Chili My Soul - CLOSED

loved this place!!!! more

I was extremely saddened to learn that Randy Hoffman, the owner and originator of Chili My Soul had passed away recently. The restaurant is currently closed and it's future seems uncertain at best.\r \r I was a frequent visitor to Chili My Soul in it's early years, and hardly a week would go by where I wouldn't enjoy a meal from there at least three times. After I moved out of the valley, my trips became less frequent, but I still went whenever I could. \r \r As the restaurant grew, the prices became very heavy (finally was $12.95 for a bowl of chili and $6.95 for a side of frys), and I stopped going entirely. As good as the food was, I couldn't justify paying that much for chili.\r \r Even though I haven't eaten there in a number of years, Chili My Soul always was a special place for me, and Randy was passionate and enthusiastic about his craft, and truly had created something special in Encino.\r \r Thank's for everything Randy, you'll be missed!\r \r Dan - The ""IW"" guy Pros: Best chili ever. more

The following email I sent to them last weel says it all. I called and confirmed that I had the proper email address. The person who answered the phone was aware of the email and assured me the owner would get back to me, so far he hasn't.\r \r I brought a friend into your shop on Saturday night 8-9-08 about 645 or 700.\r First, I want to point out that the chili was excellent and my friend reported the knockwurst was good too. Also, the lady at the counter was friendly and helpful\r \r Now for the negatives. The restaurant was FILTHY! There were dirty plates on some of the tables that remained there the entire time we were there. There were also dirty plates at the pass through window that sat for almost the entire 30 minutes we were there. There were no clean spoons on the service bar, we had to ask for clean silverware. And their were spilled French fries from a previous customer at out feet.\r Also, my garlic bread and my friends roll that the knockwurst was on were both stale and possibly freezer burned.\r To make matters worse, it appears we were overcharged.\r Since know menu prices were posted, I did not realize it until I got a chance to look at your website today.\r We ordered the following-1 Bowl Texas Pride Chili w/ the 3 toppings only 9.95\r 1 Knockwurst plate with chili and cheese but no add-ons 9.95-1 soft drink 1.65 (my friend had water)\r That totals 21.55 and by my calculations the tax should have been 1.78-\r Which should have totaled 23.33. We were charged 30.47. I was not given a receipt so I don?t know what I was actually charged for.\r \r I can tell you that my friend will never go back there again. Since I sometimes work in Encino; I would like to, but I really don?t want a repeat of aturday night. What are your thoughts on the matter?\r Pros: decent chili Cons: filthy seating area, prices are 30 % higher than the website shows they are more

This jazzy joint is amazing to say the least! They have at least 15 different and unique chili flavors every day including 2 vegetarian chili choices. And it's all healthy! Low in fat and sodium, but extremely high in flavor. It's like walking into your favorite ice cream palor without the fear of gaining extra pounds. You can sample any and all of the chili they have for the day! \r \r And there is more than just chili - chopped salad, homemade cornbread, fresh torilla chips, hamburgers and hotdogs, baked potatoes, something they call ""The Folded"", and they have the best fries anywhere in L.A.!\r \r The service has always been friendly and they have always made me feel valued. I was there one night they had live music and was told that Thursday and Sunday are live music nights. \r \r I was forced into trying this place by a friend. I hated chili before I tried Chili My Soul. I have no doubts that anyone going there for the first time will be back for more and those that know this place know exactly what I'm talking about!\r \r Heaven in a bowl and it warms your belly from the first spoonful... more

a great place with excellent chilli and there service was wonderful. tasty pizza, tasty wine, tasty everything more

If you craving some chili this is the place. It has something for everyone. They serve up over a dozen versions a day. They also some decent fries. more

My wife and I really enjoy eating chili from this place -- it really is very good, and there are a lot of varieties. However, I think the prices have gotten a little high over the years -- the in-restaurant portions are really small for the money. You can't get better chili in the LA area, and they really do use quality ingredients. Pros: Chili, Chili, Chili Cons: Price more

First I just wanna say, I was really skeptical because of the bad reviews I read, but I went in, FINALLY, for the first time yesterday, and the service was excellent! The cashier couldn't have been nicer to me. And the food was amazing. The chili I got was spicy-Durango, but wasn't the kind of chili I was in the mood for, but still really good. I got to taste Deep Beef while I was waiting, and was really really good, but not spicy enough for me. But overall experience was great! There fries and their magic sauce is to die for! There salad with the tomate basil dressing was also really really good. I'm really sad I don't live closer to Encino. It takes about an hour to get there from where I live. But it's definitely worth it. The food is pricey, I won't lie. But so tasty! Pros: Great Service, Tasty Food, Good Parking Cons: expensive more

