Borromeo Housing, Inc – BHI 25th Anniversary Soiree and Auction
Auction Ends: Apr 27, 2013 10:00 PM EDT

Dining

$40 Gift Card to Hard Times Cafe

Item Number
163
Estimated Value
40 USD
Sold
35 USD to dfc6h
Number of Bids
5  -  Bid History

Item Description

THE AMERICAN CHILI PARLOR

It was during the early part of the 20th century that the open range of the West was finally fenced and the railroads replaced the great cattle drives.

That was when many out-of-work chuck wagon cooks moved to town and opened small restaurants that featured chili con carne, a meat and pepper stew first concocted to feed the hungry trail drive cowboys. It caught on and soon became a national favorite.

The beloved cowboy philosopher Will Rogers said he always judged a town by the quality of its chili. He liked to hang out at chili parlors where he took the pulse of the nation for his syndicated column in the 1920’s.

During the Great Depression chili parlors supplied an inexpensive and nourishing meal for millions of Americans. A newspaper man at the time was quoted as saying that during those hard times chili saved more lives than the Red Cross.

Meat rationing during WWII forced the closing of many chili parlors and although many restaurants today offer chili on their menus, few authentic chili parlors remain. The mission of the Hard Times is to maintain this unique American culinary institution.

Item Special Note

  • You may use this card at any participating Hard Times Cafe location.
  • Card is redeemable for food, beverage, pool time or Hard Times merchandise only.

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