No, this ain't Texas, but New Yorkers still have plenty of opinions about their chili. Some people prefer cumin-spiked bowls, while others prefer a generous helping over a Coney Island dog. However you like to spoon yours up, you are sure to find a new favorite at the Texas Chili Cook-off.
On Sunday, May 18, the Texas Chili Cook-off returns to NYC for its 56th year. The Texas Exes New York chapter is bringing together amateur chefs and restaurant teams to Astoria's Pig Beach, all to determine who makes the best chili in NYC. Barbecue stalwarts of the scene will be going head-to-head, including Central Texas barbecue spot, Hill Country BBQ, New York's first Tex-Mex restaurant, Javelina, and Bronx-born, Carolina-inspired catering company Cooley’s BBQ. As you gorge yourself on all-you-can-eat chili, you can also drink up with an open bar stocked with beer from Shiner, Tito’s Vodka, sotol from Desert Door Texas Sotol and more. VIP ticketholders can get early access to the event and will have a private shaded seating area, complete with their very own bar and exclusive chili samples. All proceeds support the Texas Exes New York Chapter and its fundraising and scholarship efforts for the University of Texas–Austin.
General admission tickets start at $75 while VIP ranges from $125 to $150. Kids and adults who are under the age of 21 are more than welcome to join, with tickets starting at $32. Kids under 10 are free. Reserve your tickets here.