Cincinnati Chili

Yeah, it's just sad

6star, good info on SNS! o SNS does not have use the "sweet spices", and could be called Illinois multi way??

Jim, if you read the whole chili thread, here at Roadfood, you will find LOTS of discussion about the "real chili" and "beans in chlili" topic. There is no agreement. Cincy chili can have beans. Illinois chili can have beans. That said, real Texas chili has no beans. Other styles of chili may not have beans. No beans about it!
Joe

quote:

Originally posted by jimsock9

That's outrageous. "The beans come standard with the basic chili"?
Me and a million other folks wouldn't eat it. They should offer real chili (no beans). I'm disappointed because Steak & Shake is in our area and now I won't be trying the chili. Beans? BLECHHH!

You might just try asking them if they could just give you the chili beef and special sauce (that you can get added to make a 3-way) in a bowl. Steak 'n Shake is generally pretty accommodating to special requests unless it is during a rush hour. (Tell them you are allergic to the beans, if you want to, and see what they can come up with.)

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle


Let me add to the list of chains that at some time or other have received an "official" stamp of approval: Steak 'N' Shake, Burgerville, Graeter's, Runza, Piccadilly Cafeteria, Rubio's...

Well that's interesting, because the on the 'net I found an address for a Steak and Shake in this county. The address didn't make any sense to me, but using Google Earth I found it was in an out-parcel in a Walmart shopping center near Hialeah, not too far from an expressway exit.

Any menu recommendations?

quote:

Originally posted by PapaJoe8

6star, good info on SNS! so SNS does not have use the "sweet spices", and could be called Illinois multi way??

Correct PapaJoe8; Steak 'n Shake chili doesn't have the sweet spices of Cincinnati chili, but they do offer the other optional ingredients to make the multi-ways (spaghetti, chopped onions, shredded cheese, and of course crackers).

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiDon

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle


Let me add to the list of chains that at some time or other have received an "official" stamp of approval: Steak 'N' Shake, Burgerville, Graeter's, Runza, Piccadilly Cafeteria, Rubio's...

Any menu recommendations?

Coffee. The food is lousy. The burgers are very, very, very well done.

I've had a very good steakburger at Steak N Shake by asking that a) they not press it any more after doing the initial flattening-out (they start as a round ball), and b) cooking it for a bare minimum amount of time.

To get this, I stood at the carryout counter where I had full view of the grill at a off peak time and engaged the grill man in friendly conversation, and requested these two things politely

That said, it still wasn't worth the very high price they charge, but it was definitely good.

but....sorry for the non-topical interlude....back to the chili

Seems like people who live in areas where Steak 'N' Shakes are common don't find them any more appealing than Burger Kings and McDonalds. For those of us who live outside of Steak 'N' Shake territory, it's a little more special than that. Maybe we're being fooled by the novelty of them. We've been known to grab an occasional shake, and sometimes even a late-night burger from them, whereas we'd never do that at the national chains.

I think that's a very valid point..when travelling,sometimes we opt for familiarity and safety with our food...and a quick bite at a chain we like is fine. Sometimes we are looking for something different, or something we don't often have. I can see where one person's chain might in another area of the country,be another person's novelty.Interesting thought guys!

Did you ever think that maybe we eat cinci chili as its the only game in town. We have a few root beer stands with "chili" or meat sauce thats not the local tradition but ant where else from Mom and Pop chili parlors to the chains use the cinamon variety.
Growing up in the south west I learned to enjoy spicy chili with beans. Im sure a transplanted cincinnaatian would feel lost in Colorado.
bitt

quote:

Originally posted by MiamiDon

quote:

Originally posted by Bruce Bilmes & Sue Boyle


Let me add to the list of chains that at some time or other have received an "official" stamp of approval: Steak 'N' Shake, Burgerville, Graeter's, Runza, Piccadilly Cafeteria, Rubio's...

Well that's interesting, because the on the 'net I found an address for a Steak and Shake in this county. The address didn't make any sense to me, but using Google Earth I found it was in an out-parcel in a Walmart shopping center near Hialeah, not too far from an expressway exit.

