123.625 Oz. Env. 2 Alarm Chili Kit Vo

Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili Kit 3.3 oz

(78 customer reviews)

$2.99

Or buy 8 for $2.69 per item.

This box contains 6 individual seasoning packets: red pepper, corn masa flour, cumin/oregano, ground chili peppers, onion/garlic, paprika.

20 in stock

Find Wick Fowler's 2-Alarm Chili Kit 3.3 oz in a Store
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78 reviews for Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili Kit 3.3 oz

  1. Dorene Starnes –

    I too have purchased 2 alarm chili kit!! (For years!!! Over35 yrs) It is getting harder to find it. I have all the ingredients that is in the receipt. But I don’t know how much of each ingredient. As far as the salt, I don’t miss that! I don’t put all the salt in it my self. The dried onion & garlic is stale. I use to order the kit from Amazon. They were out of date when I received them!! I usually have fresh or dried onion and garlic!! I have tried a lot of family & friends chili!! They are pretty good. But yet to taste as good as 2 alarm!!!!!‼️💖💖🥰

  2. Heidi Bailey –

    I have used 2 Alarm as long as i’ve known how to make chili & i get compliments every time i make a pot of chili. Same great taste every time. It is getting very difficult to find these days i do agree with that. But salt can be found anymore, probably can be found in every one of these people’s kitchen so i guess its easier to complain rather than compliment. Keep up the great work! I’m a fan for life!!!

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Thank you for the support Heidi, and the great compliment!

  3. Deborah Charlton –

    This chili kit has been my go-to for as long as I can remember and there are ALWAYS several packs in my cupboard. The seasoning amounts are perfect (so what if you have to add your own salt… woo hoo). I generally use venison instead of commercial ground beef and the flavor is STILL wonderful! The 2 Alarm kit which is sold now, to me, tastes just as great as the first time I made it. After surviving a widow maker heart attack, I personally prefer NOT to use too much salt and never used the entire pack any way. Thanks for always having the product my family knows and loves!

  4. DONNA EASLEY –

    I have bought the 2 alarm chili kit for years and it seams all of a sudden it just doesn’t taste the same at all and I can add my own salt that’s not the problem at all but it just doesn’t taste good like it use to and it was my favorite and I think it taste awful now and I’m not sure what you redid in the recipe but it definitely shows in the taste sadly I’m super disappointed . I say if it wasn’t broken to begin with don’t try and fix it cause what ever you changed in that recipe isn’t even close to what it use to taste like with or without salt it wouldn’t matter it’s still awful sadly.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Donna, Thank you for the post, and we’re sorry that you had this experience with the 2-Alarm Chili. The recipe used today is the same recipe was developed by the iconic Wick Fowler himself – and we would not dare to mess with the best! We’ve forwarded your information to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to assist you.

  5. Robert –

    I was quite surprised that today’s batch of chili didn’t taste as I remembered it. I was equally surprised to learn that the salt packet was removed on purpose. We purchase these chili “kits” to duplicate Wick Fowler’s award winning chili recipe. Your quiet removal of the salt means that it no longer produces the award winning chili – as advertised.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Robert, We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your recent purchase of Wick Fowler’s Chili. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to assist you. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler’s Chili consumer!

  6. staffer515 –

    Bugs in masa! Disgusting! I had added all the other ingredients to the meat before I saw the bugs in and outside of the masa flour. I’m going to assume there are no bugs in the other packets now that I have added them to the meat. Gross.

    The only positive thing about coming here to drop a review is that I found that the reason it is now so bland is that the salt was removed. I have eaten this mix for years (was a favorite of both my father & I) & didn’t realize that the salt had been removed (I’m jut not very observant – although the bugs were not hard to miss). I added 1.5 tsp to this batch, as was indicated in a response to a previous review. The info on the offending masa packet is 2363 16:35. I purchased eight packages and will check the others shortly. This is unacceptable. Wish I could leave zero stars.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Staffer515, We’re sorry to hear that you had this experience with Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to help. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler’s Chili user!

  7. emilywthompson –

    Wick Fowler’s has been our go-to chili kit for, well, let’s just say “many” years. We love it! I’ll probably add back 1 tsp. of salt to make up for the missing packet, but we hope this kit is always in stock. We use half or less of the red pepper, depending on how spicy we’re feeling, but always add the masa. Yum!

  8. Matthew Austin –

    The masa packet had bugs crawling around inside it… sealed in!
    Straight from the store. Not expired or stored anywhere odd.
    That’s unacceptable, and I can’t buy this product again anytime soon without thinking it’ll be a waste and full of bugs.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Matthew, We’re so sorry to hear that you had this happen with Wick Fowler’s Chili. Though we do our best to prevent this by sourcing quality ingredients and by. having strict production processes in place, with these types of ingredients unfortunately this can still occur. You’re information was forwarded to out Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to assist you.

