Chili My Soul

For you people jonesing for some CMS chili, Jinky’s café on Ventura bought a lot of the recipes from the family and has a rotating menu daily.

No wonder Chili My Soul isn’t opened any more .it not only lost it’s heart but it lost it’s «SOUL» with the passing of the late great Randy Hoffman.
I knew Randy through my wife and my wife met him because he use to eat Sushi where she worked. I remember one Christmas when he had a party at the restaurant, all the pot’s of Chili were open to the guest and I got to know the man behind the Chili. What a great guy a drummer at one time and a family of true L.A. royalty.
Sorry to say that on this early October date I’m learning about his passing, but just the same RIP you good «soul»…you are remembered.

What a shame they closed. This place so perfectly walked the line between «decent enough for chili snobs» and «neo/​cali/​LA-​ized, which isn’t always a good thing.»
The selection of chili was good enough to satisfy the typical LA person who thinks they know something about something, but beyond some of their more ridiculous flavors was some really good, basic chili.
Being from Texas, I found a lot of things about this place too cheezy (some of those flavors just bordered on corny — I guess it would be the equivalent of wanting to have a good tamale and someone offered you a «sour cream brisket and green beans» flavor). Also, the price was way too much for what you got.
But their all their beef chili selections were good, bean or beanless, and their corned bread was also pretty darn good. Chili should be eaten in the most basic sense of the word, not in a gourmet cheesy factory. Their staple chili was very good, and considering the alternative would be flying back to the south, it’s a winner.
They’ll be missed. Most of their stuff, anyway :)

I have this great memory of Randy talking to me about all his chilli when he just opened. I bought about 5 different types and raved about all of them. Then like a jedi of chilli he told me about his mango habenero chicken chilli. He only had it for a short time and it was my absolute favorite. At one point he was going to branch out to the westside. I am so thrilled to have experienced CMS it was just great!
Thankyou CMS for all the love and flavor!

Chili My Soul closed and it is a tragedy. Randy was an amazing man. The food challenged the normalcy of chilis and turned them into art.
The main reason I first went was because I had heard about Demon. I am a spice freak and I had heard about this place. Suffice it to say, I was not dissapointed.
I really appreciated the warm nature of the staff when you first walk in, and if you had the honor of getting to order Demon when Randy was around he’d talk up a storm. Being able to sample the chili before ordering was also a great plus for the restaurant because you knew what you were getting before you ordered.
The only dissapointment I ever had with Demon was that it was never served enough and not made with consistent heat. I have had Demon that was tame and manageable, and I have had Demon that destroyed my insides and left me sleepless (not joking). Otherwise, it was worth it every time.
I really wish that the restaurant could stay open despite the loss of it’s pioneering leader… it will be missed.

I am shocked and saddened to learn of the Owner’s passing. I read the sign on the door tonight and almost cried. I’ve been a fan of Chili My Soul for many years, and remember talking to the owner several times about chili, toppings and life in general.
It doesn’t look as if this place will open again, which saddens me even more.
I will miss his extraordinary chili
and good conversation.

Randy Hoffman – who passed away in the past month – was the brilliant man who opened this terrific eatery. I used to tease him that chili was not supposed to be nuanced or gourmet, but he would argue with me. I’d make him cringe when I’d talk about going to Chili John’s in Burbank. He knew his chili was special. I think he had something like 30 different types of chili going on in this place. Some tame, most adventurous, and several were blazing spicy. And dozens of bottles of hot sauces from around the world adorned the counter.
Never satisfied with the mundane, Randy always worked out the best chili-​complement recipes he could find for whatever he offered: fries, burgers, tamales. Everyone has their favorite style for each one of these, and maybe his version wasn’t your favorite, but it WAS always damn good.
I bugged him for years to offer rice or pasta (chili over rice is one of my favorite things on earth), and he refused to do it until he had a large place to prepare it. I told him to get an f-​ing rice cooker and stick it in the corner; we’d be fine with that. But he wouldn’t be. Such the perfectionist.
Prices were a bit on the high side, but the quality of the chili and its ingredients were always top notch. Simmered three days and defatted 4 times, this was the healthiest chili you’d ever eat, and easily the most flavorful. Some varieties were smoky, some had beans, some were very red, some had Asian influences, some were vegetarian, some were made with beef, some with pork. One was even made with whiskey. I had so many favorites – depending on my mood – I couldn’t possibly list them all.
Not sure if this place will still proceed forward, but I hope it does, and that Randy’s vision lives on and expands.
Randy, Rest In Peace. All of us who enjoyed Chili My Soul honor you.

