Happy Hour: Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole is a lot of words announcing one thing: chili

Happy Hour |

Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole is a roadhouse-themed bar with a long Western moniker to boot.

Its blue neon sign gets more direct: "Cold Beer." "Booze." "Hot Chili."

And what chili. Or have you not heard? Bon Appétit magazine and Food Network, to name a few, have waxed poetic about this Georgetown dive.

Chili comes in several variations: pork, smoked brisket, turkey and beef. The smart choice is the "Texas Red" — bits of Angus beef with no beans. A robust, meaty chili with a mild heat that lingers in the back of your throat. It goes down easy with a cold one. Too easy, if you don't pace yourself.

Happy hour features the Frito Pie — globs of Cheddar and Pepper Jack blanketing chili and corn chips, crunchy and salty Texas grub to start off with while Johnny Cash and Creedence Clearwater Revival blare from the speakers.

This is a chili-and-beer joint, man. Guess where this menu is going? Chili cheeseburger, chili cheese fries, a chili Sloppy Joe and a chili-cheese Kobe dog.

The gourmet dog could also be named Sloppy, drenched with about a cup of that Texas Red soaking up the bun. Lift it off the plate at your own peril. Knife and fork is the wise man's choice.

Firmer and meatier than your ballpark frank. But I tasted mostly chili and heat.

Bypass all pub grub topped with chili. The chili is best enjoyed as is, in a bowl with some sour cream. Add Cheddar grits on the side. And a beer. You're done.

Slim's Last Chance Chili Shack & Watering Hole, 5606 First Ave. S. in Georgetown, offers happy hour daily from 4-6 p.m. with $3 Frito Pie (but all bar food under $10) and $1 off on tap beer, well drinks and specialty cocktails (206-762-7900 or www.slimslastchance.com).

Tan Vinh: 206-515-5656 or tvinh@seattletimes.com