Here’s the history of the ultimate #ChiliSmackdown between great competitors. When local restaurants support McKinley Elementary we all come out winners!
2021
BEST OVERALL: Bivouac Ciderworks (returning champion!)
MOST UNIQUE: Pop Pie Co.
BEST VEGETARIAN: Kindred
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Bivouac Ciderworks
2019 (10th Anniversary)
BEST OVERALL: Bivouac Ciderworks
MOST UNIQUE: Underbelly
BEST VEGETARIAN: Eat Your Heart Out
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Home & Away
BEST OF NORTH PARK: Tribute Pizza
BEST OF SOUTH PARK: Kindred
2018
Best Overall: Wonderland Ocean Pub
Best Vegetarian: Tie! Kindred & Tiger! Tiger!
Most Unique: Starlite
People’s Choice (participant text votes): Smoking Gun, Chef Andy Weiss Winner of People’s Choice two years in a row!
2017
Best Overall: Carnitas Snack Shack, Chef Hanis Cavin
Best Vegetarian: Anthem Vegan, Chef Patrick Murray
Most Unique: Burger Lounge, Chef Team Jim Little, Nikki Valdez and Luis Mayoral
People’s Choice (participant text votes): Smoking Gun, Chef Andy Weiss
2016
Best Overall – Uptown Tavern // Chef Lety McKenzie // Pork Mexican Chili
Best Vegetarian – Kindred // Ginger Rutabaga Squash Chili
Most Unique – Underbelly // Japanese Curry Chili
The People’s Choice Award – Uptown Tavern // Chef Lety McKenzie // Pork Mexican Chili
2015
Best Overall – Toronado San Diego – “Totally Rad” Chef Missy Sandoval // Smoked Lamb Leg, Tri-tip Chipotle Chili
Best Vegetarian – Monkey Paw Brewery – Chef Onan Davis // Vegan “Blairsteak” Chili with Mushrooms, Peppers and Monkey Paw Corneilius Stout
Most Unique – South Park Brewing Company – Chef Luis Aguirre // Shrimp and Seafood “Sausage Style” Smoked Chili Topped with Roasted Corn Bread & Smoked Jalapeno Cream
The People’s Choice Award – West Coast Tavern – Chef Abe Botello // West Coast Style Chili with Short Rib, Tri Tip and White Navy Beans
2014
Best Overall – Small Bar – Owner Karen Blair’s short rib chili with mild heat
Best Vegetarian – Kensington Café – Vegan chili
Most Unique – Waypoint Public – Chef Caleb Ayres house-made chorizo and brisket, smoked porter, charred jalapeno crema
The People’s Choice Award – Carnitas Snack Shack – Smokehouse Kings smoked brisket / prime rib eye / kidney-pinto beans / tomato/ spice
38 competing restaurants in 2014
2013
Best Overall – Carnitas Snack Shack – Smoked rib guajillo chili with cheddar cornbread croutons
Best Vegetarian – Sipz Vegetarian Fusion Café – Vegan chili with soyrizo
Most Unique – Blind Lady Ale House – Duck and pork chili verde
The People’s Choice Award – Mosaic Wine Bar – Spicy alligator and beef chili with a bourbon barrel stout
29 competing restaurants in 2013
2012
Best Overall – Tie between Ritual Tavern and Blind Lady Ale House
Best Vegetarian – Ranchos Cocina
Most Unique – Urban Solace
The People’s Choice Award – Kensington Grill
24 competing restaurants in 2012
2011
Best Overall Chili – The Smoking Goat
2nd Best Overall – West Coast Tavern
3rd Best Overall – Kensington Grill
Best Vegetarian – Kensington Cafe
2nd Best Vegetarian – Alchemy
Most Unique – El Take it Easy and Sea Rocket Bistro (Tie for 1st)
2nd Most Unique Kensington Grill
3rd Most Unique Ritual Tavern
21 competing restaurants in 2011
2010
Best Overall Chili – Ritual Tavern
Best Overall 2nd – Sombrero
Best Overall 3rd – Vagabond
Best Vegetarian – SoHo Restaurant and Lounge
Best Vegetarian 2nd – Splash Wine Bar
Best Vegetarian 3rd – West Coast Tavern
Most Unique – Vagabond
Most Unique 2nd – True North
Most Unique 3rd – Sombrero
18 competing restaurants in 2010
2009
Best Overall – Rebecca’s Coffeehouse
2nd Best Overall – The Linkery
3rd Best Overall – Station Tavern
9 competing restaurants in 2009. Held inside San Diego Ceramic Connection.
SoNo Fest & Chili Cook-Off 