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

Country Catering - Bend Oregon

Country Catering, located WAAYYYY over there on the East side of Bend, has been on my list to visit for a long time. I heard about their tri-tip sandwich and breakfast burritos. It sounded good to me so I was really looking forward to it.

It was my BORthday so I wanted to try something new and I knew I could leverage that it was my special day/week/month/year to get my friends to go anywhere I wanted. So on a beautifully freezing day in Bend Oregon, we filled out gas tanks and headed east across the railroad tracks to seek out some tri-tip. Country Catering is not that far on the east side, I just like to make fun.

We walk in and start looking through the menu trying to figure out what to order while we waited in the short line. When it was our turn, everyone in my group was getting the sandwich deal which comes with your choice of salad and a drink for $6.50. We order but with each one of our orders the guy behind the counter asks us what salad we wanted. We look in the case and feel the pressure as the line is forming behind us. We scramble to make our picks as the cashier was not too happy with us holding things up. He seemed to be feeling the pressure of the line forming as well.

I ordered the spicy tri-tip with the cole slaw and took my seat in what appeared to be the only waiting area in Bend that is actually colder than it has been outside. It was sooo cold in there that no one in our group took their coats off and we contemplated eating outside. Seriously.


The sandwich tasted good although I had to add some hot sauce since it wasn't even close to being anything remotely spicy. The flavors of the sandwich and slaw were pretty good and for $6.50, it was a pretty good deal.

I did not care for the Laker's jersey hanging on the wall though. I guess it's fitting with all the Cali's coming to town that they bring some "fans" with them.

If I find myself on that side of the tracks again, I will give Country Catering another try. That is assuming that they are willing to turn on the damn heat. Their menu looks plenty big so there is plenty to try. I also noticed that the deli case has premade breakfast burritos at great prices for a quick grab.

Country Catering & Deli Co
http://www.bendcatering.com/
900 SE Wilson Ave
Bend, OR 97702
(541) 383-5014