CHILL-i Out!

Cooler weather means alot of things to alot of people, but around here it means CHILI at least once a week.

USA Today recently ran a column about 10 great places to get great Chili. Included are cook-offs as well as a few restaurants. Skyline, which made the list, seems to have one of those chilis that people either LOVE or HATE.

That’s the great thing about chili, it can be made so many different ways - it’s one of those foods that often takes on the personality and the culture of those who make it.

ICS World’s Championship Cook-off
Omaha

“Ladies and gentlemen, start your stoves: Starting today, chili cooks from all over the USA take part in this extravaganza that spans three days, awards $40,000 in prize money and offers serious bragging rights to the cook whose chili floors the judges,” Dalby says. “Competition is open to those who have qualified by winning a sanctioned cook-off during the preceding year.” 877-777-4427; http://www.chilicookoff.com

Hard Times Café
Alexandria, Va.

“This 1930s-style ‘chili parlor’ has locations throughout Virginia, Maryland, Indiana and North Carolina and serves up great food from good people at cheap prices,” Dalby says. “Co-founders Fred and Jim Parker are no strangers to the competitive-chili circuit, offering zesty variations of their secret recipes on the cafe’s website.” 703-837-0050; http://www.hardtimes.com

Skyline Chili
Cincinnati

“This chain produces Cincinnati-style chili inspired by Greek recipes — about as far from Texas chili as you can get — but nonetheless with an incredibly devoted following of happy diners,” Dalby says. “At home on coney dogs or over spaghetti, this chili is never more delicious than when it’s under a thick topping of cheddar cheese.” 513-241-4848; http://www.skylinechili.com

Chili John’s
Green Bay, Wis.

“Started in 1913 by a Lithuanian immigrant, Chili John’s signature dish has some similarity to the Cincinnati chili paradigm (i.e., noodles are de rigueur), but the addition of spicy oil makes this chili unique,” Dalby says. “There is also an outpost in Burbank, Calif., started by the son of the original Chili John.” 920-494-4624; http://www.chilijohns.com

Cin Chili & Company
Houston

“This small business of chili spices and chili gift kits was started by Cindy Reed Wilkins, herself a championship chili cook. Cin Chili’s chili mix just won top honors at a recent competition,” Dalby says. “If you want to be the coolest chili kid on the block, you can hire Cindy to come cook her championship chili for your next party.” 832-372-7049; http://www.cinchili.com

Tournament of Roses Chili Cookoff
Pasadena, Calif.

“This large chili showdown, also sanctioned by the International Chili Society, is held Dec. 31 as part of the Tournament of Roses’ Fanfest Expo Village,” Dalby says. It’s located in the stadium’s south parking lots. 626-449-4100; http://www.tournamentof roses.com/events/fanfest.asp#chili

Texas Chili Parlor
Austin

“The motto here is ‘E Pluribus Chili’ — which really says it all,” Dalby says. “There’s actually a release that the parlor (in theory) makes you sign when you order a bowl of the adult-rated XXX Lone Star chili.” For a milder bowl, try the black bean and sausage chili. 512-472-2828; http://www.cactushill.com/TCP/home.htm

Florida State Chili Cook-off
Clearwater

“Held on Nov. 5 this year, the ‘Chiliblast’ features music, food and kids’ activities,” Dalby says, “plus a whole lotta good chili.” 727-781-6330; http://www.floridachili.com

Garduños of Mexico Restaurant and Cantina
Las Cruces, N.M.

“Located in New Mexico, ‘the heart of chile country’ and home of the famed green chile, Garduños serves up a tasty bowl of chili verde,” says Dalby. “The annual Labor Day weekend Hatch Chile Festival is held nearby.” 505-521-7222; http://www.gardunosrestaurants.com

World Class Chili Parlor
Seattle

“Located in Pike Place Market, this great Left Coast Texas-style chili boasts heat levels adjustable to your palate’s desire,” says Dalby. “When you order a bowl, make sure you also get a side of jalapeño cornbread.” 206-623-3678; http://www.worldclasschili.com

Don’t tell anyone I said so, if you do - I’ll deny it, but one of my favorite places to get chili is Wendy’s. Not terribly high brow of me, I guess, but my brows don’t ride very high! Me and my 99 cent chili are happy with one another, though.

Have an awesome weekend,
Joi

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