Meadowlark’s Squash and Brisket Chili. Smoky with a good amount of kick!

The local AMBUCS charity hosted Dayton area’s biggest chili cookoff last month at the Montgomery County Fairgrounds. More than 20 area restaurants and cooks battled it out, head to head and vote to vote. The Food Adventures Crew was on hand again to sort through the winners.

Today, we are here to share the winning bowls, and find out “WHO HAS THE BEST STEAMING CHILI IN DAYTON?”

But first, why is everyone cooking and for what cause ?

WHAT IS AMBUCS CHARITY?
AMBUCS stands for “American Business Clubs.” The organization’s mission is to provide therapeutic tricycles to children and adults with disabilities. It is a a nonprofit charity with a diverse membership dedicated to creating mobility and independence for all people with disabilities.

AMBUCS Members put the mission into action in their own community by:

Providing Amtryke therapeutic tricycles to individuals unable to operate a traditional bike
Awarding academic scholarships for therapists
And performing various other forms of community service for people with disabilities.

Currently, there more than 5,000 AMBUCS members spread throughout over 140 chapters in 30 states and growing.

Food Adventures has been a proud supporter of the AMBUCS event since 2010, judging, dealing blackjack, gambling and getting our drink on for a great cause.

Christopher’s Restaurant had 2 entrants: Venison chili and White Bean

Now on to the food…..

WHO HAS THE BEST CHILI IN DAYTON ???

Now without further delay, let’s announce the Food Adventure’s final “Critic’s Choice” selection of best chili and compare them to the public’s votes !

Hungry Jax took the roll of lead taster this year, tried every chili and liked them all. Some incredible cooks were in the house…. But we have to pick the best so, here is our undeniable list of the 5 best chili’s of Dayton !!

#1 CHRISTOPHER’S RESTAURANT‘S CHICKEN AND WHITE BEAN CHILI: A great balance of chicken, broth and the mild bean flavors. Comfort food at its finest.

#2: MEADOWLARK RESTAURANT‘S SQUASH AND BRISKET CHILI: Smoky, with just the right amount of kick! Chef Wiley knocked this outta the park.

#3 SCRATCH EVENT CATERING: A delicious chili with tender brisket. It was served with sweet cornbread, and followed with a dollup of jalapeno sour cream. Chef Matt Hayden, you are a flavor master !

#4 MURPHY’S IRISH PUB: Made with an Irish Stout beer, which was a great, unique flavor.

#5 HARRIGAN’S TAVERN: Awesomely Spicy! This one lit up our tastebuds!

Honorable Mention: Flanagan’s Chicken Chili, Christopher’s Venison chili, Deer Slayer’s chili and Eaton Kennedy’s chili which was some sweet heat!

Let’s see how the public voted as compares to the Food Adventures picks !

Congratulations to SCRATCH EVENT CATERING for the top spot as people’s best choice for chili. The event was fantastic and the table games were a blast. Congrats to AMBUCS on another great year. The real winners as always at the local residence who are helped to be more mobile and therefore live a more fulfilling life.

Make sure you mark your calendars and come out next November, to see them defend the title against Dayton’s finest cooks.

Browse the photos below of the 2015 AMBUCS Chili cookoff . Want more local Food Adventures? Then “like” Hungry Jax, Chef House and the Big Ragu on Facebook HERE.

Do you agree or disagree with the chili choices? Comment below and be heard below and tell us who has the best chili in Dayton !