  9. NormB –

    I buy this stuff two dozen boxes at a time when I can find it. Any time I see it on the shelf I grab a few boxes.
    I make a YUGE pot of chili about once or twice a month. Beef Burger, Bison, Venison, Elk are all good starting points for this.

    A friend of mine in San Antonio introduced me to this product I SWEAR over 40 years ago… can’t have been that long, can it? Maybe that was a different brand I don’t use anymore because I – my wife, my kids – love this one so much.

    ONLY thing we don’t use is the dehydrated garlic-onion. Just don’t like it. Gets composted. I use fresh garlic, fresh chopped onion atop a steaming bowl of Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili.

    2lbs meat SEARED well in a large heavy-bottom pot, three cans diced unsalted tomatoes, two cans tomato paste and FOUR cans of beans (2 light, 2 dark – WELL rinsed), one cup of water makes for a thick mix, BUT, I also add a couple tablespoons full of ground ancho chili, about 2 teaspoons ground cumin, a tablespoon or two of ground oregano (Italian not Greek), FRESH chopped garlic, about a tablespoon full of Paprika and red, hot pepper flakes – maybe a tablespoonful. Oh, and a little plain ground pepper – half teaspoonful maybe. I don’t usually add any salt. This suits the tastes of everyone in the family and I add Habanero sauce to MINE if my pepper bushes aren’t producing at the time (they freeze well, but go fast). What’s left gets put in the freezer in meal-sized portions *cheap ziplock-type baggies) to eat for the next couple weeks until I make up another pot.

    Keep making this kit, I’ll keep buying them and giving them to the kids and grandkids as stocking stuffers.

    Thanks.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Norm, Wick Fowler’s Chili dates back to the 1970’s when Wick Fowler himself walked away with 1st place at the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff, “the coveted bronze chili pot”. His 2 Alarm Chili would go down in history as the best bowl of chili for 1970! Thanks for being a huge Wick Fowler Chili fan, and for sharing your preparation process!

  10. Greg Moon –

    Tried this for the first time and I’m sorry to say, it was very average…at best. Not much flavor and I cant help but think, based on what the other reviewers have said, its the salt packets you discontinued. I find it hard to believe that customers requested you not put a salt packet in the box that is optional. Even if some requested it be removed, why would you give in to that….they just didnt have to use it, Well guess what…..its not optional anymore for me and the people who want it.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Greg, We are sorry to hear you were disappointed with your recent Wick Fowler Chili purchase. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to assist you.

  11. Christopher Burke –

    First you removed the salt. Now the 2 alarm chili is not even hot !!! My wife used to complain when I used all the red pepper package. What happened to the red pepper ??? You have destroyed a perfectly good product.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Christopher, We are sorry to hear you were disappointed with your recent Wick Fowler purchase. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to assist you.

  12. Ronnie Bement –

    Compliments on your Wick Fowler’s Chili Kit; works perfectly if directions are followed.

    One word comment, and it regards Carroll Shelby’s Chili Kit; disappointing. It is like a training kit for Wick Fowler’s and I’m actually surprised that Reily Products owns both.
    Keep up the good work on the original.

  13. AdeleInTexas –

    This is a great product and I can’t believe all the carping and whining about 1 1/2 teaspoons of salt (the measurement I saw provided several times in response to comments) that’s easily added to the pot. Funnier still is that you stopped adding it to save money. Have these people ever bought a box of salt before or know that it’s by far the least expensive thing in the kit? Some people just have to find something to complain about. BTW, I love the kit, won’t use anything but chili grind and if I’m lucky enough to have some in the freezer, go with half beef, half venison. I use the masa because that gives the chili some legs. Only thing I do differently is some unsweetened chocolate for more depth. Crackers, tortilla chips, cornbread, and beans are on the table for those who want them along with jalapenos and other toppings so everyone can have chili the way they like it.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Howdy Adele in Texas! Thanks for the good word, and the tasty serving suggestions.

