WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili Contest

One of my favorite events of the year! The only way it could improve is if some restaurants brought more chili. It’s always a bummer when some places run out.

After 13 years of hosting WMSE has this event perfected. Baconfest and Chili Bowl please take note because in comparison you are amateurs at running an event smoothly.
Lines were very minimal and the space was definitely adequate to hold the hoards of people. There were no bathroom lines and the entry line was very quick. It was probably one of the best run food events that I have seen in some time.
Now on to the food… amazing restaurants! There were a couple of chili recipes that were not good but that was the exception. The majority were spot on with a great chili recipe. After six tastings everyone was filled up so unless you are extra hungry just bring some canned goods and roll with the free tickets.
My only critique is that I wish the signage was better for displaying the different types of chili. They have signs that show whether it is meat or veggie but you have to go up to the table to see the type. It would be awesome if they could put that info on the voting card or on the restaurant sign.
Rockabilly chili is a sure sign that spring will eventually be around the corner. After the Wisconsin winters we definitely deserve an event like this that will warm you up even if you don’t drink the beer.
PS — When you go to this event expect to see quite a few friends because we ran into several people!

I’ve volunteered at this event several times, and always enjoy it. This year was the first time they opened the upstairs to more people and more restaurants. The crowd is mixed trending on the hipster type with ages varying form children to the elderly.
Tip: Get there early as the best chili will run out well before the event ends.

It gets better with age
Last year was a mess, there were way too many people crammed into the lower hall. This year they expanded into an upper auditorium and added a competition between local firehouses and made it a bit more family friendly cuz some of the hipsters are having kidz. I like the variety of offerings — you can pick from vegetarian thru overly meaty samplings but nothing’s too spicy.
Pre-​purchased tickets were $ 12 and you got six tickets for samples or beverages. Additional tickets are a buck a piece.
If you bring some non-​perishable food for donation to Hunger Task Force you can even score extra tickets.

I can’t believe this has been happening for 12 years, I was aware of it happening, and this year was my first year. I was a little surprised at the format, ($ 1 per tiny cup of chili), but given that it is a fundraiser it makes sense. Apparently this is the first year it occupied two floors of the Kern Center. I can’t imagine how crowded it must have been on just one floor… there were a lot of people. Two floors felt perfect. Beer was available from MKE Brewing, which was a nice touch.

So, I’ve been going to this for probably about 6 years now. I’ve even helped with the fundraiser before, as I was a ticket seller recently. That was a lot of fun. But, anyway, onto the reason for going to this event. CHILI!!! Lots of chili. I love trying all the very unique chili that the local companies produce for this event. This year, I tried some very hot ones that made me sweat. Thanks for that! Keep those hot ones coming!
So, regardless of that, I showed up late this year. A lot of samples were already gone. :(But, no matter… this IS and ALWAYS WILL BE a fundraiser for WMSE. I don’t expect that they won’t run out. I do expect to have a good time with friends and eat some tasty chili.
This is held in the MSOE Kern Center. Yeah, I know, it’s drab. BUT, it is «FREE», and as a MSOE Alumni and WMSE supporter, I commend MSOE/​WMSE for using the facilities they have instead of renting a space and losing out on revenue. However, I wish they’d limit ticket sales a little more, as it can get really crowded in there.
I could give this a 3 stars, but I won’t… because the reason this event is held is fund-​raising. I get what I pay for, and that’s enough for me.

This event is a perennial favorite.
Each year, local eateries battle it out for a year’s worth of bragging rights. I typically seek out which chili can *actually* call itself the spiciest. At the 2013 competition, I finally met my match. Good Harvest Market’s spicy vegetarian chili knocked me out for the count. I did, however, manage to finish my cup and play through the pain.
The runners up in taste and texture for me were Maxie’s and Riverwest Co-​Op. Both included garbanzo beans in their selections, which I very much enjoyed.
I am already looking forward to 2014!
Other items of note: It can get pretty crowded. Try to not dress too warm and not have a panic attack. If you plan on showing up late, you may miss out on some chili. I arrived at 2PM this year and some of the pots were already empty. Sad face.