Is this place still open? I stopped by the same week MJ died and it was closed. There was a sign on the door saying they were closed and that the owner/​chef had passed away. This is so sad because its such a unique restaurant with the best chili I’ve ever had. I used to come here with an ex-​boyfriend on rainy days. We would call it chili days and we’d look forward to it. Not anymore.
R.I.P. Chili Man– thanks for the memories :)

My wife and I just had lunch recently — not at all impressed. The chili burger is $ 13, so I just had a hamburger for $ 8. It was slightly better than your average hamburger. My wife had the chili dog, which is $ 11, with the wild mild turkey. She thought it was okay, but I didn’t care for it. The atmosphere was casual, and it wasn’t too busy for a Saturday. I agree with some of the other reviewers that their prices, in no way, reflect the quality of the food offered.
There was a sign up in plain view for a lunch «special» — the cashier said it was for weekdays only (the sign had no mention of that), but that they would honor it anyway.
My wife apologized for insisting on going, and we won’t be back.

Chili My Soul didn’t really send chills down my spine after eating their chili. We had lunch here and I’ll just say it was «okay». The staff was nice at the counter and tried to give us a quick glimpse of their various flavors of chili, as they offer about 30 flavors. Honestly, I never knew chili could come in so many flavors. Be careful on this strip mall’s parking lot, as it’s close to a busy intersection (Balboa/​Ventura), and some of the drivers can be rather ruthless, especially at lunchtime. Again, this food was «okay», in my opinion, but maybe you can try something more spicier to invigorate your taste buds.

If i can give it a half star i would. This place is a joke. Im a big foodie and i have my own food blog and write alot of reviews. and trust me I eat everything… I mean everything. and if somethings half way decent im happy. where can i start .
–i tried two different chilis and they both were below average. not even just ok. gave me the runs after.
— the corn bread was dry and tasteless and the garlic bread was tough with no flavor.
–place is way too expensive. not even worth it.
how does this place even stay in business? i would never go back to this place again. i rather eat Hormel or Stagg chili out of a can!

I grew up in the Midwest with shockingly cold winters. I grew up in a place where the only thing that could warm you up on a cold day was a nice piping hot bowl of dad’s chili. I grew up in a place where chili meant lots of meat and lots of spice and lots of love.
Although I’m at the point in my life where I no longer care all that much about chili with meat in it, I like my chili to be made with love. And, as cheesy as it sounds, they make it with love at this place. I spoke with the owner briefly the last time I was here and he was telling me about how they cook all of their chili for three days before defatting it and serving it. THREE DAYS!!! That’s a lot of love for your chili.
There’s a lot of variety. Vegetarian. Chicken. Turkey. Beef. Mild. Hot. Super hot. Super-​de-​duper-​ridiculously hot. Sweet. Hot. Yummy. Perfect.
Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? I guess that depends on how deep your love for chili runs. Mine’s pretty deep so I’ll be back.

Are you kidding me? 17 Dollars for a shallow bowl of chili, 7 dollars for a half order of fries?! $ 1.50 for Avocado on your chili?
So you walk in, no menu, just a wall with the 10 chils they have today. No prices… hmmmm convenient. Are your tamales microwaved, the end was so tough we couldn’t cut through it?! The chili, okay at best, i watched you scoop it out of some weird plastic bags in the warmer. Weird. Kinda tacky. Ugh, 25 bucks later i am not full and really angry.

A truly unique eatery means that you can’t find it anywhere else. Chili My Soul is the questionably named but undisputable king of chili, at least in the LA metro.
Some places may have better chili recipes, and many have a nicer vibe in the eating area– but this place has around a dozen DIFFERENT chilis going at once, every day.
The recipe book of C.M.S. (I can’t even bring myself to type it) is chock full of beer chilis, chilis that can take the rust off of a bolt and even chili that goes GREAT with dark chocolate chips sprinkled on top. I always feel like the most challenging thing about the chili here is choosing which one, not to mention the topping list. Pumpkin seeds; festive.
If you are anywhere near Balboa & Ventura and it’s anywhere near lunch time, you gotta stop in and at least grab a pint of chili to go, just make sure to take your time with the free samples. This is one decision you want to get right.

Eh. The night I went, I sampled six chilis and none of them worked for me. I finally picked the best one of the six and opted to get the «soul size» which is a bowl of chili and a burger patty. You get three toppings and corn bread. All that for $ 16+? Hm. Kind of expensive if you ask me! Oh, but due to some serious miscommunication over the chili, the cashier gave me a free drink cup.
«I would like the chicken royale soul size.»
«Soul fries?»
«No, soul size.»
«Oh, the burger.» The cashier whips out the burger ordering sheet.
«Er, no, soul size. See your menu. A bowl of chili with patty.»
«Huh? Let me check with the cook to see if we can do that for you.»
In the meantime, the cook had started cooking fries and a burger while muttering that’s what he and the cashier were going to eat for dinner.
«Oh, hahah, I think I know what you want. And though it says the patty will be on top the cook says it’ll be on the bottom.»
«Whatever.»
“That’ll be $ 16.31″
«Um.okay. I was going to get something to drink…»
«Here’s a drink on me!»
My food didn’t come with my cornbread. I had to go and ask for it. It was okay. Very weirdly brown and crumbly but it did have real corn kernels in it.
As I said, the chili was okay, kind of watery and a little sour. I got diced onions, green onions and pumpkin seeds as my toppings. I actually thought the patty was very juicy and maybe I should have gotten the burger and fries!