  14. Cay D –

    I, too, was raised on the 2-Alarm Chili, even though my Mom was an incredible cook. Naturally, it warms my heart every time I make a pot during cold weather in Houston. I was recently diagnosed with some heart blockage, so I’m making huge changes in my diet. I enter my food into My Fitness Pal, and would like to get the nutritional information on the recipe with no masa and with ground lean turkey. Is there a way to get that? Thanks so much. And, I don’t mind about the salt…how hard is it to reach up and grab the salt and shake a little into the pot? 😉

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Cay D, Please reach out to our Consumer Affairs Department. They can help you with additional nutritional information on Wick Fowlers Chili. 1-800-535-1961

  15. Brian Johnson –

    I grew up on Wick Fowler’s chili. Because it was the chili my mom made, it became my go-to recipe. Several years ago, it lost its appeal with us because it just didn’t seem to taste as good. By coincidence, I came across this webpage, and noticed that you chose to leave the salt out. I MIGHT try it again to see if that was the problem, but it seems terribly short-sighted to leave out an ingredient based on SOME opinions. It seems that it would be wiser to tell those people they have the OPTION to leave it out, rather than just remove an optional ingredient, and risk alienating longtime users. Packaged recipes means everything you need is in the package. At the very least, something should be noted on the box about the exclusion of an item after decades. Saying “salt optional” means you can either use the INCLUDED salt or not. You didn’t even note the previously included amount. We call this “tripping over dollars to pick up pennies”.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Brian, We’re sorry that you are disappointed with Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili, we appreciate all feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. Your information was forwarded to Consumer Relations Department for reporting purposes. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  16. Jibo –

    All these years and the directions aren’t clear about the masa. Should it be added in during the 30 minute summer or for an ADDITIONAL 20 minutes after?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Jim, We suggest to add the masa and water mixture at the end of the 30 minute simmer and simmer, uncovered, for an additional 15-20. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler Chili Consumer.

  17. David W –

    Love it. I’ve been using it since the 70s. I already leave out the salt and red pepper, but add an onion, garlic, bell pepper Ro-tel and dark red kidneys. I use a shiner bock to rinse out the pan after searing everything instead of water. Finish with some chocolate.

  18. Di –

    Doesn’t taste as good as it used to. Not sure why.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Di, We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. Our Consumer Affairs Department attempted to reach out to you but received a delivery failure notification on the email address you provided. Please call 1-800-535-1961 and someone will be happy to assist you.

  19. Bubba –

    Just opened my box of 2 alarm chili…no red pepper packet. Went ahead and made it because the meat was done, it wasn’t good at all. Making chili without the pepper packet is like buying a new car with no steering wheel.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Bubba, We apologize for the missing red pepper packet from your Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Kit. Your information was shared with out Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler’s consumer.

  20. Bill Johnson –

    Love this product. There is really no substitute. I add my own twist to it. Sautéing peppers, onions, green chilies and fresh minced garlic. Tastes amazing using ground pork and ground beef fresh from the farm. Only wish I knew the amounts of seasoning that were in the packets. (Proprietary I assume). Can’t find it locally any more. When I can find it, I buy as many as I can afford.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Bill, Sorry to hear that you are having a hard time finding Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili. Have you tried our Find A Store feature to locate a retailer near you? You can always order it from our website. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler’s Chili fan!

  21. PatS –

    We tried your 2-alarm kit tonight hoping it had the salt packet after all the backlash the past few years and was saddened to see it was still missing. We’ve went through several other brands and none have the same taste that we really like that yours has, but we never can get the salt content just right like we used to when you had the packet included. Can’t you just make the salt packet optional? Or have a “salt-free” version and one with salt? In the meantime, we’ll keep trying other brands hoping to find one that works. But please reconsider, we’d love to come back to your brand.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Pat, We sorry to hear that you are disappointed with the removal of the salt packet from our Wick Fowler Chili Kits.
      The amount of salt in the packet for this product was 1 ½ teaspoons. We’d love for you to give Wick Fowlers another try adding this amount.

  22. Doug –

    What do the dates mean on the masa package. How do you read the dates.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Doug, Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Affairs department. Someone will be reaching out with the information you are asking about.

  23. Alphonse Normand –

    First started making chili with your kit over 20 years ago, just following the basic recipe and it’s always been pretty good ! Then like most good cooks, I started ‘tweaking’ the recipe – instead of 2 lbs. ground beef, I use one lb. each of beef and hot Italian sausage; insread of water I add one 12-oz. can of beer, and start the recipe with a hot or medium jar of Pace picante sauce instead of tomato sauce – I also add and sauté three large (diced) jalapeños with the onions, peppers and garlic !

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Alphose. We LOVE when 2-Alarm Chili fans share their recipe variations! Sounds like you make one heckofa good bowl of chili!! With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili

  24. Alphonse Normand –

    Don’t get why people are bitching and whining about missing a salt or cayenne pepper packet – those are things they should already have in their pantry !