Ahhhhh… Fuck! Shit!
I remember when I biked to this event about 6 years ago and it was held at the Lakeside Brewery. I think it only cost about $ 6 and you were given six samples of different types of to chili to try. I also remember a live band or rockabilly Dj from 91.7 FM playing while people mingled and you could buy beer if you wanted to. The venue suited the hipster’ esque reputation 91.7 FM has. Happy times.
Those were the days…
Major SLAM on the brakes!!! What? Am I at a Renovation Home Show? No, I’m at the Kern Center. Plastic, institutional, cheesy. Fuck! And seriously people, don’t bring your babies or infants.
This event has seriously turned to the shit you are going to expel after several samples of chili. No vibe, no soul. And speaking of souls… there was nothing exciting here except for the small Mariachi band which had been hired by one of the vendors, who I gave my vote for «most unique» or «best presentation» or something.
The Rockabilly event was about $ 15 per person and you only got 2 samples of chili with that! The sample cups were very small, like the size you’d get if you asked for your salad dressing on the side at a restaurant. You have to pay EXTRA if you want to sample more chili. Cheap Bastards. (And I noticed that quite a lot of the vendors had quite a lot of chili left towards the end). Okay, so I tried 4 vegetarian/​vegan samples… The Riverwest Co-​Op was good but lacked heat, The Palomino’s was decent but was too sweet, The Good Harvest Earth one was ALL heat and little flavor… liked Beans and Barley’s the best. That is purely a reference to the Chili and not the event itself… which sucked shit.
I went to the Harley Davidson Chili Contest which was outside under a tent. The Harley Davidson one was 2 for 15 bucks and I even got free tequila samples, beer samples and Bloody Mary’s! And I remember eating the BEST vegetarian chili I have ever had in my life. I also went to The Potowanomi Bingo one a few months ago and it was practically the same scenario, although it was definitely more organized and the place was buzzing. The Potowanomi Casino one was about the same as the Harley one as far as cost, 2 for $ 15 and I remember eating 8 samples of chili. Almost the same set up… a big square of vendors, indoors, with institutional lighting. Much better value though…
I was really expecting 91.7 to take me to a non mainstream level, but it was underwhelming. Who the hell does 91.7 FM think they are? You guys have turned into a bunch of loser money leaching douchebags.
I will still listen to BTS WRKNG, cause that is cool music. But that’s it. Fuck.
Ugghhhh! I want to throw objects!

This is only 1 of 2 chili tasting events I go to. The other is the Chili Bowl. The MSOE Kern Center is a great venue and they have made improvements over the past few years to help prevent bottlenecks.
Milwaukee Brewing Company is set up in the middle of the gym floor and all of the chili providers are set up around the walls of the gym.
A few other organizations are set up in the hallway, such as the Unilocal table.
I love the variety of chili recipes, although with over 50 different chilis, you’re bound to find some variety.
A few standouts for me this year were Brewed Café, Bel Air Cantina, Wicked Hop (they added chocolate covered bacon to theirs), and American Euros baklava chili, which I thought was very creative and very well executed. It was served hot and it maintained a sweet flavor.
New this year was the VIP option. It allowed you to arrive 1 hour early. Great idea! I paid the extra few bucks and it was worth it. I didn’t have to fight the crowds or wait in long lines. I was done before the general admission crowd arrived. I’d do that again.
I’m sure I missed out on great chili but I can’t try all of them. I focused on the restaurants I didn’t try at the Chili Bowl and on some of the more creative recipes.
I’m looking forward to next year.

I love this event. Always have, always will. WMSE’s Rockabilly Chili is one of those annual happenings that happens to make Milwaukee Milwaukee.
Love.
In this, their tenth year, it’s become clear that WMSE knows what they’re doing: event flow, lines, and general overall logistical considerations were handled expertly. An amazing number of vendors offering up chilis that range from the insane to the unique, the delightful to the not-​so-​much-​so, and oh yeah… they also have super spicy ones. #holycrap
Over the years I’ve sampled alligator chili, sweetbreads in chili, ghost peppers in chili, veal and brains and hearts… all sorts of stuff. Conventional chili and cray-​cray ‘way out there’ chili.
Yes, the Kern Center is getting a bit small for the popularity of this event, but given WMSE’s ties w/​MSOE, it seems only natural to house this event here. Is there any place better in the city to do it? Not sure…
Great tunes, great folks… this absolutely fabulous fundraiser for Milwaukee independent radio is indeed as good as it gets.

Even with the crazy warm and snow-​less winter we’ve had, the WMSE Rockabilly Chili Contest still warms the heart! (and tummy…)
My favorite chili this year was The National and West Allis Cheese. Both offered the perfect blend of heat and flavor, and service with a smile. I also enjoyed the free shot of Jack Daniels from the wicked hop, only i wish their chili was more exciting. They went the «if we provide tons of fun toppings and a free shot of Jack Daniels, we’ll sure to be victors» route. #failure
That stupid hot ghost pepper «chili» was redic.
Already looking forward to next year.