The Agnor Family Difference

Albert Agnor’s chili recipe has been famous in Harrison County, Texas for four generations and more than 100 years. It all started with “Poppa” Frank Patillo, who created the savory-with-just-a-hint-of-sweet blend of herbs and spices. Poppa passed his recipe down to his daughter, Dee Patillo Agnor, who became well known in Marshall for the chili she made for family and friends.

Dee’s son, Albert, and his son Stuart, reached statewide fame when they won the Grand Champion prize at Texas’ first chili cook-off in San Marcos in 1970 with the family recipe. A few years later in 1976, they struck gold again, winning the World Championship Chili Cook-Off in Terlingua, Texas.

In 1977, Albert lobbied former State Rep. Ben Z. Grant of Marshall to declare chili the Official Dish of Texas. Rep. Grant and Rep. Ron Bird of San Antonio agreed to co-author the resolution.

Albert went to Austin to cook a giant pot of chili that opened the sinuses of the entire Legislature and brought with him a delegation from the Marshall Chamber of Commerce and Lady Bird Johnson, Harrison County’s favorite daughter. It was a successful bit of lobbying, and the resolution sailed through committee and was set for floor debate by the calendar committee.

After much debate with Representatives who favored dishes from all over the state, Rep. Grant finally convinced his co-legislators that Chili was, indeed, the true taste of Texas. The resolution passed the House, narrowly beating barbecue, and was quickly voted on and passed by the Senate. Through Albert Agnor’s work, chili was declared the Official Dish of Texas.

Albert began selling chili mix packages locally and through mail order in 1972. He soon branched out to include a meat seasoning mix and pinto bean seasoning mix. The family operated a restaurant, The Chili House, in Marshall from 1977 through 1981. They currently sell wholesale to stores, meat markets and gift shops across the nation, and retail to customers all around the world via the internet.

Albert Agnor’s chili mix is like going back in time and eating chili your Poppa made.

Order your mix and get the taste of yesterday in your bowl today!