Cincinnati Chili

TJ Jackson

PapaJoe8

some Cinci chili has celery seeds as part of it's secret ingredient.

You've been pushing this near absolute falsehood for as long as I can remember you being on these forums.

Sure, some random fool may at some point added some celery salt to his "cincinnati-style" chili.  But the item at its core does not include celery salt.

Never has, never will.

Sorry.

I maintain the hope that someday you'll realize that perpetuating a falsehood is not a profitable undertaking.  That said, I am also a lifelong Bengals fan - clinging to forlorn hopes comes naturally to me.

 
Wow, hell must have actually froze over
 
TJ and I not only actually agree on something, we  fiercely agree on the same point- Miracles do happen!
 
TJ, if you ever get to Rhode Island and try the local Hot Wieners, you'll see   that "hot wiener" sauce which is generously loaded with celery salt is entirely different from Cincinnati Chili.

brittneal



Well worth the trip and Dayton is much nicer than cinci!
britt

In what respect?????

I look forward to travelling to Cincinnati to compare for myself.

Let's see... Blue Ash, Camp Washington and Skyline.  That should be a start. 

MiamiDon


I look forward to travelling to Cincinnati to compare for myself.

Let's see... Blue Ash, Camp Washington and Skyline.  That should be a start. 

 
Don,
 
Skyline is nothing special. It's a chain and I remember when I lived in Pittsburgh, they sold their chili frozen at the local supermarket (Giant Eagle)
There are many other local cincinnati chili parlors to check out that haven not been reviewed on the forum. You can go onto yelp.com enter the word "chili" and
then enter cinninnati and you'll find reviews on  a bunch of them.  I would personally choose Dixie Chili over Skyline anyday.

wanderingjew

Skyline is nothing special. It's a chain

True and true. 

It is however the Cincinnati-style chili most folks know in Cincinnati - many Cincinnatians have never had chili at Camp Washington, Blue Ash, or any of the other single-location establishments.  For many locals, the only Cincy chili they have ever had is from Skyline or it's lesser-known close competitor, Goldstar.  I go to Goldstar every now and then on kids night (kids eat fre) for a bargain family dinner

To the argument that it can be bought frozen or dried - many expatriot Cincinnatians do this but they say it is not close to being the same.  They still get the real thing when they make trips back.

That said, my wife's favorite chili in Cincinnati is Dixie.

TJ & WJ:

I know that Skyline is a chain, but I want to sample it to establish a baseline for comparisons.  After reading all the way through this resurrected thread, it seems to me, as TJ pointed out, that many Buckeyes think of Skyline when the think of chili.

I am not going to finish any of them.  I'll probably do 3-4 one afternoon, and write it up in my notes while the tastes are still fresh in my mind.

TJ:  Do you know when "chili" got established in Cincinnati?  My mother grew up in Clifton, and married and left in about 1947.  She never mentioned anything about it (but that could have just been her).

MiamiDon


TJ & WJ:

I know that Skyline is a chain, but I want to sample it to establish a baseline for comparisons.  After reading all the way through this resurrected thread, it seems to me, as TJ pointed out, that many Buckeyes think of Skyline when the think of chili.

I am not going to finish any of them.  I'll probably do 3-4 one afternoon, and write it up in my notes while the tastes are still fresh in my mind.

TJ:  Do you know when "chili" got established in Cincinnati?  My mother grew up in Clifton, and married and left in about 1947.  She never mentioned anything about it (but that could have just been her).

 
Kind of a "Cincy chili smackdown"  I like what I'm hearing.
 
Funny that you mention your mother didn't know about Cinci Chili. I had a similar situation when I lived in Seattle back in the early-mid 90's. I had an older coworker probably pushing 60 at that point who was originally from Detroit and had no idea what a Coney was and I remember talking to a customer who was also originally from Detroit and was "vaguely familiar" with Coneys, but thought it may have been "an African American" thing.
I also remember calling visitors information prior to visiting Pittsburgh in the early 90's and asked about local food, the only things they could think of was "City Chicken" and "Chipped Ham". No mention of Primantis or Steak Salad, or Turkey Devonshiore or Pierogies or Kolbassi- nothing at all.
 
The most bizarre suggestion was when I was passing through Billings Montana, I called the visitors center asking about local and unique regional food and the guy suggested "Red Lobster"

Don,

http://www.skylinechili.com/story.php

Skyline Chili claims 1949 so would have been after your mother left Cincinnati. I was at the University of Cincinnati from 1962 to 1968 and don't recall ever eating Cincinnati chili or even hearing about it. I suspect its reputation, fame and promotion grew after the 60s. That's my take on it, but then again, I was soused with Hudepohl, Schoenling, Wiedemann and Burger so much that maybe I didn't remember.

wj:  Too funny about the Red Lobster in Montana!
 
 
Davydd:  Mom went to UC.  She lived a mile to the north.

Cincinnati Chili had it's start in the early 20's, at Empress Chili

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili

Empress still exists, but has very few locations remaining, and in many cases allows other restaurants to offer their product

TJ Jackson

wanderingjew

Skyline is nothing special. It's a chain

True and true. 

It is however the Cincinnati-style chili most folks know in Cincinnati - many Cincinnatians have never had chili at Camp Washington, Blue Ash, or any of the other single-location establishments.  For many locals, the only Cincy chili they have ever had is from Skyline or it's lesser-known close competitor, Goldstar.  I go to Goldstar every now and then on kids night (kids eat fre) for a bargain family dinner

To the argument that it can be bought frozen or dried - many expatriot Cincinnatians do this but they say it is not close to being the same.  They still get the real thing when they make trips back.

That said, my wife's favorite chili in Cincinnati is Dixie.

