A Hunger for Frito Pie, From the Artery-Clogged Heart of Texas

The New York Times ^ | February 21, 2003 | JOHN SCHWARTZ

[Sally'sConcerns]

Beans ruin any self respecting chili!

Home made frito pie has been a staple this winter because it's so easy to fix and tastes wonderful.

Since I'm a displaced Texan, I was disheartened when I first saw a native Oklahoman put hot dog relish on their chili pie.....blech!

[holyscroller]

Gotta admit it does sound good, but my mouth still waters for scrapple, Tasty Kakes, sticky buns, hoagies, crab cakes and other Pennsylvania fare.

[fella]

Texicans barbeque beef.

[CheneyChick]

OK - this CA couldn't resist reading the thread. What can I say - culture fascinates me... I'd even go so far as to try out this Frito Pie phenomena. What could it hurt? (Don't answer that.)

Cheers, CC :)

[annyokie]

He or she must have been from Norman (just kidding, fellow Okies)

[Aracelis]

Cholesterol-laden ping!

[TaqueriaFanatic]

I am sure the local deer then ran to the nearest stream!!LOL

[knak]

Yummy, fried ice cream. I'd forgotten about that.

[fella]

"deep fried dill pickles"

MMmmmmmmmm ....... I'll have to stop by Alma ArKansas the next time I go to visit my sweety up in the Boston Mountains.

[Space Wrangler]

Just one question. How do you slice a frito lengthwise?? Or even across for that matter.

[TaqueriaFanatic]

What exactly is scrapple?

[Sally'sConcerns]

Nope, he's from a small town about 65 miles due south of OKC. He also requires red onion instead of the traditional white onion. Go figure!

[COBOL2Java]

I've fallen in love with the Frito Pie! We have a delicious version up here in Northern Virginia, served up by the Hard Times Cafe chili parlor. Currently four kinds of chili served:

Texas Chili

The Original. Coarse ground beef in its own juice, using an authentic turn-of-the-century family recipe. Click for descriptions and prices.

Cincinnati Chili

Introduced in 1922 by Greek Immigrants, it is a fine grind of beef with a tomato base and sweeter spices, including cinnamon.

Terlingua Red Chili

A tribute to the Texas ghost town that hosted the first chili cook off. A redder color and spicy kick of championship chilies.

Vegetarian Chili

Textured soy protein flakes cooked in a tomato base with fresh mushrooms, onions, green peppers, jalapenos, and peanuts.

[Anitius Severinus Boethius]

I used to be surprised when I would meet people that thought that tortilla chips smothered in psuedo-cheese was what "nachos" were. I have since realized that growing up in Texas till I was 11 has given me a different perspective on what real food is.

One day about 8 years ago, I decided that I had just about had it with my best friend always having Taco Hell, er Bell, wrappers in his kitchen garbage when I went over and told him that I would cook a real tex-mex meal for him and his wife. So the next week I went over and cooked tacos, nachos, chalupas, pinto beans and enchiladas.

It was 2 years before they could bring themselves to eat at Taco Bell again.

That being said, I'm not a fan of Wolf Brand Chili or any other canned chili to be honest. But if I need some chili for Frito Pie or chili-dogs, canned chili is acceptable I guess.

[knak]

A sausage and cornmeal stuff that's fried after it sets up.

[annyokie]

He must have Yankees in his bloodlines. Probably has a hankering for cheesesteaks instead of a respectable chickenfried steak, too.

[JavaTheHutt]

Now, everyone knows the only real BarBQ in existenxe is produced in a narrow band between Memphis, Tennessee and Macon, Georgia bounded on the north by Decatur, Alabama and and on the south by Birmingham.

hahaha That's like saying Arkansas understands what BarBQ is all about. When I first moved to Arkansas (job transfer), I was shocked, I say shocked, to discover that most of the BarBQ joints in this town don't even offer BarBQ brisket. Here, it's all about that nasty ol' pig meat.

Can't wait to get back to Texas, where BarBQ is a religion, and BarBQ means beef.

[TaqueriaFanatic]

Good story!!

[aculeus]

Just one question. How do you slice a frito lengthwise?? Or even across for that matter.

Assuming you're serious I think he means you slice the bag and pour the chili into the bag.

But what do I know?

[TaqueriaFanatic]

Thanks for the reply.