Taste: In Search of … Chili
Forget the vegetarian and white chicken kinds. We’re talking the manly, stick to your ribs stuff
On Fire
Firefighter-owned, firefighter-themed SmokeEaters Pub has (natch) an award-winning smoldering, slightly sweet sausage-and-bean chili. Though the beer lineup’s impressive, they recommend a Miller High Life with the chili. Hey, it is Mayfair.
7681 Frankford Avenue, 215-338-4188, smokeeaterspub.com.
He’s Got Game
Bridgewater’s chef Michael Zulli loves game, and it shows in his black bear kebabs, boar stews and game chili. Kangaroo, elk and caribou combine with cocoa powder and chipotle peppers to create something between a mean Texas chili and a mole.
30th Street Station, 215-352-5014, bridgewaterspub.com.
Dressed Up
One of our favorite no-pretenses bars in Northern Liberties offers a $9 chili — which seems like a lot for a no-pretenses bar. But The Abbaye uses short ribs and pork shoulder braised in veal stock, San Marzano tomatoes, cinnamon, cumin and pumpkin seeds. We’d say it’s a delicious bargain.
637 North 3rd Street, 215-627-6711.
