Chili Capital of the World (Terlingua nickname)

The city of Terlingua was a ghost town that was re-invented in the 1960s as the "Chili Capital of the World." In 1967, the Chili Appreciation Society International began its first annual…

Chili Gravy (Chile Gravy)

"Chili gravy" (or "chile gravy") has been called the soul of Tex-Mex. It's popularly served with enchiladas (and is sometimes called "enchilada sauce"), but is…

Chili Head

Someone who likes chili is called a "chili head." The Chili Appreciation Society (now the Chili Appreciation Society International, or CASI) began in the 1960s, and George Haddaway of…

Chili Mac

"Chili Mac" recipes are all over the internet. It's Southern comfort food -- ground beef, elbow macaroni, and tomato sauce (or something hotter). The dish dates to at least 1902.…

Chili Powder

Chili powder may have been invented (or at least popularized) by the Gebhardt Chili Powder Company of San Antonio in the 1890s. Chili powder contains ingredients such as cayenne pepper, garlic…

Chili Queen (or Chile Queen)

A "chili queen" (or "chile queen") was a woman most famously in the 1880 and 1890s who sold chili. The term was popular in San Antonio, and the chili queens operated near or in…

Chilorio (Mexican chile-seasoned pork dish)

Chilorio is a pork dish (often used as a filling for tacos or burritos) from the Mexican state of Sinaloa. The pork is fried in chile sauce until tender and usually flavored with onions, cumin,…

Chiltepin (State Native Pepper)

The chiltepin is the official state native pepper. The Texas legislature named the jalapeño official state pepper in 1995, so the chiltepin was distinguished as the official state…

Chilympiad

The Chilympiad had been held in San Marcos since 1970. The chili cookoff event lost money in 2001 and 2002 and was cancelled in 2003. Handbook of TexasCHILYMPIAD. The annual Chilympiad celebration,…

Chimichanga

The "chimichanga" is said to have originated in Tucson, Arizona (at the El Charro Cafe?), but it's considered a part of "Tex-Mex" cuisine. Wikipedia:…

Chipotle

Chipotle chili peppers are dried and smoked jalapeño peppers. The Mexican import plays a big part in the Southwestern cusine. Gourmet Sleuth Chipotles chilies [chee-POT-tleh] peppers are smoked…

Chitlin’ Circuit

The "chitlin' circuit" (also spelled "chitlins circuit" and "chittlins circuit" and "chitterling(s) circuit") is the name that was given to…

Chocolate Chip Muffin (State Muffin?)

The chocolate chip muffin is (perhaps) the official state muffin of Texas according to the Wikipedia, but the Texas state legislature passed no such law. Chocolate chip muffins became nationally…

Chocolate Whiskey Cake

The Wunsche Brothers Cafe in Spring, Texas (since 1902) makes a famous chocolate whiskey cake. It may or may not be the first chocolate whiskey cake, but there are claims that it's the best.…

Chokelahoma (Oklahoma nickname)

"Chokelahoma" (choke + Oklahoma) is an unflattering nickname for the state of Oklahoma, more usually for just Oklahoma University. The nickname is used most often at the Texas-Oklahoma…

Chopped Brisket (sandwich)

Chopped brisket sandwiches are another alternative to sliced brisket sandwiches. The brisket is usually made from the "point" -- a fattier slice. The brisket is chopped and is usually…

Chow

"Chow" is a Chinese term and probably came into use in America in California in the 1850s. To the cowboy, "chow" meant something to eat. Google BooksDictionary of the American…

Chow Chow

Chow chow is a Southern dish of vegetables such as cabbage, onions, peppers, tomatoes, etc. The name comes from pidgen English, and it is believed that "chow chow" was popularized by…

Christmas Capital of Texas (Grapevine nickname)

The city of Grapevine (a suburb of Fort Worth) holds many Christmas events. The nickname "Christmas Capital of Texas" was trademarked by the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau…