The True Star Of Fall Dining Isn’t Pumpkin, It’s Texas Chili

It's no secret that the moment fall hits, everyone in Texas starts thinking about chili. From chili pies to a simple bowl of your own perfected recipe, this time of year is dominated by chili.

Recently, a study was done by A Mission For Michael regarding food and mental wellness. One part of the study was finding out which fall foods are most popular in the US.

The Study That Changed the Fall Food Game

It should come as no surprise to every Texan that the number one fall food in this study is Texas Chili. Take that, pumpkin spice. The second top fall food was pumpkin pie

Chili is a very important dish in Texas. Every year, the debate rages over what is considered to be true Texas chili and what isn't.

READ MORE: Move Over Pumpkin Spice: Caramel Apple Tea Is Back in Amarillo

The debate revolves around beans and whether or not they have any place in a bowl of Texas-style chili. The answer is no, they do not.

Why Texas Chili Matters

You can find chili almost everywhere you go in Texas. Chili pies are staple concession stand fare at sporting events. Restaurants even serve up gourmet versions of chili pies. At my house, we even have chili pie nights once a week.

Read More: Ending The Ongoing Texas Debate Of Beans And Chili

Beyond chili pies, Texas chili goes great with well-made cornbread or crackers. It's even good all by itself.

Fall Isn’t Pumpkin — It’s Chili

What makes Texas chili so good is that it is spicy and full of flavor. It's the perfect dish to warm you up on a cold night. When made properly, the chili will be bursting with flavor. Experts say this is because Texas chili doesn't contain beans.

Bean debate aside, it's nice to see others are figuring out what we've already known. Fall is ruled by Texas chili.