Chili for dinner? That’s something I’m not use to. This place is pretty good though. I ordered a cup of chili with half «Gunslinger» and half «Deep Beef». According to their heat ratings, the gunsliger was suppose to be pretty spicy but it wasn’t. My order came with a choice of chips or bread so I got some garlic bread and for $ 9 bucks and some change it seemed a bit much for the small bowl. We also got some fries which went really well with the chili. Overall I was satisfied. Not sure I’d be back since I’m not that into chili, Tommy’s will suffice for me.
DO:
Get a split bowl — you can try two flavors at the same time!
DON’T:
Have high expectations about the eating environment — its pretty shitty looking inside — oh, and the day I came they had McCain’s acceptance speech blasted on their TVs which made it lose more cool points.

One day, I will never have to venture out of the San Fernando Valley. Already, if I do climb over that hill, it’s not for tacos, not for kebabs, not for phở. And guess what else I don’t have to leave for? Chili. That’s right. When California finally drifts off into the Pacific, it’ll be the rest of the continent that’s missing out.
Just look at Sigmund B’s review. The guy’s from Texas and his favorite chili is right here in Encino. Chili My Soul even lets you cross a few extra destinations (i.e. beyond the American south) off your list, with chili flavors like Fusion Pepper Beef and Espresso Black Bean. I just got through a Curry Chicken over curly soul fries, topped with cilantro, pumpkin seeds, and green onion. And as full as I am, I could probably eat another one.
You don’t have to be a chili person to appreciate Chili My Soul; in fact you can be just about any person. Chilis range from ultra hardcore porky to vegan hipster healthy. From chocolate chips to capers on top, and from salads to tamales underneath your chili.
Best of all, Mindy who works there gave me a free soul fries when I guessed her birthday right.

After all the chitter chatter about chili my soul I went for lunch today.
Parking is not easy to get. There is a handicapped space at the other end of the little shopping center. But if you are like me and walking distances is not an option you’ll have to wait for a small space to open up. Getting in and around the shop is no problem for the handicapped, though. So you could luck out with a space and have no problems.
I love that you can try any and every chili. But I did quickly fall for the curry chicken chili. This is a no beans al meat chili with a great curry inspired chili spice mix. The chicken tasted as if they slow roasted it all day the day before and then let the chili stew for many– hours. It was moist and falling apart. I am a huge texture person when it comes to food. I can’t believe I’m saying this but the texture was absolutely perfect!!! It was spicey with a bit of heat but it never crossed my mind that it was hot. Just very flavorful. All in all a great bowl of chili. Oh and you get 3 toppings. I went with just cheddar and onions. Buut they have chocolate chips that I want to try in either the esspresso black bean, rojo grande or irish whiskey chili’s. But I can’t have ot all. Not yet.
My biggest issue with the place has been reflected in some other reviews. It is expensive for a bowl of chili– dang!!! My lunch special with cup of chili, fresh fries and small refillable drink was $ 12+ out of my pocket (tax included). I guess it will only be a treat to have chili here and I’ll really have to be in the mood to pay that much.
But for the Encinophiles who make oodles of cash they can better afford it than I. And I’d love to accompany you if you want to pay for a lunch companion hahaha. Quick note: employees are all very cool people. Way relaxed and helpful.

It is hard to decide if I like chili better than bacon, or if I like them the same… IDK. I do know, however, that Chili My Soul has some of the best chili I have ever had. Now I’m a spicy girl, and I like spicy food… Chili My Soul has the spice to get your heart rate up and get a good sweat going. The chili heat scale goes from 1 (why bother) to 10 (hell ya!) My favorites are as follows:
Durango (7)
Demon (10+)
Gunslinger (8)
Spicy Turkey Bean (7)
I always get two different flavors and add cheese and chocolate chips. I seldom order below a 7. I like it hot, sweaty, and just a little sweet… I mean my chili of course ;)

**Amazing**
It’s more than just a bowl of chili; it’s a bowl of comfort and perfection. Go for an awesome bowl of gourmet chili, but while you are there be sure to get some Soul Fries and/​or a fresh chopped salad. It will cost a bit more than going to an ordinary fast food place, but the return on your money is so worth it! It surprises me that they do not charge more for such perfection.
Chili My Soul is a healthy addiction! It’s well known that each chili is cooked for 3 days, defatted at least 4 times, and all of the chili flavors are low in sodium. If you are a true foodie try the Fusion Pepper Beef chili and wait for the flavors to hit you after you take a bite.
If you are lucky enough to meet the owner, Randy, you will be greeted with his love for chili and his undying desire to witness you «getting it». Getting that it makes him most happy in life to see someone understand how his heart and soul goes into making the best chili anywhere. When you walk into his restaurant, he treats you like a long lost friend and you become a part of his Chili My Soul family!