Cincinnati Chili

Published on Wednesday, February 13, 2008, by Sarah Perry / Edit Post

Cincinnati chili is not meant to be eaten like Texas chili, says DanaB—you wouldn’t just tuck into a big bowl of it with a spoon. It’s used more as a condiment, topping things such as spaghetti and hot dogs.

The bland, sweet, heavy, somewhat greasy concoction is not for everyone—soupkitten describes it as “pretty gross.” Did we mention it has cinnamon, cloves, and allspice in it? grampart has even seen one recipe for Cincinnati chili that calls for chocolate, and adds: “I guess it’s an acquired taste.”

ESNY found the stuff objectionable at first, but after spending about two months in Cincinnati began to find it enjoyable, particularly in a three-way (spaghetti, chili, and finely shredded cheese) or on a cheese Coney (a hot dog with mustard, onion, chili, and cheese).

AndyP had some shipped to him while he was in Japan, and had some on spaghetti with diced onions and cheese, a concoction known as a four-way. “I could taste how it wouldn’t be totally objectionable,” he says. “As a matter of fact, after a night of too much enjoyment, it was damn good.”

Board Link: Just what IS Cincinnati Chili?

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  • Cincinnati chili is a fine product but, like all food, has to be made and served properly. Overly greasy chili is bad no matter what style.
    Spicing with Cincy chili can be a crapshoot - it is easy to overdo it. Aside from that, it is stupidly easy to make - I can't see buying it in a can.

  • I don't know why people have to critisize food that they don't "get" or "like" that other people grew up on. Food's not about that. You either like it or you don't. Certainly it's not up to you to define chili. And please stop it all ready whith the "in Texas" crap of what chili is. Texans like to think that they're better than everyone else at everything elese as though Texas is the yardstick of...+READ

    I don't know why people have to critisize food that they don't "get" or "like" that other people grew up on. Food's not about that. You either like it or you don't. Certainly it's not up to you to define chili. And please stop it all ready whith the "in Texas" crap of what chili is. Texans like to think that they're better than everyone else at everything elese as though Texas is the yardstick of civilisation. Please. I grew up in Cincy and love Cincy chili. I also have been through Texas and love it's version of chili. Cincinnati chili is a regional concoction that is intertwined with our city's history just like reubens in New York.-COLLAPSE

  • My first experience was with a group of locals who decided to take the "Texan" to have chili. They insisted on my trying the 3way. Now, 20 years later, I still "fondly" remember it as the worst meal I've ever had. Seasoned grease on barely warm spaghetti with bland cheese. I still shiver when the concept is mentioned.