The 18th Annual Downtown Wheaton Chili Cookoff

Saturday, October 3, 2026
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!

Participating businesses*:

Altiro Latin Fusion - Altiro Chili
Bien Trucha - Braised Beef Cheek & Black Bean Chili: Roasted tomato & morita pepper, crisp red masa onions, creme verde
Billy Bricks - Chili Wonka & the Hot Honey Factory: House made all beef chili with spices and our house made hot honey, made from locally sourced honey.
Front Street Kitchen - Classic Short Rib Chili
Gia Mia - Italian Stallion Chili: Spicy sausage chili with chipotle crema
Grange House - Chili con Carne y Mole: Bianco crushed tomatoes with onions, bell peppers and poblanos combined with a rich mole sauce and braised beef and pork. Served with fried jalapeños, roasted chile crema, cilantro lime crema, and cilantro.
Hale Street Cantina - Cantina Chili: Traditional chili with chorizo
Ivy Restaurant - Brisket Chili: Angus brisket chili
Moveable Feast + Co. - Verde Turkey Chili (GF): Tomatillos, white beans, roasted peppers, poblano crema, slaw + crispy tostadas
Qcurrys Indian Kitchen - Chicken Fire Chili
The Burger Social - Korean-Mexican Fusion Chili: A mix of Mexican and Korean peppers and flavors giving the chili a complex and slightly sweet taste. Plus a condiment bar: oyster crackers, queso fresco, scallions, pickled jalapeno, tortilla strips, cilantro, creme, jalapeno lime creme!

Featuring live music by...

Headliner:
The Wheaton Dad Band (@WheatonDadBand)

Opener:
Kevin Janus

Check-in will be from 12 - 4 p.m. at your choice of location: the W Tent on Front Street OR the DWA office (206 N. Main Street).

At 5 p.m. we'll gather at the Innovator Hale Street Tents to announce the winners of our two awards: The "Popular Pepper" (voted on by YOU) and The "Chili Champion" (chosen by a panel of judges). Ticket holders will be given all event materials at check-in.

Click to download the event map

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.

Sales & Refund Policy:
Ticket purchases are available online only. Tickets may be purchased online until they are sold out or check-in closes. Tickets cannot be purchased with cash. 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.