Cincinnati-style chili is a unique type of chili that originated in Cincinnati, Ohio. It has several key differences that distinguish it from other chili styles like Texas chili or chili con carne.
What is Cincinnati-style chili?
Cincinnati-style chili is a meat sauce characterized by its use of seasonings such as cinnamon, cloves, and chocolate. It has a thin, sauce-like consistency and is usually served over spaghetti or hot dogs, then topped with cheese and onions.
Some key features of Cincinnati-style chili include:
- Thin, sauce-like consistency
- Ground beef or a chili-like meat sauce as the base
- Spices like cinnamon, cloves, allspice, and chocolate
- Served over spaghetti noodles topped with shredded cheese and onions
- Optional toppings like beans, oyster crackers, etc.
Cincinnati-style chili emerged in the 1920s from Greek and Macedonian immigrant restaurant owners in Cincinnati. It was likely inspired by Middle Eastern spiced meat sauces. Over time, it evolved into the unique chili style it is today.
How is it different from Texas chili?
Texas chili is probably the most well-known chili style. Here are some of the key differences between Cincinnati-style chili and classic Texas chili:
- Texas chili is chunkier, like a stew, while Cincinnati chili is thin and sauce-like.
- Texas chili gets its flavor primarily from chili peppers and cumin. Cincinnati chili relies more on cinnamon, chocolate, and other spices.
- Texas chili doesn’t use pasta, while Cincinnati chili is served over spaghetti.
- Beans are a standard ingredient in Texas chili. They are optional in Cincinnati chili.
- Toppings like shredded cheese and onions are characteristic of Cincinnati chili. These are not typical for Texas chili.
In short, Texas chili is a thick, peppery meat stew. Cincinnati chili is a thin, sweetly-spiced meat sauce poured over pasta.
How does it differ from chili con carne?
Chili con carne is another popular chili dish. Here is how Cincinnati chili differs from traditional chili con carne:
- Chili con carne tends to have a chunky texture with visible pieces of meat. Cincinnati chili is smooth and sauce-like.
- Chili con carne gets most of its flavor from chili peppers. Cincinnati chili relies more on spices like cinnamon, chocolate, and allspice.
- Chili con carne includes ingredients like tomatoes, chili beans, bell peppers, and onions. Cincinnati chili does not.
- Cincinnati chili is always served over spaghetti with cheese and onions. Chili con carne is eaten as a stew, dip, or topping.
In summary, chili con carne is a chunky, tomato-based meat chili flavored with chili peppers. Cincinnati chili has a vastly different smooth, thin texture and spice profile.
Unique ingredients in Cincinnati chili
Cincinnati chili gets its distinctive flavor from ingredients not typically found in other chili styles. Some key ingredients that make it unique include:
- Chocolate – Unsweetened cocoa powder provides subtle depth of flavor.
- Cinnamon – A major spice that provides Cincinnati chili’s characteristic sweetness.
- Allspice – Adds warmth along with clove and cinnamon flavors.
- Cloves – A small amount adds a backdrop of sweet aroma.
- Cumin – While not as prominent as in Tex-Mex chili, cumin adds earthiness.
- Ground beef – Finely minced or processed ground beef is the chili’s meat base.
Other more common chili ingredients like chili powder, garlic, and onions are also used. But it’s the unique blend of spices and chocolate that make Cincinnati chili stand out.
Unique serving style
In addition to its distinctive flavor, Cincinnati chili is served in a style unlike other chilis:
- It is always served over spaghetti noodles, never on its own.
- Shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions are standard toppings.
- Beans and oyster crackers are common optional toppings.
- It is also frequently served over hot dogs in what’s known as a “cheese coney.”
This method of serving chili over spaghetti and hot dogs was popularized by the original creators of Cincinnati chili. The practice adds carbohydrates and provides an opportunity to add cheese, onions, and other toppings.
History of Cincinnati chili
Cincinnati chili originated in the 1920s at the Empress Chili restaurant, opened by Tom and John Kiradjieff. The brothers were Macedonian immigrants who drew inspiration from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spiced meat dishes to create their original chili recipe.
Some key events in Cincinnati chili history include:
- 1922 – Tom and John Kiradjieff open the first Empress Chili restaurant.
- 1949 – Empress Chili franchises begin opening under different names like Skyline and Gold Star.
- 1965 – Cincinnati Reds baseball stadium starts selling cheese coneys topped with chili.
