The Great Firehouse Chili Cook-off

CBS radio personalities, a Super Bowl-winning kicker from the New York Giants, beautiful models and tasty chili cooked to perfection by New York's Bravest, our firefighters; what more could you want?

Aplez.com's John Marasso went over to Break Bar & Billiards on 32nd Street and Broadway in Astoria to visit with the firefighters and celebrities and get in on the chili tasting!

　
As TV's Ben Matlock used to say, in that Andy Griffith Southern drawl, "That's some good eating!"
　
Sports Radio Station WFAN, in tandem with their parent company, CBS Broadcasting, has over the winter sponsored a charity chili cook-off competition. Held at various locations throughout NYC's boroughs, local firehouses compete to see who's making the best-tasting chili.

At Astoria's Break Bar & Billiards, the judges were former Giants kicker Sean Landeta, WCBS FM disc jockey, Brooklyn's own Joe Causi, and DJ Tom Bentley, from 92.3 Radio!
The firehouses competing that day were, the Pride of the East Side as well as Far Rockaway, the Bronx and Staten Island. All the chilis were great. Very tummy-warming. The consistency was spot-on. These guys definitely knew what they were doing. But my favorite was the Turkey Chili with just a luscious hint of cinnamon. It was mild, quite tasty and oh so wonderful.

All courtesy of the fire chiefs from Pride of the East Side.

I spoke with judges Sean Landeta and Joe Causi for a few moments. Both celebrities were down to earth and easy to talk with. Sean even showed me the two Super Bowl rings that he earned with Bill Parcells' teams. Up close, these rings were awesome: bold, big and beautiful. Besides being fans of the firefighters' chili, Sean and Joe both loved the fun, cozy atmosphere at Break. If you haven't been there yet, do make Break a must-stop next time you are in Astoria.

　
Break Bar & Billiards combines a playful ambience with great food and really professional servers, who are great looking, too! There is an entire section comprised of top-caliber billiard tables. Oh, and did I mention the 12 large screen TVs that were showing the Bengals/Chargers game?

　
Whatever the season, football, baseball or basketball, Break has got you covered. The food selection at Break is fun and varied. The Break Burger and Barcelona Burger will satisfy the hungriest fan! If burgers aren't your dish, sample the wonderful, fresh-made onion rings, the hearty Cobb salad, the BLT sandwich or the veggie side sampler platter. And how do fried Oreos sound for dessert?

　
At Break, no matter how large the crowd is, you won't feel as though you're on the subway at rush hour. This venue is spacious and Break has a long, customer-friendly bar, with expert bartenders.
　
All in all, The Great Firehouse Chili Cook-Off was a great time for a really great cause!