Passion for food, live music and atmosphere that is distinctly Texas creates a gathering place for all to enjoy

Frank X. Tolbert’s life-long passion for chili inspired him to write his world-famous book, A Bowl of Red, 50 years ago. He founded the Terlingua Championship Chili Cook-Off in 1967 and joined forces with son Frank 2 in 1976 to open the first Tolbert's Chili Parlor in Dallas, with daughter Kathleen helping manage starting in 1977.

Although the Dallas location developed an impressive reputation, the popularity of the brand exploded when Tolbert’s daughter Kathleen and husband Paul Ryan selected Grapevine’s historic Main Street as the new home of Tolbert’s in 2006. Sales skyrocketed and Tolbert’s became the subject of magazine articles, newspaper features and television shows, creating tremendous exposure both within the region and outside the state of Texas. Forty years later, Tolbert’s still serves one of the best known chili recipes in the United States: Frank’s Bowl of Red.