Chili Brick heads to the Windy City

Los Angeles’ favorite chili is heading east.

Dolores Chili is expanding its distribution to Food 4 Less stores in Chicago. Beginning Monday, 13 Windy City locations will carry Dolores’famous All-Beef Chili Brick at a price of $5.69 each.

It is the farthest east the Dolores All-Beef Chili Brick has ever been sold. That does not include the online store at LAsFavoriteChili.com, which carries Dolores’ full range of chili products: The original All-Beef Chili Brick, Chicken Chili Brick and Chili Sauce.

“An area like Chicago has everything we’re looking for when it comes to expanding our Chili,” said Dolores Canning president David Muñoz, anticipating the expansion will soon stem beyond 13 stores. “Dolores Chili in Chicago Food4Less stores is a recipe for success that benefits both company’s customers.”

Originally founded in 1954 as a distributor of beef and pork products, the Los Angeles-based Dolores Canning Company is a family affair. The processing plant was started by patriarch Basilio Muñoz, with matriarch Dolores as the face of the company.

With a nod to its shape, the aptly named Dolores Chili Brick has been enjoyed by chili lovers since its introduction in 1973. To this day, Dolores is famous for its beef and chicken brick-shaped chili.

Dolores Chili is served at Philippe The Original in Los Angeles, and can be purchased at stores such as Vons, Ralphs, Stater Bros, Smart & Final, Superior, Grocery Outlet, Winco and 99 Cents Only stores.

Currently, Dolores Chili is the number-two selling item in the fresh meat case at Kroger stores, including Ralphs and Food 4 Less, behind only Oscar Meyer products. Kroger operates Food 4 Less stores in California, Illinois, Indiana, Nebraska and Nevada.

A list of Chicago area Food4Less locations carrying the Dolores all-beef chili brick can be found online, www.dolorescanning.com/wordpress/dealer-locator.