What's with the Chili? (Cincinnati, Lebanon: restaurant, store, horses)

[Daytonnatian]

Originally Posted by jkratze1

I've heard that Cincinnati natives like Skyline and transplants like Gold Star. I'm a transplant and I like Gold Star better. Cincinnati style chili, which is not really chili, takes some getting used to but it grows on you. I've heard there is chocolate in it. Another nice thing about Gold Star is you can get Tex Mex style chili there.

Geez, I always thought it was the other way around .

In Dayton, everybody loves Skyline (and there's locations around here like crazy), but me being the Daytonnati native I am (Middletown), I detest the stuff and ALWAYS go Gold Star. Yes, it takes me twice as long to get there than my local Skyline location, but I don't care. It's worth it.

[Sunnydee]

Cincinnati chili is unique. It's not like chili that I've had anywhere else in the country/world. It's runny, it's spicy, it's just plain weird, and I love it, but I'm a Cincinnati native and grew up on the stuff. Most people seem to love it or hate it - there doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

For a newcomer it's best to start with a cheese coney (A cheese coney is a little hot dog covered with chili and grated cheese. The cheese coney also has mustard and chopped onion, but many people do away with one or both of these.) and a three way (A 3-way is spaghetti topped with chili and grated cheese. A 4-way adds onion and a 5-way adds beans.)

Skyline, Gold Star, or another local chili parlor? They are everywhere. It's a personal preference. They'll all give you a taste of Cincinnati. Welcome to town and enjoy.

P.S. Also check out Graeter's ice cream, Montgomery Inn ribs, and LaRosa's pizza.

[Eric G.]

Originally Posted by goyguy

...my question is why anybody from out of town with limited time would want to have it for one of their meals while they're in the area. Maybe so they can say they did?

Haha, pretty much. Well, not to be able to say I did, but just because I'm curious. I normally avoid chains like the plague, but since there's apparently this "Cincinnati Chili" thang, I want to see what it's all about. I had never heard of either place before, so wanted to see what it is exactly.

As for other restaurants, the only other ones on my list so far are Ambar India, and maybe Walt's Barbeque. If you have a favorite, let me know...preferably on the West side not too far from Dent.

The only reason I was even passing through Cincinnati is because I'll be trying to get to the Dent School House, as I like haunted houses, despite their goofiness. Also, the LM&M railroad is in Lebanon, and there's a scenic drive that starts in Wilmington and ends at the East Fork State Park, so I'll be nearby.

And of course, Blanchester has the world's largest horseshoe crab statue, and how can I not see that?!

I'll be hitting Hocking Hills a few days after the Cinci area.

[jlawrence01]

Originally Posted by Sunnydee

Cincinnati chili is unique. It's not like chili that I've had anywhere else in the country/world. It's runny, it's spicy, it's just plain weird, and I love it, but I'm a Cincinnati native and grew up on the stuff. Most people seem to love it or hate it - there doesn't seem to be much middle ground. .

Chili and BBQ are very regional foods. Each area has a version that they like and most others "don't measure up."

One person says that "REAL" chili is not made with beans, another that it is not made with tomatoes, etc. Who is to say that there is a specified ONE WAY to make chili (or BBQ)?

For the last few months, my preference has been an ancho-chili based chili colorado and Chili's actually makes a pretty good version of it. However, by the end of the year, I am sure that I will be onto a different version.

[Eric G.]

Originally Posted by Sunnydee

Cincinnati chili is unique. It's not like chili that I've had anywhere else in the country/world. It's runny, it's spicy, it's just plain weird, and I love it, but I'm a Cincinnati native and grew up on the stuff. Most people seem to love it or hate it - there doesn't seem to be much middle ground.

Thanks Sunnydee, That's why I want to try it. Although it sounds like there are plenty of people that hate it, it's a part of things there, so I feel compelled to check it out while I'm there.

For a newcomer it's best to start with a cheese coney (A cheese coney is a little hot dog covered with chili and grated cheese. The cheese coney also has mustard and chopped onion, but many people do away with one or both of these.) and a three way (A 3-way is spaghetti topped with chili and grated cheese. A 4-way adds onion and a 5-way adds beans.)

I'm guessing that a cheese coney there is different from a "normal" chili dog because Cincinnati chili is used? I can't imagine eating something like that without onions and mustard! 8). The 3-way (or in my case the 5-way probably) sounds interesting. Can't say as I've had chili on spaghetti in a long time, if ever.

Skyline, Gold Star, or another local chili parlor? They are everywhere. It's a personal preference. They'll all give you a taste of Cincinnati. Welcome to town and enjoy.

Thanks!

P.S. Also check out Graeter's ice cream, Montgomery Inn ribs, and LaRosa's pizza.

Will add them to my list if I have time!

[Cincy-Rise]

I can't believe that I would think that this needs to be stated, but ...

Cincy Chili isn't supposed to resemble texas style chili in any way shape or form. It's a Greek style, not mexican.

[Ohiogirl81]

Originally Posted by Cincy-Rise

I don't think we've ever had this chili-type thread before, have we?

You mean you don't want to hear again about how I got violently ill the first time I ate Gold Star? 30 years later and I still have to look away when I see a Gold Star billboard or TV commercial.

Skyline or Price Hill chili is another matter, though. Dang. Now I'm hungry.

[Sunnydee]

Originally Posted by Ohiogirl81

You mean you don't want to hear again about how I got violently ill the first time I ate Gold Star? 30 years later and I still have to look away when I see a Gold Star billboard or TV commercial.

Skyline or Price Hill chili is another matter, though. Dang. Now I'm hungry.

You're so funny!

[unctheel-CH]

I grew up in Cincinnati, and came back in the 70's for a few years, and frankly don't have a preference but almost always wind up at Skyline. The one thing people not familiar with "Cincinnat Chili" probably need to know is that it's not the same kind of chili you might order at a restaurant in a bowl. it's more a condiment to put on spaghetti (w/ beans, onions, cheese to your liking), or a very small hot dog tucked inside a soft bun, loaded with mustard, onions, cheese (a "Coney Island"). I was here many years ago, and a friend of mine told me he had just gone to Skyline for chili and thought it was the worst he had ever had. When I asked him what he had ordered, he replied "Why a bowl of chili, of course." I don't even think I could eat it as a "bowl of chili."

Nonetheless, good stuff to grow up with and stuff yourself silly upon occasional returns to the north. Three cheese conies and I'm good to go for at least a few hours! Yum!!!

[Cincy-Rise]

^ That's what I'm saying ...

It's the same when you're at a family picnic and you have a Sprite and it gets watered down from the heat and the ice melts ... you pick it up to take a sip, assuming it's water, and BAM! you get the taste of Sprite. A sick feeling, but one we can all relate to. Our mind tells us to expect one flavor and we're hit with a completely different one.

Common sense folks.