New England

Tips for Dining, Eating, and Food Shopping in ME, NH, VT, RI, MA, and CT

1. Taste in chili varies with individuals. There are many types (Texas, New Mexican, Cincinatti, etc.) and many variations within.
   
   For your typical "bowl of red," I've found that the chain restaurant Chili's offers a very decent and consistent chili, as its name would suggest. It's Texas style (no beans), and can come with cheese, onions, pico de gallo, and/or jalapenos on top for no additional charge. Chili's also has an "endless bowl" of tortilla chips in their appetiser section--much better than the saltines they offer instead. Some Chili's restaurants offer the tortilla chips free in the lounge--ask your waitress. Note: in the more recent menus, a bowl of chili may be difficult to find. Its price is listed generically (bowl/cup of soup)--ask your server for chili or a "bowl or red."
   
   On the border between Salem, NH and Methuen, MA, you can find Texas Roadhouse (there's also one in Amherst, NH, I believe). They have a good bowl of chili with beans as an appetiser, or as a side-dish accompaniment with meals.
   
   In Hampstead, NH (on Rt. 111), there's a tiny restaurant called Little Mexico. Their chili is one of my favorites. Very soupy and tasty with beans, you get free tortilla chips (as it's a Mexican restaurant). The rest of their menu is pretty nice as well.
   
   Hooters (in Salem, Nashua, and Manchester) has chili on their menu, and it's consistent and tasty (with beans). I've seen it "made" there--apparently, they get it individually portioned, opening a plastic bag into a bowl and heating it. The quality is therefore VERY consistent, but better-than-average at best.
   
   There is a chain of Mexican restaurants in NH called Shorty's. They are all around, including Nashua north, Fox Run mall in Newington, north of Manchester, and probably other locations. Chili is above average here, and served with onions and cheese on the side for you to add if you desire.
   
   Although I like the La Carreta chain, their chili is a bit below average, but spicier than average. (Just wanted to mention them; they are probably one of the best Mexican restaurants in NH.)
   
   Those are all the good places for chili that come to mind.
   
   Why do I know all this? Well, chili is one of my favorite foods, and one of my monthly Chowhound hobbies is to play one restaurant against another for a specific menu item (like Best French Dip, Best Soup, Best Chili). I started this when I was working in Nashua, so that's where a majority of my recollections are from.
   
   One month, I tried just about every restaurant in Nashua at lunch time that offered chili and rated each place. Chili's ranked first, Shorty's second, and Hooters third. I didn't try Texas Roadhouse outside Nashua, or it would have pushed Hooters off the top three. If I included Little Mexico (far away in Hampstead), it would have taken the number one spot.
   
   As I pointed out when I started, there are many tastes in chili, and mine is by no means definitive. I simply know what I like, and offer the list above as a help.
   
   Why not start with the places I mention and try them yourself? I'd like to see other people's takes on "Chili in Southern NH."
   
   --lar3ry

   Permalink | Reply

   lar3ry Mar 02, 2006 09:36AM

   1. re: lar3ry

      lar3ry - That is an outstanding local chili review. I too love a good "bowl of red," my tastes tending to follow the no-bean Texas style recipes.
      
      Jane Butel's book Chili Madness is my chili bible. "Buzzard's Breath" is my favorite recipe from the book and I tend to judge other chili dishes as compared to this one, as it is where my tastes and preferences have evolved toward in my own search for the best "bowl of red."
      
      I am usually disappointed with and sometimes repulsed by most restaurant versions of chili. It seems that many their ideas about what chili should be are based on what comes out of a Hormel's can. Yuck.
      
      Thanks for sharing your So. NH tasting notes. It might give me an excuse to actually try restaurant chili in a couple of places.

      Permalink | Reply

      DaveB Mar 04, 2006 11:34AM

      1. re: DaveB

         I am gaga for the texas style chili at Goody Cole's in Exeter - they use their smoked brisket and man o' man! It is soooo good.
         
         Rumour has it they're opening a second location in Epping soon.

         Link: http://goodycoles.com/

         Permalink | Reply

         plentyo'moxie Mar 05, 2006 09:28AM

2. I love the chili at the Portsmouth Brewery. I get it everytime I am there.

   Permalink | Reply

   rl Mar 02, 2006 10:38AM

3. The Old Salts at Lamie's Tavern in Hampton won the last (2005)Portsmouth Chilifest.
   Haven't tried though.

   Permalink | Reply

   Doug Burgess Mar 02, 2006 05:55PM

   1. re: Doug Burgess

      I've attended a few chilifests at Portsmouth (too bad they stopped the Brewfests @ Strawbery Banke, which occurred on the same day). While there were some chilis that were OK, and I registered my votes, I still think I should stick to my current recommendations.
      
      Based on your recommendation, I will try the Old Salt the next time I'm on the seacoast. I never considered trying the chili at a place known for seafood... [smile]

      Permalink | Reply

      lar3ry Mar 03, 2006 08:29AM

      1. re: lar3ry

         Like you I'm somewhat of a chili head. I became hooked on the subject after attending an ICS cookoff in California in 1984. First disclaimer is that I haven't found good chili at any restaurant in New England, ever. Regarding the Old Salt, I've had it many times, I personally know the owner - but I would hardly call it a "good" chili. How they continue to win these contests is beyond me. On Rt1 in Hampton is a sub shop called TnT - imho they have a better chili than Old Salt, but then I go back to my disclaimer. The best examples of chili I've had are during the chili cookoff/toys for tots fund raiser sponsered by the Hampton Fire Dept at La Bec Rouge - which occurs during the holiday season. It's open to the public. For a small donation ($5 or $10) you can sample all you want. Some of them are very good. If you're really interested you can watch the Hampton Union starting in Novemberish time frame for the notices.

         Permalink | Reply

         humin Mar 07, 2006 04:43PM