Sixty-eight years ago in Springfield, Illinois, George Booker, a local coal miner, set out to fulfill his lifelong dream -- to own and operate his own tavern. Just one year later, in1941, the Springfield “south-ender” (as those from the south side of town were known then) opened up the first Booker’s Tavern in the north end of Springfield at 1905 Peoria Road.  Nevertheless, George was still looking for a place a little closer to his South end roots. He did’t have to look for too long though, as the following year, the South Town Tavern at 1031 South Grand Avenue East (Northwest corner of 11th and South Grand) was put up for sale. George purchased it immediately and renamed it Booker’s Tavern. 

Along with typical tavern beers and spirits, George, his sister Bertha Booker-Dickman, and his hired bartenders Edward A. Ludwig and Joseph Bullet, served a limited menu of burgers, tamales, cheeses and salami all of which were quickly overshadowed by one particular dish -- the famous “Booker’s Tavern Chilli.” Made from a secret family recipe that preceded even the tavern itself, the Chilli brought customers from all over the area and kept them coming back.

Over the years, the tavern became known as the south-end meeting place for blue-collar family and friends. The word spread and people even came from surrounding communities to sample the famous Chilli.

By the 1960's, Booker’s Tavern’s clientele ranged from blue-collar to the Mayor of Springfield and the governor of Illinois. It was a popular political watering hole for city and county politicians and officials. Several local patrons served as fill in bartenders to supplement George, Ed Ludwig and Joe Bullet. Most all had ties with local sports scene or were gifted athletics themselves. Wednesday night you might be served by brothers Bill or George Fleischli, Bill Seaman, Jim Burke, Nonie Selinger, "Junior " Curren, Pat Butler, Chuck Gant, Chief of Police "Curley" Hobart Rogers or Hall of fame National league umpire Al Barlick, all good friends of of Georges'.

The tavern also served as a 19th hole for the local golf courses, serving many tired golfers after a long day on the course.  Hunters and fishermen could enjoy a cold one after the hunt or exchange stories about the “big one” that got away. Locals could enjoy a game of shuffleboard or a friendly game of rum. The tavern served as a sort of a social center for the community. Booker’s Tavern picnics, softball games, Halloween and Christmas parties were held throughout the year. The tavern also sponsored both men’s and women’s bowling teams for decades. And of course, at any tavern event, you could find a hot bowl of the famous Booker’s Tavern Chilli.

In 1976, George retired and sold the tavern, which then became know as “Bernie’s”. All the while, the chilli recipe was closely guarded by Bertha Booker-Dickman and transferred to family members in the 1980’s. Throughout the 80's and 90's, the chilli was made only in small batches, frozen and distributed to family and close friends. But requests for the tavern’s secret recipe never stopped coming. Now, due to popular demand and the numerous requests, the Booker family has decided to make the delicious chilli seasoning that makes Booker’s Tavern Chilli so unforgettable available to the general public for the first time.  
Check out our “recipe” section and try the famous Booker’s Tavern Chilli recipe or use our spice to enhance your own. We are confident you will be back for more. 

Springfield is known for its chili, or “chilli”, as it is known in many chili shops throughout Sangamon County. The unique spelling is said to have begun with the founder of the Den Chilli Parlor in 1909, due to a spelling error in the chili parlor’s sign. Another interpretation is that the misspelling represented the “Ill” in the word Illinois. In 1993 the Illinois state legislature adopted a resolution proclaiming Springfield the “Chilli Capital of the Civilized World.”