Chili Cook Off 2010 - Bend Oregon

On Saturday The Athletic Club of Bend and Scanlon’s hosted up to 17 restaurants and chefs who cooked up their best chili concoctions. All proceeds donated to the Education Foundation for the Bend La Pine Schools.

Some friends, the Wife, and I made it over to the Athletic Club of Bend for this event and had a great time. After paying the measly $10 per person we were warned to "pace ourselves" but of course I did not. I sampled 16 of the 17 recipes and I really enjoyed about many of them. I applaud all of the restaurants for showing up and helping to raise money for a good foundation.

Jake's had one of the best Pork Verde's amongst the lot. Yeah, Jake's Diner had the best Pork Verde. They also had a sirloin chili that I liked a lot but everyone at our table couldn't stop talking about the verde. Turns out, since he had two, they could only turn in one for judging and it was the verde that went out as their entry.

Zydeco had this white bean and duck ... uh ... stew? I wouldn't classify it as chili but it was very good. They served it with crunchy bread crumbs and topped with crispy duck skin that had been smoked. That skin was insane! So good.

Joolz offered a very unique take on chili and I ended up giving them my vote as my favorite. Elk, chickpeas, a light Feta, tabbouli, and of course...the main attraction of any good chili...Fritos!

I'm joking about Fritos being a key ingredient but damn if I don't love some Chili Cheese Fritos. Not the flavored ones, the plane ones with a scoop of chili over them covered in cheese and a dollop of sour cream.

Pisano's had the most technically sound chili in my mind for a chili competition. No beans, only red sauce and meat. That a boy! He said it was mild but it ended up being one of the spiciest of the bunch. I would gladly have that chili over a dog any day.

Country Catering made a classic chili con carne with smoked brisket and everything was cooked perfectly.

After completely stuffing my face on chili, I passed out on the couch. The Wife made a pot of coffee and then passed out as well while it brewed. Heard one of my friends did the same as soon as he got back to his place. Loved it! What a great Saturday!

Restaurants that participated in the 2010 Chili Throwdown:

Scanlon's - Chef Brad

Zydeco - Chef Steve

28 - Chef Travis

Country Catering - Chef Cody

Joolz - Chef Ramsey

Broken Top - Chef Matt M.

Deschutes Brewery - Chef Matt N.

The Bagel Stop - Chef Dave

Elk Lake Resort - Chef Tony

Jakes Diner - Chef Jim

Parilla Grill - Chef Jeff

Sysco - Chef Kevin

La Rosa - Chef Roberto

El Burrito - Chef Jason

The Oxford - 10 below - Chef Sam

Pisano's - Chef Ed

Lake Creek Lodge - Chef Ann

Scanlon's at the Athletic Club of Bend

Scanlon's Restaurant

Scanlon's is located in the Athletic Club of Bend and is still alive and kicking. Back when the Wife and I moved to Bend, there were only a few fine dining options available. But not too long after the head chef left Scanlon's and opened up Cork, Scanlon's sort of fell off the fine dining route. The food was still expensive but not that good. We stopped going.

Not too long ago we took a relative with us back to Scanlon's. Mainly because she had her 1 yr old with her and when you go to Scanlon's, you can drop your youngins off at the child care center, for free. While we were there I noticed Gavin McMichael (Executive Chef and co-owner of the Blacksmith) in the open kitchen and it sort of tripped me out. Apparently, he has been helping get Scanlon's back on the right path. After going back a few weeks later we met Brad Wood, formerly the Executive Sous Chef for Jody Dent @ Merenda, who is now the Executive Chef at Scanlon's.

On that visit I had a Salami and Prosciutto Sandwich and fell in love with it. I didn't have a camera and so when the Wife wanted to go to lunch on Martin Luther King day, we heading back to Scanlon's. Thankfully the sandwich was still on the menu and for only $8.

Salami and Prosciutto Sandwich - mozzarella, mustard, olive relish, greens:


The sandwich wasn't as big as the $12 loaf of bread you can get at NY Sub Shop but it was well worth the $8 to sit in a nice clean restaurant and the quality is top shelf. I liked this lunch a lot. I didn't leave stuffed or feeling heavy (at least no more than normal with my fat ass), just right. The Wife selected the Natural Chicken Sandwich - prosciutto, arugula, aioli, cranberry chutney, on house made foccacia for $9.


Her sandwich was good but just not for me. Seemed too girly. I like a manly sandwich like mine.

I'll go on record and say that Scanlon's is well on it's way back to the vanguard of Bend's Fine dining. Check out their menu's on their site. Also, I noticed that they have a Prime Rib Sunday Dinner for $19.95 going on. I'm planning on being there this Sunday since there isn't any football this weekend. Go Steelers!

Scanlon's
61615 Athletic Club Dr
Bend, OR 97702
541.385.3062