    Not being able to even FIND
    your product locally any more sucks worse ! I used to get it at Walmart fairly regularly, but they haven’t carried it for quite awhile ! Switched to the Carroll Shelby brand, as it was easier to find, but I haven’t seen much of that brand anymore, either ! Today I hit FIVE different Walmarts; spent over an hour and drove over 25 miles until I finally found some at the last store I went to ! WTF ?

    Your product is great ! Finding any is a bigger chore than its worth !

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi again Alphonse, Thanks for the suggestions to others on the missing spice packets. With packaging automation sometimes a packet can be missed. We’re sorry to hear you’re having a hard time finding finding our products. You can always order from our e-commerce or our Amazon Store if you can’t find in locally. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler’s fan!

  25. Kenneth Welch –

    This chili does not need a salt packet. It is delicious without it. Besides, the chili powder is the star of the show. Bravo for removing the salt.

  26. Donna Boothe –

    I can’t rate it yet because when we opened the box, the red pepper package was missing. So dissapointing. We’ll still make it and judge the flavor, but it will have to be mild.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Donna, We’re sorry to learn that you were missing the red pepper packet from your Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili. Your contact information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out to help.

  27. Donna D –

    It would have received 5 stars, as this has been my go-to chili for years, but once they took the salt out, I don’t buy it anymore. Why would they do that? It sucks without salt, and I have tried adding my own salt, but can’t get the proportions correct or am not using the same salt that they did.
    This company must be pinching pennies or something that they can’t add an essential ingredient (and extremely cheap ingredient)?

    I’ve tried replicating the chili, but because the wrong chili powder can make or break it, I still haven’t come up with the same flavor. But I will just keep trying to make my own recipe now. Too bad. It was always nice to have a few boxes of 2 Alarm on the shelf. No more though. At least, they could have told us on the box how much salt to add when they decided to stop including it.

    Cheapskates! Hope the money you saved on salt was worth losing loyal customers.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Donna, We are sorry that you are disappointed with Wick Fowler’s 2-Alarm Chili, we appreciate all feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. Your information was forwarded to Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  28. Jo –

    Even added fire roast tomato in still not hot enough so last time buying it👎

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Jo, We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with your recent purchase of Wick Fowler’s Chili. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out.

  29. Tim –

    What a shame that Wick Fowler has made a decision to remove a main ingredient and NOT tell the loyal customers. We had to figure why it doesn’t taste the same after all these years( 40+ for me ). So it was removed to protect the salt haters? Punish everyone else? Makes zero sense when you had it packaged separately. Or was is excuded to save money? Remember the Coke debacle of the 80’s
    Do the right thing and put it back in.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Tim, Thanks for reaching out. We are sorry to hear that you are disappointed with Wick Fowler’s Chili. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out via email. Or you can give them a call at 1-800-535-1961 service@reilyproducts.com. Thanks for being a loyal chili consumer.

  30. Becky Parmer –

    Are there less of the amount of each ingredient possibly? It isn’t the same as before. Not just the salt.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Becky, We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your most recent Wick Fowler Chili purchase. We appreciate all consumer feedback. Outside of the salt packet removal in 2017, there have been no changes to the ingredient formula. We will pass your comments on to the Operations Department for their review. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler consumer.

  31. Barbara Heggins –

    I’ve made my chili from scratch until I tasted this. Lately I Had a hard time finding it when I did I got 16 boxes for me, my family and friends. Something has changed and it’s not the salt. Is the other ingredients same? The chili powder did not smell like it did in the past. I added other things to it before it was ok to eat. Other family members said the same thing.. something has changed and it’s not the missing salt.. because I’ve made it before without the salt.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Barbara, We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your most recent Wick Fowler Chili purchase. We appreciate all consumer feedback. Outside of the salt packet removal in 2017, there have been no changes to the ingredient formula. We will pass your comments on to the Operations Department for their review. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler consumer.

  32. Glenda K Lyons –

    I love this chilli, my favorite but, it doesn’t taste the same. I see by the comments the salt was left out but, that’s NOT what I’m not tasting. Is it less cumin? Was something else left out the original packaging?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Glenda, We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your most recent Wick Fowler Chili purchase. We appreciate all consumer feedback. Outside of the salt packet removal in 2017, there have been no changes to the ingredient formula. We will pass your comments on to the Operations Department for their review. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler consumer.

  33. Kevin –

    I totally agree with the salt issue. I have always used this kit and I used it and just didn’t taste right, wasn’t sure what it was and noticed the salt was included amore, how much salt was supplied in the original kit so I can add it back and get the taste back to normal.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Kevin, Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  34. Diane Baker –

    Re: the salt, I believe if the packaging has indicated the salt was no longer included, but indicated the amount previously included, the change would’ve gone over better. I’m making chili as we speak a d the package indicates “Salt – optional’ but doesn’t say it is no longer included. If the packaging has indicated it was providing a lower salt kit due to health concerns, I imagine it would have been viewed as a benefit rather than short changing the customer

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Diane, We appreciate all consumer feedback and will certainly pass your concerns and suggestions on to the appropriate branding personnel. Thank you for being a loyal Wick Fowler Chili user.

