Inside Texas’ Legendary Chili Cook-Off in a Desert Ghost Town

Every November, thousands journey into the West Texas desert—cactus, campfires, and cast iron pots in tow—for the Tolbert Chili Cook-Off, a 57-year tradition held in the ghost town of Terlingua. What started as a publicity stunt between two journalists has become a sacred celebration of the state dish of Texas—and the fiery community that surrounds it.

In this episode of Texas Country Reporter, we meet the families, cooks, and lifelong friends who keep the tradition alive, including Patrick Ryan, grandson of one of the event’s founders, and Tom Nall, who helped turn the cook-off into a fundraising powerhouse for ALS research.

For people like Juan Reyes, an ALS patient embraced by the community, the event is more than chili—it’s family, purpose, and hope. From secret recipes to late-night campfire stories, this is a story about making the most of the time we have and doing something meaningful with it.

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The Terlingua Chili Cook Off
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Texas Country Reporter
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4-14-1991