During difficult times — this past year qualifies — one generally gravitates towards comfort food. Although the exact origin of chili is disputed (there are origin stories involving an astral-projecting Spanish nun), most historians agree that the earliest description of chili came from San Antonio. Chili also has its various regional influences — there is the standard Texas red, made without beans, or the Cincinnati version, reliant on baking spices. Portland, a city populated with expats from other states, as packed with barbecue aficionados as it is vegans, offers a number of different variations on the dish, ranging from vegan versions to hearty renditions with wild boar or grass-fed beef. While many restaurants and carts offer one-off chili specials, like Holy Trinity BBQ or Bullard, this map generally specializes in reliably available chilis served out of carts, restaurants, and bars around town. For more soup content, there are countless alternatives via Eater PDX, ranging from pho to ramen to vegan soups.
A number of Portland restaurants have resumed onsite service. The level of service offered is indicated on each map point. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for dining in, as there are still safety concerns. For updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Oregon Health Authority’s COVID update page. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines.
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