  35. Ms Ges Val –

    Can I ask, why the directions changed from adding apple cider vinegar, brown sugar and ketchup to water and tomato sauce? My go to is to use Wick Fowler Chili kit but am concerned by the change.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Ms Ges Val, The package preparation instruction haven’t changed. Wick Fowlers Texas Style Terlingua Chili
      recipe calls for apple cider vinegar and brown sugar. This must be the recipe you are looking for.

  36. Felicia Melton –

    I have been making Wick Fowler’s 2 Alarm Chili Kit over 20 years. My family starting complaining about how bland it is. Wanted to know, what did I do different?? Well, I realized Wick Fowler removed the salt pack from the kit. I know, I know, I can add my own salt….point is, higher cost and less ingredients. This mom is very disappointed with Wick Fowler!

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Felicia, We are sorry to hear that you were disappointed with your most recent Wick Fowler Chili purchases. We appreciate all consumer feedback. Outside of the salt packet removal in 2017, there have been no changes to the ingredient formula. We will pass your comments on to the Operations Department for their review. Thanks for being a loyal Wick Fowler consumer.

  37. Jim Moran –

    I’m a big fan of the 2-Alarm Chili kits, though it’s sometimes hard to find them in stores (I live in Boston MA), but when I do I’ll usually stock up.

    I tried an interesting variation on the recipe I use and I’d like to share it because it was very good.

    So my lady-friend is a Vegan (though I’m definitely a carnivore) so I like trying Vegan alternatives to recipes with her in mind.

    Add a couple of tablespoons of vegetable oil to a deep skillet and brown one 12oz package of Impossible Burger plant based hamburger (it’s amazing stuff) and four cloves of thinly sliced garlic.

    Cook until garlic smells sweet (not raw) and then add two large Green Peppers (diced) and one medium Onion (diced) and a few good turns of black pepper.

    Cover and simmer on very low heat until peppers are soft and onion is caramelized, stir occasionally.

    Add the two 8oz cans of Tomato Sauce, 8oz of water, one 16oz can of Dark Red Kidney Beans (including the liquid from the can), and salt to taste (1 teaspoon, but you can add more later if needed).

    Add the contents of all packets from the 2-Alarm Chili kit except for the Masa (I find mine comes out pretty thick without it)

    Combine thoroughly, cover and simmer on very low heat for an hour or so, stirring occasionally.

    It comes out thick and delicious. You could use two packages of Impossible Burger, but since there’s no need to drain it while browning, it yields more in the finished dish than fatty hamburger does.

    Give it a try!

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Jim, We love receiving Wick Fowler Chili fan mail! Thanks for sharing your creative vegan alterative. It’s sounds delicious!

  38. Arline Bresler –

    I have been using your kit for many years. I always had some chili in the freeze for a good quick meal. The last few time I made it, the family told me it was bitter. Definitely not the taste we were used to for years. I thought the salt was missing and by reading several reviews, I realize that is the issue. Why in the world would you change it and not put a note on or in the box? You could have had it labeled it like you do with the red pepper. Everyone has salt and I could have easily added it.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Arline, Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  39. Becky England –

    I have been using Wick Fowler’s for over 25 years. I made some chili yesterday and the chili powder made the chili very bitter. This was the worst chili I have ever had. I will not be purchasing your 2 Alarm Chili kit again.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Becky, We’re sorry to hear that you were disappointed with 2 Alarm Chili. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out to you. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler Chili

  40. Chris Shean (verified owner) –

    I’ve been using Wick Fowler’s 2 -alarm chili kit since the 60’s. It’s just as good as it always was and it’s hard to believe that a salt packet has caused so much concern. It’s not as if you left out the saffron in a paella dish! Over the years, I’ve found that the quality of the meat, tomatoes, beans, tomato sauce etc, is what affects the differences in flavor, not the chii kit itself. Also, I would not recommend using a raw cast iron pot if tomatoes are added, unless it is very well seasoned.

  41. Wm. –

    If people want eliminate salt in their chili, why can’t they just not use the salt packet? I suspect the ‘consumer request’ was from people who aren’t satisfied unless others are dissatisfied.

  42. Gary Bowman –

    Why not just leave it in the box. They can use it or not if they didn’t want it.