Any menu recommendations?

Steak 'n Shake still make their Steakburgers fresh when you order, as they have done for 73 years, and their milk shakes are also made the original way (with ice cream and real milk). Recently they have added the Side-By-Side Milkshakes(TM), which are 2 flavors of milkshakes in one glass and their Sippable Sundaes Milkshakes(TM), which are milkshakes with sundae toppings. My personal favorite is their Orange Freeze, which I have enjoyed for about 60 years, but since you are in Florida and used to fresh-picked orange juice, you may not find this to your taste. Recently they have been advertising the Sourdough Melt (a Double Steakburger with American cheese and no sauce on grilled sourdough bread), but since I don't see it listed on the website, it may be it's just being tested around here.

Never been to a Steak 'n Shake, but it sounds like one I'm going to look for as I travel down that road.That side by side milkshake. What a great idea! I assume,somehow the glass separates the two flavors.

Thanks 6star! Now my chili mind is clear.
Joe

I see we have been on topic and off hahahah
I am gonna add to the mix,
Your favorite SALTINES OR OYSTER CRCKERS for Cincinnati chili or any chili :-)
Pamela

I love the Cincinnati chili. I lived in Cinci in the mid to late 60's and had it for the first time then at Skyline. We went through Cinci a few years ago and tried a Skyline on the interstate. The chili didn't taste as spicy as I remember it. I know I mentioned this on another thread, but the waitress told me that they had tamed the spices to suit travelers. I really love the cinnamon and allspice flavors - don't like cumin - maybe that's why I love the Cinci style. I've lived in Arizona for 33 years now and still trying to learn to like cumin.

I went to the University of Cincinnati from 1962 to 1968 and quite frankly do not remember Cincinnati chili from that period. Maybe I had it and just didn't think anything about it as unusual. I spent most of my time at the Lakewood Bar & Grill on Jefferson. It is no longer there since the University's medical campus has seemingly merged with the main campus. I ate at quite a few other places but mainly ate pot pies, TV dinners, peanut butter sandwiches and Vienna sausages from the corner grocery store.

UOC and didn't have any Cincy chili Davy???? Hey, we were all young once!
Joe

We used to have a few Hard Times Cafes in Baltimore, and you could get Cincy Chili there. Oddly, I never thought to try Cincy Chili until I visted Cincy about ten years ago. Anyway, we no longer have Hard Times in Baltimore...at least as far as the cafe goes...so I don't know where I can get a bowl of Cincy Chili.

PapaJoe8,

I forgot to mention I also consumed a lot of beer back then. Memory could be cloudy. Truth is, even though Cincinnati Chili was around back in the 60s, it was not touted like it is today.

Robearjr,

That Cincinnati chili picture I posted came from the new Fairfax, VA Hard Times Cafe location. There are several Hard Times Cafes in Virginia and Maryland but none right in Baltimore.

http://www.hardtimes.com/locations/

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am going to Cincy for a baseball game in July with a bunch of co-workers and I can't wait to take them to Camp Washington Chili. It will be a first time for all of them, but I will be very surprised if they don't like it as much as I do.

Buffetbuster
If your co-workers are Pittsburgh natives- they'll probably want to know why Fries are not included on top of the 5-way Chili!

That's an easy fix, just order the chili cheese fries.

I big pile of fries ccovered in cincy style chili and smothered in finely grated cheddar.

quote:

Originally posted by CajunKing

quote:

Originally posted by wanderingjew

quote:

Originally posted by buffetbuster

I am going to Cincy for a baseball game in July with a bunch of co-workers and I can't wait to take them to Camp Washington Chili. It will be a first time for all of them, but I will be very surprised if they don't like it as much as I do.

Buffetbuster
If your co-workers are Pittsburgh natives- they'll probably want to know why Fries are not included on top of the 5-way Chili!

That's an easy fix, just order the chili cheese fries.

I big pile of fries ccovered in cincy style chili and smothered in finely grated cheddar.

No-- you have to order the "5 way" and then cover it in fries!

