Chili Johns Green Bay, WI

Green Bay Restaurants and Bars

920.494.4624

519 S Military Ave
Green Bay, Wisconsin 54303
USA

Fax: 920.494.0187

Chili Johns Description

Chili John's chili authentic recipe is still a secret. The formula is the creation of John Issac, a Lithuanian who came to the United States in 1879. John opened a restaurant in 1913 bearing a sign reading only "Chili". This restaurant was located at the foot of the Main St. bridge. Fans of his recipe soon began calling him "Chili John", and the name of the restaurant was born. Over the past 80 years, the recipe has never varied. Chili John's Restaurant features mild, medium, hot, or extra-hot chili. A bowl of chili includes portions of beans and/or spaghetti, and a spicy meat.

Chili Johns> Reviews

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Rated 1 out of 5

based on 3 ratings and 2 reviews

I'm a local boy and dissapointed

review of by boogiebeams 11-23-2012 05:55PM

I grew up in Green Bay but never went to CJ's. On Black Friday I decided to invite my Uncle to CJ's for the experience. I ordered X-Hot on top of beans. It was dry and the "kidney" beans were al dente" The chili was dry and pasty from too much chili powder and not enough liquid. Thier was not even a tinkling of heat.

The server brought our water with the meal and was then lost to us. Had to get our own water. I left disappointed and woozy. Not from hot chili, but from a bad product. Sorry Green Bay, you have conviced yourself that this is good food.

For a twenty dollar visit, I could have gotten more satisfaction from the clown or the king

Expensive bowl of something resembling chili

review of by foodwinelady 04-22-2011 12:05PM

I've tried Chili John's a few times over the past few years, and didn't care for it, so thought I'd give it one last chance. After all, everyone has bad days, including restaurants. Unfortunately, it's been the same experience each time I've been in - at least they're consistent!
The 'very hot' chili might be considered hot for those who don't care for spice, but I'd only rate it a heat scale of 3 on a 10 point scale.
I ordered to-go and requested 'just a little' beans and noodles (which is spaghetti).
It came with a lot of spaghetti, very little chili, and less than 10 beans. The spaghetti is served on top, so by the time I got home, the grease had risen to the top and the spaghetti was now swimming in a pool of orange goo. I tasted it, just to be sure it wasn't sauce - nope, it was grease. After pouring off as much as I could, I stirred and tried the chili. It was the same overcooked, burnt chili I remembered.
Not sure how this place has stayed in business so long, but I'll never eat there again.
To top it all off, a regular size bowl was over $8.00. I don't mind paying more for good food, but this was far from good - in quality, taste, or value of the ingredients for teh price paid.

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Map of Chili Johns

Chili Johns Events

Chili Johns Basics

Cuisine: Chili
Hours: Mon - Sat: 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
Closed - Sunday
Neighborhood: Green Bay West
Handicap Access: Handicap Access
Price Range: Inexpensive $(under$8)
Reservations: Not Necessary
Payment Methods: Cash, Visa, Mastercard
Carryout/Delivery: Carryout and Delivery in Green Bay

Chili Johns Features

Meals Served: Lunch
Dinner
Alcohol: No Alcohol
Specialties: Chili
Audience: Family, All Ages
Outdoor Seating: No
Features: Ships Large Quantites of Chili --weather permitting

Restaurant Review of Chili Johns in Green Bay, WI

Interior Photo of Chili Johns Green Bay, WI Green Bay Restaurant Reviews by Patricia Summerfield By Patricia Summerfield
September 16, 2009
To me there is nothing like a good bowl of chili, so I thought I would try one of Green Bay's oldest establishments, Chili John's, famous for their chili and located on the west side of Green Bay. Chili John's originated in 1913 in Green Bay and was founded by John Issac; it is still owned and operated by his grandson Dan Hoehne using the same original chili recipe that his grandfather created. The restaurant is a casual bright diner with two very long counters and various tables towards the back. It is simple and casual in style with colors of dark aqua green and maroon. On the countertops and on each table are two bottles of cider vinegar for additional seasoning on your chili, one is a plain vinegar and the other has peppercorns to add a little extra spice to your chili if you choose to.

It was later in the afternoon and I had worked up quite an appetite so I ordered their super bowl which is a regular bowl and a half. The choices are mild, medium, hot, and extra hot. The hotter you order the more chili meat you get. You can also get it with just meat or with spaghetti and beans, extra bean juice, or extra chili oil, no beans or light on the beans. I chose to get it with spaghetti and beans for $9.15. My chili was brought out to me immediately with a small side of oyster crackers. John Issac was also responsible for helping to invent the oyster cracker. He used to serve his chili with 4" x 4" saltines and talked to a particular customer about making crackers that would fit a teaspoon. That customer turned out to be a salesman from Nabisco Foods and the product was created. Chili Photo of Chili Johns Green Bay, WI My chili was awesome, the meat sauce is dark and spicy but not so intensely hot that your mouth would be on fire, and the texture of the meat is very finely broken down. I loved the meat sauce so much that next time I would order it without the beans.

My server was very nice and knowledgeable; she has been an employee there for ten years. She told me one of their most famous and regular customers is John Madden, the famous sports announcer. Also when there is a Packer game in town they are extremely busy with customers from all over the country. Chili John's also has a restaurant inside Lambeau Field and that restaurant is open only during the football season. Their menu offers other options such as salads and different sandwiches, but make sure you don't miss out on their great chili.

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