  43. audrey mordos –

    I have been making chili with the 2 alarm chili kit for at least twenty years and the last five times I made it, it tasted bland and horrible. I thought it was my beef or that I had not cooked it long enough. Well today, I realized it was missing the salt packet. BS to consumer comments — this was done to save money. The least you could have done is include it in the ingredients section for those of us who want flavor in our food. Everyone knows in the cooking the world that salt is an enhancer. Do not believe for one minute this was for low sodium reasons.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Audrey, We appreciate everyone’s feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower their sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This had been a consumer request for many years. We apologize that you had this experience. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  44. Karen Erickson –

    I have to search the web every time I use this mix now to find the amount of salt that was included in the original recipe (which was perfect, by the way). The least they could do is put it in fine print on the package for those of us who loved the original.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Karen, We appreciate everyone’s feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower their sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This had been a consumer request for many years. We apologize that you had this experience and will certainly share your suggestion with the operations team. Your information was forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  45. Chris Korte –

    I got started with Wick Fowler’s False Alarm Chili many years ago when I came across them at a local store, “Big Lots.” I added my own spices to make it a little hotter, which was usually just some tabasco sauce or red pepper flakes. After a while, I could no longer find the False Alarm Chili at Big Lots or any other stores. I looked online and found out that Wick Fowler made a 2-Alarm Chili also. I purchased about 20 boxes of them, and make a batch every month or two. This was even better than the False Alarm Chili, because this gives the option of making it mild or spicy, depending on how much red pepper and other spices are added. I usually add all the spices, as well as several cans of no-salt tomato sauce, no-salt diced tomatoes, and no-salt red kidney beans.

    I usually use ground chicken breast or ground turkey breast, but sometimes will add some ground pork for a little variety. As for salt, I never used the salt packets that were included in the mixes. I have some kidney issues and I am on a very low sodium diet. I applaud the decision to eliminate the salt packets since people have salt at home and can just add their own salt if they want the additional salt flavor.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Thank you Chris, Your feedback is very much appreciated. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower their sodium intake, just like yourself, we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This had been a consumer request for many years. Thank you for sharing your experience. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  46. Scott –

    I always get this chili mix, and my wife and I love it, but the package I just bought did not have the cumin/oregano packet. I guessed at about 1 1/2 tsps cumin and 1 tsp oregano, but it still wasn’t quite right.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Scott, We LOVE hearing from our dedicated Wick Fowler Chili customers! We’re so sorry to hear you were missing a spice packet. Someone from our Customer Service team will be reaching out to help.

  47. Brian –

    Anyone know if the Carbs on the label are with or without the Masa packet added?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      HI Brian, Yes – The carbs listed on the box include the masa flour packet. Eliminating the packet would reduce the carbs to approximately 5 grams. Thanks for inquiring!

  48. Christine Gaylor –

    I love this chili kit!!! Only problem was the last one I opened had red pepper all over everything. Looks like the packet came open. Made chili anyway. BTW I never added the salt packet. Glad you took it out.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Christine, We apologize for the mess, and are so glad you made the chili anyway. Wick Fowler Chili is certainly one of our favorite products. Also, thanks for your support on the salt packet. The decision to remove it was 100% from consumer feedback like yours and to help support a lower sodium lifestyle.

  49. Native Texan –

    I’ve been eating this chili since I was a kid. Absolutely love it. Please keep making this product available. I can’t believe how many people are crying about seasoning their food! It’s called cooking. Taste and adjust the seasoning to your liking. Read & follow directions. One of the key skills I took away from the third grade. Love Wick’s LOL!

  50. Bob –

    We use your 2 alarm chili kit , Texas style, all the time. When we opened up the box we were missing an ingredient…red pepper, can’t tell you how disappointed we were. Chili was good but with the red pepper it’s the best. Bummer.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Bob, Thank you for reaching out. We are so sorry that this happened. You information has been forwarded to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out to you. With warmth and friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  51. Kevin Collins –

    Taking out the salt allows them to publish a lower sodium content on the label. Many consumers analyze their food purchases by salt content. Not a dumb move by Reily at all; in fact it likely increased sales as more consumers demand low sodium products.

    If they listed adding salt to the recipe, then that would need to be included in the nutrition labeling. It’s easy to see the conumdrum they were in. Of course, adding your own salt (most everyone has salt at home) is the obvious, no hassle solution!

