BICKERING ‘HOODS CALL TRUCE FOR CHILIPALOOZA / DEC. 2

Scene from last year's So-No Park Holiday Fest and Chilipalooza               Photo by Arlene Ibarra

SO-NO RIVALRY IS SIMPLY WHO CAN HAVE THE MOST FUN—Yes, there is a looming civil war between North Park and South Park as to which neighborhood is the coolest.   But on Saturday, Dec. 2^nd, cooler heads have prevailed and cooked up a truce event bringing both historic neighborhoods together for the holidays. Called the 3rd Annual So-No Park Holiday Fest and Chilipalooza at Thorn and 32nd Streets in North Park, the fest also marks the 16th annual San Diego Ceramic Connection Chili Cook-off.  

Offered at the 11 am to 5 pm event will be chili in hand-spun ceramic bowls, great holiday gifts and crafts from local artisan, live music, kids stuff, and a very popular Craft Beer Garden.

SoNo Park Holiday Fest is presented by the McKinley Elementary PTC and the San Diego Ceramic Connection and made possible by many other enlightened sponsors and volunteers.  Proceeds from the event will benefit the McKinley Elementary art and music programs.  All donations are tax deductible. If you can't make the event, but would still like to support our local school, contact us.

WHAT ABOUT THE CHILIPALOOZA?

Let the smack-talking begin! Listed below are the great neighborhood restaurants are ready to go to battle in 2012 over who makes the most creative chili. 

Alchemy  Restaurant / McKinley Student Chefs*

Blind Lady Alehouse/Tiger! Tiger!

Hamiltons Tavern

Juan Chou

Kensington Cafe

Kensington Grill

Lefty's

The Linkery/El Take It Easy!

Phil's BBQ

Ranchos Cocina

Rebecca's (2009 Winner: Best Overall)

Ritual Tavern (2010 Winner: Best Overall)

Sea Rocket Bistro

The Smoking Goat (2011 Winner: Best Overall)

Splash Wine Lounge & Bistro

Starlite

Station Tavern

Toronado

True North Tavern

Uptown Tavern

Urban Solace

Vagabond

West Coast Tavern

Last year’s 2011 Restaurant Chili Cook Off Winners:

2011 Best Overall Chili: The Smoking Goat

2nd Best Overall: West Coast Tavern

3rd Best Overall: Kensington Grill 2011

Best Vegetarian: Kensington Cafe

2nd Best Vegetarian: Alchemy

2011 Most Unique (Tie for 1st): El Take it Easy / SeaRocket Bistro

2nd Most Unique: Kensington Grill

3rd Most Unique: Ritual Tavern

Kudos Korner: Thanks to all of the local restaurants that participated. And thanks to North Park Trophy & Award for donating the Chili Trophies in 2011 and 2012!

2011 Judges for the Restaurant Chili Cook-Off included:

--Chuck Silva, Green Flash Brewery Brewmaster

--Tim Mays, Owner of The Casbah 

--Don "Brickman" Taylor, volunteer

--Julie Ashton-Gray, Principal McKinley Elementary School

--Candice Eley, PR Manager, SDCVB

--Aloha Taylor, Meteorologist for Fox News

--Omar Passons, Past-President of the North Park Community Association

--Chef Deborah Scot, Chef of Island Prime/C Level Lounge, Indigo Grill, the Chop Sooey and Ms. Patty Melt food trucks

More SoHo and Chilipalooza info:

http://sonoparkholidayfest.blogspot.com/