That's a bold statement.

I believe that yesterday, I found what might have been the perfect bowl of chili. 

If you are someone who likes beans in their chili, then the chili from Shrub Steppe Smokehouse Brewery is not for you, as it is completely lacking in beans. 

Shrub Steppe is a rather new place, opening back at the end of February.  What's nice is that unlike White Bluffs Brewing(which makes a tasty beer), they are also a restaurant, so I can bring my wife and kids, not that I have yet. 

Anyway...back to the chili. 

 

 

Meat, meat, and more meat.  I'm not sure if they use leftovers from the previous day(which is what I would do) or if they just make a little extra each day to go in the chili, but the chili serves to function as almost a sample platter for what meats they have that day. This particular chili had plenty of pulled pork, smoked sausage, smoked brisket, and some diced smoked pork loin.  I think there were also a few peppers in it, and maybe a bit of tomato, but not much.  The chili(as befits a smokehouse in the wimpy Northwest) is not too spicy, but has flavor to spare. 

 

As a quick lunch(combined with a pint of their Very Bad Kitty Lager) is not bad.  Price wise, it's not too much more expensive than say, a combo meal would be at Wendy's or Dairy Queen.  Lunch at one of those places can just about destroy a $10 bill anymore...might as well spend the extra $1.50 to support the local folks.  And have a beer.  And a bowl of some great, great chili.