Regional Spotlight: Cincinnati Chili

Nestled along the border of Ohio and Kentucky, Cincinnati, Ohio was one of the first major cities in the center of the nation. The city is widely recognized for the beautiful Italianate architecture lining the streets. With so many influential structures, it is no wonder than the University of Cincinnati is one of the top architecture schools in the nation. The Queen City built something else that has caught the attention of Americans. Cincinnati-style chili veers off path from its chili con carne relatives. This chili in the heart of America definitely walks to the beat of its own drummer.

Cincinnati-style chili recipe uses unique spices while cooking the chili meat, including cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and/or chocolate. These unsuspecting chili ingredients add a new twist to an old favorite. If adding a sweet note to your chili doesn’t sound appealing, try it before you dismiss it. With such a large following of Cincinnati-style chili lovers, it is hard to deny that this southwestern Ohio city is doing something right.

The difference between Cincinnati chili and your typical chili con carne doesn’t just stop at the meat. The way the chili is served is rather unique as well. Cincinnati chili isn’t served over fries, on top of nachos or in a deep soup bowl. Cincinnati chili is typically served over a big plate of spaghetti. Chili is typically served with a choice of shredded cheddar cheese, diced onions and beans. While spaghetti is the mainstay, it certainly isn’t frowned upon to enjoy your chili out of a bowl or loaded on top of a Coney-style hot dog.

Visitors can find a number of restaurants, or “chili parlors” as they are commonly called, throughout the region. With parlors like Empress Chili, Gold Star Chili, Skyline and Dixie Chili, you are sure to find a parlor that is convenient to stop at. If you’re in the city, you need to at least try the chili that has generated such a fuss. And if you decide you just can’t live without the famed Cincinnati-style chili, you just may be able to pick some up at your local grocer. The Cincinnati chain, Skyline Chili, has been praised far and wide. You may even be able to find the Cincinnati chili in grocery stores from Ohio, to Georgia, to New Jersey.

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