Where is the Chili Weather?

Posted by The Editorial Desk / Monday, October 11th, 2010

There is nothing like a steaming hot bowl of chili in front of a football game or the fireplace.  Chili only involves a few ingredients, and can be adjusted to taste.  Pork, beef, turkey, chicken, seafood, or tofu- all are great proteins to base your chili around.  Chili is an inexpensive meal that can be stretched for days.  In fact, during the Great Depression, chili parlors gave millions of Americans a nourishing and inexpensive meal.

(Image: activerain)

Since it is still hot outside and I am dreaming of real fall weather, chili has been on my mind.  Thankfully, when the wind picks up and the temperatures drop, there are several places in our area to get chili in a bowl, on a dog, or in macaroni and cheese.

The Vienna Inn is known for it’s amazing chili dogs.  Some other favorites include vegetarian chili and chili mac.

(Image: Cave Creek Chili Company)

In Old Town Fairfax, you can get a taste of a real American chili parlor at Hard Times Cafe.  Many types of chili are available to feast on including Cincinnati Chili, Vegetarian Chili, Texas Chili, and Terlingua Red.  You can order chili mac, a Frito Chili Pie, or taters smothered in chili and any topping you could dream of.

(Image: Hard Times Cafe)

Last, but definitely not least- Ben’s Chili Bowl.  This place has been around since 1958 and is recognized world-wide.  From Half-Smokes to Chili Fries, they have it all.

You can make a big pot of chili at home and use it for several meals.  I like my chili made extra spicy with habaneros and spooned over tortilla chips and topped with Monterey Jack cheese.  There are tons of different varieties of chili you can make.  This fall is a good time to try out your own chili and even get some practice making chili for next year’s DC 101 Chili Cook-Off.  I am sure you can find some willing participants to be your taste testers and at the same time make a stress-free dinner.

-Liz Stevenson

Tags: Ben's Chili Bowl, chili, Gut Check, Hard Times Cafe, Liz Stevenson, Northern Virginia Magazine, The Vienna Inn