CJ’s Fargo Rosecreek golf course 11-27-24

Been here before and the food has been ok. They are typically understaffed but who isn’t these days in the restaurant industry. Ordered the chili as my side with the buffalo chicken wrap. First off the wrap was terrible. If I asked 10+ people to try it only 2 might be able to identify it as buffalo chicken.
The chili temp-wise was barely warm…which is terrible. Didn’t ask if I wanted cheese or anything. Taste is ok and has all the general qualities of chili but pretty average at best. I should have sent it back to the microwave for 30-45 seconds but who knows how long that would have taken.

Overall Flavor – 6.1/10

Spice Level – 5/10

Heat Level – 2/10

IT Factor – 2/10

Value – 7/10

Big Bore BBQ – Hanover, MN 11-2-24

To say I was disappointed might be an understatement. I’ve heard they have chili now and again so we caught them at the right time. And, the BBQ has usually been pretty solid in the past. Let’s see…the wings were good, and the queso was good…and that is about it.
The pulled pork was cold and fatty and the ribs were cold and dry.

The chili was basically a beef stew. There was zero smoke on the brisket and just huge chunks of pepper. They said it was “Texas style”, so no beans. All I could really taste was some cumin…no chili power or anything.
Pretty sure I will not get again.

Overall Flavor – 2/10

Spice Level – 1.9/10

Heat Level – 1/10

IT Factor – 2/10 (higher if you like green pepper!)

Value – 2/10


Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Simi Valley, CA 10-26-24

First off, the Presidential Library is pretty awesome. There is the actual Air Force One inside you can walk through. One of the tour guides mentioned that the restaurant “Gippers” is good and that they have good chili…so I was sold.

At first I noticed there was corn in it, which I’m not a fan of. But, it was not noticeable, so that was good. Overall it was pretty solid. Chunky style with good sized meat and veg. The pepper chunks were a little big for me but not too noticeable either. Decent spice and moderate heat.
just a little more spices and this is a winner. Solid though so you won’t be disappointed in getting it. Cornbread was nice too.

Overall Flavor – 6.9/10

Spice Level – 5/10

IT Factor – 7/10 (beautiful scenic view)

Value – 8/10

Omaha Tap House – Omaha NE 8-2-24

Well…wish I had better things to say about this place. I guess I should have just had a cheeseburger and a coke since they looked good. The beer selection of course was not great and at leas just have a Coors Lite or something similar on the menu. BTW – the buffalo wings were terrible.

The chili… for starters it came in a cardboard container, which is a first. Had the consistency of sloppy Joe meat and really not much for beans or anything else. I had it plain then added some cheese and sour cream, which was a mistake since it was a “seasoned sour cream”, like you would get to dip fries in. Not a good flavor for chili… It just had that overcooked, dried out flavor. Really no hint of any tomato to brighten it up some. The highlight, it did bring the heat. I would not recommend getting this as a side, just stick with the burgers and fries.

Overall Flavor – 5.5/10 (2/10 when adding sour cream)

Spice Level – 5/10

Heat Level – 7/10

IT Factor – 7/10 (oddity factor)

Value – 7/10 ($4.99 for a decent portion)

Jack Stack Barbeque – Kansas City 8/1/24

First trip to KC and took in the best BBQ I’ve ever had. If you make a trip here then try out one of the known spots. Q39 and Jack Stack were both awesome. The white chicken chili was only offered a few days so I had the “burnt end stew” instead. Yes, I know it isn’t chili but thought it was worth mentioning. Only way to describe it would be a mix of a great beef stew and solid BBQ. The burnt ends were amazing, tender and the smoked potatoes were excellent. My sandwich was top notch – pulled pork, smoke ham, bacon and provolone. Highly recommend! @jackstackbbq

JJ’S Clubhouse- Golden Valley MN 7-1-24

Good to be back at one of my favorite places, JJ’S Clubhouse. I was curious if the chili had changed any since I was here last. I believe it is a little different. It has a noticeable less tomato flavor to it and not as much veg. Still a solid side or get a bowl for a meal. I always pair with a chef’s salad (which is different now). Cheese used to be melted a little more too. I’d always recommend getting it if you stop by. Could use a hair more chili powder and paprika.

Overall Flavor – 8/10

Spice Level – 7.4/10

Heat Level – 4/10

IT Factor – 5/10

Value – 6/10

Rock Elm Tavern Plymouth MN 3-7-24

Been to Rock Elm plenty of times and was surprised to see chili new on the menu. They have made a big shift too and added some golf sim hitting bays in a separate area.

I paired the chili with a turkey sandwich. It was titled 3 bean chili, which was a good description since it was pretty heavy on the beans. This was more on the cumin, earthy, fall flavors instead of tomato based. It was pretty simple…meat, bean and sparse veg. This was on the verge of being pretty solid if it has a little tomato flavor and less beans. Overall it was serviceable but nothing to write home about. And it was a little overpriced for a cup.

Overall Flavor – 5.1/10

Spice Level – 4.8/10

Heat Level – 3/10

IT Factor – 5/10 (the fall flavor is good)

Value – 2/10 ($6.25 cup/$9.25 bowl)

R Social On Main 2-26-24 Rogers MN

First time at R Social, which happened because the first choice was closed. What a pleasant surprise! This place was solid from top to bottom. When I see “beef brisket chili” as a separate menu item you know it is getting ordered regardless. Today it was my side with a Cuban sandwich. Interesting vessel which was a shallow crock. Not sure if it is to mask how much you get?? It seemed like there could have been more.
Excellent smoky meat flavor from the brisket, sauce was a top notch tomato-based version, not too many vegetables or beans…so very very good. The menu said peppers were in there and usually they overpower the flavor but I really couldn’t taste it. This is one that is knocking on the top 5. If it was a top ten…yes.

Overall Flavor – 8.9/10

Spice Level – 8/10

Heat Level – 7/10

IT Factor – 8/10

Value – 9/10 ($3.50 as my side)

Definitely try it!

Pepper’s Fargo ND 2-23-24

Is this my 3rd rating of Pepper’s? I like the fact that it has been a little different each time, meaning they make it themselves. Do they tweak the recipe or not consistently measure ingredients? I noticed first that there was a little more noticeable onion, which was good. This is just a good overall solid chili. I paired it with the buffalo chicken sandwich this time. The only thing I’d change is getting the cheese on the side as it was a bit too much and when it tried to break through the cheese it spilled the chili over the side. I do like it melted though. Bottom line…you can’t go wrong with the chili, as a side or the bowl.
curious to see if it has changed the next time.

Overall taste – 7.8/10

Spice level – 6/10

Heat level – 4.4/10

IT Factor – 4/10

Value – 6/10 – didn’t the price as the side but the big bowl is only $6.95

The Graduate Hotel Minneapolis 1-26-24

I like to think of this one as “really good potential”. First off, the place is busy with college kids all over as it is on campus. Decent menu and drinks. The chili just had a good overall base flavor but just lacked some oomph. All it needed was some smoked paprika, more chili powder and maybe some other various spices to move the needle. As you can imagine there wasn’t much heat at all. It had my favorite base profile of “a little on the tomato side”, nice amount of meat, great sauce thickness. …and the temp could have been hotter!

Overall Flavor – 5.9/10

Spice Level – 3.8/10

Heat Level – 1.8/10

IT Factor – 4/10 – actually a nice presentation

Value – 1/10 – $8 for a cup??

You are close…spend some money on spices and lower the cost!