There were a couple of Gold Stars up here in the Columbus area several years ago, but they didn't last long. I liked their product. Skyline is all we have now, and it's all over the place. I have two within five miles of my home, and I am not a stranger to them.
 
I tried the frozen stuff once and it didn't come close to what they serve in their stores. I've bought the canned Skyline, too, and found it to be a bit watery.

TJ Jackson


Cincinnati Chili had it's start in the early 20's, at Empress Chili

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cincinnati_chili

Empress still exists, but has very few locations remaining, and in many cases allows other restaurants to offer their product

In reading Wikipedia assuming it is accurate it is Greek in origin started in 1922 in Cincinnati but it appears the current incarnation of Cincinnati Chili was somewhat defined by another Greek owned Skyline starting in 1949. The expansion did not start for Skyline and the creation of Gold Star (1965) until the 60s so I think the reputation and general popular acknowledgment that it is a Cincinnati wide thing didn't take hold until after I left in 1968. I was a bit bemused when I first heard about Cincinnati chili long after I left because we students were led to believe Cincinnati was quintessentially German in culture and heritage. But that is still over 40 years of solid history and reputation that won't have its roots traced back to the east coast or somewhere else.

Don, I live on Ludlow Avenue in the Clifton neighborhood during my student days.

I seem to remember the story that the first Empress Chili was located downtown, next to the Empress burlesque theatre.  They needed something to sell to customers earlier in the AM, when customers were leaving the "theatre".  The business was not thriving with the German immigrants that lived in downtown Cincinnati.  They began to sell a bastardized form of a Greek stew called stifado, with ground beef instead of stew beef {lamb, rabbit~ whatever they used in stifado}.

I remember the original downtown location of Empress Chili, which existed until sometime in the 1970's/early 1980's {?}.  It was located on Sixth St., and you had to go down a set of steps to get there.  I would go there after going to Scully's bar.  I may be wrong about this.  If I am, please fill me in.

I am sure this "original story" has been told here before, but it is worth repeating here and now.

Yes, Cincinnati Chili is a sauce, or a stew.  But it has come to be known as "chili" in Cincinnati.  It is unique, and an acquired taste, for some.  But I grew up with it, and have a weakness for it.

Camp Washington is my favorite.  It's not quite as sweet.  I will buy the canned or frozen products, but they aren't quite as good as if you buy them in a "Chili Parlor".  Keep that in mind. 

And, if you are in Cincinnati, it's worth a try.

Attached Image(s)

I tried to attach a picture, and it didn't work.

SORRY!!!

I prefer Skyline to Gold Star, Empress and Dixie, and, truthfully, I thought Camp Washington tasted about the same as Skyline. Guess I'll have to try Blue Ash; maybe I'll find me a new favorite there. I've tried both the canned and frozen versions of Skyline and, yep, it just ain't the same.

NYPIzzaNut

brittneal



Well worth the trip and Dayton is much nicer than cinci!
britt

In what respect?????

 
It's not located in Cincinnati!

MiamiDon....When you get up to Fort Lauderdale 
There are 2 full fledged Skyline Chili Shops
1 is on North University in Sunrise the other
on North Federal Hwy

I just noticed that a Roadfood.com user review of Camp Washington Chili dated July of 2008 really blasted it.

Here's a link:  http://www.roadfood.com/Reviews/Overview.aspx?RefID=119

Has anyone been there lately?

MiamiDon-
I ate there last Summer with CajunKing and it was still as good as ever.  What say you, CK? 

I just ate there about 2 weeks ago, and it was as good as it always has been.  The chili was fine, not too watery.  The goetta was crisp and good.

Ayersian is going to be in the area this weekend, and Camp Washington Chili I bellieve is on the agenda.


HEY MD

You should come up the weekend we are doing the Cincy Style Chili Eating Tour.

http://www.roadfood.com/Forums/tm.aspx?m=484920&high=cincy+chili

CajunKing:  I have to go to NY that week, but it sure looks like it would be fun.

I haven't made up my mind when to go to Cincinnati, although it will be when it is warm!  (I've been in SoFla for over 30 years)

Well when you do make to the city where pigs fly let me know and I will join you in a cincy chili eat-a-thon.

It's a deal!

For those who might be interested, I found a Cincinnati cheese coney website:

http://www.cheeseconey.com/

Enjoy!!

I love the site and I am now a member.

I think one of the spices (that may be important) is Cardamom~

:)

Angelle


I think one of the spices (that may be important) is Cardamom~

:)

Why not? It seems they use every other spice known to man.  pb

Angelle, could be Cardamom!

Porker, well almost.%^&* Be very careful mentioning some seasonings around here! :~)

No one... I and I mean no one... knows what's in those "secret" Cincinnati Chili recipes! Hmm, who said that. ???

How about Old Bay seasoning? I have heard the mention around here somewhere. Could some places use it. ???
Joe

PapaJoe8


How about Old Bay seasoning? I have heard the mention around here somewhere. Could some places use it. ???
Joe

 
Seriously, are you just saying this to be annoying? 
 
Old bay season is probably more absurd than celery salt...
 
Cardamon on the other hand would not surprise me.

Wanderer, I am not sure where but someone here did mention Old Bay as possibly one of the "secret" ingredients in Cinci chili. I had no idea that me saying that would annoy anyone. I kinda thought someone might say " I don't think so" or "Hmm, maybe so?" or "I'm the one that said that" or...???

The search for, and speculation about, the "secret" Cinci Chili seasonings is sposed to be fun yall. :~)

Hey, we can never no for sure. These recipes ARE closely guarded secrets. Not even the folks who work there know what's in, or is not in, what they serve.
Joe