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When we learned that R.U.B. just started serving Frito Pie we hastened to Chelsea to try one. Until we ate our first one the other day, we always thought that a Frito Pie, was literally a pie made with corn chips, sort of a redneck quiche Lorraine. That’s not to say that Gothamist expected a filling of Gruyère cheese and lardons, we were pretty sure that chili, cheese and jalapeños would play a prominent role.
What we didn’t expect was that it would be open face, as in a bag of Frito’s torn open and done up like nachos. So much stuff topped our pie that we wondered whether there were actually any Fritos lurking under the blanket of chili and cheese.
And to tell the truth, we were a little put off by the somewhat sloppy appearance of the whole thing. But when Scott Smith, R.U.B.'s pitmaster told us he never tried one until the restaurant introduced it, we were eager to dig in. "I never had one growing up, it’s a Texas thing. We never had good junk food like that upstate," Smith said.
So armed with another "Texas thing," namely an ice-cold bottle of Shiner Bock, we dug in. Despite our initial trepidation, it was pretty darn tasty. In the interest of full disclosure, Gothamist did not eat said pie after a night of consuming alcoholic beverages; it was a late lunch. The crunchiness of the Fritos went great with the meaty, smoky chili and the pickled Mexican jalapeños provided just the right amount of heat. As the Fritos softened, the whole affair reminded us even more of nachos, but better namely because the meat in nachos is usually terrible, whereas the meat in R.U.B.'s chili is slow-smoked brisket.
When asked where the pie got its sweet flavor from Smith said, "It’s got a bit of beans ... It’s not traditional but its good.” Now if only Gothamist could convince Frito-Lay to reintroduce the jalapeño corn chips that were popular for a brief time during the '80s.
R.U.B., 208 W 23 St., New York, 212-524-4300
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Probably the only things I miss from growing up in Houston. A cold Shiner and a Frito Pie.
Let's see if the guest comment removal keeps the "That picture looks like barf!" commenters away.
I'd try that once.
Barf would be a compliment.
RUB has so many delicious things from their ribs to their smoked meats to their BBQ Duck that why THIS would be the thing to get excited about (or that anybody would eschew the rest of their terrific menu to order it) confuses me to no end...
Cowgirl on Hudson Street does this. So does Fat Annie's Truck Stop on West 33rd. I'm sure there are more. Seems overdone. Is this going to be the latest novelty?!
I just hope they bring Kolaches.
Right on! I have missed this since leaving New Mexico. Nothing like the classic bag of fritos with a ladle of chili dumped on. $2 of heaven! Some enterprising street vendor should hop on...
And thus continues Gothamist's long tradition of making food look as disgusting as possible. What's wrong, you couldn't get a FOCUSED picture of that pile of Texas horseshit?
The Levee in Williamsburg had a really delicious Frito pie too. They've had it for 2-3 years?
That doesn't look appetizing at all.
Americans need to learn how to love food. This looks like something you would buy at a bus stop....yuck.
Kolaches! No one else in the world except people from Houston seem to know what Kolaches are. I would also argue that they have no idea what chopped beef brisket is (no one at hill country seemed to know) and Chicken Fried Steak.
I really like how you call out people who eat Frito Chili Pie as redneck's. Thanks.
They eat that stuff in the clink
oh, btw, joe distefano thinks that cat shit counts as mexican food. do not trust this person.
mattyp4 beat me to it. Cowgirl on Hudson Street does a great Frito Pie. I get it every time I go there. Whenever I order for people for the first time they are skeptical but they always love it. It's just really fun.
"Can I have a side of diarrhea to go."
Second that, RoDogg. They used to serve that in the cafeteria of the Southern college I attended. The meal plan was required for freshmen. Required Frito Pie! That year, a whole bunch of vegetarians and vegans were born.
That looks delicious. Frito pie isn't disgusting hillbilly food. It's a delicacy that is best enjoyed at 2 in the morning. The Levee serves a mean one but I think the owners are from Texas so I guess it makes sense.
A true New Mexican Frito Pie does have beans and is served in the bag.
But if you are making a big Frito Pie for a party or dinner or something, you cook it in one of those rectangular pans.
Wow, people really need to learn to stop being such food snobs. I mean, chili is delicious, fritos are pretty delicious as chips go (there's only two ingredients in them. corn. salt). The only demerit I would give the R.U.B frito pie maybe is too much cheese. Who cares what it looks like.
I'm at a crossroads. On one hand I want this country to establish a food culture. On the other hand, most of the people in the country who care about food - the ones who bother to seek out this blog, for example - are trying so hard to be un-American with their eating habits that they end up being snobs. Tripe smells and looks weird, but Italians eat it. Do you bash them?
If the chili is Hormel from a can, bash all you want. But homemade chili if friggin awesome! Texans are fat, granted. They eat too much cheese, granted. But don't bash Frito Pie!!!
I think that, like any food, Frito Pie depends on the execution. Eating college cafeteria Frito Pie is asking for trouble, but I'd eat it if I saw it being made.
Sez my pal Eric about Frito pie:
Pardners, for the record, Frito Pie is as follows:
-- Is purchased at the rodeo after you eyeball the livestock in the
holding pen. Chef is a denim-and-diamonds lady with freshly teased and
lacquered wide (not tall) hair, a few grand in ice, and a Kiwanis Club
apron the front of which looks like she's been slaughtering cattle,
which is not impossible. When you say "keep the change" because after
all it goes to new benches around the courthouse and the poor kids'
eyeglasses bank, she says, "whythankyewhon."
And it goes on from there.
Frito Pie defined