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Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night
In his twelfth collection of outrageous writings, he's kinder. He's gentler. He's one unusual American with a whole lot to say about the things that vex us all: like Rice Krispies, funeral preaching, news that's unfit to print (or even think about for that matter), uncommon dawg tales, and the unavoidable light at the end of the tunnel.
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First published January 1, 1989
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About the author
Lewis Grizzard
66 books89 followersAmerican writer and humorist, known for his Southern demeanor and commentary on the American South. Although he spent his early career as a newspaper sports writer and editor, becoming the sports editor of the Atlanta Journal at age 23, he is much better known for his humorous newspaper columns in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a popular stand-up comedian & lecturer.
Grizzard also published a total of twenty-five books, including collections of his columns (e.g. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night), expanded versions of his stand-up comedy routines (I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962), and the autobiographical If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground. Although much of his comedy discussed the South and Grizzard’s personal and professional lives, it was also a commentary on issues prevalent throughout America, including relationships between men and women (e.g. If Love Were Oil, I'd Be About a Quart Low), politics, and health, especially heart health.
He made us laugh and think at the same time. Indeed, during his lifetime, Lewis Grizzard heard himself described as "this generation's Mark Twain," "one of the foremost humorists in the country" and "a Faulkner for plain folks" by the national press. What he was, without a doubt, was a masterful storyteller, stand-up comedian, syndicated columnist and best selling author.
Lewis Grizzard Museum: http://newnan.com/lg/
New Georgia Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ng...
Grizzard also published a total of twenty-five books, including collections of his columns (e.g. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night), expanded versions of his stand-up comedy routines (I Haven't Understood Anything Since 1962), and the autobiographical If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground. Although much of his comedy discussed the South and Grizzard’s personal and professional lives, it was also a commentary on issues prevalent throughout America, including relationships between men and women (e.g. If Love Were Oil, I'd Be About a Quart Low), politics, and health, especially heart health.
He made us laugh and think at the same time. Indeed, during his lifetime, Lewis Grizzard heard himself described as "this generation's Mark Twain," "one of the foremost humorists in the country" and "a Faulkner for plain folks" by the national press. What he was, without a doubt, was a masterful storyteller, stand-up comedian, syndicated columnist and best selling author.
Lewis Grizzard Museum: http://newnan.com/lg/
New Georgia Encyclopedia entry:
http://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/ng...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
April 30, 2018
Not exactly woke. Funny if seen through historically-tolerant lens.
October 6, 2017
Found this book while cleaning and decided to read it again. Always loved Lewis Grizzard (of course I do because he is from the South!). This was published in 1989 and I was in awe to notice that most of the articles he wrote (these are all newspaper columns he wrote). The books is divided into topics and then several columns in each section. Under the topic "A Kinder Gentler Nation" he says that anyone that does not stand for the National Anthem is a jerk--sounds like something going on now. In another he discusses how sports players are paid way, way too much money (back in the time the book was written, we are talking about $400,000) and he thinks points how other jobs that should be making more than professional sports figures--again, sound familiar. I would recommend this read to anyone and compare that point in time with today.
May 12, 2013
Unfortunately Lewis Grizzard has pretty much vanished from bookstores. He did pass away back in 1994 so a lot of his books are showing their age.But amazingly enough, a lot of the stuff he talks about is still relevant today.His books are collections of his newspaper articles so at times some things get repeated or covered in a slightly different way.While most of the articles are(sarcastically) funny, others are touching.
For those who may not be familiar with Lewis Grizzard, he was a southern journalist/comedian.You can think of him as a cross between Jeff Foxworthy and Dave Barry, or perhaps Larry the Cable Guy and Andy Rooney.He often poked fun at his fellow southerners.But he was always laughing with them,never at them.This is what a lot of people never figure out.If you are making fun of a group of which you are a member it is not the same as an outsider doing it.A lot of the things Lewis Grizzard said, could be taken the wrong way.But he was using sarcasm to prove how silly what he was talking about really was.He wasn't really agreeing with those things.
