chili beans where did the mix begin in mexico or ?

Answer 1

There's no evidence that chili originated in Mexico. These people, espcially the Indians, are very traditional. If chili had started among them, they would be still eating it on a regular basis. It is equally definite that it first became popular around San Antonio before 1850.

Nobody really knows for sure how it developed, but here is my guess. It obviously began among the poor. I think it likely that the story linking it with Canary Islanders brought to the San Antonio area by the Spanish in the 1700's is probably accurate. They were used to spicy foods and would have latched onto hot peppers quickly. By the mid 1800's a soup with chilis, beans and cheap meat were popular among the area residents, especially the poor. It allowed them to use meat that 'high class' people weren't interested in. The chilis provided the flavor. The beans were a ultra cheap extender.

Addenda -
Just ran into this. What appears to be the first reference to chili appears in "J. C. CLOPPER'S JOURNAL AND BOOK OF MEMORANDA  FOR 1828. PROVINCE OF TEXAS", where he says about the poor in San Antonio -
"When they have to pay for their meat in market a very little is made to suffice a family it is generally cut into a kind of hash with nearly as many peppers as there are pieces of meat—this is all stewed together."

Answer 2

Where to be seen...
It's at Chili Beans!

Ixtapa's exciting NEW restaurant has been opened by Deborah (the Canadian of Mamma Norma fame). It is located right on Ixtapa Boulevard across from the hotels.

This lively eatery with "Happy Hours" is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

For breakfast there are both regular American (and Canadian, of course) meals of blueberry pancakes, omelettes, bacon, ham & eggs with pan fries and whole wheat toast as well as four types of breakfast burritos and traditional Mexican items - beans and chilaquiles.
Come and enjoy some authentic Mexican dishes like chiles rellenos, enchiladas (two types to choose from), chicken mole, flank steak tampiqueña, or fresh fish veracruzana. Or try one of Deborah's favourites: ranchero or mango shrimp, poblano chicken or lobster tail al ajillo. As well as chicken, beef or shrimp fajitas or Aztec style fajitas served with homemade corn tortillas!

They serve an irresist-a-bowl of homemade ground beef or vegetarian black bean chili, or try Chili Beans original "Chili-Chili" among many other delicious dishes - and some tasty burgers (if you must)..


Open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
7:30 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.


Located across the street from the Emporio Hotel.

Come see our gallery of bean and chili art,
the exclusive work of C. Stevenin.

For more information contact Deborah.

Chili Beans
Ixtapa Plaza #5
tel. [phone]
e-mail
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<-- The friendly staff at Chili Beans welcomes you to Ixtapa!


Be sure to visit our other restaurant: Mamma Norma & Deborah's

For local information we recommend
ZihuaRob's Visitors' Guide to Zihuatanejo-Ixtapa Mexico