The following is reprinted from the
SAN ANTONIO LIGHT SEPTEMBER 12, 1937

Chili Queen History“We salute these enterprising women”

Return to the Rudder’s 2003 Chili Challenge Official Rules

The “Queens” did exist for two hundred years.  The “Chili Queens” were for the most part Mexican women who dotted the military plaza in San Antonia, Texas. Their highly seasoned stews were sold through the night, from rudimentary carts, to customers who rode in from across the prairies. There were dozens of Chili Queens on the plaza, and you can bet that each one was constantly striving to improve her blend, simply to attract more customers than any of the competition. The queens made their chili at home and then loaded it onto colorful little chili wagons with pots, crockery, and all the gear needed for feeding nineteenth century night people.

They built mesquite fires on the square to keep the chili warm, lighted the wagons with colorful lanterns, and placed wooden stools out for their customers. All this went on from nightfall until sunrise, causing the military plaza to become known as “La Plaza del Chili con Carne”.

The Chili Queens remained a highlight in San Antonia for decades, until the late 1930’s when their time-honored profession was brought to an end.

We salute these enterprising women.

The following is reprinted from the San Antonia Light – September 12, 1937:

Recent action of the city health department in ordering the removal from Haymarket Square of the Chili Queens and their stands brought an end to their 200-year-old tradition.

The Chili Queens made their first appearance a couple of centuries back after a group of Spanish soldiers camped on what is not the City Hall site and gave the place the name military plaza.

At one time the Chili Queens had stands on military, Haymarket, and Alamo plazas, but years ago the city confined them to Haymarket plaza. According to tax commissioner, Frank Bushick, a contemporary and a historian of those times, the greatest of all the queens was an American named Sadie. Another famous queen was a senorita named Martha who later went on stage. Writers like Stephen Crane and O Henry were impressed enough to immortalize the queens in their writings.

With the disappearance from the plaza of the chili stands, the troubadours who roamed the plaza for years have also disappeared into the night.

Some of the Chili Queens have simply gone out of business. Others like Mrs. Eufemia Lopez and her daughters Juanita and Esperanza Garcia have opened indoor cafes elsewhere.

But henceforth the San Antonia visitor must forego his dining on chili al fresco.