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Kevin, Thank you for the support and understanding. Yes, sodium intake is a large concern for many consumers these days and providing a product that allows for a lower sodium option has been a request for many years. With Warmth and Friendship! Wick Fowler’s Chili

  52. Deb McClintock –

    I too, have been a fan of this chili mix for 45 years or more. I opened my box and had 5 packets of paprika and 1 packet of the chili powder and then a packet of masa. Wasn’t I paying for the seasonings? I guess not, because I had to add my own and treat it just like my own recipe. Waste of $$ in my opinion.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Deb, We’re so sorry that your Chili Kit was missing spice packets. I’ve forwarded your info on to our Consumer Relations Department. Someone will be reaching out. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowlers Chili!

  53. Lana Howard –

    I have loved 2 Alarm Chili for many years. I fixed a pot two weeks ago and it was not as good as usual. Not spicy so I figured it was missing the red pepper. I always use the complete packet of red pepper. Tonight I fixed it again and noticed the red pepper packet was orange/brown instead of dark red. I used it anyway and was disappointed with the lack of spicy flavor. Have you changed the spices?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Lana, Thanks for contacting us. We have not changed the spices in our Wick Fowlers Chili and are sorry to hear to notice a difference in taste. Your information was forward to our Consumer Affairs department. Someone will be in touch for more information.

  54. James Randall –

    I am echoing the salt or lack thereof complaint the last two bathes I made including tonight’s were awful. I have made this chili for years and loved it, haven’t read the directions or paid much attention to the contents in years, maybe decades.
    You could have taken time to let people like me who just throw everything that’s in the box in the pot that there is no salt.
    Hell, even Campbell’s Chicken Soup says “Sodium Free” right on the label.
    I have salt, you could have let me know that you don’t I would have loaned you some.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi James, We appreciate all feedback from our consumers. We will pass your feedback along to Operations Department.

  55. Rene M. –

    C’mon – getting rid of the salt WAS a cost cutting measure. I can’t imagine Wick Fowler’s consumers giving two flips about sodium intake. You’re not selling Whole Foods organic chicken chili. Who are you kidding?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Rene, We appreciate all feedback from our consumers. We will pass your feedback along to Operations Department.

  56. Yulanda McGilvra –

    This chili was a childhood favorite of mine and my family. When made it this time, we were disappointed… as previously pointed out, the omitting of the salt packet and not including the amount on the directions was a bad move. It’s not like people who don’t want salt can’t just omit the package. The smacks of cost cutting rather that for customers request. Also we remember this as being way hotter than it was today. We used to have to add potatoes in order to tone it down a tad (1980 and 90s). Did you used to have a hotter kit? Just was a big disappointment

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Yulanda, Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  57. Margaret Gavin –

    Been using Fowlers for 40+ years. always a hit. Until New Year’s Day. Made it and it was not very good. Realized salt was missing. Would have appreciated a heads up! If others didn’t want it, they didn’t have to use it. Seems like a cost cutting measure rather than a response to demand.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Margaret, Thank you for reaching out. We appreciate your feedback. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products in 2017. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  58. Larry F McInis –

    Did as box instructed. Did not seem to get mixed up. The meat has no flavor and the sauce is gritty. Must have done something wrong. Worse chilli ever.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Larry, We are sorry you are disappointed with Wick Fowler’s Chili. We’ll forward your info on to our Consumer Affairs department. Someone will be in touch. With Warmth and Friendship!

  59. Don Sanders –

    I was just reminded of some good ole days about Wick (after seeing an article about Tolbert and his BOWL OF RED). I was a part-time drive-in bank teller @ The Austin National Bank during the last year (‘71-‘72) of Wick’s life and my first year @ UT. He came through my teller window almost every day making a deposit for his 2 alarm chili company. He made my day (which were especially hectic on Monday and Friday). He was always jovial and we carried on a conversation just about every time he came. I concluded early on that was why he would wait in line to come through my lane. I considered that a big compliment and looked forward to it. Most of the time he would toss in a couple of packets of his 2 alarm. He knew my father-in-law and I liked it a lot. He asked if we could handle it hot. I remember an extra package of peppers occasionally too. He was always a gentleman with a smile and always asked about how I was doing.
    With fond memories,
    Don Sanders

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Don! We LOVE hearing these great stories about the founders of our products. Thanks for sharing your memories. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  60. Jim drennan –

    Definitely a cheap shot leaving out the salt pack

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Jim, Thank you for reaching out. We love hearing from our chili users! Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  61. Toni –

    Where is the salt? How much salt was in the salt packet previously included as one of the seasonings? I’ve made this many times before, but the last time it was horrible and I could not figure out why. I later realized the salt packet was removed. Since you no longer provide the salt, please consider adding the amount needed in the directions or in the list of ingredients where you list that salt is optional. It makes a world of difference in the taste.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Tony, Thank you for reaching out. Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. We recommend to put in less than that amount, as you can always add more. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  62. Mary Cave –

    😱 I have used Wick Fowler’s for years but no more! I made it last week and it was terrible! The spice packets changed. There was no paprika, cumin. garlic or salt!!! Hope you saved money because you have lost a customer.
    I am lucky that back in the day when budget was tight, I measured and recorded the packets.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Mary, We’re so sorry that you had this experience. You’re information has been forwarded to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone will be reaching out to you. Thank you for contacting Wick Fowler Chili.

