A $2-dollar suggested donation could turn into an awesome night for you, fulfill your every chili desire, and probably even allow you to skip dinner on Friday night, January 25th when St. Joe Today rolls out their 7th Annual Downtown Chili Tour.
Whether you like your chili mild or fiery hot, your chili-inspired desserts simply sweet or sweet and spicy, or just go for the toasty hot beverages, you will find more than 25 ways to chase away the chills during the 7th Annual Downtown Chili Tour a week from Friday, on January 25th.
The big, and highly competitive event takes place from 5 to 8 pm in downtown St. Joseph, where merchants and restaurants will offer samples of their favorite chili recipes in hopes of earning the People’s Choice Award determined by popular vote or the Chili Pepper Award determined by a panel of judges.
Amy Zapal is Executive Director of St. Joseph Today. she says, “There is a suggested donation of $2 per person which includes a map of participating locations that doubles as your voting ballot.” Perhaps the coolest part of the equation is that, as Amy tells us, “A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen.”
When you register, you will get a map of chili stop locations which you can then turn in at the end of the night to vote for your favorite chili as well as be entered in a drawing for a $25 St. Joseph Today Gift Certificate good at more than 40 locations. That drawing will be held on Monday, January 28th.
The following sites are this year’s chili stop locations:
- 221 Main
- Biggby Coffee featuring chili by Zoup!
- Bistro on the Boulevard
- Caffé Tosi featuring the SJHS Culinary Team – Mountaineers
- Chartreuse featuring chili by Sister Lakes Brewing
- Chocolate Café
- Forever Books featuring chili by Zion UCC
- Freedom Boat Club featuring chili by Sandbar & Grille
- FuzzyButz Pet Bakery featuring chili by Tapistry Brewing
- Glik’s featuring chili by Chili’s
- HaborTown Interiors featuring chili by RyeBelle’s
- Kilwins
- Lazy Ballerina Winery
- Oh My Darlings featuring chili by LakeHouse Restaurant & Bar
- Olive Cart featuring chili by Papa Vino’s
- Perennial Accents featuring chili by The Grille at Harbor Shores
- Purely Michigan featuring chili by Black Dragon Meadery
- ReVive Spa featuring chili by Full Circle Café
- Schu’s Grill & Bar
- Silver Harbor Brewing
- Joseph Today featuring The Livery
- State Street Stuff featuring chili by Houndstooth
- The Buck Burgers & Brew
- The Candlestick Maker
- The Natural Gem
- The Whitcomb featuring chili by CK Catering
- Third Coast Surf Shop featuring chili by North Shore Inn & North Pier Brewing
- Vivi’s Italian Garden
- Wanderlust Outfitters featuring chili by Nosh Village
- Waterfront Framing & Fine Art
- White Pine Winery featuring chili by Coach’s Bar & Grill
- Zoup!
Zapal adds that several non-chili locations are also “must stops” that evening because of their special sales and family-friendly entertainment. Guests looking to enjoy a full weekend of fun in St. Joseph can also still purchase tickets for the 4th Annual Winter Beer Fest the next day, Saturday, January 19th. Tickets are available online at themendelcenter.com. For updates about the Chili Tour and future events, visit stjoetoday.com, facebook.com/stjoetoday or call 269-985-1111.