Like I pointed out earlier, Mr.Grizzard passed away in 1994.This fact makes his last article especially poignant.He is talking about all of the changes he expects by the year 2000.He would have been 53 in 2000.Not only was it a shame that he didn't live to see the new century, he was only 47 when he died.As he would have said, that wasn't nearly as old as it used to be.It also makes me wonder what he would have thought about 2013 where things that were just starting when he was alive have explodedinto our culture.How would a man who was still using a typewriter in 1989 react to twitter, facebook and the rest of the internet? Would he still be writing about how annoying junk mail is, nut now be talking about email spam? What would he say about the national date now when he envisioned it would be so high by 2000 that we would have to sell a few states to pay it off? He would definitely have had something to say about how texting has eroded the proper use of English even more.
Yes, parts are dated now but it is still laugh out loud funny in parts.Maybe I am just getting old, but reading a book talking about the concerns and problems of just over 20 years ago made me realize how much things have changed in that time.All of the devices that seem to have taken them over our lives when they were went to make them easier.
To wrap up this ramble,I am going to tell a story that I think would have appealed to Lewis Grizzard. My friend and I went to a movie theater a few days ago.When we walked into the lobby, there was a dispaly for the movie Gatsby.I looked at my friendand said you could not pay me to see that movie.(I have never a much of a fan of F.Scott Fitzgerald.Sorry.)My friend responded that he would also be passing on the movie since he never enjoyed the book when he had to read it in high school.(We both enjoy reading very much.)The teenage ticket takeroverheard our conversation since he was taking our tickets at the time.He looked at us and in all seriousness asked us,"Is it a book?".I would have loved to have read the article that Mr.Grizzard would have written about that encounter.
For those who may not be familiar with Lewis Grizzard, he was a southern journalist/comedian.You can think of him as a cross between Jeff Foxworthy and Dave Barry, or perhaps Larry the Cable Guy and Andy Rooney.He often poked fun at his fellow southerners.But he was always laughing with them,never at them.This is what a lot of people never figure out.If you are making fun of a group of which you are a member it is not the same as an outsider doing it.A lot of the things Lewis Grizzard said, could be taken the wrong way.But he was using sarcasm to prove how silly what he was talking about really was.He wasn't really agreeing with those things.
Like I pointed out earlier, Mr.Grizzard passed away in 1994.This fact makes his last article especially poignant.He is talking about all of the changes he expects by the year 2000.He would have been 53 in 2000.Not only was it a shame that he didn't live to see the new century, he was only 47 when he died.As he would have said, that wasn't nearly as old as it used to be.It also makes me wonder what he would have thought about 2013 where things that were just starting when he was alive have explodedinto our culture.How would a man who was still using a typewriter in 1989 react to twitter, facebook and the rest of the internet? Would he still be writing about how annoying junk mail is, nut now be talking about email spam? What would he say about the national date now when he envisioned it would be so high by 2000 that we would have to sell a few states to pay it off? He would definitely have had something to say about how texting has eroded the proper use of English even more.
Yes, parts are dated now but it is still laugh out loud funny in parts.Maybe I am just getting old, but reading a book talking about the concerns and problems of just over 20 years ago made me realize how much things have changed in that time.All of the devices that seem to have taken them over our lives when they were went to make them easier.
To wrap up this ramble,I am going to tell a story that I think would have appealed to Lewis Grizzard. My friend and I went to a movie theater a few days ago.When we walked into the lobby, there was a dispaly for the movie Gatsby.I looked at my friendand said you could not pay me to see that movie.(I have never a much of a fan of F.Scott Fitzgerald.Sorry.)My friend responded that he would also be passing on the movie since he never enjoyed the book when he had to read it in high school.(We both enjoy reading very much.)The teenage ticket takeroverheard our conversation since he was taking our tickets at the time.He looked at us and in all seriousness asked us,"Is it a book?".I would have loved to have read the article that Mr.Grizzard would have written about that encounter.
