The 17th Annual Downtown Wheaton Chili Cookoff

Saturday, October 4, 2025
1-5 p.m.

$15 Friends of Downtown Wheaton
$20 General Admission
$60 Chili Crew 4-Pack

The Chili Cookoff returns to Downtown Wheaton this October! Your favorite Downtown eateries compete for your vote with their unique spin on this fan-favorite dish. Ticketholders will enjoy unlimited chili tastings before voting on the tastiest recipe. Join us for this festive fall event... admission includes UNLIMITED tastings, so bring your appetite. This event will sell out, so buy your tickets now!

Featuring live music by...

Headliner:
The Wheaton Dad Band (@WheatonDadBand)

Opener:
Kevin Janus

Check-in will be from 12 - 4 p.m. at the W Tent, and at 5 p.m. we'll gather at the Innovator Hale Street Tents to announce the winners of our two awards: Community Champion (voted on by YOU) and Wheaton Winner (chosen by a panel of judges). Ticket holders will be given all event materials at check-in.

Participating businesses:

Altiro Latin Fusion
Altiro’s Chilli Fiesta

BABAM
Asian Fusion Chili

Billy Bricks
Hearty Beef Chili with Beans: It's The Real Deal! It's Full-Bodied and Full Of Flavorful Ground Beef, Combined With A Tantalizing Mix Of Peppers, Onions, Garlic, and Authentic Southwestern Spices topped with a sprinkle of Smoked Gouda Cheese, Diced Scallions and a Dollop of Sour Cream if you must!

Burma O'Clock — Burmese Restaurant
Burmese Tomato Prawn Chili: Savory, umami Burmese dish meets cool, crisp cucumber

El Zarape
Pork & Green Sauce Chili

GIA MIA
Chorizo Butternut Squash Chili

Hale Street Cantina
Cantina’s Chorizo Chili

High Rollers Company
High Stakes Secret Chili

Ivy Restaurant
Steak Chili

Moveable Feast + Co.
Verde Turkey Chili (GF): tomatillos, white beans, roasted peppers, poblano crema, slaw + crispy tostadas

Proof no. 5
Texas Red Chili: guajillo chilies, braised beef, ancho chilies, poblanos, onions, lager, tomatoes, spices. Complete with fixins bar including crema, tortilla strips, cheddar cheese and more

QCurrys Indian Kitchen
Minced Chili Chicken (GF): Savory minced chicken simmered with fragrant Indian herbs, aromatic spices, crisp peppers, and tender green peas.

Sweetchilango
Green Chili: Ground pork, roasted serrano pepper-tomatillo, beans, chihuahua cheese, sour cream, scallions

The Backyard
The Backyard Beef, Pork, & Bacon Chili

The Burger Social
Colorado Green Chili: Braised pork, onions, poblano, anaheim, and jalapeno peppers, garlic, tomatoes, navy beans, beer, and spices.

The Protein Spot, in partnership with Sharko's BBQ
Brisket Chili: Smoked Brisket Chili with Fire Roasted Chili, Chipotle, and Poblano Peppers

Thank you to our generous sponsors:

*Participating businesses subject to change without notice. Unlimited tastings available while supplies last. Voting ballot and specials menu will be accessible on the day of the event.

Policies:

Severe Weather Policy:
Unless otherwise indicated, outdoor events occur rain or shine. If lightning or other dangerous weather is imminent or present, the DWA reserves the right to cancel or delay any remaining event activities. Updates on the status of an interrupted or canceled event will be posted to Facebook and Instagram @downtownwheaton. Please note, event websites and social media pages may not be immediately updated to reflect any weather-related changes. In the event a ticketed event is canceled, the DWA will email ticket holders with options for their unused tickets.

Refund Policy:
All ticket sales are final. No refunds will be issued. If an event is canceled, the DWA will email ticket purchasers to advise of available options.

Photo/Video Policy:
The Downtown Wheaton Association takes photographs and videos of attendees for the purpose of promoting our events, promotions, membership, etc. By attending any DWA events and/or promotions the participant (or parent/guardian of a minor participant) agrees to the use and distribution of their image/likeness (or that of a minor child/ward) in photographs, video recordings, and any other electronic reproductions of such activities for any purpose without inspection, compensation, or any other consideration now and in the future.