The chili here has always been good, but the cost of chili has gone up more than the cost of gasoline over the past several years. $12.95 for Spaghetti with chili served over it? I can get the same thing at Red Rock for 7-8 bucks and the chili is just as good. And $10 just for the bowl? This was $6 when I started going in 98-99, a near 100% price increase in that time span just aint right. Definitely recomend for the food, but do NOT be fooled into the promise of cheap eats! more

There are two kinds of chili lovers: those who like chili and those who ""say"" they like chili. If you go here (it boasts 30 different kinds) and you can't find a flavor you like, then you are the latter, a faux afficianado. The Habenero/Mango Chicken is unmatched anywhere and the 10+ Durango is chili heaven. And believe it or not, it has the best chopped salad in town. Pros: Price, Selection, Food Cons: Atmosphere more

We stumbled upon this place while cruising Ventura Blvd, tired of eating at the same boring restaurants. Finally, someone took an idea that doesn't exist on every corner in LA and turned it into a great meal. Aside from having a wide selection to choose from, they let you sample whatever flavors you want, and even order a split bowl (for those of us who can't make up our minds.) And since their website lists each days flavors, you never have to be surprised if your favorite chili isn't there. Pros: Choices, Food more

Ugh, after hearing about this place for years, I was sure it would be great -- but instead I was met with stewy chicken, bitter flavors and prices far too high for what you get (a tough baked potato with chili is $8? That's happy hour food at best). You certainly aren't paying for atmosphere -- it's like sitting in an office building cafeteria. Huge disappointment. Want good chili, this is not the place. Pros: lots of parking Cons: bad food, lousy atmosphere, overpriced more

The chili at Chili My Soul is creative and tasty. They have definitely found a niche into the hard-to-tap Los Angeles restaurant business, however, they need to work on their customer service in order to keep their customers. I used to be a faithful customer, however lately the service at the restaurant has been less than excellent. They take their customers for granted, the cashiers are rude, and they are less than accomodating. After a couple of bad experiences, I am never going back to the restaurant. Pros: Good Chili Cons: Cashiers are rude more

I don't understand all the hype. This was the most awful tasting chili I ever had. And the price, ridiculous. VERY overrated. If you like sand in your chili, this place is for you. Pros: friendly cashier Cons: , overpriced more

I was introduced to Chili My Soul almost a year ago now, and am completely hooked. I don't live close to their current store, but whenever I am within 20 miles I divert and get this chili. I love tasting their chili's, even though I almost always get my favourite. Service is nice, and fast! There are tables to sit and eat in an informal comfortable environment. Pros: Food, inexpensive, quality more

If you enjoy exploring the depths and breadth of what you can endure when it comes to heat, this is a great place to try. Although they make 30 different kinds of chili, they usually have only a dozen or so available everyday. They'll let you taste each day's offering so you can choose the one you want to use to burn away your taste buds. The fun comes when you try to order your toppings from the usual like onions and cheese to the unusual like capers and chocolate chips. The staff here is friendly and your fellow customers are usually willing to chat while you wait. It's definitely worth a try if your out in the Valley looking for a place to grub. Pros: fast service, lots of parking more

We tried the food here as a friend suggested it. The food itself (chili) was OK, some varieties even good, but the cost did not justify the product received. For about the same or slightly more money we could have gone to a mid-level ""real"" restaurant instead of this place for our lunch. The service was nice enough, we just felt the cost was out of line for what was delivered. Cons: Expensive more

We were intrigued by high and low ratings this place received. We tried it and felt the food (chili) was pretty good but did not care for the fries which we felt were very overrated. Also the prices seemed high as well for what was delivered. All in all, OK but I would not suggest going out of your way for this place. Cons: Expensive more

Nothing like it in three counties! Chili heads will love the variety offered. Great fro the whole family... Very mild up to very hot and vegeterian. Pros: Chili Head's Dream Cons: No frills more

I went there today to try their fries.. they were so soft and seemed like they were cooked earlier and microwaved to server warm.. i would rather go somewhere else to buy fries again. Pros: chilli was good Cons: terrible fried, terrible service more