Along 66, Sept. 2019: Taylor's Chili Parlor in Carlinville, Illinois, Honored

SEPTEMBER 27--   Illinois Tourism honors Taylor's Mexican Chili Parlor of Carlinville, beating out eighteen other contenders.

Charles O. Taylor of Carlinville, Illinois, worked at the Mexican National Exposition at the St. Louis World's Fair (also called the Louisiana Purchase Exposition) in 1904 and this was his first experience with Mexican food.

When he came back to Carlinville afterwards, he had a push cart from which he sold tamales at local bars (and there were 25 of them).  he made money and wanted to expand his business.  He bailed a Mexican vagrant out of jail for $3, but made him work it off at the price of 50 cents a week.

However, this man showed Taylor how to make chili.  He purchased the recipe and opened a chili parlor at  218 W. main St. in Carlinville.

This place dates to 1904 and is on the 1926-1930 alignment of Route 66 on the north side of the square.  I didn't know about it until I read this in the Route 66 News, but definitely will give it a try the next time in town.

Ole. --RoadChili