Cincinnati style chili is different from other chili in that it doesn't have beans, it's a little more sweet than other types of chili, and it adds spices such as cinnamon and allspice with a dash of cocoa to the mix. And it doesn't have any hot and spicy taste to it. It could be described as "Greek style" chili because a lot of the origins of Cincinnati style chili come from the city's Greek immigrant community. It's a different, yet acceptable taste when compared to Texas Style chili or Willy Chili.
Of course, there's a number of places in Cincinnati that have minor variances of the local style of chili. And the way they serve it is also quite unique to Cincinnati. Most places serve the chili as 3-way chili - spaghetti, topped with chili, topped with copious amounts of cheddar cheese. Or you can go to 4-way chili by adding either red beans or onions. Or go all the way to 5-way chili - adding both the beans and onions.
I'm sorry - chili and spaghetti just doesn't sound appealing to me. But it's a staple in the diets of many people in Cincinnati.
However, what I do like in Cincinnati are their Cincinnati style chili dogs. Actually, the hot dogs and the buns they serve the hot dogs on are almost miniature in size. Three healthy bites and they're gone, so it's easy to eat three of them at one sitting.
Cincinnati style chili dogs, or "coneys", are topped with chili, mustard and onions. You can add cheddar cheese to them, but I think the cheese really detracts from the taste of the chili dog.
I've been to the three "big" places in Cincinnati to get chili dogs and I think I have a better idea as to who is the best.
My third place finisher is Gold Star Chili. Not that it's bad, I think it's good. I just like the chili at my second place finisher Skyline Chili a little bit better. Skyline Chili has been around for about 15 years longer than Gold Star has, and they have more locations in and around Cincinnati than Gold Star.
Actually, it's like an arms race between Gold Star and Skyline - they're both putting up places right and left. I think Gold Star has something like 100 total locations, Skyline may have about 120. But Skyline is also available throughout Ohio and Kentucky, up in Indianapolis, up in Michigan, and now down in Florida.
I found the Skyline chili to have just a little bit more of an agreeable taste than Gold Star. The spice taste sensations were more abundant in the Skyline chili. That may not mean that more people like it that way, but I did. And I found the chili dogs at Skyline were a little more flavorful - both with the chili and the hot dog, itself.
But my favorite place in Cincinnati for chili dogs is not a chain, but a single store location - Camp Washington Chili. Camp Washington is a family run place that is styled after a 50's era diner. The waitresses are friendly and sassy and make you feel welcome. I like their chili the best of all the three "big guys", and they have the best chili dogs of all three. When I go to or through Cincinnati, I always have to get off of I-75 at Hopple and go west about a quarter of a mile to Colerain and Camp Washington is there on the corner. They're open all through the week, but closed on Sunday's.
When in Cincinnati, I heartily recommend getting a couple chili dogs at Camp Washington.
Comments