Recently, I stopped for a bite of a chili dog at the venerable Joe Rogers Chili Parlor, which has roots in Springfield, IL back to 1945. I was turned on to Joe Rogers Chili Parlor by Steve Z., a Chicago-area reader of Road Tips, who also suggested I also try the Cozy Dog Inn in Springfield. While the Cozy Dog Inn specializes in corn dogs - which I don't like at all - I was sort of intrigued by Joe Rogers. On a trip back from St. Louis earlier this year, I decided to look for Joe Rogers Chili Parlor and have a chili dog or two.
Joe Rogers started making chili when he was a young man and was finally talked into opening a little diner where people could try his chili just after the war ended in 1945. Intially in a small building with only 11 counter seats that he called The Den, Joe Rogers had the first of what turned out to be a number of chili (or chilli - as they spell it in Springfield) parlors that sprang up in the coming years around Springfield. (To see a timeline history of chili - or chilli, if you will - parlors in Springfield, click here.)
In 1973, Joe Rogers passed away and his daughter, Marianne McKay, bought the business from her mother. By this time there were two Joe Rogers "Den" locations in Springfield. They had moved to a larger location near the original "Den" and opened another location on the east side of the city. In 1985, Marianne McKay sold the restaurants to a family who had opened a psuedo-franchised "Den" in Champaign, IL. Over the next 10 to 12 years, they had some difficulty in keeping the restaurants open and finally shut their doors in the last "Den" in 1995. Two years later, armed with her father's chili recipe, Marianne McKay opened up Joe Rogers Original Recipe Chili Parlor in its present day location (see map). For over 60 years, politicians, lobbyists and just plain folk from around Springfield have enjoyed Joe Rogers' chili.
Joe Rogers chili consists of five different grades of temperatures - mild, medium, medium-hot, hot and something that was originaly called "Firebrand", but is now now as the J.R. or Joe Rogers Special chili. As it was years ago, if a customer where able to finish a full bowl of the J.R. Special chili, their names would be prominently displayed on a poster in the restaurant. I'm sure the special chili has loads of habenaro chili peppers in it. I like spicy chili, but I don't like to have it burn my face or cause third degree burns to my stomach. Still, I would interested in giving it a taste at some point. Maybe not a whole bowl, but a taste.
It was around 11:30 a.m. when I pulled into Springfield. I drove through town before I finally came upon Joe Rogers on a one way northbound street. Actually, I passed it and had to traverse around blocks and through parking lots to get back to the restaurant. I went in and sat at the counter (right) and took a look up at the very simple menu they had on the wall. Interestingly, they also served something called the Denburger, which was their interpretation of a Maid-Rite loose-meat hamburger. And you could get it four ways - plain, with cheese, with chili and with chili and cheese. A number of people were ordering Denburgers while I was there.
I ordered up two chili dogs - medium-hot. I also thought I'd try a small bowl of chili topped with cheese. The ladies behind the counter make up the chili dogs and dish up the chili right in front of you. My 50's-something waitress sat my chili dogs and chili bowl down in front of me.
Now, I'm always leery of what someone calls medium-hot. I can usually take very spicy food, but my idea of medium-hot is different from the next person's. I would have to say that Joe Rogers medium-hot would be categorized as medium, in my book. It was good, had a nice little bite to the aftertaste, and the hot dogs had that nice "snap" that I like when you bite into them. However, I think the cheddar cheese detracted from the taste of the chili. I wish I'd just gotten the chili plain.
Also on the Joe Rogers menu is a tamale and chili. Although I didn't see anyone order that, I thought that would be an interesting taste. Joe Rogers chili has a nice chili powder taste to it and some other spices that I couldn't quite put a finger on. But it was very enjoyable.
I'm glad I got into Joe Rogers when I did because it wasn't long after I sat down and ordered my food that the line began to stretch out the door with people ready to place their order at the counter. There were a number of "to-go" orders placed while I was there, ordered by people in work clothes and in three-piece suits, alike. Joe Rogers doesn't take checks or charge cards - it's 100% cash all the way.
I have to say that Joe Rogers Chili Parlor was very good, a nice surprise, if you will. I'm always on the lookout for places like this, sort of a nice slice of Americana in the Midwest. I understand there's a few other chili - oops! - Chilli parlors that are still in business in Springfield. I may have to try them sometime, as well. But they're going to have a tough time surpassing the taste sensation that makes Joe Rogers chili what it's been for over 60 years.
Cozy Inn does chilli dogs, too! And they're good! I'm glad you were able to stop at Joe Rogers, but you need to try the chilli dogs at Cozy Inn! I'd be interested to hear if you like them better than J.R.'s
Posted by: Steve Z. | June 21, 2009 at 05:42 PM