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CHILI

Last Updated: 12 days ago

Phone: (646) 882-0666

Address: 13 EAST 37 STREET 10016

TLDR

Indulgent Sichuan w/ retro Shanghai vibe. Generous portions, great cocktails, and authentic flavors.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 56 Reddit comments)

80% Positive16% Neutral4% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

chinese 36sichuan 14szechuan 5sichuan 8chinese 7kung pao 5View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Details

This Sichuan Chinese restaurant offers a vibrant and indulgent dining experience, drawing comparisons to more established eateries with its larger portions and richer flavors. Known for its retro Shanghai vibe, it's a popular choice for authentic dishes and great cocktails. While generally well-received, some reviews suggest occasional inconsistencies in food quality.

Food Overview

This Sichuan Chinese restaurant is frequently recommended for its authentic and flavorful dishes, often described as having a rich and indulgent style with generous portions. Popular recommendations include Mapo Tofu, Pepper Chicken, Chongqing/La zi Chicken, and Spicy Wontons. While most feedback is positive, one user noted inconsistency with the three pepper chicken and vermicelli being dry.

Highlights / Recommended

"Customers frequently recommend the Mapo Tofu, Pepper Chicken, Chongqing/La zi Chicken, Spicy Wontons, Dan Dan Noodles, Szechuan Cold Noodle, and Tea Smoked Duck Fried Rice."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • mapo tofu(5)
  • tea smoked duck fried rice(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally have a very positive sentiment, praising the authentic Sichuan cuisine, generous portions, and good cocktails. Some minor criticisms include occasional inconsistencies in food quality.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

This post is a detailed review of the Kung Pao dish, noting it was good despite minor critiques on spice balance and sauce sweetness. Other users chimed in with praise for the restaurant and its authentic Chinese cuisine.
In this discussion about Sichuan food, Chili is frequently mentioned and highly recommended. One user specifically prefers it over another popular spot, Mountain House.
This thread discusses the best Sichuan options in Midtown. Chili is mentioned as being better than Cafe China, with a more indulgent style and bigger portions, making it good for takeout.
Several users recommend Chili for its Sichuan cuisine. Specific dishes like mapo tofu, cucumber salad, and tea smoked duck fried rice are highlighted.
This post compares Chili to Cafe China, with multiple commenters strongly preferring Chili. It's noted that many chefs from Cafe China now work at Chili, and it's considered to have surpassed Cafe China in quality.
Chili (Szechuan) is recommended as a good vegetarian-friendly option, with specific vegetarian dishes like the Szechuan Cold Noodle and Ma Po Tofu being highlighted.
While most comments recommend Chili, one user expressed disappointment with the laziji. However, others still highly praise dishes like mapo tofu and tea smoked duck fried rice.

Recent Mentions

From post: Large Group Chinese Restaurant Recommendations

"This user listed Meili as a recommended restaurant for large groups."

Positive
Dec 19, 2025View Comment →

From post: Business Lunch Recs Close To 605 3rd Ave

"This commenter recommended Chili (Szechuan) as a good vegetarian-friendly option near the user's office. They specifically highlighted the Szechuan Cold Noodle and Ma Po Tofu as vegetarian dishes."

Positive
Nov 12, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Lunar Murray Hill

"Chili's portions were noted as gargantuan when compared to Lunar."

Positive
Nov 9, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Is A Good Place For A Business Lunch In

"Chili is recommended over Cafe China, as it was opened by the old chefs from Cafe China after they moved. The user states that Chili has now surpassed Cafe China in quality."

Positive
Nov 7, 2025View Comment →

From post: I Want To Try 100 New Dishes In 2026 Help Me Make

"CHILI is recommended for spicy wontons."

Positive
Oct 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: I Want To Try 100 New Dishes In 2026 Help Me Make

"CHILI is recommended for spicy wontons."

Positive
Oct 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Peppercorn Station Midtown West

"The user agreed that Chili's Kung Pao was good but noted that they might have used too much peppercorn and the sauce was a bit too sweet, otherwise enjoying the dish."

Neutral
Oct 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Peppercorn Station Midtown West

"The user mentioned ordering Kung Pao chicken from Chili and found it to be good, but not great."

Neutral
Oct 26, 2025View Comment →

From post: Looking For A Funinterestingnot Crazy Expensive

"Chili on 37th is suggested as a dining option, with a note that its rice wine soup presentation creates a fine dining experience, despite the restaurant's casual interior."

Positive
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat Near The Morgan Library Tomorrow

"In response to a negative experience, this commenter still loves Chili's mapo tofu and tea smoked duck fried rice."

Positive
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat Near The Morgan Library Tomorrow

"Despite frequent recommendations, the commenter was very disappointed with the laziji at Chili, suggesting it might have been an off day."

Negative
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat Near The Morgan Library Tomorrow

"Chili is mentioned as a dining option."

Positive
Oct 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat Near The Morgan Library Tomorrow

"The commenter recommends Chili for Sichuan food, stating it is very tasty."

Positive
Oct 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where To Eat Near The Morgan Library Tomorrow

"Chili is mentioned as a dining option."

Positive
Oct 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Cafe China West 30s

"This commenter stated they prefer Chili for all dishes when compared to Cafe China."

Positive
Oct 5, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Cafe China West 30s

"The commenter expressed a strong preference for Chili over Cafe China, mentioning that many chefs from Cafe China now work at Chili, which is located in the same area."

Positive
Oct 4, 2025View Comment →

From post: Soup Dumpling Spot Near Midtown

"The author mentions 'Chili' located on 37th street."

Neutral
Sep 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Chili Midtown East

"A short, positive response to the comment about trying the Kung Pao."

Positive
Sep 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Chili Midtown East

"This commenter expresses their love for the restaurant, ranking it among their top 5 Chinese restaurants in the city. They are looking forward to trying the Kung Pao."

Positive
Sep 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: Kung Pao Chili Midtown East

"In response to a question about spice level, the commenter states the dish was not extremely spicy but suggests that requesting it spicier might be possible."

Neutral
Sep 21, 2025View Comment →