David's Chili House - Azusa

After those college years, chili spaghetti didn’t really cross my mind until I stumbled upon a Chowhound post about a place called David's Chili House in neighboring Azusa. The original poster didn’t even mention chili spaghetti on the menu, but just seeing the word "chili" in the restaurant's name brought back fond memories, prompting me to give it a try for lunch one day. When I arrived and finally settled down to peruse the menu before ordering at the counter, I noticed a rather eclectic mix of items—everything from fried fish and shrimp to teriyaki dishes. With a name like “David’s Chili House,” I expected a menu heavily focused on chili, but that wasn’t the case at all. Finally, I found the chili section, and lo and behold, there it was: chili spaghetti. My taste buds perked up, and I knew exactly what I was going to order. As I sat there in anticipation, the sight of the heaping chili, onions, and cheese over the noodles transported me back to those college days spent with my roommates, lounging on couches, discussing our classes and teachers. It was nice to reminisce, but soon my appetite called for attention. So, I grabbed my fork and spoon and began to mix everything together. But when I took my first bite... I was a bit let down. The spaghetti was overcooked and slightly mushy. For some, this might be fine, but I personally prefer my noodles to be more al dente. While the noodles were not ideal, I figured it could be improved on a future visit. Unfortunately, I found the chili to be just average. It had a decent flavor, but it felt a bit one-note. It really needed to pack more of a punch. Without the cheese and onions, this chili spaghetti would have fallen flat. So, would I return to David's Chili House based solely on this dish? Probably not—I wouldn’t go out of my way for another visit. If I happened to be in the area and was craving chili spaghetti, I might give it another shot, just to see if my first experience was a fluke and if it could be better. At the very least, it did bring back some great memories, and sometimes that’s all you can ask for from a bowl of chili spaghetti.