In the Cold of Winter Illinois Chilli Warms Your Soul

Illinois takes its Chili seriously. It’s good any time of year, but in the bleak midwinter a hot bowl of chili can make you whole.

The state of Texas makes noise about their chili. But, they’ll make noise about most anything. Like third generation Americans clinging to their roots. They will pretty much claim anything originated from where they refer to as their ancestral home.

Chili? There’s no Chili, Texas. There IS a Chili, Illinois.

Let Texas be loud, that’s fine. You want the warm your bones goodness that low key has garnered devotees all around. In Illinois the word has even been altered to differentiate itself. Chili to “Chilli”. Yes this primarily a Springfield thing, and that’s fine. In 1993 the state legislature proclaimed that Springfield was the "Chili Capital of the World". Then in 2016 Taylorville, Illinois was named "Chili Capital of Illinois" as there are high level chili cookoffs held there each year.

Chili recipes are more varied than….well, the historical memory of a third generation American clinging to their ancestral roots…(!!!) I think you get it.

The thing about Illinois Chili is what gets included that other places omit. Beef Suet. Mmmmmm Beef Suet. Go ahead and make that face. As the culinary world is re-embracing beef tallow and other animal fats as a healthier natural alternative to chemical concoctions for cooking use, beef suet is more on point than your scrunchy face. It also happens to make chili delicious.

How ground is the beef? Other meats? Onions? Peppers? Cheese? These are all good conversations and subjective to preferences. Beans too. Yes, there are places where folks will throw down over the beans.

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You don’t have to take my word for it. Try it. Or, you can wait until your “in the know” friends clue you in.

Trek across Illinois to sample the deliciousness at Dew Chilli Parlor Pub and Grill in Springfield. It may take several days to sample all of Springfield’s Chilli. Chicago to Carbondale, up and down the river, Galena to south of Chester. Here’s to bowls of happiness!