Sodium: 510mg
Crabs: 13 g of carbohydrates (Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 3 g)
Protein: 11g

Firehouses are known for having great chili, so it’s no surprise that Firehouse Subs serves a hearty cup of the cold weather favorite. Made with ground beef, kidney beans, vegetables, seasonings and brown sugar, the chili is quite mild with a hint of sweetness.

Steak’n’Shake

Nutrition:
Chili Deluxe (per 1 cup)
Calories: 500
Fat: 28 g (Saturated fat: 16 g, Trans fat: 0.5 g)
Sodium: 980mg
Crabs: 36 g (Fiber: 7 g, Sugar: 2 g)
Protein: 29g

With approximately 500 locations across the United States, Steak ‘n’ Shake isn’t hard to find when you need to satisfy a chili craving. The chili itself is traditional American style with a tomato base and meaty chunks of beef. You can order the Deluxe Chili in a cup or, at some locations, have the 5-Way Chili. It’s Cincinnati style, served over spaghetti with extra beef, onions, shredded jack and cheddar. This chain’s chili is so popular that you can buy it in a can at many stores or online.6254a4d1642c605c54bf1cab17d50f1e