National Chili Day

The story

The roots of chili run deep in Texas, with its first written mention in San Antonio in 1828. Described as a stew of meat and chili peppers, it was a dish favored by the city’s poorer residents. Some believe immigrants from the Canary Islands brought a version of chili, called “Spanish stew,” to San Antonio in the 1700s.

By the 1880s, chili had become a staple, served at chili stands run by the "chili queens" in San Antonio. These stands, offering “bowls o’ red,” were a hit with Texans. The 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago helped chili gain national fame.

Originally called "chili con carne" (chili with meat), the dish has since evolved. Traditional Texan chili sticks to meat, chili peppers, and spices, while other regions add beans, tomatoes, and even noodles. In New Mexico, chile verde with green chiles offers a spicier, stew-like alternative.

Chili even made its way to the White House. President Lyndon B. Johnson, a proud Texan, loved his “bowl of red” so much that his ranch’s chili recipe became famous, with Lady Bird Johnson having it printed for all to try.