- 1970s – Packaged Cincinnati chili is sold in supermarkets for home use.
- Present – There are over 250 chili restaurants in Cincinnati serving the signature style.
From a single Greek immigrant restaurant, Cincinnati chili has become an iconic regional food embraced by locals as a source of city pride.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1922 | Tom and John Kiradjieff open the first Empress Chili restaurant |
| 1949 | Empress Chili franchises begin opening under different names like Skyline and Gold Star |
| 1965 | Cincinnati Reds baseball stadium starts selling cheese coneys topped with chili |
| 1970s | Packaged Cincinnati chili is sold in supermarkets for home use |
| Present | There are over 250 chili restaurants in Cincinnati serving the signature style |
Popular Cincinnati chili restaurant chains
While Empress Chili was the original, several franchise chains emerged over time that popularised Cincinnati chili across the region. The most prominent Cincinnati chili restaurant chains include:
- Skyline Chili -Opened in 1949, Skyline has over 130 locations across the Midwest. It is the largest Cincinnati chili chain.
- Gold Star Chili – Founded in 1965, Gold Star has around 90 restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.
- Camp Washington Chili – Opened in 1940, Camp Washington claims to be the “chili capital of the world.”
- Price Hill Chili – Operates 9 restaurants focused in the Cincinnati neighborhood of Price Hill.
- Pleasant Ridge Chili – Opened in 1962, they are known for their secret family recipe.
These chains, along with smaller independent chili parlors, have made the dish ubiquitous in Cincinnati’s food culture.
Skyline Chili
With over 130 locations across the Midwest, Skyline Chili is the largest chain and introduced Cincinnati chili to the widest audience. It was founded in 1949 by Nicholas Lambrinides, who learned chili-making from the Kiradjieff brothers. Skyline is renowned for their chili’s rich consistency and spice blend.
Gold Star Chili
Opened in 1965 by the Daoud family, Gold Star Chili has grown to around 90 restaurants in Southwest Ohio, Northern Kentucky, and Southeast Indiana. Their traditional Cincinnati-style chili recipe features a secret blend of spices they call “47 spices.”
Ordering Cincinnati chili
There is a specific local lexicon to ordering Cincinnati chili at restaurants in the city. Some key terms to know include:
- 2-way – Spaghetti topped with chili
- 3-way – Spaghetti, chili, and shredded cheddar cheese
- 4-way – Spaghetti, chili, cheese, and onions (or beans)
- 5-way – Spaghetti, chili, cheese, onions, and beans
- Cheese coney – Hot dog topped with chili, cheese, onions
Ordering a “three-way” or a “cheese coney” will get you a typical Cincinnati chili experience. More toppings in a 4 or 5-way take it to another level.
How to make Cincinnati chili at home
While going to a chili parlor is the local Cincinnati tradition, the dish can also easily be replicated at home. Here is an authentic recipe to make Cincinnati chili when you’re craving that unique taste:
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds ground beef
- 1 quart water
- 1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 cup chili powder
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bay leaf
- Spaghetti noodles, shredded cheddar, diced onions for serving
Instructions:
- In a large pot or Dutch oven over medium heat, cook the ground beef until browned and crumbly. Drain fat.
- Return cooked beef to pot and add water, tomato sauce, vinegar, Worcestershire sauce and all spices. Stir to combine.
- Simmer chili uncovered for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning if desired.
- Remove bay leaf before serving. Serve chili ladled over spaghetti noodles, then topped with shredded cheese and onions.
- Refrigerate leftovers up to one week or freeze up to three months.
Be sure to use spaghetti noodles and top with lots of shredded cheddar cheese and diced onions to get an authentic Cincinnati chili experience. Enjoy this unique regional chili style in the comfort of your own home!
Conclusion
With its thin meat sauce consistency, Mediterranean-inspired spice blend containing chocolate and cinnamon, and distinctive serving style over spaghetti and hot dogs, Cincinnati chili stands out from all other regional chili types in America. Chili parlors have become treasured institutions in Cincinnati, with fierce loyalty between competing brands Skyline and Gold Star Chili.
While initially unfamiliar to outsiders, once tried Cincinnati chili has a palate-pleasing savoriness that hooks people and has them coming back for more. Generations of Cincinnatians have grown up loving their hometown chili. So next time you are in southwest Ohio or northern Kentucky, be sure to grab a cheese coney or a three-way to experience a truly one-of-a-kind chili.