School House of Chili

I had seen this storefront previously when out and about in that area of Chauncey Village.  One night I wanted to attend a seminar at the nearby Purdue Union building. Not having much time to eat, I opted to give this place a try.  I think it was a Thursday between 6:30-7:00 p.m. and it seemed like a ghost down inside.  There was white chicken chili on the menu.  It seems difficult to find anywhere which has a decent style.  They asked "What base do you want?  Maybe some macaroni?"  I thought "What?  a base?  no thanks!"  In my chili world, there is not a base (unless it is a coney dog with chili sauce on top).  I sat down with some high expectations of having a delicious bowl of chili with time to spare before the event started.  Then the first spoonful....I nearly spit it back out, oh how disappointing.  I can't describe it other than it tasted like nothing.  I ate it only because I was extremely hungry after just having gone to the gym and just didn't feel like taking it back to the counter.  If I could, I'd give this place 1/10 of a star.

Now, a coworker had gone there maybe 2 months after I did.  He didn't know of my previous experience, and claimed it was decent.  He did have one of the tomato based typical chili recipes.  I told him about my experience with the chicken chili.  Apparently, his wife ordered it and he tasted it.  His comment...he liked it.  This really shocked me as we share experiences of food around the area and often have similar thoughts on quality/flavor.  So, was I wrong?  Was it a bad day for the establishment?

I'll may try this place one more time and go for a tomato based beef chili.  I admit, it will be very difficult to drag my body across the threshold and step foot inside again.

I saw this place the last time I was the area and made a mental note to try it out. Having spent most of my younger years in the Southwest and living the past 10 years in Texas, I have a opinionated idea of what chilies should be (when I first arrived in West Lafayette in 1988 I was told that I HAD to try Skyline Chili. What a disappointment). School House of Chili has seven different types of chili (note to SHoC management - add a Texas Red, but please no beans), plus a "bottom" and toppers. It was a pretty nice assortment, but they all have the consistency of marinara. Also on the menu are Vienna Beef hot dogs and grilled cheese sandwiches, just waiting to be smothered in chili.

I settled on the Tailgate Chili, a beef concoction with chunks of tomato, celery and brisket. It was thick and hearty but needed more heat (as in peppers). A hint to chili lovers - lay off the bottoms - you end up paying less and getting more chili as the bottom takes up room in the bowl. The staff is friendly and will let you sample the various chilies. As it was the night before a holiday where they would be closed for a couple of days, they offered me seconds. Nice touch!

Give the place a try. I'm going after a couple of chili dogs the next time I'm in Lafayette.

Been there several times.  It is a great concept.  But they cannot figure out how to serve a consistently hot (temperature) product.  Luke-warm chili is problematic, both for food handling and for flavor.  I will not be going back anytime soon.