OT: Best chili in CT

[RichZ]

I'm violating multiple taboos here, but my favorite chili is my wife's turkey chili, made in a Crock-Pot, with both beans and chickpeas, as well as corn.

That might well be your favorite stew with chilies in it, but it ain't chili.

 

[RichZ]

Beans are delicious in chili. Without beans you are eating a big bowl of sloppy joes.

There is no relation between chili and sloppy joes. If whatever the hell you call chili has any resemblance to a sloppy joe, feel free to put all the legumes you want in it, 'cause it sure as hell ain't chili.

 

[RichZ]

My favorite chili is actually what you find on the chili dogs at Merrit Canteen in BPT. You will sweat eating it, but very flavorful. Considering that most of their food is frozen, I doubt they make it from scratch but their purveyor, whoever it may be, has got the goods. I don't think this would be something to eat from a bowl but the chili dog is delicious.

Edit. Apparently it is homemade, and you can also find it at Mr Macs in Monroe.

Merritt Canteen's chili dogs never impressed me all that much.
FWIW, the guy who ran Merritt Canteen missed the business after he sold it, and opened Mr. Macs. But I'm pretty sure he died of a heart attack a few years ago. Still run by the same family though, (as is Mr. Mac's in Milford).

 

[RichZ]

While your chili may be good, I have little doubt that my chili is better.

Not possible.

 

[August_West]

Richz pwning noobs ITT

 

[shizzle787]

Richz pwning noobs ITT

We need a chili war at our next poker game.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Not possible.

Only one way to find out.

My tailgates are easy to find.

 

[Deepster]

There is no relation between chili and sloppy joes. If whatever the hell you call chili has any resemblance to a sloppy joe, feel free to put all the legumes you want in it, 'cause it sure as hell ain't chili.

Meh. Let me guess. You use a secret pepper. Or you put dark chocolate in it. Or coffee. Been there, done that. I'll still take mine with beans.

 

[joober jones]

Texas Roadhouse has some pretty good chili.

 

[husky429]

Texas Roadhouse has some pretty good chili.

Can we ban this jabroni?

That comment might be worse than putting beans in your chili. Only thing good about that place is the bread and cinnamon butter.

 

[Deepster]

Doesnt everyone know that every chili in every restaurant in the world is leftover stuff that didn't sell?

 

[Dream Jobbed 2.0]

Make your own chili

 

[Walker11]

Doesnt everyone know that every chili in every restaurant in the world is leftover stuff that didn't sell?

You may be right, but it's not necessarily a bad thing. The meat isn't spoiled and it reduces waste. Just as every time you buy ground beef from the grocery store you are purchasing unsold steaks that turned brown.

 

[storrsroars]

Can we have separate threads for true chili-pros and amateurs? Because I don't TOUCH "chili" that has beans in it, and I know you people are going to try to pull bean stew crap off as chili.

I'd never enter a bean version in a contest or any situation where true chili heads are involved. But at home, beans go in. I like the texture and the added fiber all in one pot. Yes, I can make killer versions of either, and pretty much with any meat you want.

However, I draw the line at calling that Greek patsitsio sauce Skyline serves "chili".

When I started cooking Indian food, I borrowed a technique of "frying the spices" that I incorporated into my chili recipe. Makes a huge difference in depth of flavor frying the spices (and chopped onions/garlic if using) at the start instead of adding to already browned meat.

As far as best in CT, Melfi's in Springdale had the best I've had in CT, but they went out of business in the late 80s. I've tried lots of places since then, but nothing worth going back for.

 

[storrsroars]

Can we ban this jabroni?

That comment might be worse than putting beans in your chili. Only thing good about that place is the bread and cinnamon butter.

Seconded.

Everything served at Texas Roadhouse is pretty much a meat-flavored salt lick.

 

[Milo65]

Uncle Willie's BBQ - West Haven

 

[Dove]

Only one way to find out.

My tailgates are easy to find.

Follow the smell of methane?

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Actually, believe it or not, beer actually makes the heat worst. The best thing to combat it is bread or milk.

If you're worried about the heat you aren't old enough to try my chili.

 

[FfldCntyFan]

Follow the smell of methane?

Sorry, no beans in my chili.

 

[Bliss]

No, it's like saying I don't touch pizza with pineapple or bananas on it. Crap that simply doesn't belong there.

RichZ's Official Chili page

That is one hell of a chili recipe. Looks like it takes all day just to put it together. I printed it, though, and may experiment with it. Thanks.

 

[Hugo]

Beans are delicious in chili. Without beans you are eating a big bowl of sloppy joes.

Deep, for once I completely agree with you.

 

[intlzncster]

I really wanna have Venison chili, haven't had it in a while.

This. Had some at my college roommates hunting ranch in South Texas. To this date, by far and away the best chili I've ever had.

 

[intlzncster]

While your chili may be good, I have little doubt that my chili is better.

I'll let any boneyarder who wants to taste test it stop by my tailgate this fall. I'll even provide a cold beer to counteract the heat of the chili.

If I can make it down there, I'm taking you up on it. Will bring complimentary beers.

 

[intlzncster]

Actually, believe it or not, beer actually makes the heat worst. The best thing to combat it is bread or milk.

Yeah but it's so good.

 

[Walker11]

This. Had some at my college roommates hunting ranch in South Texas. To this date, by far and away the best chili I've ever had.

I actually made a venison chili (that a guy I work with killed and gave to me) this past November following a regular chili recipe from this cookbook. It was a big hit and you couldn't tell it wasn't simply cubed chuck, which is a good sign in my book. That said, I am no aficionado and my two suggestions in this thread haven't exactly got 2 thumbs up. I can't believe Rich has his own chili website. That recipe looks like a fun project.

 

[8893]

This. Had some at my college roommates hunting ranch in South Texas. To this date, by far and away the best chili I've ever had.

Agreed, venison is shockingly great in chili. It's also excellent for a ragu sauce.

 

[storrsroars]

That is one hell of a chili recipe. Looks like it takes all day just to put it together. I printed it, though, and may experiment with it. Thanks.

It does look like an interesting and tasty recipe, but for degree of difficulty it's still pretty mild. When you start toasting and mincing/grinding bags of assorted dried chili peppers and cumin seed instead of using pre-ground powder, then you've got yourself a real kitchen project on the order of making a mole from scratch.

 

[storrsroars]

Agreed, venison is shockingly great in chili. It's also excellent for a ragu sauce.

Have to compensate for lack of fat during cooking, but agree that the taste is excellent.

 

[Scoe]

This. Had some at my college roommates hunting ranch in South Texas. To this date, by far and away the best chili I've ever had.

Bear Chili is also amazing, almost as good as Venison chili.

 

[intlzncster]

I actually made a venison chili (that a guy I work with killed and gave to me) this past November following a regular chili recipe from this cookbook. It was a big hit and you couldn't tell it wasn't simply cubed chuck, which is a good sign in my book. That said, I am no aficionado and my two suggestions in this thread haven't exactly got 2 thumbs up. I can't believe Rich has his own chili website. That recipe looks like a fun project.

Rich has all sorts of hidden gems, from chili websites, to fishing shows, etc...