August 15, 2011
I've been following Lewis Grizzard off and on for a long time (unfortuantely, Mr. Grizzard died several years ago). He was sort of the Dave Barry of Atlanta, humor columnist, mostly looking at Southern life, customs and quirks. He actually made an appearance on the old "Roseanne" show playing a sort of shirt-tail relative who was funny but very shy, and of course finally is successful as a stand-up. The line I remember most is, "Here's the difference between 'Naked' and 'Nekkid:' 'Naked' means you don't have any clothes on. 'Nekkid' means you don't have any clothes on and you're up to somethin'." Mr. Grizzard has published a number of books, even the titles of which are droll: "Elvis is Dead and I Don't Feel So Good Myself;" "If Love was Oil I'd Be About a Quart Low." While I like his witticissms and observations, all in three-page chunks, it seems that he repeats himself in subsequent chapter sections, which he doesn't really have to. It appears that the books are just collections of his columns, which are not edited very well. He could have saved a bunch of pages, which would have made for more space for pithy comments. However, with all that, I'd still recommend his works, as they are fun and sometimes deeper than you might suspect.
August 8, 2015
“Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night” by Lewis Grizzard, published by Villard Books.
Category – Humor Publication Date – September 01, 1989
In this collection of Lewis Grizzard’s Atlanta Journal Constitution columns Grizzard again takes on anything and everything. He takes a shot at Fashion, International Relations, The Future, Dating, and many more subjects of insurmountable interest.
Some of his more astute observations:
Fashion – Don’t wear clip-on sunglasses. If you do it suggests you arrive by bus and once wore leisure suits until the Surgeon General declared them harmful to your health.
Dining Out – No Shirt, No Shoes. No Service. Bra and Panties Optional.
Religion – How is Tammy Faye Bakker’s face like a ski slope? Five inches of base, six inches of powder.
Dogs – His dog Catfish, For all my faults, I love my dog. Heaven’s got to be at least a little impressed by that.
I continue my quest to read all of Lewis Grizzard’s books, they are funny, easy to read, and even today contain sage information and observations of our lives.
Category – Humor Publication Date – September 01, 1989
In this collection of Lewis Grizzard’s Atlanta Journal Constitution columns Grizzard again takes on anything and everything. He takes a shot at Fashion, International Relations, The Future, Dating, and many more subjects of insurmountable interest.
Some of his more astute observations:
Fashion – Don’t wear clip-on sunglasses. If you do it suggests you arrive by bus and once wore leisure suits until the Surgeon General declared them harmful to your health.
Dining Out – No Shirt, No Shoes. No Service. Bra and Panties Optional.
Religion – How is Tammy Faye Bakker’s face like a ski slope? Five inches of base, six inches of powder.
Dogs – His dog Catfish, For all my faults, I love my dog. Heaven’s got to be at least a little impressed by that.
I continue my quest to read all of Lewis Grizzard’s books, they are funny, easy to read, and even today contain sage information and observations of our lives.
August 5, 2015
This book fulfills requirement 11 (humor) for the 2013 eclectic reader challenge.
Lewis Grizzard was a newspaper columnist with a writing style similar to Dave Barry. It was very quick and easy to read. Each chapter is broken down into several articles. After reading the introduction, I took Grizzard's advice and put the book in the bathroom...LOL. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I picked it up at the library book sale along with a couple other of his titles. I am eager to read some more of Grizzard's humor.
Lewis Grizzard was a newspaper columnist with a writing style similar to Dave Barry. It was very quick and easy to read. Each chapter is broken down into several articles. After reading the introduction, I took Grizzard's advice and put the book in the bathroom...LOL. I enjoyed the book quite a bit. I picked it up at the library book sale along with a couple other of his titles. I am eager to read some more of Grizzard's humor.
December 22, 2016
Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night (MM to TR Promotion) - Lewis Grizzard Grizzard was very popular in Atlanta in the 80s, the Dave Barry of Georgia. Reading his books and/or newspaper columns was pretty much unavoidable. His book launch/autographings were huge. I'm sure many people still feel an absence where he used to be. Library copy
Read
August 7, 2011This was the perfect book to read while my brother-in-law was having and recovering from brain surgery. It was a bunch of short, funny stories that could be read and interrupted and still be enjoyed. The book was written in 1989 but it is amazing how accurate he was in forecasting.
