On a chilly winter Monday when the coffee is not doing the trick, I need something that’s piping hot to get me going. A meatless standby that’s warm, packed with protein and the perfect antidote for a gloomy day? Vegetarian chili. And if you work downtown, I know exactly where you can find it: Joe’s Chili Bowl located at 800 Chestnut St., in City Garden.
The Veggie Chili at Joe’s is loaded with plump red beans, tender white beans, sweet corn, green and red diced chilies and sauteed onions. The base of the chili is thin, but don’t be fooled, because once you crumble your oyster crackers into the bowl, the sauce gets that thick consistency that I love. I also added chopped onions and shredded cheddar cheese. The chili is hot enough that my tongue still had a tingle after my meal, but it wasn’t too hot that I had to chug water between bites.
Joe’s Veggie Chili is certainly not gourmet, but it’s the perfect quick lunch on a chilly winter day. Or a long lunch, that is, if you opt for a stroll in City Garden beneath the Christmas decorations after your meal.
This article appears in December 2012.