Duffy’s to Hold Neighborhood Chili Cook-off Next Month

How does U Street like its chili? That contentious question will be answered next month at Duffy’s (2106 Vermont Ave. NW) during the neighborhood bar’s first-ever chili cook-off.

On Feb. 21, 10 members of the community will gather at Duffy’s to see who has the best chili. But chili con melee this is not, said Duffy’s namesake and general manager Andy Duffy. The idea is to bring neighbors together for a friendly competition.

“It’s just something i kind of thought up over the weekend while I was eating a little chili,” said Duffy, who prefers “plain old Texas chili with beans and ground beef.”

“It’s not for people that are [professional] cooks. It’s for people that live within a few blocks of Duffy’s,” he added.

The winner of the contest will receive two VIP tickets to the bar’s St. Patrick’s day celebration and a plaque on the wall proclaiming them to be “Duffy’s chili champion.”

Though the roster for competitors is full, locals can still visit the bar on the day of the contest for drink specials and free chili samples. And there are plenty of interesting recipes in store, Duffy said.

“I know one guy wants to do vegetarian chili, and I know one person is doing a chicken chili,” Duffy said.

Though this is the bar’s first foray into cooking competitions, Duffy said he’s like to make it a yearly event.

“It’s a great opportunity to meet people that live in the neighborhood, Duffy said. “That’s what Duffy’s is, the neighborhood pub.”

Photo via Facebook.com/DuffysIrishPub