December 9, 2012
My first exposure to one if the South's greatest treasures if the 20th century. Laugh-out-loud funny, this book is one I come back to again and again.
May 14, 2015
I will always remember this title. Might be the last thing I say when I leave this earth, just to confuse people.
I also have a thing for Vidalia onions now.
I also have a thing for Vidalia onions now.
May 3, 2016
read some time in 1993
did-not-finish
September 4, 2018Perhaps this author was funny in the late 80's early 90's, but I really didn't find him to be. Gave up on page 61.
January 1, 2025
Lewis Grizzard was a funny man, and his Southern humor is still enduring. His writing style is derived from many years as a newspaper columnist for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night comprises chapters that mirror his column-like approach to storytelling.
Though this book was written in 1989, the political turmoil and day-to-day craziness Grizzard pokes a satirical finger at are spot-on for America's 2025 current state of affairs. It's uncanny how closely the problems and worries addressed then are like what's happening now. The parallels prove that Americans have very short memories and learn little from their own and our nation's leaders' past foibles.
Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night is full of laughs and enjoyable lampooning. I found reading this book so many years after publication to be a refreshing way to remind myself that situations that tear us apart today are the same things that we failed to learn from in the past. From Chapter 1, A Kinder, Gentler, Nation, to Chapter 17, Life In The Twentieth Century, Grizzard's sarcasm helped take the edge off my uneasiness with our current situation.
Though this book was written in 1989, the political turmoil and day-to-day craziness Grizzard pokes a satirical finger at are spot-on for America's 2025 current state of affairs. It's uncanny how closely the problems and worries addressed then are like what's happening now. The parallels prove that Americans have very short memories and learn little from their own and our nation's leaders' past foibles.
Chili Dawgs Always Bark at Night is full of laughs and enjoyable lampooning. I found reading this book so many years after publication to be a refreshing way to remind myself that situations that tear us apart today are the same things that we failed to learn from in the past. From Chapter 1, A Kinder, Gentler, Nation, to Chapter 17, Life In The Twentieth Century, Grizzard's sarcasm helped take the edge off my uneasiness with our current situation.
August 17, 2023
I can't give this collection of columns by humorist Lewis Grizzard more than a 2.5. Although I love Dave Barry and in some ways Grizzard was Barry-esque, Grizzard is too "good old boy" for me. Admittedly, this book was published in 1989 when the standards for political correctness, especially in the South, were considerably lower than today. But I can say that even the 1989 me would have been quite grossed out by his belittling of overweight people (including Oprah Winfrey) and his view of women primarily as objects of sexual attraction. He writes in a fairly polished way, consistent with his position on the Atlanta Journal Constitution, but his attitudes toward many features of modern life are more Dukes of Hazzard than To Kill a Mockingbird. Despite that, at times he made me laugh out loud with Dave Barry-style absurdity. He has a large following, so if his writing intrigues you, check it out and decide for yourself on its merits.
July 3, 2020
A collection of columns from the late 1980s. This is the first time I've read about his dog, a Black lab named Catfish - this was my favorite chapter, actually, even though I'm not much of a dog fan. The column about diet dog food made me laugh so hard I could barely catch my breath.
There is some cringy stuff here - the chapter about weight has not held up at all - but its also rather amazing to read about things like the blanket ban on smoking, something we don't really think about these days but which was a *huge* deal when it started rolling out.
Its also a little sad to read the final section of the book, where Grizzard speculates on what life will be like in the year 2000; little did he (or anyone) know at the time, he wasn't going to make it to the new millennium.
There is some cringy stuff here - the chapter about weight has not held up at all - but its also rather amazing to read about things like the blanket ban on smoking, something we don't really think about these days but which was a *huge* deal when it started rolling out.
Its also a little sad to read the final section of the book, where Grizzard speculates on what life will be like in the year 2000; little did he (or anyone) know at the time, he wasn't going to make it to the new millennium.