I just printed out the recipe from the Roadfood recipe section, I am definitely trying it this weekend. I just don't get the oyster crackers, it really adds to the dish??????????seems the spaghetti will be filling enough?????????.

Fab

The oyster crackers make the dish, they soak up the extra liquid and bind everything together

WJ

I think I will stick to a 5-Way and chili cheese fries with and order of garlic bread with cheese.

BB

Camp Washington Chili sounds like a great place to intro your co workers to Cincy Style Chili. Nothing like a 5-Way and some Goetta.



On a sadder note

My local Skyline is not going to be the same. Last week one of the managers that has been there for 20 years passed away. It is hard to go in there this week it is such a somber place, usually it is a lively place, yesterday it was so quiet and still. Kelley will be truly missed.

edited to change fix the name, I was having a senior moment

CajunKing-
We talked about this in Mobile.....maybe you could join us there?

quote:

Originally posted by CajunKing
Fort Washington Chili

Camp Washington Chili :-)

My last attempt to get to a skyline didn't work out but I see that there is a Gold Star Chili about 3 hours from me in Kentucky. Does this chain serve a good Cincinnati Chili?

Gold Star is good, a bit different from Skyline, but still Cincinnati chili. IIRC, it's a bit thicker and grainier than Skyline usually is. Haven't had the good fortune to try Camp Washington or the others yet, but it's on my to-do list. And because of this thread, a cheese coney and small 3-way are going to be dinner tonight!
Skyline and SnS chili are two totally different things. The only similarities are beef, cheese, onions, noodles, and their origination in the midwest. They're both delicious, but comparing them is like comparing meatloaf and swiss steak--similar in appearance, but fundamentally different. SnS is much more savory, and Cincy chili has that sweetness to it. I love them both.

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

PapaJoe8,

I forgot to mention I also consumed a lot of beer back then. Memory could be cloudy. Truth is, even though Cincinnati Chili was around back in the 60s, it was not touted like it is today.

Robearjr,

That Cincinnati chili picture I posted came from the new Fairfax, VA Hard Times Cafe location. There are several Hard Times Cafes in Virginia and Maryland but none right in Baltimore.

http://www.hardtimes.com/locations/

DDD - That picture you posted from Hard Times verses the Cincy Chili on the very first post bear no resemblance to each other. Comparing them is like comparing a Yugo to a Mercedes!

quote:

Originally posted by Foodbme

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

PapaJoe8,

I forgot to mention I also consumed a lot of beer back then. Memory could be cloudy. Truth is, even though Cincinnati Chili was around back in the 60s, it was not touted like it is today.

Robearjr,

That Cincinnati chili picture I posted came from the new Fairfax, VA Hard Times Cafe location. There are several Hard Times Cafes in Virginia and Maryland but none right in Baltimore.

http://www.hardtimes.com/locations/

DDD - That picture you posted from Hard Times verses the Cincy Chili on the very first post bear no resemblance to each other. Comparing them is like comparing a Yugo to a Mercedes!

well, part of the problem is that the Hard Times photo appears to be of a 3-way chili, rather than a 5-way chili.

quote:

Originally posted by Scorereader

quote:

Originally posted by Foodbme

quote:

Originally posted by Davydd

PapaJoe8,

I forgot to mention I also consumed a lot of beer back then. Memory could be cloudy. Truth is, even though Cincinnati Chili was around back in the 60s, it was not touted like it is today.

Robearjr,

That Cincinnati chili picture I posted came from the new Fairfax, VA Hard Times Cafe location. There are several Hard Times Cafes in Virginia and Maryland but none right in Baltimore.

http://www.hardtimes.com/locations/

DDD - That picture you posted from Hard Times verses the Cincy Chili on the very first post bear no resemblance to each other. Comparing them is like comparing a Yugo to a Mercedes!

well, part of the problem is that the Hard Times photo appears to be of a 3-way chili, rather than a 5-way chili.

Maybe so, but the quanity ratios of Chili & Cheese to the Quanity of Sub - getty is out of wack!