by: HB News staff writer
Posted: June 19, 2017
HUNTINGTON BEACH...On Saturday, June 17th., several hundreds chili fans converged on Main Street to try small samples of the "big red," that's chili and it can be made mild, or earth-melting HOT.
The Huntington Beach Downtown Business Improvement District (BID) held their annual Chili at the Beach event in the first three blocks of Main Street.
One of the band at the PCH end plays for the public
While a second band plays plays for the public at the Orange Avenue end
During the event several great bands, one each at each entrance to the evententertained the public and gave their tastebuds a chance to recover. Local restaurants and businesses offered samples of their special brand of chili.
Cruisers Bar and Grill tries some of their chili
Hawaiian style chili from Da Hawaiian Kitchen
Dukes of Huntington Beach prepares Kenny's spicy swine
You know it's good if it comes from El Ranchio Mexican Restaurant
This year there were more sellers of gift items, inflatables bounce houses for the kids, as well as the chili vendors that stretched along Main Street from Pacific Coast Highway to Orange Avenue.
Parents brought along their children and most let the little ones try a small sample of the mild ones. One youngster after tasting one of her mother's mild chili remarked, "this burns my tongue."
Fred's Mexican Restaurant on Main Street
Pacific Hideaway inside Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel prepares their own style of chili
Patriot Point chili
Pirates of the Chili-bean and Dead Man's Salsa receive last minute instructions
Among those tasting the chili was a patron from Shooters Sports Bar who tried some of the chili from one of the vendors remarked, "This tastes ok, but I can make better."
This remark is very common among chiliheads, as each thinks they can make better chili.
That is why there is so many chili makers in the world and each one thinks their chile tastes the best.
Last minute mixing before the crowd arrives
Matt, Violet and Laurie Medelli of Surf City Chilli
Mixing up a special chilli from Triple D Chili
Each chili vendor has their own secrets in preparing each batch of the best red stuff, but most chili heads won't admit that someone else's chili tastes better than theirs.
Some vendors also prepared salsa for the public to taste.
Each vendor's chili is judged, a task that wasn't easy as each sample had a taste all its own.
Planning Commissioner Michael Grant and Huntington Beach City Councilman Patrick Brenden
Attending the chili event Saturday morning were City Councilmember Patrick Brenden and Planning Commissioner Michael Grant attended this event as they have in the past.
One of the fun things for the younger kids to do
You don't want to miss next year's Chili at the Beach as it will feature more of your favorite chili.