Read
December 7, 2025This book is copyrighted 1989 and most of it is outdated. I had just finished reading The Nightingale by Kristan Hannah, which I loved. But it was set in German occupied France during WWII so the story was very heavy and I was wanting something light to read. When I used to read paper copies of newspapers, I would read the important news but I loved to read the comics, sports and columns by Erma Bombeck, Dave Barry, Ann Landers and Dear Abby. In this collection of observations, Grizzard offers his views on everything from politics, religion, sex and golf to the largest condom heist in history.
December 14, 2025
Maybe I can go to my library and get my $1 back for this book I bought at their sale. I know I can’t get the time back I spent reading it. Normally I would have quit before I was half way through rather than finish a two-star saga, but it was short and I needed numbers to reach my challenge goal. Part of the problem is how dated the material is, but mostly it just wasn’t very funny after the title page.
March 22, 2024
It is with a little sadness in my heart that I write this review. His articles were one of the few parts of the paper I would read. The article on the 2000 approaching was especially sad as he did not live to that milestone. I am fortunate our library still stocks his books
March 25, 2021
I like it. It's dated as heck in some points , but a good read.
July 19, 2024
Surprisingly fun, Grizzard knows how to write some compelling, relatable little stories.
August 3, 2025
Best book in the world. A man’s take on the world and the life he’s lived. Best chapter is about his dog named Catfish who gets to go to the Catfish festival without him and sends a postcard home.
November 23, 2016
This is terrible writing. I'm shocked people could think this is "laugh out loud funny". Folks have compared him with Jeff Foxworthy. Really? Foxworthy is funny in person or in print. Gizzard fails to elicit so much as a chuckle from me.
A sample from the beginning of an essay on his dog:
"I've done a lot of nice things for my dog Catfish, the black lab.
I allow him to sleep in my house on a dog bed I ordered out of the L.L. Bean catalog.
I buy him dog biscuits and chew toys, and he often gets leftovers from the table. I gave him a cabana once. He ate it.
When Catfish wants out of the house, he goes to the door and barks. I leave whatever I'm doing and open the door for him.
When he wants back in, he scratches on the door from the outside and I open it for him…."
All this to set up a diatribe against a diet dog food, Alpo Lite. I've seen middle school essays that are funnier and better crafted than this drivel.
I'll finish this, but I am tearing it up a page at a time and trashing it. It's worthless.
A sample from the beginning of an essay on his dog:
"I've done a lot of nice things for my dog Catfish, the black lab.
I allow him to sleep in my house on a dog bed I ordered out of the L.L. Bean catalog.
I buy him dog biscuits and chew toys, and he often gets leftovers from the table. I gave him a cabana once. He ate it.
When Catfish wants out of the house, he goes to the door and barks. I leave whatever I'm doing and open the door for him.
When he wants back in, he scratches on the door from the outside and I open it for him…."
All this to set up a diatribe against a diet dog food, Alpo Lite. I've seen middle school essays that are funnier and better crafted than this drivel.
I'll finish this, but I am tearing it up a page at a time and trashing it. It's worthless.
November 22, 2022
2.5? A Southern-fried Dave Barry, and very much a product of its time and place. I can imagine my dad would love it, but I found it only mildly amusing—and that was while understanding some of the viewpoints are not considered very PC by current standards. (For example, repeated digs at guys who wear earrings and poking fun at single women who post personal ads. Geez, what would Grizzard have made of the Internet and dating sites? He’s probably glad he’s not here.)
October 7, 2014
Louis Grizzard has an unmistakable voice. He is what James Foxworthy aspires to be. The only other southern humorist to write as well I think is Clyde Edgerton. Some of the more topical pieces are a little dated, but they are all funny.
June 29, 2011
"My girlfriend said it was either her or the Varsity hot dogs. I wonder what happened to her."
June 10, 2013
definitely pulitzer material
September 12, 2016
Loved the book Loved the author, I will read more
November 26, 2013
My favorite Grizzard book. I've always wondered if that had something to do with the title?
May 4, 2014
One of my favorites authors. Have not read this book in years - really enjoyed reading it again.
September 8, 2025
Again, wonderful title
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews