Still looking for Stagg chili

[jweiner]

A few years ago I posted a message looking for Stagg chili in the Philadelphia area (suburbs, south
jersey, etc.). I received several responses - Costco, Pathmark but neither of them actually carried the product. I am still looking and wondered if any Chowhound fans have seen Stagg anywhere. I'll travel for it. For those of you who don't know Stagg chili - It's a canned chili made in CA. A number of years ago Hormel bought the company but they have not interfered with the product. I know I can buy Stagg chili directly from Hormel but it is quite costly that way. But it's what I will have to resort to if there really is nowhere to buy Stagg in the Philadelphia (or tri-state) area. I can't be the only one who loves and eats this chili! Or am I?

[teddybtoronto]

I wish you success in your search. This is one of the few times I've come across a US-produced item available here in Canada that is not readily available all over the US. The Loblaw chain carries Stagg Steakhouse straight chili here in Toronto, and it is a favourite of mine. I hope you find a source at reasonable cost nearer to Philadelphia.

[jweiner]

I'm glad it's available in Toronto. I still haven't found it in the Philadelphia area. I can order a case from Hormel; it's just so much more expensive than the $1.99 it costs in the supermarket. If anyone out there knows where Stagg is available in and around Phila. please let me know. I'm still looking!

[teddybtoronto]

I hope you find a local source of supply in the Philly area. I love this stuff! I certainly understand your reluctance to pay the absurd price to get it directly from Hormel. There's GOT to be some store in your area that stocks this product. I wish you all the best in finding it!

[jweiner]

Thank you. I think Costco may carry it but I'm not a member . I'm thinking about getting a membership.

[VOXLEO]

Costco did carry it here in Los Angeles, but hasn't been seen recently there either. I know because I am on the same quest for the Steakhouse Reserve. I didn't even see it available at the Stagg website, but sent a message inquiring about it anyway. If anyone finds this anywhere, please do post it for me even if its pricey... Other chili is so disappointing now, I wish I'd never had it if its been discontinued.

[VOXLEO]

Okay - official response from Stagg:

Thank you for contacting us about STAGG® STEAK HOUSE RESERVE™ Chili.

This is sold only to Costco stores. You can order the 'no bean' variety online here: http://hormelfoods.elsstore.com/view/...

Kelly

Consumer Response Specialist

Guess this means Costco is the only source... Gotta find out when they stock it I guess.

[ospreycove]

I tried the "Steakhouse Reserve" as sold at COSTCO; now, I am no conniseur/judge of canned chili, but It was the saltiest thing this side of the salt flats in Trappani! WOW I think it supplied more than 50% of the %DV for Sodium, aside from that it tasted o.k. but I think I will stick to my own recipe.

[shellbellc]

I see this at the Costco in KOP all the time!

[ken from conshy]

Just in Costco - Montgomeryville and they have Staggs Steakhouse Reserve Chili. It is excellent.

[jweiner]

WOW! Maybe they have it at the K of P Costco. I called them several years ago. They said they didn't carry it. But maybe the lady I spoke with had no idea what I was talking about. I might have to join Costco. Thanks.

[EpicurBurbs]

Was just in the KOP Costco and they also had Staggs Steakhouse Reserve Chili. Box/carton of 6 cans - didn't pay attention to the price though (sorry).

[jweiner]

Thanks for letting me know. Looks like I'll have to get myself over to KOP and join Costco.

[john333]

I love Stagg Chili! My favorite kind is the Steak House Straight Chili, loaded with beef. I sometimes eat it straight out of the can without even heating it up!

[Muskrat]

Have you asked your local market if they'd special-order it for you? Some will, and it certainly wouldn't hurt to ask.

[jweiner]

i've asked all my local markets if they could special order me a case but none of them would or could. It was very disappointing. The Hormel site lists a number of stores in the Phila. area that carry it but those stores don't actually carry it. It's just erroneous information on Hormel's part.

[mamachef]

I have to wonder if your usual grocery store wouldn't just order a case as a courtesy to you? My local grocery's been muy helpful in that way with helping me obtain some obscure products (well, not obscure, but Kosher products in a decidedly non-ethnic store in a non-Jewish neighborhood.) I did have to purchase the entire case, but it was still worth it because I didn't have to pay the shipping for an individual order from the company. It's worth a try, esp. if you trade there regularly. And yep, I'm West of the old Miss., I live in sunny (HA!) Ca. If I head to Philadelphia, consider yourself the recipient of a hand-delivered case of Stagg Classic.
And yeah, I wondered if you were that Jennifer Weiner too; love her books, and she clearly loves her food!

[ospreycove]

Costco in Florida has Stagg Chili 6 packs

[jweiner]

Where in Florida? It's a long state.

[ospreycove]

Brandon Costco; just south of
Tampa on I-75

[jweiner]

Thanks. I wonder if any of the other Costco's in Florida carry it. My daughter just moved to Gainesville; the closest store is in jacksonville.

[CindyJ]

Have you tried calling customer service at the company and asking them which local stores carry their products?

[cheesewit]

Have you tried Walmart and/or K Mart?

[Bigley9]

K Mart has it on-line for 34.95/case of 12 and free shipping until 10/9/10 on orders over $30.00

[jweiner]

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Not only did I get free shipping from Kmart but I also got 10% off the case. I am forever indebted to you. I just may order another case before the 10/9 deadline. Bigley 9, you made my day. If you're ever in Phila. stop by for a piece of apple cake. I make the best. And thanks to everyone who took the time to reply with their thoughtful responses. Who knows? Someday I might order that 108 oz. can from Amazon.
Sorry that I wasn't Jennifer Wiener but my husband is a novelist. His book, Etta, was published by Random House in Mar. 2009. It's a fictionalized account of Etta Place, the girlfriend of the Sundance Kid.
Thanks again, especially you, Bigley9!

[Bigley9]

Glad I could help. I am a Phila resident - I just always get interested in items that people are looking for - so in an effort to find out why Stagg Chili was such a siren call for you I stumbled across the KMart deal! Enjoy!

[jweiner]

Bigley9 - I just wanted to update you on my Stagg chili-KMart order. I placed my order on 9/22 and yesterday they sent me an email cancelling my order - no explanation. They refunded my money but now I'm back to square one!

[Bigley9]

OH no!

[gaffk]

Well, if you don't mind a 108-oz can, you can order from Amazon. A lot of times they ship orders over $25 free. Not sure what you'd do with 108 ounces though--repack in containers and freeze?

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_...

[mamachef]

That's a great idea, especially if you freeze it in Zip-locks, flat on cookie sheets. Then they'd be stackable and take up a lot less room.

[mschow]

i thought I saw it at Genardis in Cherry Hill a while back. Maybe give them a call.

[jweiner]

checked there last year. no go. but thanks

[RitterSportRules]

Do you find Stagg chili to help get the "creative juices" flowing when writing that all important next novel? You are that Jennifer Weiner, aren't you?

just kidding

[ilovesummer]

LOL...i thought the same thing....just finished the lastest novel so it was on my mind!

[jweiner]

no, but she does live around the corner from me. she probably wouldn't know stagg chili from a stag guy.

[mamachef]

would it make sense for me to purchase a case here and ground-freight it to you? I can't go to a store without running into the stuff. my favorite is green chile...

[jweiner]

That is very sweet. you must be west of the Mississippi. Last year, while my daughter still lived in CA., she sent me 6 cans for my birthday. The chili was cheap but the shipping was a fortune. It probably would cost almost as much as buying it straight from Hormel. But if you're ever driving to Philadelphia I would take you up on your offer. Thanks mucho. And, by the way, Classic is my chili of choice.

[crazyspice]

Why not just purchase it online?

[jweiner]

I could do that. it would be about $43/case of 12. A can of Stagg chili sells for $1.99 in the store. Big difference