What to do next? For his third Hot Shoppe, at Georgia Avenue and Gallatin Street NW, Marriott planned something new, a drive-in like those he had known in Utah. The story goes that a good friend asked, 'Hey Bill, when are you and Allie going to open this hot shop I've been hearing about?' And so, with a few letters added to dress it up, the Hot Shoppes were born. After that, all they needed was a name for the place. Allie, who had majored in Spanish in college, talked the embassy's chef into sharing recipes and providing contact information for a San Antonio supplier of Mexican foods. Bill recalled that the Mexican Embassy was located over on 16th Street, just a couple blocks away from their shop.

The challenge was to get good recipes and find a source for quality ingredients. The Ranch, in business since 1900 at 507 F Street downtown, was a good example. Washington was no stranger to Mexican eateries, which typically featured hot tamales and chili con carne in those days. By some accounts it was Allie who came up with the scheme to sell Mexican food. Selling root beer was great in warm weather, but once the temperatures dropped, Marriott needed something else to keep his business going.

The original Hot Shoppe on 14th Street (photo courtesy Historic Photographs collection, Marriott International Archives). Six years later, when he was ready to start out on his own, Marriott decided to return to Washington to open a franchise selling A&W root beer. He spent a day sightseeing and noticed how vendors of ice cream, lemonade, and soda would sell out to the sweltering crowds practically as soon as they arrived on the scene with their carts. In September 1921, after spending time in New York, Marriott passed through Washington on his way home to Utah. As a teenager he experienced firsthand how hard it was to make a living raising livestock out west and resolved to get into a line of business less subject to market volatilities. The son of a Utah sheep rancher, Bill Marriott was imbued at an early age with strong Mormon beliefs and an intense work ethic. The Marriott rags-to-riches story used to be one of the most oft told in the city. It has a robust spice level, but with a careful attention to the balance between sweet and heat that appeals to a wide range of chili lovers.Matchbook cover from the early 1960s (Author's collection). With 40+ years of experience in restaurant operations and food services honed at Roy Rogers, Hyatt Hotels and Marriott International, Chef Mulliken is well respected for his expertise in developing creative food products utilized in quick-serve, to white tablecloth fine dining restaurants.Ĭhef Mulliken described Roy Rogers Competition Chili as, “A full-bodied, dark red brown chili made with 100% USDA Choice Top Round and both fresh and dried peppers, resulting in a rich product, but with very little fat. Roy Rogers Restaurants’ Director of Procurement and Product Development, Jeff Mulliken, developed the winning recipe and was on hand to dish out bowls to eager festival goers. “It was neck-and-neck throughout the day, but after the votes were tallied, Roy Rogers’ chili was awarded first prize in the restaurant division, with Glory Days in second, and local favorite Grandma’s Diner placing third.” “We had a wonderful day with beautiful weather, activities for the kids, local crafts in abundance, and a great chili cook off,” said JCPRC Recreation Coordinator Lauren Mumaw. The overwhelming turnout for the inaugural chili cook off has guaranteed a spot on next year’s social calendar. The chili cook off is just one of the many activities, programs and projects sponsored by the JCPRC each year for the benefit of the citizens of Jefferson County, West Virginia. Roy Rogers’ chili was chosen as best tasting by a majority of the Fair’s attendees in a field that included other local restaurants. The Jefferson County Parks and Recreation Commission announced that Roy Rogers Restaurants’ “Competition Chili” was awarded 1st Place, Restaurant Division, at the 1st Annual Holiday Craft Fair and Chili Cook Off, held November 12th in Shenandoah Junction, West Virginia. Roy Rogers Restaurants Wins WV Chili Cook

Roy rogers chicken recipe