Expectations:

Deep in the heart of the east side of Loo Town you would expect this restaurant to be full of biker dudes and third shift regulars — you know those who stare with distaste at any foreigner that stepped on their turf in the middle of Wednesday night dart league. For months I have been hearing people sing the praises of Z’s food… and those very same people handed me sanitizer and instructed me to not use the restroom. The plot just screams dive bar gold mine.

Reality:

You walk into your grandparents’ basement. No windows, brown and yellow tones, 1970’s carpet, and wood paneling. There is a salad bar in the corner that has probably been as consistent as your Grandma’s birthday check. The owner is the one that serves you and your bowl will come out minutes after ordering because you know the slow cooker has been on warm all day.

Verdict:

Exactly what your grandmother would make. If you looked up chili in the dictionary it would break down these fundamental ingredients: chili beans, tomatoes, ground beef with maybe some cumin and pepper. This is the definition of this restaurant’s recipe. The taste is modest but the logic is even simpler: this is chili in its most basic form. I would venture to guess Z’s chili hasn’t changed its recipe in years – and frankly I don’t see why it would. The consistency and color is perfected but the flavor is plain. I don’t even think you can call this chili unoriginal because simply, IT IS the original. I believe this is the type of place you take someone to try chili for the first time. It may be boring but it is dependable.

Overall Breggie Score: 6.5