Cincinnati is famous for its own unique kind of chili, based on a Greek recipe. It contains finely-ground meat, no beans or onions, and usually contains spices such as cinnamon or cocoa powder, and not as much tomato as traditional recipes. It is served over spaghetti with finely-shredded Cheddar cheese on top, known as a "three-way"; add diced white onions or kidney beans to make it a "four-way"; and add both kidney beans and onions for a "five-way". It's also served over hot dogs with shredded Cheddar cheese on top, known as a "cheese coney." Cincinnati has more chili restaurants per capita than any city in the United States. The debate over where to find the best Cincinnati chili is almost a religious war. Two major chili-parlor chains (Skyline & Gold Star) are dominant, but individual parlors and other smaller chains have their fans as well.
Price Hill Chili is a local pitstop for political candidates including Vice President Dick Cheney.
Empress Chili, 8340 Vine Street. Founded in 1922 by two brothers from Greece. Empress is named after the burlesque theater that was originally located next door. It has been suggested that the Empress Chili concept was copied by other chili restaurants. Empress Chili consistently wins taste tests of Cincinnati's chili chains. �
Skyline Chili, 254 East Fourth Street (Fourth and Sycamore Street), ☎ +1-(513)-241-4848, . The most famous chili chain, with numerous locations throughout the Cincinnati area and franchise locations in Columbus, Indianapolis, Louisville, and other smaller Midwest and Florida cities. Their chili is sold in supermarkets throughout the Midwestern United States in frozen packages or cans so that Cincinnati natives can enjoy it wherever they may be. For more locations, see Skyline's store locator . �
Camp Washington Chili, 3005 Colerain Avenue (Camp Washington), ☎ +1-(513)-541-0061, . Considered by most locals to be the original home of Cincinnati-style chili, though Empress Chili had opened 18 years earlier. �
Price Hill Chili, 4920 Glenway Ave (Price Hill), ☎ +1-(513)-471-9507, . M-Th 6AM-11PM, F-Sa 6AM-2AM, Su 7AM-3PM. Price Hill Chili has been a landmark for the past 45 years, serving up Cincinnati favorites to West Side regulars. Cincinnati chili and stacked double-deckers are what Price Hill Chili is all about. The menu includes specialty dinners and salads. You can get goetta, Cincy-style. under $10. �
Gold Star Chili, 2713 Vine Street, ☎ +1-(513)-751-8841, . One of Cincinnati's major chili chains. While most Cincinnatians are loyal to Skyline, there are many who claim Goldstar is Cincinnati's best. For more locations, see Gold Star's store locator . �
Pleasant Ridge Chili, 6032 Montgomery Road, ☎ +1-(513)-531-2365. Monday Thru Saturday 9:00AM to 4:30 AM Closed Sunday. A local favorite that offers great food at great prices. Home of Gravy Cheese Fries which has been bringing people back since 1964. The menu also includes great breakfast at anytime. �
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cincinnati
Where To Stay & Best Hotels in Cincinnati - updated May 2024
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Cincinnati Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.