  63. Richard Childs –

    I’ve never had it and I love chili, i live in il and never seen this product all I’ve seen here Ray’s and chili man that’s about it

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Richard, Give 2-Alarm a try and let us know if you LOVE it! We certainly do.

  64. Carla Ayer –

    My mother always made this chili but I haven’t been able to find it here in middle Tennessee. Can you tell me where I can find this seasoning packet?

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Carla, You should be able to find Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili at Kroger in Mid-Tennessee. Try our Store Locator for other stores in your neighborhood. https://reilyproducts.com/find-a-store/

  65. Clayton –

    Just bought 2 boxes of your 2 Alarm Chili for my first attempt at making chili ever. Was good, but suspected something was missing and realized that there was no oregano/cumin seasoning included in either box – heads up for your packaging team. Didn’t have cumin but add some oregano to a bowl and boy what a difference it made! So minus 1 star for missing ingredients that are supposed to be included.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Clayton, We apologize for this mishap. I’ve forwarded your info to our Consumer Affairs Department. Someone should be contacting you within the next few days.

  66. Hughes –

    I have loved this chili for more than 20 years . I use ground turkey and sweet Italian sausage, crushed tomatoes and black beans. Actually won several company chili cook-offs with this “kit.” (Shhhhhh!) Had a hard time finding it on occasion over the years so have tried other kits and none can touch this one (Carol Shelby included). Pulling the salt packet not a big deal but not a smart marketing move in my opinion. This is supposed to be an all-in collection of spices, so excluding a key ingredient makes no sense to me. Anyway a minor irritation for a world class product!

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Hughes, Thank you for reaching out. We love hearing from our chili lovers! Due to changes in consumer eating habits and their desire to lower one’s sodium intake we removed the optional salt packet from our chili products. This has been a consumer request for many years. I am happy to let you know that the salt used was plain salt, with 1 1/2 tsps for Wick Fowler 2-Alarm Chili. We recommend to put in less than that amount, as you can always add more. No changes were made with other seasoning packets. With Warmth and Friendship, Wick Fowler’s Chili!

  67. Michael Dean –

    Best chili anywhere.
    Did you know that Wick Fowler was a creator, cook, and judge at the Terlingua Chili Cook-off? He wrote a column for the Dallas Morning News paper called Big D.

    • Reily Foods Company –

      Hi Michael, We love hearing from our chili loving fans. Yep, true Texas-style, World Championship recipe chili kits here, since 1967!

  68. Jacqueline McDonald –

    Just love this Chili kit, but it’s not in any stores by me, hope it returns,

  69. David Newman –

    2 alarm mix is my hands #1 choice for chili mix.
    Nothing else comes close!

  70. Karen Scott –

    Been eating this brand for over 35 years. Hands down the Best🔥

  71. Cliff –

    Great mix of ingredients, enough red pepper to spice it up if y’all want!

  72. ricky avello –

    You guys make the best prepackaged chili kit in the northern nj area which is the only area of my expertise…lol.
    Thanks for a great product.

  73. bollingthompsom –

    Simply the Best

  74. KathyC –

    I love 2 alarm chili and I’m a homegrown Texas girl. Enough spice to make a weaker person groan. I love the heat. Easier and just as good as homemade, well very close. Used it with beef and with venison. Yum!

  75. Burke –

    When did you take out the salt ???

  76. Theresa Brazee –

    This is the best chili ever!!!!

  77. Paul Busch –

    We’re native Texans and have loved this chili for decades…and then you removed the salt. Probably seems like no big deal to you guys, since everybody has salt in their cupboard. But, it’s just irritating that you’d put that extra step off on customers just to save a penny or less. Of course we discovered this by accident, since we don’t need to read the instructions. The chili was just awful that cold night…until we realized there was no salt included. You know we’ll keep buying it, but you should also know that we’ll be just a little irritated every time we make it. I’m quite surprised no one else has complained here. Or maybe we just don’t see those reviews…I would have given you a 5 for the previous version. Please don’t make any more “improvements” to this perfect recipe.

  78. AC –

    This is usually my absolute favorite chili mix since I was a kid. But recently I noticed you stopped adding the packet of salt. Please put it back. It’s still optional but I don’t know the measurements for it.

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