Cincinnati-style Chili Problem!

Hi everyone!
 
I'm a Cincinnati native and for those of you who have never been (or tried) there isn't much in Cincinnati worth mentioning except for chili! :)
 
I've lived in Chicago for years now and while relatives do send some cans of Skyline, I decided to make my own Cinci-style chili. However, everything I've done seems just about right (from recipes online) but there is something not there. My chili has come out too sweet. I taste test next to a can of Skyline (not exactly like the restaurant but close) and while the spices seem darn close, it is too sweet. I don't know what to do. I'm good in the kitchen but was wondering (I don't think it needs more salt) what might be wrong.
 
For other cooks, do you think I should use fattier ground beef? My father, another cook, says that might fix it but I was wondering, even if you have never had Cinci-style chili (you've been missing out!!!) if you think that "theory" might hold true. I know fats are very important to taste but not sure if want to try again or if someone has another suggestion.  This is my first post so sorry to ramble! :)
 
P.S. This is the recipe I've used with a couple modifications. I added some clove, a little extra salt, and some hot sauce.

How does your recipe differ from this one?
http://americanfood.about.com/od/classicchowdersandstews/r/cinnchili.htm
Or this one?
http://www.food.com/recipe/skylike-chili-skyline-chili-copycat-110548
Or this one?
http://www.cooks.com/rec/view/0,1749,149162-241206,00.html
Or this one?
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/cincinnati-skyline-chili/
 
Some have chocolate, some do not.  According to one website, chocolate is not listed as an  ingredient on the canned Skyline Chili, therefore none is in it!

I use cocoa powder in mine and that should cut the sweetness if you're not using it in yours.
 
Perhaps if you post your recipe we can see where the sweetness may be coming from.
 
DT

http://www.hersheys.com/pure-products/hersheys-cocoa/natural-unsweetened.aspx
 
Start with 1T/gallon.  Increase until sweetness subsides.

I have to respectfully disagree with ajg.  There's a lot worth mentioning about Cincinnati, especially food wise .
 

Ajg, have you tasted the individual ingredients to see if one of them is unusually sweet?  I wonder if the sweetener is hidden in something else.
 
Brad

ScreamingChicken


Ajg, have you tasted the individual ingredients to see if one of them is unusually sweet?  I wonder if the sweetener is hidden in something else.

Brad

Outside of the obvious (sugar) my bet would be the tomato product.
 
DT

sudie


I have to respectfully disagree with ajg.  There's a lot worth mentioning about Cincinnati, especially food wise .

Agreed! As a sausage lover, I dream of Cincinnati metts (mettwursts); and while I do not necessarily dream of goetta, it's a breakfast meat I wouldn't want to do without.

Michael
 
I dream about goetta.  Yummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I love metts, but I'm not that big a fan of goetta.

ajg

P.S. This is the recipe I've used with a couple modifications. I added some clove, a little extra salt, and some hot sauce.

What is the recipe you've used?
There's no recipe or link to a recipe there.